Cooler air, shorter days and pumpkin spice everything… it’s official we need to prepare for winter. Before the weather gets completely unbearable, enjoy the beautiful Minnesota fall by taking care of a few tasks around the house to protect and save all winter long.
Now is the best time to get started. A proactive approach will be less costly than a reactive one.
Follow these steps to prepare your home for the change in season:
- Check smoke and CO2 detectors
October is National Fire Prevention Month, what a better time than now to check all smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors to make sure they are working and replace batteries. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, having working smoke alarm in your home reduces one’s chances of dying in a fire by half.
Take the next step and get a monitored Smoke/CO Detector. You can gain a watchful eye by adding 24/7 Custom Alarm Fire Alarm monitoring whether you are home or away.
- Get your furnace serviced
Schedule an annual maintenance appointment with a heating and cooling professional to get your heating system checked for the season. Change your furnace filters every two months.
- Seal cracks around doors and windows
Seal cracks between trim and siding, around window and door frames and where pipes and wires enter your house. Preventing moisture from getting inside your walls is one of the least expensive of your fall maintenance tasks. You’ll also save energy costs this way!
- Store hoses and turn off outdoor water
Leaving hoses attached can cause water to back up in the faucets and in the plumbing
pipes just inside your exterior walls. With freezing temps, water can freeze, expand and crack the faucet or pipes.
- Clean your gutters
After the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters to remove leaves, twigs and other debris. Clogged gutters can cause ice dams, which can lead to expensive repairs.
Protect your home as the seasons change with these proactive steps. Interested in learning more about how we can help? Custom Alarm can provide professionally monitored, wireless combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector, water sensors and much more with your security system. Providing increased protection and faster reaction to real danger while reducing false alarms.
