Editorial: Now's the time to get homes and cars ready for winter weather

Winter dread tends to creep up on us each fall, with reality hitting in waves. This week we get a double whammy - nighttime temperatures dipping into the 20s and Sunday's end to daylight saving time.

While winter does not officially begin for a few more weeks, Mother Nature won't wait for Dec. 21. So state agencies are encouraging Illinois residents to start preparing now for cold, ice and that inevitable first snowfall.

What does that mean?

At home, it means recognizing the risks that cranking up the thermostat - warming up around the fireplace - bring.

In a news release this week, state officials advised the following:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from heat sources. Those include radiators, fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters.

• If you use space heaters, turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

• Make sure your fireplace has a proper screen so sparks don't create a fire hazard.

• Never use an oven to warm up your home.

• Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to see if they need to be replaced. Make sure you have them on each floor of your home, within 15 feet of any bedrooms.

"Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths in the U.S. which is why we stress the importance of maintaining heating equipment and having chimneys cleaned and inspected by a professional each year." said Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. "It's also important to make sure your smoke and CO alarms are working properly and are not expired. Test those alarms monthly and replace any broken or expired alarm."

Preparing for winter also involves stocking your car with a good snow brush and a few extras to help you out if you get stuck in the snow.

State officials recommend a vehicle emergency supply kit with blankets, sand or cat litter for traction, a flashlight with extra batteries, booster cables, nonperishable snacks and a shovel. Make sure your car is running well and there's gas in the tank - you really don't want to run out in the middle of a nasty storm.

And make sure you and your family have the right layers for winter, including warm gloves, boots and hats to prevent frostbite and other cold-weather health concerns.

There were 1,935 cold-related deaths between 2011 and 2018, according to a study by the University of Illinois Chicago published in 2020.

Preparing for winter - at home and while you're on the road - helps to prevent more tragedies.