We all know that January is usually the harshest month of the winter. It’s the time of year when temperatures drop, snow falls, and surfaces become covered in ice. It’s important to stay safe, be aware of your surroundings, and make the necessary adjustments to avoid injury. Whether the temperatures just happen to be a bit lower than usual or if it becomes an all-out blizzard, we are all susceptible to the dangers of winter.
It’s important to be aware of and prepared for the troubles of winter in New Jersey before it’s too late. Winters in Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex Counties are very unpredictable and it’s impossible to know when we might get hit with bad weather. Unfortunately, we can’t just stay at home and wait for summer. Even if we could, we still might not manage to avoid what January brings. Here are some of the most important steps to take in order to ensure your safety this winter.
Keep a Safe and Warm Home
Most of us love staying home with a nice mug of hot cocoa and a blanket in January, so we might as well ensure our comfort and safety for those lazy Sundays on the couch. Be sure to install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows to prevent the elements from getting through your doors and windows. It’s also important to check that your heating systems are clean, ventilated, and working properly. It’s important to stay warm, but we also need to be careful of the potential dangers that come from heating our homes.
Prepare Your Car
Many of us use our cars to get everywhere. We need to keep our cars reliable and safe for this time of year. Don’t forget to replace your tires with snow tires, use a windshield wiper fluid that won’t freeze, and replace your windshield wipers and headlights if needed so you can see when it’s snowing out.
When Leaving the House
As much as we don’t want to when the weather is poor, sometimes we have no choice but to leave the house. When going outside make sure you dress warm. Wear a few layers, a thick winter coat, winter hat, and thick socks and gloves to prevent against frostbite, numbness, and hypothermia. Being outside and underdressed for just a few minutes when conditions are bad can still cause damage so it’s always important to bundle up. For those who work outside and have to work in some tough conditions, it can never hurt to bring a few changes of clothes in order to stay warm and dry.
Once Precautions Have Been Taken
No matter how prepared you are this winter, there’s going to be those who are not. Be careful of your surroundings to avoid careless drivers, slipping on ice, and poorly maintained buildings, cars, and outdoor surfaces. No matter how careful you are accidents may still occur. If you’re injured do not hesitate to reach us 732-888-8888 or by emailing demandjudd@juddshawnofault.com.
