The weather the past few days has been rather chilly and is a reminder that the very cold days of the winter are not too far off. While surfing for some other info, I came across these excellent cold weather safety tips and reminders. 

• Clean or change your furnace filter as the cold weather approaches. You should have your heating system inspected or serviced once a year for safety, longer life and better performance.
• Install programmable thermostats on heaters and timers on lamps two additional energy saving ideas.
• Seal air leaks around pipes, flues and vents that pass through exterior walls, ceilings or floors.
• Keep all flammable materials safely away from electric heaters, and hot water heaters.
• As it gets darker earlier, drivers should be aware of children walking home or playing in the streets. Parents should suggest light colored clothing, including reflective material, for children to increase visibility.
• Local fire agencies recommend changing batteries in smoke detectors when clock times are changed. In addition, check your emergency supply kit to make sure it is fully stocked and ready.
• A COLD winter is coming! Make a "winter car-emergency kit" now and put your vehicle! (Don't know what to include? Do an Internet search for "car emergency kit" and you'll find lots of ideas!)
• It's a good idea to carry a car-emergency kit in your car year-round, but be sure to add cold-weather gear to your general car-emergency kit each fall. (Having a separate duffle/gear bag clearly marked "Cold Gear" specifically for your cold weather emergency gear makes it easy to add or take out of the car, seasonally.) Like a Boy Scout, "Be Prepared!" Don't forget to make one for each of your cars that will be on the road this winter (ie spouses car, teenage drivers).
• In cold weather, even a very minor car problem or flat tire can be deadly serious, or at the very least, miserable to deal with, unless you're well prepared.
• Check and discard expired medications - those dates really DO have meaning - some very common over-the-counter medications can cause serious problems due to change through aging.
• Remember to check the AGE of your detectors! On November 2nd, 2007, the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), press release #08-062, suggests not only to check/change batteries in alarms, but also check the age of the alarms and replace older alarms. Sensors in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms degrade and lose effectiveness over time through environmental contamination and age. The CPSC suggests that consumers:
  • replace smoke alarms every ten years and
  • replace carbon monoxide (CO) alarms every five years.