With the cool fall weather slowly creeping in I have been spending lots of time sitting outside on my front porch enjoying the change in season. As the weather changes it has me thinking about the list of things I need to do to prepare my home for winter.

Within the last few years my husband and I purchased our first home and each year we learn and add to our list of things we can do to prepare our home for the colder months. There are many steps you can take to help winterize your home and protect your belongings.

Here are just a few things you can do to help prepare for the colder months ahead.

Add Weather Stripping to Doors and Windows

Weather stripping can be installed around doors and windows to help keep the heat in and the cold air out. There are also a variety of door sweeps and door draft stops that can help prevent the cold air from coming in.

Check Your Fireplace

Before your first fire of the season contact a chimney sweep to thoroughly clean the chimney. Over time debris can build up and animals can make nests and be hazardous.

Clean the Gutters

After the last leaves have fallen, cleaning gutters out can help drainage as the winter snow melts.

Prepare for Snow

Research and purchase items you might need for snow removal like a shovel, snowblower, and rock salt.

Block the Cold

Adding caulk around windows can help block the cold. The majority of heat is lost through the attic, check to make sure you have enough insulation.

Bring the Outdoors In

Be sure to bring in any plants before the temperatures dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. I typically have a few Mums on my front porch for fall and keep an eye on the weather to see when I might need to cover them with a sheet or blanket. If you have a basement or garage and can bring your outdoor patio furniture inside this will help prevent damage from the cold and snow. If you don’t have storage space, you could buy covers or a tarp to cover patio furniture for the winter. Don’t forget to clean your grill, leaving grease and food on your grill can cause corrosion and unwanted critters.

Check Your Furnace

Your furnace can run more efficiently with a clean filter, a dirty filter traps dust, lint, and pollen. Rember to replace your furnace filter every three months.

Test Smoke Detectors

Check your detectors, replace the batteries if needed, and keep your family safe.

I also like to take time during the colder months spent indoors to declutter my home. I sort items into various boxes labeled to keep, donate, and discard. Decluttering your home can help create a more organized and peaceful living space but also make a meaningful difference through donation.

Kaitlynn Henninge is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or henninge.5@osu.edu
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This article was previously published in The Daily Record.