Prepping for Winter: A Reminder of Prewinter Chores

I can’t tell you how many lawnmowers of mine have been ruined because I forgot to put them away for the winter. Based on my own forgetfulness, I decided to write this article to remind others like me of the things that need to be done before it gets too cold to matter!

Really, the first thing you probably want to do is to clean out the shed so that you can out all the spring items in the back and the winter items up front for easy access. Make sure to put the bikes away because the weather can do serious damage to the parts and body of a bike. You also want to put the mowers in the shed after you empty the gas ranks. You really don’t want to try to start a mower with gas in it that has turned to turpentine! So, put the cleaned spring toys and tools in the back of the shed and bring the winter tools and toys up front. Make sure you have a snow shovel, rock salt or some other medium such as sand and of course, you have to move the sleds up front if you have children!

Make sure to clean out the gutters too. This is something you should do in the fall and the spring. Clogged gutters tend to overflow and create icicles that can be dangerous by falling on someone or by pulling your gutters down and causing some expensive repair work to be done!

Be sure that your furnace is serviced and a new filter put in. If you have a wood burner or fireplace, you want to make sure all the seals are in good shape and that you are well stocked on wood with the saws all in working order. The chimney should be cleaned out before lighting as well. Another thing you want to do to make winter warm in your house is to make sure all the windows are sealed with caulk or plastic. It doesn’t hurt to hang heavier curtains in the winter as well. If you have a wood burner, you also need to be sure to have a teapot so that you are able to put some humidity in the air as a wood burner tends to dry out the air.

Personally, we live out in the country, so I know I need to make sure that the pantry is well stocked with canned goods in the case of power outages or being snowed in for multiple days.

One thing you must do is to check the state of your tires. Bald tires on icy roads leads to disaster. Kitty litter or sand should be in your trunk in case you get stuck as well as a shovel if possible. Blankets are always handy to have in the vehicle in case of unforeseen conditions.

I’m sure there are things I have missed, but these are some of the basic things we may forget to do and yet they need to be done!