Warm, Safe, and Ready: Winterize & Prioritize Fire Safety this Fall

I’m Kimberley Williams, Senior Vice President of Retail Operations and Marketing at Williams Lumber and Home Centers, proudly serving the Hudson Valley since 1946. As the temperatures drop and the seasons shift, it’s time to think about how to winterize your home—not just to stay warm and save on energy bills, but to ensure the safety and security of your loved ones.

October marks Fire Prevention Month, a time that holds deep personal significance for me. My father, Sandy Williams, is not only the President and CEO of our company—he’s also a lifelong firefighter who has dedicated decades of service to protecting our community. He’s seen firsthand the devastation that fire can bring. Having witnessed hundreds of families endure the unimaginable loss of their homes, he instilled in all of us a deep respect for safety and preparedness.

That’s why, at Williams, we make it a priority every fall to help customers protect and prepare their homes for winter—with the right products, expert advice, and a commitment to fire safety.

Step One: Seal Out the Cold

Insulation and weatherproofing are the foundation of a winter-ready home. Not only do these steps keep your home comfortable, but they also reduce your heating costs and lessen the strain on your HVAC system.

At Williams, we stock a full range of Rockwool insulation materials—fiberglass rolls, Great Stuff spray foam sealant, pipe insulation, and weatherstripping—to help you seal up attics, basements, crawl spaces, and drafty doors or windows. Our associates can help you calculate how much insulation you need based on your square footage and climate zone.

Even small steps, like installing door sweeps, electrical outlets and caulking around windows, can make a big difference in keeping cold air out and warm air in.

Step Two: Smart, Safe Heating

Heating safely is just as important as heating efficiently. Whether you’re supplementing your central system or relying on space heaters or wood-burning stoves, we offer trusted products from leading brands that meet today’s safety and efficiency standards.

For those using wood stoves or fireplaces, our stores carry firewood, fire starters, chimney brushes, and ash buckets. It’s vital to have your chimney cleaned annually to prevent creosote buildup, a leading cause of home fires. We also carry smoke and carbon monoxide detectors—a must-have in any home using combustion heat.

Looking to upgrade your heating system? We offer programmable thermostats, baseboard heaters, and energy-efficient infrared models, all with safety features like automatic shut-off and tip-over protection.

Step Three: Light, Power, and Peace of Mind

Winter storms and power outages are part of life in the Northeast. That’s why we always recommend having flashlights, batteries, extension cords, and emergency power supplies on hand.

Our stores stock generator accessories, portable heaters, and battery-operated lanterns, all of which can provide comfort and safety during outages. And don’t forget to replace your smoke detector batteries—October is the perfect time to check those alarms.

We carry top fire-safety brands like First Alert and Kidde, including combination smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and escape ladders. Our team can guide you through what you need for each level of your home.

Step Four: Fire Prevention Is Everyone’s Responsibility

For us, Fire Prevention Month is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a core part of who we are. My father, Sandy Williams, spent years as both a business leader and a dedicated volunteer fireman. His stories weren’t just about fires; they were about families—families who lost everything in minutes because a detector didn’t go off or a furnace hadn’t been serviced.

That experience shaped our business values. We don’t just sell smoke detectors—we emphasize why they matter. We don’t just offer insulation—we explain how to use it safely around heating sources. Every product on our shelves has a purpose: to protect, preserve, and prepare.

Products and Advice for Every Home

Whether you’re winterizing an older home in Cold Spring, upgrading your cabin in Woodstock, or preparing a new build in Poughkeepsie, Williams has products at every price point and every level of need.

From pipe wraps to pellet fuel, storm door kits to fireproof caulk, we have everything you need to keep your home efficient and protected. Our associates are trained to help you choose the right materials and explain how to use them safely and effectively.

A Safer, Warmer Season Starts Here

At Williams Lumber and Home Centers, we believe in helping you create a home that’s warm, energy-efficient, and fire-safe—because your peace of mind matters. We invite you to stop by one of our locations this fall, where our knowledgeable associates can walk you through winterizing your home the right way.

Let’s honor Fire Prevention Month with action. Let’s take steps—small and large—to protect the people and places we care about most. And let’s do it together, with the care and caution passed down from generations of community and service.

NAIL IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

Make a plan to visit one of our seven Williams Lumber locations today!