For bears and squirrels, a shortening length of day signals that it's time to prepare for hibernation. Polar bears dig tunnels in the snow, chipmunks store food, and squirrels and other animals prepare their dens and line them with insulating material. Humans also have certain things we do to prepare for winter - gather our fall harvests, pull out our fuzzy, warm sweaters and get the leaf rake ready. Spending a little bit of time to prepare your home for winter weather is also time well spent.
Preparing the exterior. If you aren't able to get on the roof yourself, it's a good idea to hire someone to do so as regular inspections and cleaning will help prevent more costly repairs later. Make sure that the gutters and downspouts are free of debris. Cut back tree limbs that could become heavy with ice or snow and fall onto your structures. If you have a chimney, make sure the cap is still on to prevent unwanted visitors. Shut off exterior water valves, remove hoses and have sprinkler systems blown out to prevent pipe damage.
Maintain energy efficiency. Sometimes pipes located on exterior walls can freeze and burst. Keep cabinet doors open during extreme cold spells and leave the water trickling from faucets that connect to pipes in unheated areas. Wrap pipes with foam rubber sleeves or other insulating material and consider putting an insulated blanket on your water heater. Have the furnace cleaned and inspected and a new furnace filter installed. Be sure to keep up with the recommended filter changes as they can really affect the performance and life of your unit. Caulk and weather strip doors and windows to reduce drafts. If you've noticed that the snow melts off of your roof faster than your neighbors, it can indicate insufficient insulation in your attic. Ice dams that then form on the eaves can cause roof damage and leaks.
Consider the safety and comfort of your family. If you have a wood burning fireplace, have it cleaned and inspected and be sure the damper is working properly. Change the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and be sure to change the entire detectors about every 5 years. Stock your kitchen for unexpected snow days; a few jugs of water is important should something happen to your pipes or main water source. Root vegetables, such as carrots and turnips, last a long time and make hardy soups. Avoid carbohydrates such as pastas as these will raise your blood sugar. Instead, have frozen berries, nuts, oats and barley, canned tuna and almond butter at the ready. Remember extra pet food if you have pets, and stock up on diapers and baby food if a little one is in the household. The Department of Homeland Security recommends having three days worth of food in the home in case of an emergency.
Take precautions for travel. About 70% of winter storm deaths are auto-related. If you must drive in bad weather, travel with someone or make sure somebody has your itinerary. Top off all of the fluids in your car and check that your tires have enough air and enough tread. Keep a bag of salt or sand in your trunk to melt ice or help with traction. Prepare a survival kit containing gloves, blankets, water, first aid kit, folding shovel, flashlight, ice scraper, mobile phone charger, and some kind of protein bars or other food that will last the season. Just a few minutes of preparation can give peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
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Preparing the exterior. If you aren't able to get on the roof yourself, it's a good idea to hire someone to do so as regular inspections and cleaning will help prevent more costly repairs later. Make sure that the gutters and downspouts are free of debris. Cut back tree limbs that could become heavy with ice or snow and fall onto your structures. If you have a chimney, make sure the cap is still on to prevent unwanted visitors. Shut off exterior water valves, remove hoses and have sprinkler systems blown out to prevent pipe damage. 
Consider the safety and comfort of your family. If you have a wood burning fireplace, have it cleaned and inspected and be sure the damper is working properly. Change the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and be sure to change the entire detectors about every 5 years. Stock your kitchen for unexpected snow days; a few jugs of water is important should something happen to your pipes or main water source. Root vegetables, such as carrots and turnips, last a long time and make hardy soups. Avoid carbohydrates such as pastas as these will raise your blood sugar. Instead, have frozen berries, nuts, oats and barley, canned tuna and almond butter at the ready. Remember extra pet food if you have pets, and stock up on diapers and baby food if a little one is in the household. The Department of Homeland Security recommends having three days worth of food in the home in case of an emergency.
