There’s nothing more beautiful than a frosty winter wonderland. While this is a very special time of year, the chilly temperature can often strain our daily lives. Weathering the cold frequently requires specific tools and preparation from fluffy coats and hot coco to blackouts and slippery sidewalks. Before we get too deep into the season, check out our winter preparedness checklists for your home and family!
Prepare your home for winter
- Seal drafts and insulate: Try using caulk and weather strips wherever gaps or cracks exist. The biggest culprits can often be doors and windows. Listen closely for rattling or whistling to help identify problem areas. If you live in a chillier location, your home may benefit from insulating windows during the colder months. Window insulation kits can be found online and in most home improvement stores.
- Check on heating systems: It’s always a good idea to check your air filters and test your thermostat while there is still plenty of time to book an appointment to get it fixed if needed. Also, ensure there is no clutter around your furnace, radiator, or other heating system.
- Protect pipes: Disconnect outdoor hoses, let faucets drip a little, and try to keep your indoor temperature above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you know where your home’s main water shut-off valve is. You can also wrap any exposed plumbing in pipe foam or dry towels.
- Preparing Walkways: Keep sand, salt, or even kitty litter handy to spread on walkways and the driveway to keep folks from slipping. If it snows in your area, make sure you have a shovel too!
- Stock up on essentials: Would you be prepared if you were stuck in your home for a few days? Try stocking up on canned/ pantry-friendly goods, water bottles, hygiene products such as toilet paper and soap, medications (including pain relievers or cold medicines in case of illness), flashlights and batteries, and anything else you may need to stay put. Be sure you have extra blankets, too! Heated blankets can also be a great option to keep warm, but make sure these (along with space heaters) are not plugged into extension cords because they can easily cause fires. We also recommend that for any space heaters, heating pads, or blankets, you purchase ones that operate on timers and have an auto shut-off.
Keeping the family cozy and safe
- Dress in layers: Long sleeves, leggings, and hoodies, oh my! Layering up is a great way to maintain a healthy body temperature. Don’t forget to double up on socks, too! Ensure everyone tries on their winter clothes, including coats, gloves, and boots, before they’re needed. Kids grow too fast!
- Handwashing: With the cold weather comes cold and flu season! Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent sickness. Try adding Vitamin C and D supplements to your morning routine too!
- Stay hydrated: As simple as it sounds, it’s easy to forget to drink plenty of water during winter.
- Sunscreen: Sun reflects off the snow and can cause significant sun damage, but don’t worry, sunscreen is here to save the day!
- Limit outdoor time with indoor activities: Though it’s great to get fresh air, sometimes, the cold can be too much on our systems. Plan some indoor-friendly activities to bring the fun inside! Check out our blogs for our favorite examples:
- https://nannyauthority.com/indoor-activities-for-children-at-home-part-i/
- https://nannyauthority.com/fun-indoor-activities-for-children-on-location/
- Emergency plan: Create an emergency plan for you and your family and explain possible solutions to issues that could arise. For example, if the lights go out, where are the flashlights? And how do we replace the batteries if needed? Making a big first aid kit specific to your family is also often helpful. Make it fun by letting the kids pick out fun bandages and stickers for the container—make it bright and easy to spot.
- For families in colder climates: We recommend keeping an emergency kit in the car with nonperishable snacks, water, extra warm layers (socks, etc.), blankets, a first aid kit, and flashlights.
Using these tips and tools, you and your family can prepare together and have fun! If you want someone to help with the kids this winter season, contact Nanny Authority today! We can be reached at (973)-466-2669 or via email at info@nannyauthority.com. Visit www.nannyauthority.com.