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Monday, December 20, 2010

Winter checklist for your house

Ahhhh, it's a marshmallow world in the winter,
When the snow comes to cover the ground.
It's the time for play, it's a whipped cream day,
I wait for it the whole year round!
- lyrics from Marshmallow World

ConsumerReports.org recommends the following to prepare your house for winter.
  • Clear leaves from your property and gutters and roof
  • Remove piles of leaves, compost, & wood away from house (mice love to nest in debris)
  • Wash windows (you'll appreciate the extra sunlight in winter)
  • Turn off water to hoses and lawn sprinklers (turn off the water from inside the house)
  • Turn off power to outdoor compressor on your central AC
  • Cover outdoor furniture
  • Put away your grill (ours sits outside and rusts)
  • Test your snowblower before you need it
  • Update settings on your programmable thermostat
  • Have a pro service your home heating system
  • Replace furnace filters every month
  • Have your chimney inspected and cleaned
  • Check Fire and CO detectors and fire extinguishers. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years and CO detectors every 5 years.
Bottom Line

I would add
* buy salt or ice melt.
* Check your snow shovels.
* Add mittens, hats and other cold weather gear to your car.
* Put a small shovel and kitty litter for traction in your car trunks.

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