As we move into fall and winter, there are some things that may need to be done around the home to keep you safe. Depending on what part of the country you live in, these items may be more important to you and less to others.

1. Keep gutters free of leaves and other debris. If gutters are blocked, excessive rains, snow and  ice can build up and may break the gutter or damage the roof.

2. Examine your home (inside and out), fence, shed, and any other outdoor structures to see whether they need a paint touch-up. Work to restore paint while weather is cool and dry so that the paint cures properly. Cracking paint on a home, deck or shed exposes the material below the paint, which can cause permanent damage if the material is exposed to a wet, cold winter.

3. During season check your furnace every 4-6 months to extend the life and prevent costly repairs. A dirty furnace will burn higher amounts of electric and gas fuel as well as work less effectively than a clean furnace. Have your furnace serviced before use (once a year, preferably before cold weather). Inspect and change filters once a month during heating season.

4. Make sure for broken or missing caulking around your windows. You want to be able to keep the heat inside during those cold winter months.

5. Check the items in your emergency supply kit for winter storm outages. Remove expired items and replace.

Here’s to hoping for a mild winter and the safety of our homes!