According to Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow on Groundhog Day, there are six more weeks of winter ahead. With the potential for cold and inclement weather on the horizon, it is an opportune time to make sure the interior and exterior of your home are adequately prepared.

If you haven’t done so already, spend some time taking care of these winterizing tasks:

• Heating a home is expensive, and you can keep costs down by caulking any cracks around windows and doors that let cold air in and heat escape. You should also be sure to clean or replace furnace filters to help your heating system run more efficiently and effectively. 

• Clear all debris from your gutters, even if you have a covered gutter system. Any leaves or other materials left in the gutters can freeze and damage the gutters themselves, and could also force freezing water up under your shingles and damage the roof.

• Be prepared with everything you need in the event of a big snow storm. This includes tools for removing snow, such as a snow blower with a full tank of gas, shovels and a melting agent such as rock salt. No less important are items like extra blankets, warm clothing, and enough food and water to sustain your family in case of a few days of isolation.

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