Your home is likely your biggest investment so it makes sense that you would want to do all you can to be sure it is protected from the damage that can occur during extreme weather. Fall is the perfect season to baton down the hatches and get your home ready for winter. Below is a list of things you can do to be sure that your home is ready for all the potential risks winter weather can bring:
- Be sure your gutters are clean. You want all water to be flowing free and AWAY from your home so it is a GREAT idea to take a moment to be sure your gutters and downspouts are free of debris.
- Have your furnace & chimney cleaned and serviced. You don’t want to wait until it is cold outside to find out your furnace is not working properly. It’s a good idea to call in a professional to have it serviced before the winter weather begins in earnest.
- Test your smoke & carbon monoxide detectors. Next week is Fire Prevention Week and it serves as a GREAT reminder to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If they are battery operated, be sure to change the batteries.
- Inspect your windows & doors. Replace any damaged weather stripping and if necessary do any re-caulking.
- Take a closer look at trees. The trees around your home can cause serious damage if they are weak, damaged or dead, get damaged in a storm and fall upon your home. Take a look around your home and if there are any branches or trees that are around your home, trim them or bring in a professional for help.
- Observe walkways heading into or out of your home. If there are any cracks or loose stones do what you can to have them replaced or repaired. It is also an awesome idea to be sure these areas are well lit so that you can prevent slips, trips or falls.
- Protect your pipes. As soon as frost is in the air, drain outdoor faucets and shut off and cover outdoor faucets so that you can protect the pipes from being frozen.
- Think about generators. If you have a generator, be sure to have it serviced. If you don’t have a generator, consider having one installed. When severe weather knocks out your power, you’ll be happy you made the investment!
We hope you found this list useful. WVFSL wants nothing more than to make the lives of those in our community easier. Taking the time to do a little preventative care during the fall season can lead to a winter that is filled with peace and hopefully fun!
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