How to Prepare Your Home For Winter

During the winter, when many holidays fall, home fire rates sky rocket.  It is important to regularly check your smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly to protect your family during the winter.  Next, if you have a fireplace, you may want to call a chimney sweep.  Fireplaces can accumulate creosote which is highly flammable and dangerous if not cleaned out properly.  While a cozy fire is enjoyable for everyone, you will enjoy it much more with peace of mind that the fireplace is safe. When the temperatures drop, your home may start to feel a little too cold and you may be tempted to crank up the heat.  This will make you warmer but it will also result in higher heating costs. If you reverse your ceiling fans so that they turn clockwise instead of counterclockwise you will force heat back down into the room and keep you home more warm. Next, you should also clean your gutters.  If your gutters are filled with fallen leaves and debris, it can cause water to back up and damage your home.  Additionally, you should insulate pipes to avoid freezing.  Insulation can be bought at any hardware store and is simple to install.  A burst pipe can cause major damage so it is very important to protect your pipes.  It is also important to make windows and doors airtight.  If they are not, not only do they waste energy but they can make your home very cold. BHG.com discusses the problem of having windows that are not airtight, “According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 10 percent of the air that leaks out of a house exits through the windows. Caulk around window frames and apply weatherstripping between the sash and window frame to eliminate air leakage. ”  Lastly, you may consider having your furnace professionally inspected. The last thing you want on a cold winter night is your furnace to break down and leave your whole home freezing cold.  These simple steps can help you prepare your home for winter so that you can avoid home problems arising and allow you to enjoy the winter months.]]>