Winter in Plymouth, Michigan, is hitting its stride right now, and with a polar vortex bringing frigid temperatures through the end of January, there’s no better time to double-check your household safety measures. Whether you’re dealing with your first Michigan winter or you’ve seen plenty of snowstorms, these winter safety tips can help you avoid costly repairs, dangerous situations, and major headaches during the coldest stretch of the season.
Keep Your Pipes From Turning Into Ice Sculptures
With temperatures expected to drop as low as 12 degrees this week, frozen pipes become a real threat. When water freezes inside your plumbing, it expands and can cause pipes to burst, leading to thousands of dollars in water damage. If you haven’t already, insulate exposed pipes in your basement, attic, and garage with foam pipe insulation available at any hardware store.
For pipes in particularly vulnerable spots, consider using heating cables that wrap around the pipe and activate when temperatures drop. Keep your thermostat set to at least 55 degrees, even when you’re away from home. The small increase in your heating bill is nothing compared to the cost of repairing burst pipes. If you haven’t yet disconnected outdoor hoses and turned off water to exterior spigots, do it today before the next cold snap arrives.
Heating Your Home Without Burning It Down
When temperatures plunge, the temptation to crank up the heat is real, but home heating hazards spike during the coldest months. Never use your oven, grill, or generator to heat your home. These can produce deadly carbon monoxide gas that you can’t see or smell. Install working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home, and test them monthly.
If you’re using space heaters, keep them at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including curtains, furniture, and bedding. Always turn them off before leaving a room or going to bed. Make sure your fireplace and chimney are inspected and cleaned if you plan to use them during these frigid weeks ahead.
Looking for more ways to keep your Plymouth home safe during the coldest part of winter? There’s plenty of helpful information waiting for you in Plymouth’s community articles, covering everything from seasonal home maintenance to local resources.
Master the Art of Winter Driving
Michigan winter driving requires serious attention right now, especially in Plymouth, where snow and ice can make roads treacherous. Stopping on icy surfaces can take up to ten times longer than on dry roads, so increase your following distance to 8 to 10 seconds. Slow down and ignore the speed limit sign. Michigan law requires drivers to maintain a speed that’s reasonable for current conditions.
Watch out for black ice on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas. It looks like a wet spot but behaves like an ice rink. Keep an emergency kit in your car with blankets, a flashlight, jumper cables, a phone charger, snacks, water, and a small shovel. With this cold stretch ahead, staying prepared could be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a serious emergency.
Be a Good Neighbor This Winter
Winter safety isn’t just about protecting your own household. Checking on neighbors, especially older adults or those living alone, can literally save lives during extreme cold. If you notice that someone’s lights haven’t been on, their mailbox is overflowing, or they’re not answering their door or phone, reach out or call for a wellness check.
Sign up for local weather alerts so you’re never caught off guard by incoming storms. Know the difference between a watch (be prepared) and a warning (take action now). When severe weather hits, offer to help neighbors with shoveling, grocery runs, or pet care if you’re able.
Bundle Up the Right Way
When the temperature feels like it’s in the single digits, proper layering makes all the difference. Dress in layers to trap body heat. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add a fleece or insulated middle layer, and top it off with a windproof outer layer. Don’t forget a hat that covers your ears, warm gloves, and waterproof boots with good traction to prevent slips and falls on icy sidewalks. Walk like a penguin, taking short steps, and keep your hands free for balance rather than in your pockets.
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This cold stretch is exactly when winter safety matters most. With the right precautions in place, you can keep your home protected, your family warm, and your neighbors looked after through the coldest days of the season.
Sources: thisoldhouse.com, redcross.org, townsites.org, mchd.org, plymouth-mi.townsites.org
Header Image Source: Miraxh Tereziu on Unsplash
