Preparing Your Home for Winter: A Safety Checklist

Heating system

• Have your furnace or boiler serviced by a qualified technician before the cold sets in.
• Replace or clean furnace filters as the manufacturer recommends.
• Keep the area around the furnace, water heater and boiler clear of storage.
• Make sure exhaust vents outside are clear of snow and debris all winter.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and the risk rises when fuel-burning heaters run all season. Check that:

• There are smoke alarms on every level, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
• There are carbon monoxide alarms on every level and near sleeping areas.
• Every alarm has been tested with its test button.
• No alarm is past the manufacturer's replacement date.

Fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters

• Have chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned before the first fire.
• Use a sturdy screen, and keep rugs, furniture and decorations a safe distance from the hearth.
• Store cooled ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside and away from the house.
• Give space heaters plenty of clearance, plug them directly into the wall, and switch them off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Drafts and frozen pipes

• Seal drafts around windows and doors with weatherstripping and caulk.
• Insulate pipes in unheated spaces such as basements, crawl spaces and garages.
• Disconnect garden hoses and shut off outdoor faucets from the inside.
• Know where your main water shut-off valve is.

Lighting, walkways and access

Shorter days mean more time coming and going in the dark. Motion-activated lights at doors and driveways improve both safety and security. Keep salt or sand handy for icy steps, and make sure handrails are solid.

Emergency plan and supplies

• Agree on two ways out of every room and a meeting spot outside.
• Keep flashlights, spare batteries, water, blankets and a first-aid kit together.
• If you use a generator, run it outdoors only, well away from windows and doors.

Want a second pair of eyes on alarms and escape routes? Our fire safety service can help.