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Easy steps to protect your home from winter weather

Allen Ellison, also known as Mr. Handyman, shared with us the top five things people overlook or forget to do inside of your home.

Knoxville — Can you feel a chill in the air? The temperature is dropping, and as it does, it's important to protect both the inside and outside of your home.

Allen Ellison, also known as Mr. Handyman, shared with us the top five things people overlook or forget to do inside of your home to prepare for winter weather.

5. Ellison recommends that you check your hot water heater to make sure the pipes connected to it are wrapped and covered.

4. Change your air filters. Ellison said that will help your heating and cooling units work more efficiently.

3. Don't forget to lock and seal your windows. That'll keep the cool air out and the warm air in.

2. You can call a professional to help seal your electrical outlets.

1. And last but not least, at number one, Ellison recommends you should start prepping your home early.

“When we get those several days in a row of ice and freezing temperatures, that's when we really want to get that done," Ellison said of his tips. "Now is the best time to do it, because it’s really hard to do it once it happens."

Going from the outside of your house in, Ellison explained it's always a good idea to unhook your outdoor water hose and cover it. That will help prevent freezing and cracking pipes.

Also, this time of year, fall leaves have fallen. And some of them may have fallen into your gutters. But those leaves could hold moisture and freeze if the temperature drops.

Before that chill comes, Ellison recommends filling the open spaces around your windows and doors.

“We want to change out the weather stripping," he said. "You want to make sure it’s good and clean. Most people will find that when they put in new weather stripping it’s a little tight, but you want it to be that way until the door and strip adapt to each other. And that will keep the cold air out.”

A few more precautionary steps to take? Run your overhead fans the opposite direction. This will push down the hot air that rises and warm the room. And let your faucets drip. That keeps water moving and less likely to freeze up your pipes.

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