A safer winter starts with a simple checklist and a few quick fixes. You do not need a renovation. You need a plan you can complete in one afternoon. What will you tackle first.
Heat and air move differently in winter. Have a qualified technician check the furnace and vents. Keep fuel burning equipment vented to the outside. Place an easy to read indoor thermometer where you will see it often, especially if you are over 65. Aim to keep indoor spaces warm enough to avoid shivering or numb fingers. The CDC winter pages offer a clear list to follow. CDC
Create light and reduce slips. Add motion night lights in halls, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Replace low output bulbs with brighter options in stairwells and over door thresholds. Place absorbent mats at entries and non slip mats in kitchens and bathrooms. Keep shoes with good tread near doors and retire smooth slippers. These changes cut falls that often happen on dark mornings and wet floors. Assisted Living Locators has a winter tips article you can share with family for a room by room check. Assisted Living Locators
Plan for storms and outages. Build a kit with water, shelf stable food, a flashlight for each person, spare batteries, a power bank for phones, and a paper list of contacts and medications. If you use powered medical devices, ask your utility about medical priority programs. Use generators outdoors and never in garages or near windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. The CPSC warns that heaters, generators, and furnaces cause fires and carbon monoxide incidents every winter. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Check on neighbors. Older adults make less body heat and may not notice the house getting too cold. A daily check prevents small problems from turning into emergencies. If repeated issues keep you on edge, ask a local care advisor to compare in home help or communities with strong winter support, transportation, and wellness checks. CDC
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