How to Prepare for Winter

Prepare for winter's frigid temperatures before winter arrives.

When the green of spring and summer transforms to the crisp, vibrant colors of fall, the rapidly increasing chill in the air is a precursor to winter's arrival. With winter comes storms, extreme temperatures and a plethora of problems, if you've done nothing to get ready for potential weather-related issues. Prepare your home and family for winter before Jack Frost's cold bite takes hold, so you aren't caught unprepared for inclement weather conditions.

Things You'll Need

• Spigot covers
• Electrician's tape
• Pipe wrap
• Mulch
• Cat litter, sand or salt
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Matches
• Candles or oil lamps
• Emergency food supplies
• Weather stripping
• Firewood
• Anti-freeze
• Low-temperature wiper solution
• Car oil
• Car battery
• Tire chains and/or snow tires
• Pet house insulation

Instructions

Outside the Home

1. Bring garden hoses and sprinklers inside and store in a garage or shed. Cover exterior spigots with Styrofoam spigot covers, or wrap them in layers of newspaper taped with electrician's tape to reduce the chance of frozen and damaged spigots.

2. Wrap exposed pipes with cloth, paper, foam wrap or sponge to reduce the likelihood of frozen pipes.

3. Apply mulch around the base of trees, shrubs and plants to help the vegetation retain heat. Have a plan for relocating potted outdoor plants indoors before the first freeze.

4. Purchase and store cat litter, sand and bagged salt for clearing iced-over walkways, sidewalks and stairs.

Inside the Home

1. Purchase batteries for flashlights and radios. According to the My Great Home website, in the article, "Preparing for Winter Storms," winter storms can cut off power and services, and strand you in your home for days to weeks, depending on where you live. Move matches, candles and oil lamps with kerosene to an easily accessible location.

2. Stock up on canned goods, powdered milk, water, dried foods, energy bars and baby food and formula if applicable. And don't forget to make sure you're manual can opener is in working order.

3. Remove air conditioner window units from windows.

4. Examine and repair weather stripping around windows and doors. Self-adhesive weather strips are available at hardware, discount and home improvement stores.

5. Test your furnace to ensure it is functioning properly. According to My Great Home website, have a back-up heating source such as a wood burning stove. Stockpile chopped wood in a dry, covered location.

Winterizing Vehicles

1. Check your coolant system and add fresh antifreeze. Change wiper fluid to a solution intended for low temperatures.

2. Change your oil. According to the Grit -- Rural American Know-How website, in the article, "19 Ways to Prepare for Winter," you should consult your vehicle manual to determine the oil weight necessary for your car in winter weather.

3. Test your car battery. Batteries more than 5 years old should be replaced before the first freeze. A waning battery can freeze, leaving you stranded.

4. Inspect tire chains for damage. Lubricate tire chains with an automotive lubricant to reduce rust. Inspect your snow tires for damage. Have snow tires installed on your vehicle.

5. Stock an emergency box of nonperishable foods, water, flashlights, batteries, blankets and first aid supplies in the event you are stranded in your vehicle. Cat litter and sand are also essential winter-trunk staples.

Preparing Family and Pets

1. Try on snowsuits, coats, gloves, mittens, hats and boots. Replace articles that have been outgrown. Repair holes, rips and missing snaps and buttons.

2. Move outside pet houses closer to the house or ensure there is a windbreak nearby, such as a fence or shed.

3. Provide additional insulation within the pet house, such as blankets, straw, rags and pet bedding. Heat lamps provide additional heat sources for frigid temperatures. Inspect cords for cracks or deterioration.

Tips & Warnings

• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned before the need arises to burn wood as a back-up heat source.

References

• My Great Home: Preparing for Winter Storms
• Grit -- Rural American Know-How: 19 Ways to Prepare for Winter
• DeAnza College: Prepare for Winter Driving

Resources

• Secure Home: How Secure is Your Home?
• US Department of Homeland Security FEMA: Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold