The holidays are a wonderful time, but with cold snaps, festive decorations, and extra time spent indoors, risks for emergency fire and water damage go up. As your local Paul Davis team in Milwaukee, WI, we want to help you enjoy the season safely with this winter-ready checklist.
Water Damage Prevention: Winter-Proof Your Home
Insulate and protect exposed pipes by:
- Wrapping pipes in unheated areas such as basements and crawlspaces. If cold weather hits, let faucets drip slightly.
- Keeping indoor temperature consistent. Even if you’re out of town for the holidays, maintain indoor heat to avoid burst pipes and water damage.
- Checking sump pump drainage. Heavy snow and freezing can lead to basement flooding so ensure sump pumps are functional.
Fire & Indoor-Hazard Prevention
With holiday lights, extra cooking, heating systems, and gatherings, winter is a prime time for hazards related to fire damage. Take these steps:
- Be careful with holiday decor. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and never hang anything from sprinkler heads or block exits.
- Prioritize safer lighting. Use flameless LED candles instead of traditional ones. If using real candles, never leave them burning while away or asleep.
- Keep fire safety tools ready. Have functioning smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher with knowledge on how to use them.
Holiday-Specific Reminders for Milwaukee Homes
- Monitor attic/roof after snow. Make sure your roof and gutters are draining properly to avoid leaks or structural issues.
- Don’t forget lesser-used spaces. Basements and crawlspaces. Check these spaces for frozen pipes and water intrusion.
- Avoid holiday-season neglect. Don’t leave your home unattended without prepping. A quick walk-through before you leave can save big headaches later.
Contact Paul Davis for Emergency Fire and Water Damage Restoration
If despite your best efforts you do run into trouble, reach out to Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling of Southeast Wisconsin for 24/7 emergency fire and water damage services. We respond quickly, mitigate damage, dry and restore structures, and help get your home back to normal.
Stay safe this holiday season, a little prep now goes a long way in preventing costly surprises later.
FAQ
The leading cause of winter home fires is unsafe or poorly maintained heating systems. Keeping your furnace, space heaters, and fireplaces inspected and used safely helps prevent emergency fire and water damage.
Let your faucets drip when temperatures fall to 20°F or below to help prevent frozen pipes.
In order to help prevent leaks and frozen-pipe disasters this winter, seal your windows and doors, clean your gutters and exposed pipes, and test your sump pump. For more information, read our guide to winter-proofing your Milwaukee home.
