Winter Safety Checklist

Stay safe and warm with these winter safety tips! 

Everyone may be ready for the change of seasons this year, but winter brings a whole new slew of safety challenges.

Not only can wet, heavy snow can lead to dangerous ice accumulation, but shoveling heavy snow can also cause injuries and spark cardiac events like heart attacks or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Climate Central also reports that weather-related blackouts have doubled in recent years and winter storms cause thousands of highway accidents, personal injuries, and power outages.

Here at Cardio Partners, we believe that it’s a smart move to prepare your home, vehicles, and family for whatever winter has in store. Check out these winter safety tips, then pull your boots out of storage and enjoy the crisp, clear air. If you’re lucky enough to have snow, by all means, head for the nearest sledding hill!

Stay safe and stay warm with these tried-and-true winter safety tips

Pack a Winter and Cold Weather Emergency Kit

Like a good scout, always be prepared. Here are a few smart — and potentially life-saving —  items to have on hand (and in your vehicle) in case of a winter emergency or power outage:

• Flashlights, candles, lanterns, matches, flares, spare batteries, and battery or a hand-crank phone charger/weather radio combo.
• Bottled water, canned food, can openers, and — if you’re feeling adventurous — a good multi-tool.
• Small camping stove and a few tasty dehydrated meals like this smoked three bean chili!
• Pre-ground coffee and a French press. (What can we say? We believe good coffee is always a great idea.)
• Extra blankets, mylar blankets, warm clothes, and hand and foot warmers.
• First aid kit, bleeding control kit, home-use AED, and a small stash of essential medications.
• Hand sanitizer, PPE, and sanitizing wipes.
• Books, board games, doodle pads, and playing cards. Because let’s face it, boredom is the ultimate hazard!

Winterize Your Home for Winter Safety

Keep the cold out and the cozy in. Winterizing your home can save you big bucks, keep you more comfortable, and reduce the likelihood of frozen pipes. 

November is a great month to make sure that your:

• Heating systems (fireplaces, wood stoves, and furnaces) have been professionally inspected and cleaned.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order.
• Home is well-insulated and that all the windows and doors seal tightly.
• Gutters are clear — so you can avoid icicles and dangerous ice dams, which can damage your roof.
• Vulnerable pipes that are most susceptible to freezing are well-insulated.
• Garden hoses are disconnected and stored for the winter.

Are you rescue-ready for winter? Call AED.com at 800-544-0004 or send an email to customerservice@cardiopartners.com — we’re ready to help!

DISCLAIMER: The information included in this post and on our website is not intended as legal advice. As legislation changes often, this post may inadvertently contain inaccurate or incomplete information. We urge you to contact your state representative should you require more information about current AED, CPR, and Good Samaritan laws in your state.