Keeping Your Home Safe During The Darker Winter Months

Winter brings cold temperatures, snow, and ice, creating safety hazards in and around your home. As daylight hours grow shorter each day, we also face the challenge of coming home in the dark. With reduced visibility and more hours of darkness to contend with, we must take extra precautions to keep our properties secure during the winter months. Following a few simple tips can help keep your home safe and secure during the long winter nights.

Light Up Your Home

When daylight hours are reduced and the nights are longer, installing proper lighting outside your home is essential. This will make navigating your property safely easier for you and visitors. Install motion sensor lights at entry points, and ensure your porch light is always on at night. Ensure the lights are in good working condition and the bulbs are regularly changed.

Clear Snow and Ice

Snow and ice can accumulate on stairs, walkways, and driveways, presenting a safety hazard. Removing snow and ice promptly is crucial to prevent any slips or falls. You’re significantly more likely to slip on ice at night when it’s harder to distinguish. Keep a supply of salt or sand on hand, making the surfaces less slippery.

Install a Security System

While you’re likely to spend much of your time in winter at home, during the nights, and when you’re out visiting friends and family, your home can be pretty vulnerable. A sound security system will help to deter criminals and alert you if there's a break-in. A comprehensive security system should include motion sensors, cameras, and a monitoring service. Keeping your home safe during the winter is much easier with the proper technology and can be the cherry on top of your seasonal coziness. 

Know Where Your Family Is

As the nights are longer, knowing where your family members are is prudent. More car accidents happen on snowy roads than when clear and warm, and many people have a harder time driving at night. Ensure everyone is accounted for when they’re out, and check in on them when they arrive home in the evenings. Encourage children to check in with you once they're home and ensure that they lock the doors behind them.

Keep Doors and Windows Locked

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's crucial to remind everyone in the family to lock doors and windows alike. Even if someone is home, it's advisable to keep the doors locked, especially if you’re spending time in a bedroom or office area. A simple lock might not stop the most determined burglar, but it can serve as an effective deterrent for most simple thieves.

Taking a few precautions like lighting up your property, installing a security system, clearing ice and snow, knowing where your family is, and keeping doors and windows locked can make your home safer for you and your loved ones during the darker winter months. Take the necessary steps to protect your home, and you'll surely enjoy the winter months without having to worry about the safety of your home and family. Stay safe and have fun!