Your Winter Readiness Guide

During the cold, dark months of the year, you should be cozy and warm. And you can be — with a bit of preparation. Right now is the perfect time to make sure everything around the homestead is in order, and it pays to use a checklist.

Break the tasks down into five categories: home indoors, home outdoors, yard and garden, garage and equipment, and animal care.

Home (Indoor)

• Get your chimney cleaned and inspected.
• Clean glass and interior of wood stove.
• Stock up on firestarters.
• Replace stores of candles, lamp fuel and matches.
• Fill that pantry with preserves from your harvest.

Home (Outdoor)

• Check storm windows for damage.
• Inspect the roof for loose or missing shingles.
• Disconnect and store garden hoses, and check outside hydrants for leaks.
• Insulate any non-freeze proof hydrants or faucets.
• Remove leaves from foundation and gutters.
• Protect your woodpile from snow and rain with a tarp or cover; chop more wood if needed.

Yard and Garden:

• Clean debris from any culverts and outside drains.
• Check asphalt and concrete for cracks (fill and seal if needed).
• Mulch young trees and flower beds.
• Clean up garden debris, stow away tomato cages, beanpoles, etc.

Garage and Equipment:

• Clean and store lawn equipment for the winter.
• Sharpen chainsaw chain and fill with fresh fuel and oil.
• Sharpen axe, maul and hatchet, and tighten handles.
• Touch up edge on snow shovels; check handles.
• Check supply of oils and lubricants, windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, etc.

Animal Care

• Prepare shelter and water sources.
• Stockpile hay and straw.
• Make sure all fencing is secure.
• Check animals for health issues, such as ticks or mites.

Along with making sure you’re checking things off your list, keep a winter emergency box in your house.

You can purchase an entire emergency supply kit from Lehman’s or assemble your own with a hand cranked radio/flashlight, oil lamp and fuel, matches, water purification tables, canned food and a canner opener.

As with any task, looking at everything on the list can seem like a daunting and major undertaking, but if you start now and work at it steadily, it won’t be overwhelming!