5 Winter Safety Tips Everyone Should Hear Again

5 Winter Safety Tips Everyone Should Hear Again

As temperatures are dropping and the holidays are approaching, we could all use a little reminder about a few things to help keep safe this winter.

1. Change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Experts recommend changing your smoke detector batteries twice a year and testing them monthly. Since you most likely haven’t changed yours yet this year, the holidays are a great time to get them all done and avoid that annoying chirping sound later on.

2. Install a carbon monoxide detector.

Approximately 400 Americans die of unintentional carbon monoxide poisonings each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 96% of those deaths occurred in homes without a working carbon monoxide detector. This is especially important if you use carbon monoxide emitting appliances such as kerosene heaters or fireplaces.

3. Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.

Each year in the United States there are an estimated 25,000 chimney fires causing $120 million in property damage. Creosote buildup is the main cause of chimney fires. Consider hiring a professional chimney cleaner or at the very least using a creosote sweeping log in your fireplace.

4. Prepare a winter emergency kit for your car.

You’ll want to have a few key items in your vehicle in case you become stranded. A flashlight, water and non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and warm blankets could potentially save your life. In addition to preparing your emergency kit, it’s a good idea to carry jumper cables, make sure you have a spare tire and jack, and keep a full tank a gas during the winter months.

5. Plan for an extended power outage.

A power outage can be annoying at best and deadly at worst. Non-perishable food, water, flashlights, non-scented candles, a battery-powered radio, a backup power source for your cell phone, and plenty of warm clothing and blankets will help you survive a power outage that could potentially last for days or even weeks.

About Companion Home Care Inc: 

Companion Home Care is a senior home health care, adult care, and child care provider based in Roanoke, VA. Our motto is to provide a "better class of companion for a better quality of life". We accomplish this by hiring the best, most qualified caregivers, and using our knowledge and experience to craft a personalized home care plan for our clients, then match clients with the perfect caregiver based on client needs, personality, and skills required.

Our caregivers help seniors age gracefully, cope with Alzheimer's, dementia, and illnesses, and enjoy healthy and happy lives from the comfort of their own homes. In addition to senior home health care, we also provide Roanoke home care for adults and children with disabilities, traumatic brain injury and diseases, physical injuries, and special needs in Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Bedford, and surrounding areas of southwest Virginia.

Companion Home Care Inc
424 Campbell Ave SW
Roanoke, VA 24016
(540) 981-2255