As much as we would like to double up on cozy blankets, extra mugs of hot chocolate, and sitting in front of the roaring fire till the early hours of the morning, it will take a little more than that to keep your family warm this winter as the frosty season rolls in. Other than cranking up the heating system to full blast and ultimately paying a hefty bill come month end, which is not feasible for most families when there are so many more efficient and effective options available, taking a quick moment to evaluate how your household functions in extreme weather will help determine which essentials to prioritize.
Too often people leave preparing for and stocking up on winter essentials to the last minute when stores are packed with others doing the same thing, and you are more than likely finding your items out of stock, in the wrong sizes, or not enough of them available. This is easily avoided simply by taking the time to be one step ahead of the crowd, and in this case, a few months would be highly advantageous.
Your home does not need to be an ice block this snowy period, with a few fundamentals in place, you can have peace of mind your family will be snug from the moment they arrive home and that your home will be operating optimally so you aren’t left closing your eyes when the electricity or water bill arrives. If this sounds like a plan and something you want to get the ball rolling on, let’s dive right in and see just what the top essentials considered a must to beat the frost.
Stocking up and staying warm
When we think about winter we immediately turn to a roaring fire and pile up the wood stock ready to add a log or two throughout the winter, but even fireplaces need checking, maintenance, and repairs from time to time. If you have a wood-burning fireplace in your home be sure to have all the essentials on hand for safety and to make things run smoothly.
The same goes for chimneys which can quickly become a safety hazard if not routinely cleaned and swept from the previous year’s debris.
What we do recommend is that opting for the cheapest option for equipment is not necessarily the best option, and investing a little more could just be what prevents hazardous risks we don’t want to experience in the dead of winter. For fireplaces and chimneys be sure to look at;
Fire starters or lighters – Creating a spark from overstriking is easily done, use fire starters designed to light instantly and keep family members safe. There are so many high-quality winter products that there is no reason not to prepare your home with the best for your family’s safety.
Ash bucket set – Little hands and minds wander quicker than you can think. Clean the fireplace from ash and flints first thing in the morning so you don’t find little black hand prints on the walls and couches.
Log rack – We have seen too many times a log pulled out from the stack to add to the fire without thinking about the load it may be carrying. Suddenly you find yourself with a living room floor full of splintered wood logs. Pack and rack your logs neatly and securely, and with a log rack it still offers a design aesthetic to complement the home.
Chimney cleaning – A brush, ash vacuum, and creosote remover are the basics needed for cleaning your chimney. Ideally, having it professionally done at least once a year is recommended, but having the equipment on hand to top up the cleaning schedule can’t hurt.
The finer details
Other winter-warming aspects of the home like the HVAC system, radiators, and fan heaters all help make the home cozy and comfortable, and the sooner you begin the better. The last thing anyone needs is to be stuck in the dead of winter with a home where the heating has gone down, having to wait till the next morning for a serviceman may not be as pleasant as we see in the movies.
Yes, seeing the white dusting of snow sprinkle over the gardens and rooftops is like something from a magazine, but with this beauty comes risk. Snow turns to ice, which can be treacherous trying to navigate without the correct precautions in place. Once you have a seasonal routine in place, and you are in the habit of checking on your home operating systems and supplies, there is no weather you won’t welcome.
