IN Pine-Richland Winter 2018 | Page 17

INDUSTRY INSIGHT WINTER SAFETY TIPS SPONSORED CONTENT WINTER SAFETY TIPS Treat Your Home Right This Season B itter cold days and freezing nights can be hard on your house. But, if you take the proper precautions you can keep your home a winter wonderland throughout the entire season. Below are some tips to keep you and your house warm and safe. • Replace your furnace filters. Clean furnace filters will improve air flow and efficiency and lower your utility costs. • Inspect your fireplace. Have the fireplace chimney and flue inspected each year by a professional and cleaned if needed. • Place a mat or rug and boot trays next to entries. This will help keep hardwood floors and carpets from becoming damaged from snow, mud and salt. • Open your interior doors. Warm air will be able to flow freely throughout the house and will save on heating costs. • Seal any windows that you suspect are allowing cold air into the house with caulking or plastic. This will save money on energy bills and increase comfort. • Use only devices that are designed for heating indoors as an emergency heat source, and follow all safety precautions. Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything flammable, including clothing, curtains, and bedding. Also, keep children and pets away from space heaters. • Check the condition of walks, steps and driveways. Small holes and cracks should be repaired to prevent water from penetrating, freezing and creating larger problems. • Take care of the yard and garden. Drain all hoses and sprinklers so they won’t freeze or break. Protect your plants by cutting back, almost to the ground, any perennials whose foliage has become lifeless. Remove dead or dying tree limbs to avoid snow or ice buildup, which may cause branches to fall and damage your home. “I pride myself on a thorough understanding of my clients’ needs and desires, as well as my ability to make my clients feel as though they are my only client.” LUZ CAMPBELL / Office: 724.776.2900 / Cell: 724.713.1462 / [email protected] © 2017 Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. pine-richland ❘ winter 2018 15