You can’t avoid the challenges cold weather brings but you can fight them by being well prepared.
Everyone at work has come down with the cold or flu. The first frost set in sooner than it did last year. Everywhere you turn, there seem to be cold weather threats at bay! Make your home a haven amongst the madness with five easy steps for protecting the health of your family and your home.
Update Insurances – Take a moment to make sure that your family’s health insurance is up to date. Review the policy or speak to your insurance advocate to know copays and out-of-pocket expenses so that there are few surprises when seasonal emergencies and health concerns strike.
Look back at your renters insurance policy. Make any appropriate updates, either to possessions added (especially near the holidays) and possessions removed from the property. Add or update flood and fire insurance policies as well.
Shield Your Home-Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could keep your rental in a bubble to protect it from germs? Indeed it would. The next best thing, though, is to have household members wash their hands upon entering the home. Hand sanitizing gels are a convenient alternative.
Fortify Your Health– With so many bugs and viruses circulating in our social circles, it’s more important than ever to be mindful of your diet. Consciously include nutrient rich foods into your diet that will help to strengthen your immune system and give you the energy that you need to fight the winter blues.
Practice Fire Safety– Never leave candles or space heaters unattended. Wire holiday lights to a timer that will shut off after residents head to bed; do no leave lights on overnight. Aside from wasting energy when no one will see them, they can pose a fire hazard.
Be Prepared for Emergencies For renters in multifamily developments, familiarize yourself with the fire evacuations plans for your community. Single family home renters will want to gather household members and create a personalized plan. If you reside in a multi-story home, consider investing in compact emergency ladders that can be easily stored when not in use.
