Now that winter is upon us in this era of constant changes, we find comfort in the ordinary: taking care of our families and homes and enjoying the chilly days. Simple steps can make winter of unknowns to be as safe and comfortable as we can be.
Your Home
You can’t stop a blizzard or the damage it may bring, but your homeowner’s insurance can help you recover from one. “Check out your policy’s deductible for ice and wind damage – they are probably different,” said Wanda Carlson, a State Farm agent for 17 years and owner of Carlson Insurance Agency. “Some homeowners have a special savings account for the deductibles because they could be high. Prepare now by reviewing your policy with your agent.”
Carlson says water damage from frozen pipes affects more than a quarter-million homeowners in the U.S. each winter. “Nationally, State Farm paid out $200 million last year for this so we want to help you prevent it from happening,” Here are some tips. Turn off the water supply to your outside faucets to avoid freeze ups. Allow warm water to slowly drip overnight through inside faucets located near outside walls. Open the cabinets under your faucets so that cold air isn’t trapped. Insulate the pipes that travel through crawl spaces or attics.
Take stock of your family’s wardrobe needs for the winter. Who in the house outgrew their winter parka or snow boots? Who needs sweatshirts or sweaters? As you’re sorting and taking inventory, consider donating your gently used clothing items to the Clothes Closet at the First Baptist Church of Milford on North Street. Did you know that 85% of clothing winds up in our landfills when 95% of it can be reused or recycled? Your donations will be made available to more than 300 visitors monthly and will help our planet at the same time. Call the church to find its most current donation collection times, (203) 878-1178.
The exterior of your home is the first defense against Mother Nature’s icy winds. Your best bet is to have a professional inspection. Roof issues, like missing shingles could make your winter one to forget. Mike Lofaro owner of Berkeley Exteriors has some advice. “It’s important to have your roof inspected. Ice dams can wreak havoc in your home. The ice makes its way under your shingles and the warmth in your home melts the dam and makes its way in.” Mike cautions. “The damage could be extensive. Water has a way of flowing around, damaging wood, sheetrock, and more. It doesn’t always show until the damage is done.”
LAWN and GARDEN
“You worked all spring and summer to keep your lawn beautiful.” said Dan Thornberg, president of Total Lawn Care & More, located in Milford for 10 years. Thornberg also suggests these tasks to prepare for winter weather: “Stake your driveway to protect your lawn. Snow removal can cause serious damage. Be sure to collect and compost your leaves. “Leaves are acidic so try to get them off your lawn and into a compost pile. You can use the soil next year in your vegetable garden,” he added. “Be sure to use – and ask your snow removal service to use – environmentally-friendly ice melt. Straight salt can seriously damage your driveway and pavers.”
CAR MAINTENANCE
Safely traveling during the cold and snowy winter will rely heavily on preparing your car for this season. “Number One on this list is good traction,” said Gary Dulin, president of Dulin Automotive Group which has been servicing Milford drivers for 27 years. “Make sure you have good tread on your tires. You want to have good traction in bad weather,” he said. “Even though all-wheel drive vehicles don’t need snow tires, good tread on your existing tires is essential. Be sure your antifreeze fluid is flushed regularly but especially for winter. Replace old antifreeze now and be sure it withstands temperatures down to -15 degrees.” Dulin continues. “You really should change your windshield wipers twice a year. Have your serpentine belt and your coolant hoses (which are the conduits for antifreeze) checked for age and damage. They can crack and burst if not properly maintained. Also, be sure your defroster and heat are working properly.”
Gary has another tip. “Clear snow off the car with a broom then run the car for 10 minutes. “Thaw it out before driving. No one ever does it, but it improves visibility and safety.”
