As the temperatures drop, it’s important to take steps to protect your home from winter weather. High winds, snow and ice can wreak havoc on your home if you’re not prepared. Thankfully, by following a few simple tips, you can keep your home warm and safe this winter season.

Check Your Pipes

If you’re expecting cold weather, make sure that you check any exposed pipes in your home for potential leaks or frozen sections. Consider wrapping these pipes with insulation material to help keep them warm. You should also check around your windows and doors for any cracks or gaps that may let cold air into the house. Caulk these areas if necessary to reduce heat loss from your home.

Inspect Your Heating System

Before the cold weather hits, it’s important to have your heating system inspected by a professional technician to ensure that it is working properly and safely. If you have a furnace, make sure that all of the filters are changed as needed; clogged filters can cause poor air quality in addition to reducing efficiency. Additionally, make sure that there are no combustible items near your heating system—such as furniture or curtains—as these could be a fire hazard if too close to the furnace.

Utilize Smart Thermostats

If you don’t already have one installed, consider adding a smart thermostat to your home before winter arrives. Smart thermostats allow you to control the temperature remotely via an app on your smartphone or tablet. This type of thermostat is especially helpful if you plan on being away from home for extended periods of time during the winter months; you can adjust settings even when away so that energy isn’t wasted inside an empty house! It also has features such as automatic scheduling which allows you customize temperatures according to when people are typically home (e.g., lower temperatures at night).

With just a few simple precautions and preventative measures, you can keep yourself and your family safe and comfortable throughout the entire winter season! By checking pipes, inspecting heating systems, utilizing smart thermostats and taking other precautionary steps outlined above, you will be well prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at us this year!