[list_item style=”mark”]Clean out your gutters. If leaves, sticks, and other debris are clogging them up, a condition called ice damming can occur—water is unable to drain through the gutters and instead seeps into the house, causing water to drip from the ceilings and walls [/list_item]

[list_item style=”mark”]Install gutter guards. They protect debris from entering the gutter in the first place! They are available at most hardware or home stores. [/list_item]

[list_item style=”mark”]Repair steps and handrails – broken stairs can become a death trap when covered in snow and ice; fixing them can prevent someone from falling and being seriously injured.[/list_item]

[list_item style=”mark”]Trim trees and remove any dead branches – the fewer things that can fall on you, the better! Snow, ice, and wind can cause weak trees to break and damage your home or car.[/list_item]

[list_item style=”mark”]Have the heating system serviced. Furnaces and boilers should be checked at least once a year to prevent fires.[/list_item]

[list_item style=”mark”]Be aware of the dangers of space heaters: while they do keep you warm and toasty, they can cause fires if not properly attended to. [/list_item]

[list_item style=”mark”]Add extra insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Too much heat escaping can cause snow to melt and re-freeze on the roof, causing more build up. This can lead to a collapsed roof, which is catastrophic for any home owner. Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces will also help protect pipes from freezing.[/list_item]

[list_item style=”mark”]Check your pipes, and if you find any cracks or leaks, have them repaired immediately[/list_item]

[list_item style=”mark”]Make sure that all your smoke and fire alarms are working correctly – house fires increase in winter time, so it’s important that these safeguards are in top working order[/list_item]

[list_item style=”mark”]Learn how to shut off your water and know where your pipes are. If they freeze, its imperative that you shut the water off as quickly as you can – the faster you do, the better chance you have of preventing them from bursting.[/list_item]
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