Prepare For Winter. Tips on winterizing your home and car.

During these last few days of December and beginning of winter, please take some time out to make sure everything is in order around your home; it will sneak up on us quickly! Bob and his Team share some of their tips:

Get out snow shovel and place in a handy spot.

Stock up on de-icers & salt for the walkway. Don't wait until the last-minute to stock up on salt, de-icer, and any other snow supplies. You are risking them being sold out. Purchase these items now (likely on sale) to be sure you are ready when needed.

Remove exterior hoses from faucets.

Shut off valves to outside faucets and drain the line

Allow sunlight into your home: During daytime, open your window curtains and blinds to allow the sunlight to enter your house and warm the air in your home. This can help your heating device warm the air in your home faster and thus reduce the energy needed for the device to operate. At night, close the curtains and blinds to keep the warm air within the interiors of your house.

Check smoke detectors: Don't neglect that smoke detector any longer! Take some time right now to check the operation of detectors, and to change the batteries. If you have an older house with a limited number of smoke detectors, install additional ones at each sleeping room, and make sure there is one centrally located on each level of the home as well.

Service your heating system: Perform a complete system check of your furnace annually, either by yourself or by a trained furnace technician. Check for worn belts, lubrication needs or other servicing that might be required; refer to your owner's manual for specific suggestions, and follow any manufacturer safety instructions for shutting the power and fuel to the furnace before servicing. Check the condition of duct joints and insulation, and of course change the filter.

Change light timers: If you have exterior lights controlled by timers, including low-voltage ones, check the timer settings. Change the "on" times to an earlier hour to reflect the winter darkness.

Give your car a little attention too. There is nothing likely leaving work to find 3 inches of snow, and having no snowbrush!

Check you Antifreeze Levels

Fill windshield washer fluid with de-icer

Check for snowbrush and Ice Scraper

Bag of Sand or Cat Litter in trunk for extra weight and traction

Make sure you have jumper cables

An extra blanket, jacket, gloves

Gallon of water, flashlight, and First Aid kit in case you break down