IDAHO, USA — Time to pull out your hats and gloves – but that’s not the only thing. Homes and cars also need to be winterized – to stay protected from the cold.
Experts around the Treasure Valley gave some tips on how to winterize your home and car.
For the home
Homeowners should first make sure to unhook any garden hoses from the nozzles – so pipes do not freeze. If they are already frozen, homeowners can pour hot water on the hose to unfreeze it – then unhook it.
Beacon Plumbing said in a phone interview with KTVB homeowners should also plug hose nozzles – even with something as simple as a towel – to keep it closed.
To winterize a home, Zach Barnes, from Western Heating and Cooling, said homeowners need to first check their furnace filters. Because the furnace is running more in the winter, it gets dirtier faster and could start a fire if it is not checked.
Barnes said other tips for the home in the winter are to keep the fan running regularly to circulate air flow, keep thermostats at a consistent temperature and if people are going out of town, keep it set to 55-60 degrees.
Lastly, Barnes said to open the vents inside – to circular air flow and not trap the heat in one portion of the house.
For your car
It’s also time to make sure cars are ready for the snow, and for the ice. Mike Vester from Discount Tire said it’s now time to switch to snow tires, which are typically safer than all-season tires.
Vester also said to check tire pressure, because for every 10 degrees the temperature drops, a tire’s PSI drops by one.
In addition, remember basic safety tips for driving in the snow – such as keeping a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you, and driving slowly.