Winter Safety

Old man winter is finally here, leaving it’s mark with freezing temperatures and treacherous driving conditions.  We’ve already witnessed the below zero temperatures and the ice and snow mix in and around the city.  We can also see that just recently, the U.S was hit with a massive ice storm, devastating 16 states. Time to think of winter safety.

As the winter season swings into full gear, it’s time to prepare your car for the winter season ahead.  One way to so is by considering getting snow tires installed on your car.  If you’ve used snow tires in the past, then you know how much safer and effective they are when it comes to driving in winter conditions.  However, if you’ve never used winter tires before, there are a few reasons to consider their use this season.  The material used in winter tires are a more flexible compound that is designed to work at a lower temperature and prevent snow from building up in the tire grooves unlike all-season tires where the rubber quickly stiffens upon cold temperatures, failing to deliver optimal performance in some driving conditions.  Furthermore, the grooves on snow tires are much larger and deeper unlike those on all-season tires, preventing a build-up of snow and allowing for the tires to maintain their grip on the road.

As we know, Canadian winters are known for their harsh climates, as temperatures can drop in a couple of days to quick changes in the weather patterns.  That’s why this winter remember to bundle up.  Anytime you go out, whether it’s to school, work, shopping or visiting family, remember to put on those scarves, hats, jackets and gloves to protect yourself from the harsh winter winds and from the possibility of getting frostbite.  Try not to take small children, babies or the elderly outside during freezing temperatures as you wouldn’t want them to catch a cold.  If it’s just too cold outside, stay at home.  There’s no better way to beat the cold than avoiding the exposure to it.

Lastly, don’t forget to prepare your house for the winter season.  Clean out all rain gutters, making sure that any melted snow or water can drain through easily.  Seal up all cracks in any doors and windows to stop cold air or snow from leaking into the house and sweep the chimney, makes sure nothing is blocking its air flow before using the fireplace.  In addition, since the holiday season will mean that people will be in and out of their house a lot, make sure that your alarm system is armed and active.  Change the batteries in your alarm system to allow for optimal performance and examine all external security cameras, checking for any damages.  Remember, it only takes minutes for a burglar to break into your home, so protect you and your home this holiday season.  If you don’t have an alarm system, call us, PROTECTION PLUS ®, and see how easy and affordable Smart Home Services, an Alarm Monitoring Plan and Video Surveillance can be to protect your family this holiday.

As winter continues to make its presence felt, it’s important to be prepared for just about anything.  Stay safe this winter season and if you’re not a fan of winter, then let the countdown to summer begin.