Any Coloradan knows that the weather in our state tends to be unpredictable, ranging from snowing one day to being sunny the next. With that being said, one of the most important things a person could do for the upcoming winter is to be prepared–especially regarding their car, house, and clothing.
When getting behind the wheel it’s crucial to have the correct tires for the winter.. As more Juniors, Seniors, and even Sophomores start driving, snow tires are one of the best things to get. Although tires aren’t cheap and range from $400 to $800, they can be a lifesaver in deep snow. Another great option is making sure your tires are up to date. Although very helpful, cars don’t necessarily need snow tires. As long as the tires you have have a good amount of tread, they should hold up the traction in the snow to help. The more snow you have in your tires the easier it will be for traction and build up to secure you to the street better.
According to Tires Les Schwab’s article How to Tell If You Need New Tires, “An easy way to check the tread on your tires is to do the penny test. Take a penny and place Lincoln’s head in one of the tire tread grooves. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace the tire.” This upcoming winter, it’s best to ensure that car tires are up to date to help lessen the risk of getting stuck or getting in an accident.
Another essential tip for this upcoming winter season would be to have an emergency kit in your car. Accidents happen! So, an emergency kit can be convenient for yourself or others. According to the Safety Kits Plus article Car Emergency Kit List, some of the most essential items to have–and what most car safety kits will have–are “a first-aid kit, flares, jumper cables, a flashlight, and a fire extinguisher.”
Another item to add to that list would be an ice scraper. In Colorado, the snow can pile up, especially on vehicles, making it hard to see out windows. The best solution would be to buy an ice scraper to help eliminate any stuck ice.
Moving away from just car materials, it’s also essential to remember to also use warm coats and boots to protect yourself. Just because you might not go out into the weather as much, doesn’t mean you don’t need to bundle up. You’re better off getting a nice winter coat than just carrying a sweater. Plus, a nice pair of winter boots can save you a lot of trips with wet sneakers.
Last but not least, to help prepare for the colder months, it’s a good idea to make your house winter-ready. That said, most houses in Colorado tend to be ready for winter, as we get snow every year. But here are some simple yet helpful tips to prepare your house.
First, make sure to disconnect your hose.according to Anta Plumbing and Drain in the article How Disconnecting the Hose This Winter Can Save You Thousands by Tanya Klien, “When you leave your garden hose outside in winter, it can freeze in the cold winter climates, particularly if some water was left behind inside the hose. Frozen water expands, causing the hose lining to weaken and holes forming in the pipe walls. A frozen connected hose may even lead to water pressure problems in your home’s water lines or pipes.”
A simple way to avoid this problem and the costly expense of fixing it is to disconnect the hose, roll it up, and bid it goodbye for the winter.
The next tip to winter-proof your house would be to make sure your furnace filter is current; although it may not seem as big of a deal, it can help your heater run smoother and cycle cleaner air overall. According to Pronto, in their article 3 Reasons Why You Need to Change Your Furnace Filters More Often, they state “Clean systems last longer. Dirt accumulates in filters over time, especially during summer…. Clogged filters can cause dirt to build up in other areas of the system as well, causing pollution and extra repairs that wouldn’t normally be necessary.”
They continue to state it helps reduce energy costs and helps clean the air.“Poor indoor air quality can cause symptoms such as eye irritation, sneezing, dizziness, and respiratory problems. People suffering from asthma… are significantly affected by poor indoor air quality…Changing your furnace filter is a very simple way to keep your indoor air clean and avoid costly repairs to your heating system.”
Preparing your house, car, and self for wintertime is often deemed a worthwhile endeavor, though some people don’t bother to get ready. Not doing so can potentially cause accidents, unnecessary suffering in the cold, and discomfort in your home.
