Preparing Your Home For Winter

As quickly as the temperatures rise, it is already time to start dropping again. While everyone is excited for fall or winter, it is important to prepare your home for the cooler weather. If you are a season homeowner or a first time renter, it’s very important to take the right steps to prepare your home for the colder months. By preparing your home for the colder months, you will feel more confident, cozy, and warm inside your home. With the help of our Maintance Manager, Ben Dickson, we have complied a list of tips to help prepare your home.

  • If you live in a place with a wall AC, turn it off, unplug it, and put the cover on.
  • Dust off radiators.
  • Make sure your windows seal up to prevent letting in cold air. Keep the windows closed and locked during the winter.
  • If you have a ceiling fan, set the fan to circulate clockwise. This helps your apartment stay warm without turning up the temperature.
  • Test out your heat to ensure it is working properly. If it is not, put in a work order.
  • Swap out your summer bedding for winter bedding to keep you warm while you sleep.
  • If you are using a space heater, only two space heaters can run at a time in one unit. If more space heaters are running, this will cause a power outage.
  • Buy winter essentials before the first snowfall.
  • Keep a shovel inside in case the snow is blocking the doorways.
  • Bring out or purchase a shoe tray for your boots.
  • Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If they seem to be working incorrectly, put in a work order.
  • Do not turn off your heat if you are leaving for an extended period. Keep your heat set to 68 – 70 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing up and to maintain a warm unit.
  • If you have an outside area of your apartment or home, cover up your outdoor furniture or store it for the winter to prevent damage.
  • Keep furniture, curtains and blanket’s away from baseboard heaters as this will block your heat from keeping your apartment warm.

By taking these proactive steps, you’ll be on your own way to enjoining a cozy and invite home or apartment throughout the fall and winter months. Stay safe and warm in the upcoming months!

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Resident Portal

Emergency Maintenance

701-371-9915

10 Tips to Help Stay Healthy This Winter

10 ways to prevent getting sick this winter

Roers has a Wellness Committee which has come up with a top 10 list of simple yet effective ways to help employees stay healthy this winter during cold and flu season. We wanted to share this list as temperatures drop and cold and flu season approaches, to help minimize symptoms with everyone in the community.

  1. Get a flu vaccination. Check with your physician about getting a flu shot this year. The vaccination is available at doctors’ offices and pharmacies, so after getting the okay from your doctor, get the shot early in the season. Roers had a flu clinic this year in our office recently which many employees took advantage of.  Call your medical provider to get this scheduled.
  1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Every time you shake hands with someone, wash your hands afterward. Washing your hands prior to eating and touching your face is a crucial way to prevent the spread of harmful viruses and bacteria. We know that this has been the most used phrase in 2020 #washyourhands. 
  1. Avoid touching your eyes and mouth. Cold and flu germs can easily infect you through your eyes and mouth. If you must touch your face, wash your hands first. Common sense we know, but not always easy to remember, especially when we are trying to keep face coverings on most times. Have hand sanitizer at your desk, vehicle, and maybe in your pocket to always be prepared.
  1. Get adequate sleep. Sleep deprivation can compromise the immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Aim for seven to nine hours each night. Put that social media down, turn off the tv, and get those Zzzz. 
  1. Work out. Not only is working out good for your cardiovascular system and weight management, staying fit boosts your immunity and helps you manage your stress levels, which is important for staying healthy in flu season. Working out doesn’t have to be going to a gym or doing hot yoga. Getting movement can be taking a loop around our office or walking your pet each morning.
  1. Keep hand sanitizer handy for those times when you don’t have access to soap and water. If you are out and about, keep a bottle of alcohol-based sanitizer in your bag or pocket to de-germ on the go. 
  1. Don’t bite your nails. Germs lurk underneath your nails and biting your nails is just another way you can become infected with the cold or flu virus. What a perfect time to break that bad habit!
  1. Avoid people who are already sick. If someone is coughing or sneezing, keep your distance. Likewise, if you are sick and contagious, take time to rest at home so you can get better and not spread germs to those you come in contact with. 
  1. Eat a healthy diet. Similar to working out, eating right can have benefits for not only your weight, but also your immune system. Get your vital daily nutrients from fruits and vegetables to keep your immunity strong. Stay away from the break room or donuts at breaks! Removing junk from your daily schedule helps keep you feeling better and you will be a leg up when we can finally go on sunny beach vacations again.
  1. Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids – especially water – flushes toxins out of your system and keeps you healthy. If you do happen to get sick, staying well-hydrated is just as important for your recovery. Set yourself a goal and make sure you start early in the morning.