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Unhook and put away your hoses from outside bibs so
the water in the line will not burst pipes during cold
weather. Drain the hoses of excess water before storing.
Drain and winterize landscaping sprinkler systems.
Clean gutters and downspouts again to make sure melted
snow can move freely through them.
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Check your fencing and fix rust or fill in areas that
collect standing water.
Sweep or blow leaves from your deck or any wood surface
you walk on outside – snow, ice and rain collecting
on top of wood can cause decay.
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Bring in tender plants and store them properly inside
away from windows.
Remove screens from your windows and install storm
windows if needed.
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Fill your snowblower with gas and oil, and place it
in an easy-to-access spot in the garage.
Inspect your roof and fix any problems that have occurred
from high winds and wear and tear.
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Keep your garage door closed in extremely cold temperatures.
Exposed water lines can freeze in just minutes. |
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| Clean your window sills so that the windows close
with a tight fit. During the day, keep window coverings on south-facing
windows open to allow sunlight in. Close them at night.
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Designate a spot inside where you keep some taper
candles (they throw a lot of light), matches and candle
holders in case of power failures. Adjust vents inside to direct more air from the upper
to the lower levels.
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| This is a great time to test, clean and replace the
batteries in smoke detectors. Inspect your electrical connectors for holiday decorations
and make sure they are tight.
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Prepare your heating system by having it inspected
by a qualified professional. You’ll spend more time inside, so rearrange your furniture
to change traffic flow patterns that affect carpet wear.
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| Stock up on bottled drinking water, non-perishable
food, extra blankets, flashlights and batteries in case
of a power failure. If you live in a rural area, you
may want to purchase a kerosene heater or generator
to use for back-up power. |
Have your hot water tank checked. Repair leaky faucets. Drips waste a lot of water.
If you don’t already have one, install a low level
carbon monoxide alarm.
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| If your freezer is only partially full, fill jugs
with water and freeze them to take up space – this lowers
energy bills. |
Do not turn off the heat in your home if you go away
on holidays during the winter. You can keep it at a
lower setting, but not off. During the time you are
home, set your thermostat to 68 degrees, and turn it
down a few degrees at night. |
