Osage Nation Housing Tips for Icy Weather

Oklahoma winters can include sudden shifts, which may include icy conditions. To help prepare your home, the Osage Nation Housing Department is offering the tips below. As always, consult a professional as needed, and dial 911 in the event there is an emergency. 

Interior

• Have your furnace inspected before cold weather arrives.
• Inspect the heat exchanger for cracks, install a clean air filter, and check the thermostat to see if it’s working properly.
• Inspect fireplaces and chimneys before using, and have them cleaned if needed.
• Keep drapes and blinds closed, except when windows are in direct sunlight.
• Put up storm windows or install sheet plastic window insulation kits on the inside of windows.
• Cover or remove any window air conditioners.
• Insulate electrical outlets and switches on exterior walls with foam seals available at home centers.
• Caulk any cracks or holes on the outside of your house.
• Repair or replace weather stripping and thresholds around doors and windows.
• Run paddle ceiling fans on low in reverse (clockwise when looking up) to circulate warm air.
• Put draft dodgers on window sills, between window frames, and against doors.
• If you heat with propane or fuel oil, make sure the tank is full.
• If you heat with wood or coal, have plenty of fuel on hand.

Exterior

• Clean your gutters and downspouts before cold weather arrives to prevent ice from forming in them.
• Spray an ice-repellent solution on steps and walks before freezing weather arrives
• Check antifreeze levels in cars. Add if needed, then run the engine to circulate the new antifreeze through the radiator and engine block.
• Add freeze-resistant windshield wiper fluid and spray to circulate it in lines.
• Check the air pressure in tires since cold weather causes the pressure to lower.
• To protect your garden from freezing temperatures, bring in container plants, add mulch around plants, and cover plants that are prone to frost damage.
• Remove covering when temperatures warm above freezing.
• Drain birdbaths and fountains.
• Gently sweep snow off plants and shrubs in an upward motion with a broom.
• Use rock salt, sand, or clay-based kitty litter on walks and drives (NOTE: Salt can damage grass and other plants).
• Don’t overdo it when using a snow shovel.
• Stay off your roof during freezing weather, but inspect your roof for any damage once the ice and snow have melted.

The Osage Nation Housing Department assists our clients in achieving an elevated standard of living through home improvement and homeownership opportunities, breaking down cultural housing barriers experienced by Native Americans, and empowering Native families to achieve financial self-sustainability. Find more information here.