Get Ready Once Again for Winter Storms | SERVPRO® of New Center/Highland Park

It’s time once again to start preparing for that most festive season of the year—full of pretty lights, happy hearts and…ice. And snow. Really lots of ice and snow.

Some people live for it, and can’t wait for the first big snowfall; others dread it and are already counting down the days until spring. Regardless of where you fall in that spectrum, one thing is clear—winter is almost here.

Let’s look at the things you want to check in on before the cold weather brings its unique blend of wet, slick and cold.

Protecting Your Family

When winter weather hits hard, you’ll want to have an emergency action plan on which you can rely, to get your family to safety and in communication during a potential crisis.

It’s time to prepare your car or truck for winter weather as well. Keep your family safe by ensuring all systems, tires and batteries are in good shape. Top off fluids and replace wipers as needed.

Restock your emergency kits for the house and the car if needed, and make sure any medications included in them are up-to-date.

Protect Your Home

Frozen pipes are a Michigander’s nightmare, so let your faucets and showers drip when temperatures drop well below freezing. This allows water to keep moving and release pressure in your pipes.

You may need some maintenance on your HVAC unit, and now is the time do to it. Your system is most likely to fail when it’s having to work the hardest, so let a pro do any needed repairs or upgrades now to keep your system running through the season without problems.

Keep extra wood on hand if you use wood furnaces or fireplaces to heat your home, and always conduct fires safely.

Protect Your Pets

Your pets need to come inside—for the most part, if you’re cold, they’re cold. Make a nice space for them indoors to call their own for the season.

If you do own outdoor-dwelling animals or livestock, ensure their health and safety by providing them with sturdy, reliable shelter from the elements and a steady water supply that stays unfrozen.

Melts and Flooding

Dangerous floods and ice dams can occur over the course of a long, harsh, Great Lakes winter, so always stay alert when local weather anchors express concern, and let your weather apps notify you of potential threats as well.

If winter weather should bring damage or flooding to your home or business, contact SERVPRO for fast, restorative solutions.