The next time a snow or ice storm hits Illinois, make you sure you check this one important thing on your home to keep your family safe!

Winter Safety Check List

Each winter in Illinois can be slightly different. Some years there's a lot of snow...other years there's more ice than snow, but there are two things you can always count on: It WILL be cold and you need prepare your home for the frigid temps.

Unhappy Woman Feeling Cold Wearing Warm Winter Clothes Indoors
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Some of the biggest things you should do to keep you home and family safe each winter include:

  • Keeping chimneys free of debris and buildup.
  • Having your furnace inspected and/or changing furnace filters.
  • Insulating and protecting pipes from the cold.
  • Testing smoke detectors.
  • Clearing driveway and sidewalks of snow and ice.

If you've already done all those tasks listed above, awesome! There is one more important thing you need to check though...it could save your family's lives!

Question mark on white snow, close up, copy space
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One Important Thing People Forget to Check Each Winter

Whenever there is a snow or ice storm, most people are solely worried about clearing their driveways and sidewalks, but what about your home's gas meter?

If it looks like this...

Gas and utility meter in snow
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Or this...

Gas Meter Frozen and Ice Covered
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It's very bad and extremely dangerous!

Here's why according to Xcel Energy;

Icy build-up can dangerously interfere with the flow of natural gas to and from your meter, and accumulated snow can prevent the meter from operating properly by stopping the flow of natural gas. A snow-covered meter could also lead to a loss of service and freezing of inside pipes as a result of lost heat.

Exhaust gases need a clear opening to vent to the outside and prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas.

Carbon monoxide buildups and high gas bills are never something anyone wants to deal with so please make sure you keep an eye on your gas meter this winter and keep your family (and wallet) safe!

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