When cooler weather comes, it brings comfort food, holiday magic, and coziness with it. It can also bring along some not-so-nice effects. When the weather starts dropping, make sure you prep your home for the winter months ahead with these six tips.

Make Sure Your Furnace Works

None of us want to be in a situation where it’s 30 degrees outside and our heater goes out. To prevent the winter air from coming inside, either schedule an appointment with a furnace repair company or perform a manual check to make sure your furnace is in tip-top shape before the cold weather hits.

Check for Cracks Under Doors and Windows

Everyone wants their home to be warm and cozy in the wintertime, not chilly and drafty. Take some time before it gets too cold outside to make sure your windows and doors are tightly sealed. You may need to grab a caulk gun for your windows or get some new weather stripping from your local hardware store to keep the warm air in and cold air out!

Have Your Chimney Swept

Before building that first fire in your fireplace, have your chimney inspected by a local chimney sweep. They will make sure your fireplace is in good working order for fires on cold winter nights.

Clean Your Gutters

After the trees lose their leaves make sure to clean out your gutters. Leaves and other debris in your gutters could freeze and clog your gutters. Take some time with your spouse or kids to divide and conquer – one of you rake the leaves in the yard while the other cleans out the gutters.

Protect Your Pipes

When the cold weather comes the chances of your pipes freezing increases. Make sure you’re protected from this common mishap by investing in some foam pipe wraps and sleeves, insulating outdoor spickets, and investing in some spicket covers. While you’re outside, drain your water hose and consider putting it up in your garage until spring to prevent it from freezing and bursting.

Place Working Flashlights Around the House

While the power can go out any time of year, an ice storm or snowstorm may knock out your power for a while in the wintertime. The beginning of a new season is a great time to make sure you have working flashlights placed around your house. It’s a good idea to place some new batteries close to each flashlight in case yours go out when you need a flashlight most.