Winter checklist for your house

Ahhhh, it's a marshmallow world in the winter,

When the snow comes to cover the ground.

It's the time for play, it's a whipped cream day,

I wait for it the whole year round!
- lyrics from Marshmallow World

ConsumerReports.org recommends the following to prepare your house for winter.

• Clear leaves from your property and gutters and roof
• Remove piles of leaves, compost, & wood away from house (mice love to nest in debris)
• Wash windows (you'll appreciate the extra sunlight in winter)
• Turn off water to hoses and lawn sprinklers (turn off the water from inside the house)
• Turn off power to outdoor compressor on your central AC
• Cover outdoor furniture
• Put away your grill (ours sits outside and rusts)
• Test your snowblower before you need it
• Update settings on your programmable thermostat
• Have a pro service your home heating system
• Replace furnace filters every month
• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned
• Check Fire and CO detectors and fire extinguishers. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years and CO detectors every 5 years.

Bottom Line

I would add

* buy salt or ice melt.

* Check your snow shovels.

* Add mittens, hats and other cold weather gear to your car.

* Put a small shovel and kitty litter for traction in your car trunks.