Checklist of tasks to prepare for old man winter

• Turn off water to hoses and lawn sprinklers. When temperatures fall below freezing, water in the pipes freeze and pipes burst. Turn off water from the indoor supply valve and drain all residual water out of faucet and systems.
• Cover your room air conditioner or take it down and store it.
• Cover outdoor central air conditioner unit to protect from winter weather and debris.
• Clean out gutters – clogged gutters can lead to ice dams which can create leaks along the roof edge.
• Move piles of leaves, compost and wood away from house or other structures. Wood attracts termites which may migrate into your home, and rodents and small animals like to nest in leaves and debris.
• Check windows and doors for air leaks. Leaks can be sealed with caulking, expanding foam, foam board, or weather stripping.
• Have furnace checked and serviced. Remember to change furnace filters monthly.
• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned. If you have a wood stove make sure to move all combustibles away from the appliance and make sure floor protection extends at least 18” on all sides of the appliance.
• Check smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
• Prepare for power outages with flashlights and fresh batteries as well as non-perishable food staples.
• Keep cell phones charged but also have a corded phone in the event cell towers experience outages.
• If you have a generator, test it. If you are considering purchasing a generator, make sure it is properly installed.
• Have snow shovels, sand and ice melt handy.
• Test your snow blower.