It’s now February in the Okanagan and the sun has begun to shine on those winter blues.  However, February weather can still pack a chilly punch! Here are some tips for protecting yourself from ballooning heating bills, freezing pipes and other household emergencies in these last weeks of winter. 

Inside:

• Keep doors and heating vents closed to rooms that are not in use
• Close the flue in your wood fireplace when not using it
• Don’t leave kitchen and bathroom fans running longer than needed – they draw heat from your home
• To prevent pipes from freezing in extreme temperatures, open hot and cold faucets just enough so that water can drip through
• NEVER bring a barbecue or external gas-powered heating source indoors to heat your home

Outside:

• Remove branches from locations where heavy snow and ice might accumulate and risk breakage
• Disconnect garden hoses from their water sources
• Keep a bag of salt or sand handy to prevent falls on walkways and driveways
• Invest in a small canister of lock de-icer for your home and car
• If you are normally not a active person, take it very easy when shoveling your driveway and other physical tasks that put stress on your muscles and heart

Sincerely,

Jason Neumann