Some people look forward to winter for a variety of reasons. People anticipate sipping hot chocolate or mulled wine while snuggling in front of a fireplace, building snowmen and snow angels, and snowball fights, watching all the winter sports on television, and eating warm soup with their family.
However, if you ask other people around, they would tell you that they are not looking forward to the shivering cold weather. A survey even shows that only 1 out of 10 Americans call winter their favorite season. And what's worse is that 24% of Americans feel miserable during winter. That's winter troubles for you.
Many people are affected by the cold weather. The chilly outcome of winter has a significant effect on the human psyche. People tend to get down and depressed because of prolonged staying indoors and limited activities. But there are other, more important reasons to be warm and use a heater during the winter season. Here are some of them:
Jump to:
- 1. Stay Protected Against Drop In Temperature
- 2. To Prevent Your Family From Getting Sick
- 3. To Keep Your Pets Warm
- 4. To Prevent Strokes From Happening
- 5. Prevent Dementia from Worsening
- 6. To Minimize Winter-related Deaths of Old People
- 7. To Prevent Arthritis from Worsening
- 8. To Prevent Flooding And Water Damage
- 9. To Maintain Structural Integrity Of Your Home
- Conclusion
1. Stay Protected Against Drop In Temperature
The average body temperature is around 98.6F or 37C. Assume your body temperature drops below 95F or 35. When this happens, nervous and respiratory systems won't function normally, and when left untreated, it could eventually lead to multiple organ failures and death. This is what you call hypothermia. Aside from organ failure and death, symptoms of hypothermia include body weakness, confusion, and low energy. That's why many accidents at the home happen during the cold weather. Many people get numb and stiff hands when exposed to the cold resulting in accidentally dropping something they're holding. To avoid any of these things from happening during winter, make sure your home is comfortably warm.
2. To Prevent Your Family From Getting Sick
Respiratory infections rise during cold weather. That is because viruses thrive in the cold and persist in the atmosphere for longer periods. You'll likely get infected with the virus living inside the house because it's cold, and they're still alive.
3. To Keep Your Pets Warm
Even pets with thick fur need to stay warm during the winter. A simple reminder: if it's too cold for you, it's the same for your pet. Dogs, cats, and rabbits can also suffer from frostbite and hypothermia, therefore they should be brought inside the house and kept warm throughout the winter season.
4. To Prevent Strokes From Happening
Previous studies have shown that there has been an increase in strokes that lead to death during winter. The cold weather can make the blood thicker and stickier, which can lead to blood clotting. When this happens, blood finds it difficult to travel to the veins, and blood vessels constrict, causing blockage and stroke.
5. Prevent Dementia from Worsening
Elderly family members with dementia need to have less exposure to the cold because studies show that the cognitive performance of people with this condition drops significantly during winter and spring. This is what they call seasonal affective disorder. It's the type of depression related to the changes in season. The season is said to sap off one's energy, making one feel moody, typically called the winter blues. And in people with dementia, the cold weather worsens their symptoms like oversleeping, overeating, having difficulty concentrating, and losing interest in doing activities. Ultimately the cold reduces their cognitive ability making the people around them unrecognizable. Therefore, it is best to have home heating installed. Many companies offer installation of heaters at home, for example, if you need help with home heating installers Berryville area you may check out their webpage to know more.
6. To Minimize Winter-related Deaths of Old People
Older people need to maintain an optimal body temperature of 37C; otherwise, a plummet in temperature could exacerbate chronic conditions like heart and kidney disease. Exposure to colder than average temperatures is potentially harmful to older people with these conditions. They require a warm and comfortable home to live at ease.
7. To Prevent Arthritis from Worsening
The cold weather makes it challenging to manage inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis symptoms. Joint pain increases with cold weather because the cold makes the joint swell, inflamed, and painful.
8. To Prevent Flooding And Water Damage
When temperatures drop, it could cause pipes to freeze, crack and burst, causing extensive water damage to your home. When the pipes burst and flood your home, it will incur very costly repairs as it could damage many things inside the house, including furniture, electrical lines, and carpeting. And if not attended to immediately, it could cause mold and mildew infestation, which is also a health hazard. That's why letting water drip in your faucet is always suggested during this season.
Drains also get frozen during winter. That's why not pouring oil in the kitchen sink is constantly reiterated as fat could get frozen in the drain and cause water to back up and flood your home.
9. To Maintain Structural Integrity Of Your Home
Freezing temperatures affect a lot of things outside and inside of your home. Your wooden door frames could constrict, causing unsightly cracks and influencing how your doors move and your knobs work.
Paints could also peel because of the cold, and vinyl flooring could crack. Even wooden flooring is affected with prolonged exposure to harsh cold conditions. Your wooden plank floors might develop gaps and cracks, requiring costly repairs. Glass windows in your home may also get affected by the cold. The glass may become brittle and crack in time, affecting its shines and lusters.
Conclusion
The Winter season is only three months long. Many festivities happen during this time that kids and adults love. There are several things to look forward to and enjoy. However, it will be beneficial if you remember to prepare physically, emotionally, and financially. As the head of the family, it's your ultimate responsibility to take care of the people inside your home. You must ensure that all of them are comfortable and happy in this most-awaited and at the same time detested by some season of the year. Let's face the winter by having a home heater installed at your home.
