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Winter Weather Outlook: Winterizing your home

With winter fast approaching, it's time to get your home ready for the upcoming winter cold!

Preparing your home for the cold weather season will not only save you money but help keep you and your family more comfortable and cozy.

You can start by taking hoses off the exterior of your home and installing faucet covers.

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Then move to the doors and make sure they are sealing tightly. The best way to keep the cold air, critters, and water from coming into your home is to make sure the weather stripping is in one piece and not dented or bent.

Credit: Erickson, Melissa
This weather stripping is torn, and needs to be replaced to keep cold air and water from coming into the home.

Windows are another way that cold air can find its way into your home. Check to see if you have any cracks or gaps in your window seal, then use silicone to fill them in.

Credit: Erickson, Melissa

A way to insulate your windows from the inside is to use plastic and double-sided tape to create a seal around the window frame. The air between the plastic will act as an insulator and keep the cold air near the window instead of inside your home.

Make sure your attic is properly insulated and keep the damper on your fireplace closed when it's not in use.

Finally, if you have a fireplace and want to use it, you'll need to prep your chimney to eliminate any potential fire dangers. Rural Metro Fire said it's strongly advised you hire a professional chimney sweep to come out and do an inspection and cleaning. Soot and debris from many sources can build up inside chimneys, creating serious fire and carbon monoxide dangers.

Rural Metro said fire calls tend to see a notable increase in the fall when people begin using their fireplaces and electric heaters. 

These simple tips and tricks will help keep your home cozy and safe through the winter season.

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