Your Winter Readiness Guide

Preparing for Colder Weather? It Pays to Use a Checklist
Your Winter Readiness Guide
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!

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