Winter Storms Spell Trouble For Ohio
With the temperatures dropping drastically (thanks polar vortex), staying warm is incredibly important. Sub-freezing temperatures not only put stress on your heating systems, but also your Ohio electricity utility bill. Plus, they put stress on you too. But, we know this kind of weather can be dangerous so please use our nine tips to stay safe during these winter storms.
Winter Storms Can Knock Out Power
Winter ice, snow, and wind can wreak significant damage to power lines. If your power goes out, you’ll want to prevent losing heat as your home cools.
1 Cover. Cover doors and windows with blankets to prevent heat loss.
2 Gather. Get your family members together into a single central room of your home and close off unused rooms. Concentrating everyone in one place reduces the energy needed to heat a room, especially since human bodies produce a lot of heat, too.
3 Dress. Have everyone dress in layers and use blankets to keep everyone warm.
4 Pipes. Keep your water pipes from bursting by insulating them with blankets or newspaper. This can prevent damage and costly repairs. If you are on city water, open your faucets enough so that they drip. If you are on well water, turning off the pump and draining your pipes can prevent freezing and damage to your plumbing.
5 Report. Most importantly, report outages to your local utility as quickly as possible. Do not call your third-party provider. Your local utility can help, especially in cases where there are medically fragile, or elderly residents.
Fire Is Not Always The Answer
8 Heat Safely. If you have a fireplace or gasoline powered generator, be sure to gather the fuel you’ll need before the storm hits. Firewood and kindling should be kept where it can stay dry.
If you have a fireplace but don’t use it, remember that chimneys can be a huge source of heat loss. Shutting draft doors and covering the fireplace will prevent frigid temperatures from getting into your home and help reduce your energy bills.
Don’t use gas grills, open ovens, or other natural gas powered things for heat. These can lead to a deadly build up of carbon monoxide. Also, be sure to keep a carbon monoxide detector in your home, and know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Travel Safe During Storms
9 Travel Safely. Check on road condition before you head out into a storm. If road conditions are poor and travel “is not advised”, then stay home. Otherwise, you risk getting stuck in a snow bank or worse.
If you do decide to head out, the be sure to keep water, non-perishable food, a tow rope, flashlights, blankets, and a snow shovel in your car. Should you get stuck in the snow, stick a brightly colored piece of paper or clothing in your window so you can be seen by police or tow truck. Mylar blankets can be used to help retain body heat. Also be sure to make sure your exhaust is clear and only periodically run the engine for heat.
Beat The Cold This Winter
Making sure your home stays safe during the winter not only keeps you comfortable, but can help save on your electricity bill. By following some of these tips even without a storm rolling through, you can take the strain off of your heating system and save some money. To find the best electricity rates for your home, check out www.ohenergyratings.com.