As we finally settle in to a consistent cold weather pattern and soak in the first few storms of the season, it’s time to prepare your home for the winter. While we may not get the extreme temperatures or the snow that other areas have this time of the year, it is still necessary to prepare your home for the cold and wet weather we do get. Make a list of what needs to be done, and tackle the time-sensitive tasks first. Here’s a simple checklist to help you get prepared for winter.

Indoor Winterizing
Examine doors and replace weather-stripping as needed.
Examine window caulking and reseal where needed.
Examine and repair vents where needed.
Clean chimneys and flues.
Remove items near heat vents.
Place nonskid runners or door mats outside to help keep water and mud out of the house.
Replace batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Outdoor Winterizing
Notify management of broken or dangling common area tree branches that may be hazardous.
Examine outdoor handrails and notify management if attention is needed.
Cover or bring inside any outdoor decorations or fixtures that could be damaged or fall over in a storm.
Clear yard drains.

Winter Supplies to Refresh
Batteries
Flashlights
Ice scraper for car windows
Replacement windshield wipers