Winter Home Safety Tips

by Maribeth Lynch

Keep Your Home in Top Shape This Winter

Maribeth Lynch, Thrive Real Estate Specialists

Those of us who have lived through the past several New England winters know firsthand how destructive winter weather can be in our part of the country, and our homes are not immune to the ravages of this harsh season. While we haven’t even begun to experience the plunging temperatures and staggering snowfall this year that we’ve seen in the recent past, it’s a good bet that January and February will bring on the cold and snow. Here are a few home maintenance tips that can help keep your home safe, warm, and protected when winter weather comes storming into town:

Safety First

Winter is a season that can see an increased risk of house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. The house is buttoned up against the elements and susceptible to a buildup of carbon monoxide, so it’s important to make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly and there are extra batteries on hand as a backup. If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, call the fire department to have your home checked for the odorless gas. Trust me, they’ll be at your doorstep right away to check for this hidden danger. Improperly monitored space heaters and fireplaces can pose an increased risk of fire. It’s a good idea to have regular chimney inspections and cleanings to eliminate the danger of a chimney fire. Make sure that space heaters are located a safe distance from flammable draperies and upholstery and never leave a space heater unattended. And most importantly, keep your smoke detectors working properly!

A more common winter peril is ice buildup on driveways and walkways that can lead to mishaps and falls. Invest in a snow blower or prepare for a bracing workout with a shovel when the snow starts to pile up. Pay particular to outdoor steps and stairways that see regular use. Ice melt is available at any local home improvement store.

Keep Cozy

Having your furnace regularly inspected and serviced if necessary is an important step toward making sure you won’t be left in the cold during the winter months. Contact a qualified professional annually to make sure your furnace is functioning at peak efficiency and swap out filters regularly to keep your heating system running smoothly. If your home is heated by oil, as many New England homes are, make sure that you keep an eye on fuel levels and have your tank filled before you run out of oil.

Storm doors and windows can help combat the cold as well. Swap out screen doors for storm doors to add a layer of protection against the elements.

Prevent Damage

Exceedingly cold weather can lead to frozen and burst pipes. If you travel away from home during the winter months, make sure that you don’t turn off the heat in your home completely, or you could come home to broken pipes and water damage. If your pipes are prone to freezing, leaving faucets running at a slow drip can keep water moving through them even when they are not in active use. Wrapping pipes in electrical tape can also provide additional insulation from the cold. If you suspect a frozen or leaking pipe, call a plumber to help mitigate the damage. You should also learn how to shut off the water to your house in case a leak becomes serious quickly.

Keeping your gutters clean can help prevent buildup that leads to ice dams. A roof rake is also a handy tool for lessening the weight of snow on your roof; heavy snowfall can lead to roof damage and in serious cases, even a partial collapse, so keeping your roof clear of snow is a good idea.

Be Prepared

When winter comes roaring in, storms can cause lasting power outages. In Shrewsbury, we’re fortunate to have a local electricity provider that tends to get the power back up and running fairly quickly, but a severe storm can cause power outages that last for days. Make sure that you have plenty of blankets, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and water on hand in case you are stranded at home without power. If you have a portable generator, make sure it is in working condition and that you have plenty of gas to fuel it. Generators should only be operated in areas with proper ventilation.

A lot of this winter maintenance is probably second nature to many of us who have lived in Central Massachusetts for a long time, but it never hurts to be prepared. Make yourself a winter “to do” checklist that will keep you and your family comfortable in your home this winter. Stay warm!

Would you like to know more? Visit https://thriverealtors.com/ for more information!

“Anthony’s advice and assurances during these times helped us achieve another record-breaking year, states Maribeth Lynch, Founder of Thrive Real Estate and Lamacchia Realty REALTOR®.

“When the opportunity to merge with Lamacchia arose, the timing was perfect. We knew both our clients and agents would benefit from this partnership, allowing everyone to THRIVE. Having gotten to know the leadership team at Lamacchia has made our decision to merge with them an easy one. Our values are very much aligned, and we know that offering their robust marketing and training will benefit both our clients as well as our beloved agents.”

Along with Maribeth and Rick, five REALTORS® will join Lamacchia Realty, including Briana Willander, Ashley Davidson, Whitney Andrews, Mike Andrews, and Tracey Calo. REALTORS® of Thrive are like-minded professionals who work in unison and pride themselves on local knowledge and creative problem-solving, all for the benefit of clients.
As the broker-owner of Thrive Real Estate Specialists, Maribeth has been and will continue to be devoted to serving both her clients and her community with integrity, sincerity, and a can-do attitude. Her firm welcomes opportunities to give back and be charitable in meaningful ways and Maribeth believes in the importance of service. The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women selected her as a 2022 recipient of The Commonwealth Heroes Award, and she was a 2021 recipient of the Gratitude Project Award from the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®.

“We are so happy to have Maribeth, Rick, and the rest of the Thrive group joining forces with the company, states Jackie Louh, Chief Operating Officer, Lamacchia Realty. “Maribeth is a well-known and respected Broker in Worcester County, and we are honored that she chose Lamacchia. We are excited to grow even more in that area and Maribeth is the perfect person to help us do just that!”

Maribeth along with the REALTORS® at Thrive Real Estate has been involved with many organizations over the years, most recently: REALTOR® Association of Central Mass- Committee Chairman, Broker/Owner Task Force, REALTOR® Association of Central Massachusetts- Board of Directors 2025, Shrewsbury Zoning Board of Appeals, Chairman, Shrewsbury Town Center Association, Founding Member, Shrewsbury Yuletide/Light the Commons, Committee Member, among many more. In addition to being involved, they also advertise and support the College of the Holy Cross where Thrive is prominently displayed on scoreboards and other places.

Lamacchia Realty’s already very aggressive marketing campaign in the region will dramatically boost the company’s market reach and help add more top-rated REALTORS® to the Shrewsbury office. The marketing plan features billboards on Route 9 and other major roadways, social media posts, postcards, newspaper ads, and much more.

All home buyers, sellers, tenants, landlords, REALTORS®, and other brokerages in the area should know that it is business as usual at the company. There will be no interruptions in service to any clients anywhere. In the weeks to come Lamacchia’s management team and staff will work with Maribeth, Rick, and all the REALTORS® at Thrive who are now Lamacchia Realtors to slowly implement Lamacchia’s suite of lead products, services, training, technology, and more.

This marks Lamacchia Realty’s ninth acquisition in Massachusetts in the past year with the prior acquisitions in Pittsfield with Home Sweet Home Real Estate, Dalton with Berkshire Dream Home, Easton with Briarwood Real Estate, Auburn with Emerson Realtors, Springfield with Sears Real Estate, Falmouth with Foley Real Estate, Fall River with Right Choice Real Estate, and Seekonk with Keystone Property Group. Lamacchia Realty is excited to bring on even more REALTORS® in MetroWest and Central Massachusetts markets in the weeks and months to come.

As a full-service, value-based brokerage, Lamacchia Realty’s mission is to empower its staff, REALTORS®, and clients to achieve success. The company provides unmatched training, systems, and technology, equipping employees with the tools they need to thrive and grow in their roles. Lamacchia Realty takes great pride in its strong culture of support, which has contributed to an impressively high retention rate. Culture is at the heart of the company, with every staff member and agent playing an integral role in maintaining and enhancing it, helping them continue to grow!