Budget-Friendly Health and Safety Tips for Homeowners This Winter
Wintertime will soon be upon us, and for many homeowners across the US, those colder months
are full of health issues and repairs around the house. When you’re on a budget, it can be a
hardship to deal with any unforeseen problems, whether they’re related to your health or your
home. As such, it’s important to have some budget-friendly solutions in mind before winter
weather hits. Think about ways to prevent illness or health issues involving your home; dry air
from overuse of the furnace can often lead to skin issues and respiratory problems, for example.
There are several things you can do around your home to boost your family’s wellness during the
cold weather season. Sealing up cracks around windows and doors, changing out the air filter
regularly, cleaning the fireplace, and having the furnace serviced are all great places to start.
Here are a few things you can do to stay healthy and comfortable this winter.
Check Your Ceiling Fans
Your ceiling fans may seem inconsequential during the wintertime, but they actually play a
pretty significant role in helping your family stay warm and healthy. As HomeAdvisor explains,
most ceiling fans have a switch that allows you to reverse the rotation on the blades during
winter months so they will push warm air down from the ceiling, which will keep you nice and
toasty on those cold days and help you save on heating bills. Once you’re up there flipping the
switch, wipe down the blades as well. Dust can accumulate very quickly on ceiling fans, and
once the blades start to move, all that dust and debris is flung back into the air, leading to all
kinds of illnesses. Clean them every week using an electromagnetic duster with an extendable
arm.
Seal Up Cracks
You may begin to notice that you have to keep cranking up the heat during the colder months
because your home just won’t retain it. If this is the case, you may need to check around doors
and windows for air leaks. Small cracks — such as those caused by a faulty seal or weather
stripping — can leak out a substantial amount of warm air and leave you and your family
members exposed to chilly air. In turn, this can lead to sickness and cold toes. Seal those leaks
by investing in new weather stripping or using caulk, and watch your utility bill lower
dramatically.
Clean the Fireplace
If your family uses the fireplace often during the winter, make sure the entire system is clean and
performing well. Look for a professional near you who can come out and inspect the flue and
chimney before you start cranking up fires for the season, as a dirty fireplace is a major cause of
housefires across the country. When you get one going, make sure it’s never left unattended, as
this is also a major cause of catastrophic fires. On average, you can expect to spend between $75
and $200 for a chimney cleaning, which is a budget-friendly way to keep your family safe.
Set the Thermostat
The thermostat in your home may fluctuate in temperature a bit throughout the fall, but once cold
weather really sets in, it’s a good idea to set it at one temp and keep it there. Not only does this
save you money throughout the winter, but it can also help to prevent health issues. Sleeping in a
home where warm air and cool air are constantly fluctuating can lead to lasting colds and viruses
and can interfere with sleep, leaving everyone feeling unrested and cranky.
Making sure your home is warm and safe should be a priority each and every winter. Not only
help you keep utility bills down, but it will also allow you to ensure that your family is healthy and happy. Taking small steps now to get your home into shape will keep everyone feeling great no matter how low those temperatures drop.
By: Dennis Kane - www.winterizeguys.com
