Tips from the President

Preparing your home for winter weather

By: Howard Thorp, AAI, CIC

We at Thorp & Trainer hope you are enjoying the local beauty of another winter season. While this can be an enjoyable time of year, it can also pose many hazards to your property. Please review the following tips to help protect your home from the cold temperatures and snowy conditions:

• Remember to clear gutters and downspouts of debris so water can flow freely and away from your property. This will help to mitigate damage to your roof, walls and ceiling which occurs if water seeps into your home. 

• Cut low-hanging tree limbs and branches that could cause damage if weighed down by heavy snow. Exercise caution around electrical wiring. 

• Check windows and doorways to ensure they are airtight. If necessary, apply weather stripping or caulking to keep warm air in and cold air out. 

• Have your furnace cleaned and serviced annually to ensure optimum efficiency.

• Replace all air filters within your home and have ducts professionally cleaned to maintain proper air quality. 

• Consider insulating water pipes to prevent them from freezing during times of extreme temperatures. 

• Make sure that fire extinguishers are available – with one on each floor of your home. 

• Remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.