Week 49 December 12
A little more winter prep:
Close your wood-burning fireplace flue damper when you are not using it. Follow all manufacturer instructions for gas fireplaces including those with pilot lights, which may require the flue to be partially open at all times.
Clean gutters. Full gutters increase your chance of having ice forming on your roof.
Inspect your attic. Proper attic ventilation is vital to preventing ice dams on your roof. Make sure there is no insulation blocking your soffits or attic vents.
Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans. Blades should be set to turn clockwise to circulate warm air from the ceiling down into the room.
Review the article on Mylar blankets in your Totally Ready binder.
Know where your water shutoff valve is so you can turn off the water in case of an emergency. Should a water line freeze and burst, you will need to shut off your home's water supply immediately. Make sure the shut-off valve is not blocked. Turning the valve handle all the way clockwise should shut off all water to the house. If the valve is rusted open or only closes partially, replace the main shut-off valve immediately—this is usually a job for a professional plumber.
Teach all family members where shut-off valves are located and how to turn them off.
Locate the water meter in your home. Invest in a meter key (or keep an adjustable wrench handy), so you will be able to shut off the water at the meter, should the house shut-off valve fail. Practice turning the water on and off, so you understand how it is done. Your city may have regulations against shutting off the water coming into your home. Call the city to check if this is the case. Keep the water department's emergency number handy, so you'll be able to report problems quickly. If water is gushing and they can’t come shut it off anyway!