The days are getting shorter and the leaves are beginning to fall. What do these things have in common? They are both sure signs that colder weather will be here before you know it, and signal that you should begin taking steps to winterize your home.

Here are some steps you can take this fall to make sure your home is ready for freezing temperatures.

Have your heating system inspected

Winters in the Midwest can be brutally cold and the last thing you will want to deal with is a broken furnace when the temperature drops. Keep your home comfortable all season long by having your filters, fan, motor, burner, heat exchanger, & electrical components inspected and tuned up this fall.

Winterize outdoor faucets and plumbing

Frozen outdoor faucets and busted valves are a nightmare to deal with and can be expensive to fix. Prevent any issues by draining outdoor faucets, disconnecting any hoses, and closing any shutoff valves to these outdoor fixtures.

Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

If you have not recently checked the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, now is the perfect time to do so. Winter comes with an increased number of house fires and cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. The few minutes it takes to change the batteries in these detectors and test to make sure they are functioning properly can help prevent potential disasters.

Seal doors and windows

When winterizing your home, one priority is to keep the cold air outside and the warm air inside. Make sure that all window and door seals are properly caulked and ready for winter temperatures.

Prevent frozen pipes

Few things are worse than waking up on a cold morning only to find frozen pipes. Do not wait until the temperature drops to take action. Be proactive and insulate or reroute pipework to prevent exposure to temperatures that can cause burst pipes.

Have your ductwork cleaned and inspected

Maintaining the cleanliness of your home’s ductwork is vital for the health of your home and family during the colder months. Wintertime and colder temperatures mean that you will most likely be spending more time indoors, and having your ductwork cleaned and sanitized is a great way to improve your indoor air quality.

Have a professional inspect your ductwork for any leaks when winterizing your home. Seal any areas of concern to prevent warm air from seeping into unheated areas of your home. Taking this step can not only keep you warmer as the weather cools, but can also save you money on energy bills.