11 Home Goods You Need This Winter

Winter isn’t always a wonderland. The dry air, the flu germs, the dust and bacteria, the pests, the cold temperatures, and the bad weather all make winter the most hazardous time of the year.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the winter, especially from the comfort of your home. With just a few precautions and products, you can prep your house for all of the winter mishaps and risks that could occur.

Below are the 11 things your home needs to survive the winter and have peace of mind for you and your family.

1. Space heater

Space heaters keep your room warm when the central heat isn’t as powerful as you’d like it to be. They’re also a great way to warm up your home without drastically raising your energy bill.

Some space heaters are small and compact, which is perfect if you’re moving between rooms or huddling the family together for a family game night. Other space heaters are larger and they can heat up an entire room to keep you comfy and cozy.

When purchasing a space heater, you want to compare size, weight, controls, warranty, and fan noise. You might also want to consider space heaters that have rechargeable batteries, so you could use them as backup heaters in the case of a power outage.

2. Humidifier

Winter brings cold, dry air—even in your home. This dry air can breed flu germs, worsen allergies, dry out skin, and even crack or damage furniture.

A humidifier releases steam into the air to add more humidity and hydration to the room. This prevents the air from drying out, which impacts the health of your family and home. Humidifiers work especially well if anyone in your family is prone to dust allergies or asthma.  

Check out HomeRev’s humidifier products here.

3. Smart thermostat

Whether you have a smart home or not, you’ll want to consider installing a smart thermostat system, like the Nest thermostat. These allow you to control your heating and cooling right from your phone or computer. You don’t even have to leave your warm, cozy bed in order to flip on your ideal temperature.

You can also schedule the heating of your house, even while you’re on a holiday vacation. Smart thermostats learn your temperature patterns, so it can automatically heat your house more when you come back from work and slightly lower the degrees while you’re out. These ensure you’re never wasting energy but always keeping your house warm and safe.

4. Air purifier

Winter air breeds bacteria. There are more dust, allergens, and germs floating about in the cool, dry air. These can accumulate in your house and lead to serious illness and flu that can put you out of commission for the entire season.

An air purifier can help remove this airborne gunk to help you breathe better, sleep better, and be more productive. These filter out bacteria and microbes, and you’ll actually be able to feel the difference in the health of your home. Check out HomeRev’s air purifier filters here.

Read: Eliminating Lingering Odors Naturally

5. Slow cooker

Make your winter cooking a breeze with a slow cooker. You can throw the ingredients in when you wake up and let them simmer all day, so you have a delicious meal by the time dinner rolls around.

This simplifies the cooking process when all you want to do is cuddle up and watch the Hallmark channel. Slow cookers are especially great for making stews, roasts, and chili, which are the perfect winter meals during frigid temperatures and harsh storms.

When purchasing a slow cooker, make sure you look at the size and speed of cooking, but also check out the safety features. Although they cook all day, you want to avoid leaving the slow cooker on while you’re out of the house.

Learn how to clean your slow cooker here.

6. Electric kettle

Make it easier and faster to brew your coffee or tea with an electric kettle. These have precise controls, so you can always heat your water to the perfect degree for a coffee that you love. Some kettles will also keep your water heated for a period of time, so you don’t have to wait around the stove for your water to heat up.

Create the perfect cup of coffee here.

7. Generator

Backup generators give you an alternate power source in the case of an outage. If you live in areas prone to storms or there are a lot of trees near your power lines, a generator can help ensure you’ll have some level of power even if your lines go down.

Some generators are small and portable. These work for a few hours just so you can charge your phone and any small necessities. Other generators can power entire rooms of your house, so you can keep the fridge cool and the TV working. You’ll never have to worry about the power going out, even in the dead of winter.  

8. Flashlights

In case of a power outage, you also want to have flashlights on hand to make your way through the house. Flashlights are safer than candles, and they’re easier to bring with you as you go about your life.

At the beginning of the season, replace all flashlight batteries to make sure they’re ready to go in the case of an outage. You can also consider battery-powered push floodlights, which help to light the whole room.

9. Indoor slippers

You don’t want to wear your winter boots inside the house, because they can drag in slush, dirt, bacteria, and germs that can make your family sick. So leave a pair of indoor slippers by the door to remind yourself to change out of your boots right when you walk in the house.

Sliding into those comfy, welcoming slippers will warm up your feet after trekking around town in the cold, and they’ll keep your house clean and germ-free.

10. Tissues

Some germs might still slip through and make a home in your house. But if you’re using the wrong kind of tissues, you could end up drying out your face and nose even more—making you more susceptible to colds and flus.

Make sure your facial tissues are double-ply, soft, and have lotion. This protects the sensitive skin on your face while helping to get rid of colds and flus faster. Tissues are the best way to protect germs from spreading to other family members.

If someone in your family is sick, make sure they throw out their toothbrush and tissues. Clean up after them using sanitizing wipes or spray to avoid germs spreading to other members of the family.

11. First aid kit

You never know what can happen, and you don’t want to be stuck in your house with an emergency in the middle of a snowstorm. Make sure you have a winter survival kit on hand to give you peace of mind in even the most brutal winter conditions. Emergency kits aren’t just for your car (although you need one in your car too). They’re an important way to defend against the unexpected (like snowstorms and zombies).

Your winter home emergency kit should include:

•     Thermal blankets
•     Bandages
•     Antibiotic cream
•     Emergency battery (for cell phone)
•     First aid kit
•     Updated prescription medications
•     Energy bars
•     Bottled water
•     Battery-powered clock radio
•     Blankets and cold weather clothing
•     Pet food

Bottom line

Protect your home and family this winter by having a few precautionary products on hand. These will keep you safe, make your winter easier, and improve your quality of life amongst the chilly air. Give yourself peace of mind knowing that your house and family are cared for this winter.

What home products do you always keep on hand during the winter? Let us know in the comments below!