When the snow starts piling up, most of us focus on the “big three”: the driveway, the sidewalk, and the path to the front door. But there is one crucial area that often gets overlooked until it’s too late—your egress windows.
If you have a finished basement or a basement bedroom, those windows aren’t just for natural light; they are a vital life-safety feature. Here is why keeping them clear of snow is one of the most important chores you’ll do this winter.
1. Your “Plan B” Exit Strategy
In the event of a house fire, the main stairs to the upper floors can quickly become blocked by smoke or flames. For anyone in the basement, an egress window is their primary emergency exit.
If that window well is packed with four feet of frozen snow, it becomes a trap rather than an escape route. Keeping it clear ensures that anyone downstairs can get out in seconds, not minutes.
2. Access for First Responders
Safety goes both ways. If a family member is trapped or injured in the basement, firefighters use egress windows to gain access to the home. If they have to spend precious time shoveling out a window well just to get to you, it delays life-saving help.
3. Preventing the “Basement Aquarium”
Beyond fire safety, there’s the issue of water damage. When the snow eventually melts (or if we get a mid-winter rain), a window well filled with snow acts like a giant sponge held right against your glass.
- The Pressure: Heavy, wet snow can put immense pressure on the window pane.
- The Flood: As it melts, the water has nowhere to go but inside. Clearing the snow now prevents a costly “indoor pool” situation later.
4. Carbon Monoxide Concerns
If your furnace or water heater vents are located near your window wells, drifting snow can block those vents, causing carbon monoxide to back up into your home. Keeping the area around the window and any nearby vents clear ensures your home can “breathe” properly.
Pro-Tips for a Clear Exit:
- The 3-Foot Path: Just like fire hydrants, aim for a 3-foot clearance around the window well.
- Clear the Cover: If you have a plastic window well cover, clear the snow off the top. The weight of heavy snow can crack the plastic or freeze it shut.
- Check the Inside: Make sure the window itself isn’t frozen shut from the inside. Give it a test open once a month during the winter.
- Watch the Roof: Be careful when shoveling or when snow “slumps” off your roof—it often lands right in the window wells!
Just take a quick walk around your home and check those windows! If they need to be cleared do it! You just might save a life!