Why It’s Smart to Start Winterizing Your Home Now

When the cold weather comes and it’s time to migrate to warmer retreats there are a few steps to winterizing your vacant home that can help prevent robberies, wasted energy and home damage. If you’re a “snowbird,” you may not be packing your bags until later this fall, but you might want to make a checklist now and start moving towards taking some simple steps. Below are some tips to help you ensure your home is as secure and in-order as possible before you retreat to more southern climes.

1. Mail
Stacks of newspapers or piled-up mail is a telltale sign that homes are without residents and can signal an easy target to potential thieves. If you don’t want them to realize you’re absent, make sure to forward all mail to your winter residence or have it held at the post office for your return. Cancel your newspaper delivery, too. It’s a good idea to ask a friend to keep an eye on the property and remove any fliers or phonebooks that may end up on your stoop.

2. Unplug everything

Remember to disconnect all appliances before you leave. Doing so will not only save you a ton on your energy bills, but also prevent any energy surges from causing a fire and ruining your winter hiatus. If you have a generator – be sure to service it long before you leave. If your home loses power or heat during the winter, you’ll want it to kick in and keep the heat and any other clocks, alarms, or necessary appliances going in your absence.

3. Secure the boundaries

Make sure to check that your security system is working and active when you leave the house. ‘Smart’ doorbells are becoming increasingly popular— ones that allow owners to view the front stoop via camera remotely when anybody approaches the house. These can be incredibly useful in seeing if there are any unwanted visitors lurking around the property.

Don’t only rely on security cameras though; thief-proof your house with deadbolt locks on doors, ensure that your windows are locked and any sliding glass doors have appropriate locks in place.

As a final precaution, gathering any valuables and place them in a well-hidden safe to make certain that these one-of-a-kind items aren’t burglarized.

Give someone you trust a key to your home. Never give out an access code – but be sure a friend or family member can get inside in an emergency. You wouldn’t want a flood or other catastrophic event to occur and not be able to get work crews inside.

4. Schedule Snow Removal
It may seem early to consider this, but it’s not. Many landscapers do snow plowing in the winter, so talk to yours now while they’re mowing or mulching to work out a plan for when the weather takes a turn. If the upcoming winter is anything like it was two years ago, you’ll need a plow driver and roofer on speed dial.

5. Tidy up

Before leaving your house for a couple of months, it’s a good idea to clean out the cabinets and the fridge of any perishable food items. If you have a refrigerator/freezer that you can unplug, be sure that when you do – you prop the doors open to allow air flow and reduce the chance of mold.

Don’t forget to look around outside. Lawn furniture needs to be brought inside or secured. Any winterizing of your pool or yard should be scheduled soon so you’re “on the list” and any repairs or re-plantings can be made before you leave.

Preparing your home for the winter before you fly off to Florida can be a daunting task, but if you start early enough, and take one step at a time, you’ll be sitting on the beach again in no time. Knowing your house is safe, sound, and ready for the icy cold New England days ahead will ensure it’s in tip-top shape until the spring thaw.