Winter will be here soon, and we want to make sure that you have everything in place to be able to be safe and healthy for the cold months. We’ve put together recommendations and information that you can use to make sure you’re ready for winter and can enjoy the holidays free from worry.
Preparing Your Body for Winter
With winter approaching, take the time now to set a healthy foundation before the cold really sets in:
- Take vitamins like Vitamin D and Vitamin C or a multivitamin that will assist your body with its important functions
- Find an indoor exercise activity you enjoy to stay moving through the winter months.
- Wash your hands well to prevent getting sick and spreading germs
- Take care of your skin by using a lotion that’s right for you
- Get a flu shot (offered by the Family Health Clinic) to help prevent a serious illness
- Make an appointment with your primary care provider to see if you have any serious health changes and to create a plan for what you should do if you get ill during the winter months
Preparing Your Home for Winter
When the winter months come, you’ll spend more time inside. Make sure that your home will be comfortable, safe, and energy-efficient by following these home winterization suggestions.
- Make sure your home is well-insulated, especially the water lines that run along your exterior walls to prevent harmful freezing.
- You’ll also want to check that your ducts, tucked away usually in the attic or basement, are in order by properly sealing and insulating them, or else you could lose 20% of the air that moves through them.
- Clean and maintain your furnace.
- Sediment can build up and cause your system to be inefficient and potentially a fire hazard.
- Change your filters regularly throughout the winter to increase energy efficiency and airflow.
- You can also hire a professional to come and do an inspection if you are unsure of what to look for.
- Clean out all gutters to prevent water from accumulating and freezing in them.
- Make sure all your detectors are working.
- Test your smoke detector or install one if one is not present.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector that will alarm you if the deadly gas is present.
- Create a stock of emergency supplies in case of a snowstorm or blizzard.
- Stock it with water and foods that don’t need cooking or refrigeration.
If you are worried about your ability to pay for your heating or energy during the winter months, remember to call 2-1-1 to find out about local services that can offer help.
The Family Health Clinic is here to help.
We have clinics in Burlington, Delphi, Monon, and Wolcott so you can access high-quality, primary health care close to home. Make an appointment by calling (800) 321-5043 today.
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