Winter Preparations

Preparations to "Winterize" your home and car should be made now - when the weather is relatively mild. It is much easier to wrap an outdoor water faucet in sunny 60 degree weather than with temperatures in the 30s and a 25 mile an hour wind.

Here are some things one can do to protect their home and stay comfortable.

Insulate your home. This reduces air leaks and keeps the heat in and the cold out. Also caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors. Covering windows with plasticj will reduce heat loss. Pipes that are exposed to the cold should be wrapped with cloth or paper. Also, cover exposed outdoor water faucets.

Some type of emergency heating source should be available to keep at least one room warm should your furnace quit working or there is a power outage. Space heaters are often used by those without a fireplace. But extreme care is required as many accidental fires are caused each year by space heaters. It is also a good idea to have a couple of flashlights. A battery operated radio and plenty of extra batteries.

Stock up on some non-perishable food items and bottled water for use in the event you become isolated by a Winter Storm. It is easier to buy such items now than in the frenzied rush that often occurs when a Winter Storm is threatening.

Your car's radiator should have enough antifreeze to protect it to temperatures below zero. If the battery is weak or old, it migh be a good investment to buy a new one now. The battery terminals should be clean and wipers, heater, and defroster should all be in good shape. If you must venture out during snow or freezing rain. Be sure your windshield washer well is full before you leave, and that the washer jets are not plugged by ice or snow.