It’s winter in Upstate NY, which means snow, bitter cold, and cranking the heat in your apartment. While you count down the days until spring, it’s important to remember a few tips to stay safe and warm inside your apartment.
Winter Apartment Tips
Don’t plug space heaters into power strips
Power strips are not made to handle the high current flow needed for a space heater. As a result, they can overheat or catch fire due to the added energy flow. If you want to use a space heater to make your apartment extra toasty, follow these safety tips:
- Plug space heaters directly into the wall
- Turn space heaters off and unplug them before leaving the room
- Keep space heaters three feet away from anything that can burn
- Keep the space heater on a level, flat surface. Never place it on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire.
Open cabinet doors under sinks
At least once a year the Capital Region experiences extreme cold, with temperatures falling below freezing and staying there for an extended period of time. When we experience such cold temperatures it’s important to take the necessary steps to prevent the pipes inside your apartment from freezing.
Open cabinet doors under sinks so that the warm air can reach them. In addition, leave indoor water faucets dripping, especially those on exterior walls. The constant stream of water will prevent your pipes from freezing.
Create a Winter Storm Emergency Kit
Though we’re no strangers to winter storms, a particularly large one can leave us holed up in our apartments for several days. A winter storm emergency kit is a smart thing to have on hand if you lose power, have to dig out your car, or can’t travel for several days.
Some things to keep in your kit include:
- A flashlight
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Extra batteries
- A first aid kit
- A multi-purpose tool
- Warm clothing
Monitor the Thermostat
Turning the heat on is a given, but what is the perfect temperature to keep the thermostat at? If you’re trying to avoid a large heating bill (who isn’t?) keep the temperature set to a degree that’s comfortable for wearing a sweater, not a tank top. For most, this is around 68 or 69 degrees. Turn the heat down overnight or whenever you leave the house for an extended period of time.
If you live in one of our smart apartments you can control and monitor the thermostat from your phone! If you forget to turn the heat down before getting into bed or leaving for work, simply open the app and adjust the thermostat. You can also turn the heat back up before you get home, so your apartment will be nice and warm when you walk through the door.
Implement these tips and you’ll have a safe and warm apartment to escape the winter weather. Spring will be here before you know it!