Take the time now to get your home ready for the winter season by following these tips:

1. 
   Have your heating system checked by a professional annually to ensure that it’s working safely and efficiently. If you heat by wood, clean your fireplace or stove.
2. Have your chimney flue checked for any buildup of creosote and then cleaned to lessen the risk of fire.
3. Make sure your home is properly insulated. You may want to consider insulating walls and attic to help conserve energy.
4. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cold air out.
5. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside. This will provide an extra layer of insulation by keeping more cold air out.
6. Inspect and flush your water heater.
7. Clean gutters. Leaves and other debris will hamper drainage and may even be a fire risk.
8. Replace batteries of smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors. If you did not do it when you set the clocks back, do it now.
9. To keep pipes from freezing:
   • Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers
   • Cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture
   • Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing
   • Know how to shut off water valves