Wisconsin Winter Survival: Top 9 Safety Measures for Your Home

Written by Wena Roeloffze, REALTOR and Lifestyle Expert. Owner of Realty Club 74, brokered by Coldwell Banker Realty.

Winter in Wisconsin brings its own set of challenges, from freezing temperatures to snow-covered landscapes. Ensuring the safety of your home during this season is crucial. In this blog post, we'll explore some essential winter safety ideas to help you navigate the colder months and keep your home secure. When we have plans and regular maintenance in place, we hardly ever encounter a problem. We also had a previous blog about winter preparation, written in collaboration with Milavetz Law Firm. You can read that blog here.

1. Snow Removal and Ice Management:

- Regularly shovel snow from driveways and walkways to prevent ice buildup. The first shovel of the season is always the most important. Make sure to not only think of yourself and your family members, but deliveries to your home, pets in your home, visitors, school kids (if you have a sidewalk) and a walkway to your mailbox.

- Use ice melt or sand on slippery surfaces to improve traction and reduce the risk of falls. Invest in cleats on days we have that super slippery glaze. Rather be overly careful than landing on your backside.

2. Heating System Maintenance:

- Schedule a professional inspection of your heating system before winter to ensure it's in optimal condition. A furnace loves to break at the most impossible times, so take the time before winter to give it a once-over. If you haven’t done this before winter, schedule that appointment right away.

- Replace air filters regularly to improve efficiency and indoor air quality. We tend to think that winter months do not accumulate a lot of dust, but the truth is that since all doors and windows are locked all the time, we have even more dust particles floating around in the home. And if you have pets, this will be even more important. Every 3-6 months, would be a good idea to change your filters to ensure a better breathing experience.

- Keep flammable materials away from heating equipment and make sure all vents are clear. Make sure to always leave enough moving space around your mechanicals and vents. It ensures everyone can access it easily and also provides enough flowing air around it. Clean vents 3 times a year at least.

3. Winterizing Pipes:

- Insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing and potential bursts. This will not apply to every home. Have a professional and licensed service provider give you advice on this. If your home is vacant, ensure the correct winterization processes are followed to avoid any unnecessary surprises. If you haven’t winterized an item, call a professional and licensed service provider to give you advice and assistance.

4. Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors:

- Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors regularly and replace batteries on scheduled reminders. I tend to use Daylight savings or ending times to change all batteries. There is nothing more frustrating to wake up at 3am from an alarm bell going off for no reason.

- Have a carbon monoxide detector near heating sources and ensure smoke detectors are installed in key areas of your home. Each level of your home should have both detectors installed and in working condition at all times.

5. Emergency Kit Preparation:

- Create an emergency kit with essentials like blankets, flashlights, non-perishable food, and water. This not only applies to your home, but also your motor vehicle. Power outages, although rare, does in fact happen, and being prepared will ensure the safety and wellbeing for everyone in your home.

- Ensure that everyone in the household knows the location of the emergency kit and how to use it. Choose a level of the home that would have an easy exit and also take into account any accessibility issues or anyone in the home with movement impairment or any disabilities. Have a plan for pets too.

6. Gutter Maintenance:

- Clean gutters before winter to prevent ice dams and water damage to your roof and foundation. Although this is a regular maintenance issue throughout the year, it becomes really important in winter to keep all that melting snow and moisture away from your foundation. Check your gutters regularly and if you are not sure about the condition of your roof, get a professional and licensed service provider to give you advice and assistance to protect your home from damage.

- Ensure downspouts direct water away from your home's foundation. 6 feet from your home’s foundation is the advised length for your gutters. With this however, grading of the area around your home is also very important to make sure the water doesn’t flow back into your foundation, although your gutters are extended 6 feet away.

7. Outdoor Lighting:

- Install outdoor lighting along walkways and near entrances before winter to improve visibility during the dark winter months. With sunlight most probably unavailable when you leave home for work and returning to home, this is an important safety factor to see what you are stepping on. Even if you park in your attached garage, you still need to walk to your mailbox, still receive deliveries and visitors.

- Consider motion-activated lights for added security or convenience. Lighting is not always just functional, but also creates a warm and inviting feel to your home during the winter months. No matter what type of lighting you choose, take into account practicality in all seasons, safety and security.

8. Tree and Branch Maintenance:

- Trim overhanging branches before winter to prevent them from falling under the weight of snow or ice. There will always be that inevitable wet snow falling, which can cause quite a few branches to break at their weak points. Regularly check for branches throughout the year.

- Remove dead or weak branches before winter that could pose a risk to your home or power lines. Some branches will be taken care of municipalities throughout the year, especially if they are visible from the street. If, however, you have trees that may cause any interruptions to power lines to the side or back of your home, as part of an easement, notify your local municipality to check on those trees and branches before they can cause any damage.

9. Stay Informed:

- Stay updated on weather forecasts and be prepared for severe winter storms. It is definitely not fun hearing about upcoming storms, but it is crucial to be in the know about the weather, to plan your commute times, your appointments (if possible) and be ready with essentials in your car or home.

- Have a communication plan in place with family members and neighbors in case of emergencies. If your community has a group chat or is part of a bigger communication network, take part in it and check on your neighbors that might not be included in these forums. Recommend your ice removal provider to the group or start a shovel party. We are all in this together.

By taking proactive measures and staying vigilant, you can create a safe and secure environment for your Wisconsin home (and your family) during the winter season. Whether it's preventing slips on icy surfaces or ensuring your heating system is functioning optimally, these winter safety tips will help you navigate the challenges of the colder months with confidence.

We have a great selection of reliable and professional vendors and service providers to help you prepare for winter and also navigate any issues you might encounter during the winter months. Send us an email with what you need and we will send you recommendations. You can send us an email using this link. Stay warm, stay safe!