- Drain all the water from your outdoor faucets and ground hoses ... and don't forget those in-ground sprinkler pipes!
- Teach your family how to turn the water off at the source; this way, if you do experience a pipe burst, it will minimize the damage
- If you have a fireplace, get it inspected and cleaned before your first fire of the season
- Routine checks for your heating system BEFORE the cold weather arrives
- Replace your filter in your furnace if you need it
- Check for worn weather stripping around the doors and windows. If needed, caulk any gaps. 10% of a home’s heat loss comes from these kinds of leaks!
- Check the gutters. Clogged gutters will create “ice dams”
- Wrap exterior pipes in places like garages and basements.
- Clear your yard. Dead branches that hang low and overgrown bushes are going to ice up
- Maintain your outdoor equipment by draining the gasoline or adding a gas stabilizer
- Inspect your roof – look for broken shingles
- Keep extra batteries on hand for your flashlights
- Make sure your snow shovels and brooms are handy