Essential Snow Safety Tips for Homeowners -

When winter arrives, so does the snow. If you see a snowstorm in the schedule, that's your cue to start making preparations that will keep your home and its residents safe. Brace yourself for heavy snowfall before it happens, and learn about the most essential snow safety tips for homeowners, some of which occur after the storm. After all, some of the most dangerous accidents and treacherous hazards happen after heavy snowfall.

Make Sure the House Stays Warm

One of the risks of winter is the danger of frozen pipes. This is especially dangerous if you leave the house for a few days. Snow increases the risk of pipes freezing near exterior walls. Sinks or drains may clog with ice and could cause a flood in your home.

Keep the heat on during a snowstorm, even if you're out of the house. You don't need to turn the heat on extremely high—just ensure it will keep the home at room temperature. As an extra precaution to avoid frozen pipes, keep faucets on. A slight drip from the faucet keeps the water moving instead of freezing.

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Watch Out for Snow and Ice on the Roof

During a snowy winter, excess snow on the roof is inevitable. If you know that more snow is on the way, clear some of the snow from the roof, paying particular attention to the snow over entryways or your garage. Not only can the weight of the snow damage the integrity of your roof, but falling snow can injure you or damage your belongings and gutters. When snow is on the roof for too long, it may seep into imperfections and cause leaks.

Many people avoid these problems by using metal roofs and metal roof heaters. Adding preventative accessories, such as snow guards, to a metal roof to keep ice dams from building up on top of your home is easy. Always be wary when exiting the house after a fresh snowfall; watch for a rooftop avalanche.

Stay Away From Downed Power Lines

Last on our checklist of essential snow safety tips for homeowners is awareness of the danger of ice buildup on power lines. If you live on a property with few neighbors and low traffic, trying to handle a downed power line on your own may be tempting. For your safety, don't do this! Avoid a likely risk of shock or fire and call an emergency service to handle the icy power line instead. They have the right equipment to neutralize the power line before it sparks into flames.

If the power lines fall onto or near your house, evacuate immediately and call the fire department. Live power lines are one of winter's more hidden and rare dangers, but when they fall, they can cause immeasurable damage to a family.