Winter Weather Safety Tips for Your Car and Home
A-MAX Editorial Team
Reviewed by Rajesh Sankaran, Licensed Insurance Agent
Short answer
To stay safe in winter weather, get your car ready (warm engine, good wipers, correct tire pressure, an emergency kit), drive slower with extra following distance, and protect your home by covering outside faucets, letting faucets drip and knowing where your water shut-off valve is. A little prep now can prevent costly damage later.
For some, this is the best time of year: cozy socks, warm clothes, a fireplace and a great excuse to cancel plans. For others, winter weather can be rough on their cars and homes. Here are some tips to keep what matters to you safe when the temperature drops.
How do you get your car ready for winter?
- Let your engine warm up and your windows clear before you drive
- Keep an ice scraper in the car
- Check your fluids regularly
- Check your tire pressure often, since cold air can lower it
- Replace worn-out windshield wipers
- Put together an emergency kit to keep in your car
How do you drive safely on icy or snowy roads?
- Drive slower than you would in good weather
- Be extra careful on bridges, ramps and overpasses, which can freeze first
- Leave about three times your normal following distance between you and the car ahead
- If your car starts to slide, ease off the gas or brakes and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go until you regain traction, then straighten out
How do you protect your home from freezing weather?
- Cover all outside faucets to keep them from freezing
- Disconnect any hoses from outside faucets
- Open the cabinets under your kitchen and bathroom sinks so warm air can reach the pipes
- Let faucets drip slowly on freezing nights
- Find your main water shut-off valve before you need it
- Close windows and doors tightly to keep cold air out
- Consider a generator in case the power goes out, and never run it indoors or in a garage
- Put together an emergency kit for your home
How A-MAX can help
When bad weather hits, you should only have to worry about keeping yourself and your loved ones safe. A-MAX offers auto, homeowners and renters insurance. Walk into one of our 240+ offices or call 1-800-921-AMAX to review your coverage before winter arrives.
About this page
Written by the A-MAX Editorial Team. Reviewed by Rajesh Sankaran, Licensed Insurance Agent. We review and update it as state rules and carrier availability change.
Last updated October 29, 2026
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Pack a blanket, warm gloves and a hat, a flashlight with extra batteries, water and snacks, a phone charger, jumper cables, a small shovel, an ice scraper and a first aid kit. Sand or kitty litter can help your tires grip if you get stuck.
A slow drip keeps water moving through your pipes, which makes them less likely to freeze and burst. It's a simple step that can help prevent water damage, especially for pipes along outside walls.
It depends on your policy. Many policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe, but may not cover damage if the home wasn't kept heated or the pipe was in poor shape. Ask your agent to walk you through what your policy covers.
Stay calm and ease off the gas or brakes. Don't slam the brakes or jerk the wheel. Gently steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go until the tires grip again, then straighten out.
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