As the weather starts to cool down, people start pulling their scarves, boots, thick coats, hats, and gloves out of storage. However, there are some things that might not have occurred to you when going through your usual winter-getup routine. Take steps to assure that you are protected against the cold weather so that you can enjoy the holidays ahead.

Check Your Outdoor Faucets

A small drip can sometimes turn into a huge, costly water bill when you have frozen pipes in winter. If you have to shut off your main water valve or drain the old pipes in order to repair them, consider yourself lucky you didn’t have a large-scale pipe burst in your home. To avoid this from happening, shut off the individual faucets that are outside and turn them back on slowly once the weather starts to warm up.

If you’re noticing any leaks or drips around the faucets, you should turn them off immediately. You can purchase your own faucet insulation kit for a few dollars at your local hardware store to avoid this happening in the future.

Check Your HVAC System

With winter fast approaching, you should check your HVAC unit to make sure it’s ready for the colder temperatures. If it has been a while since the last time you have had maintenance or cleaning done on your unit, take advantage of this opportunity to have these tasks completed in preparation for the upcoming season.

While a lot of people just examine if their unit is running, it’s also important to check to see if the outdoor components are free of any debris or blockage, such as leaves and twigs. Additionally, you should see if your air filters need replacing. Having clean and clear filters can make a big difference in the quality of air that you breathe inside your home.

By having your unit serviced before the colder temperatures arrive, you can avoid repairs and large bills by getting ahead of any potential issues with your heating system.

Inspect Your Windshield Wipers

Driving with worn-out windshield wipers can be incredibly dangerous because you won’t be able to see clearly during a rainstorm. If your wipers start streaking and missing small pieces of debris, it is time for them to be replaced.

When taking a look at your windshield wipers, also inspect the windshield wiper fluid level in the reservoir. Low levels can indicate that you need more fluid or that your tank might have a leak. Either way, you want to fill up your fluid reservoir as soon as possible.

Even if you’ve already done this during the warmer months, and you’ve got a new set of wipers and full windshield wiper fluid, it is still important that you inspect your wipers during the winter. You might find that the wipers are worn out and need to be replaced again!

Prepare an Emergency Kit

An emergency kit can help you if your power goes out during the winter. These kits are especially useful when there has been a snowstorm or ice storm. It’s important to have things in your kit that you will need to take care of yourself.

You should also include other essentials for different types of weather emergencies, like extra clothes in case of temperature drops during the snowstorm. You might want to include a flashlight, batteries, candles, matches, and cans of food that don’t require cooking.

Additionally, some experts advise that you should have an old-fashioned crank radio to stay updated with news and weather reports.

While you most likely won’t have a power outage during the winter, it’s still important to have an emergency kit in your home. You can purchase a pre-made k

Inspect Your Gutter System

You should constantly inspect the exterior of your home to make sure that everything is in its proper working order. One important thing to look at during the winter is your gutters.

This time of year, a lot of debris and leaves will fall from nearby trees. Or, if you live in a place that gets lots of snowfall, you might have to deal with ice build-up in your gutters. When either of these things occurs, water can leak into your home instead of draining down the gutter and away from your foundation.

While it’s not necessarily dangerous to have leaky gutters during the winter, it is still best to get them cleared out before springtime, when more debris and leaves will be falling.

There’s a lot to do during the winter, and this list only scratches the surface. However, having your heating and cooling system ready for use is key to having a comfortable winter. Prepare everything inside your home before the colder months arrive, and make sure to check up on your equipment and components during the season to make sure there isn’t any damage. Once you do that, it’s time to relax, have a little fun in the snow, and indulge in some wintertime traditions!