Properly close your home to protect it through the winter.
If you leave your home to spend the winter months in a warmer climate, you will need to properly shut down your home for the winter before you leave. You will also need to take the same precautions when you close an vacation home or cabin that is used only during the summer months.
Frozen Pipes
You need to protect your plumbing from freezing during the winter. Pipes can freeze, causing them to leak or burst. Broken pipes can cause great damage to your home. If possible, leave the furnace on a minimum setting of 55 degrees. You can also drain your water tank, shut off the main supply valve, blow the water out of pipes with an air compressor, leave the cabinet doors under the sink open to provide heat and put non-toxic antifreeze in your toilets and sink traps.
Theft
An empty home is a prime target for theft. Give the illusion that activity is going on in the home. Set lights in several rooms to timers, programming them to go on for several hours in the evening. Discontinue all newspaper and mail delivery. Hire someone to shovel the drives and walkways while you are away. An un-shoveled driveway is a major indicator that the home is vacant. You can also secure your home with an alarm system. The alarm system will automatically notify emergency personnel if entry to the home is made.
Vandalism
Vandals may target an home that is left empty for the winter. Notify the local law enforcement agency that you will be shutting down your home for the winter. They will patrol the area and be on the lookout for any suspicious activity. Ask a neighbor or friend to check on the home periodically while you are gone. Be sure to securely store all outside furniture and lawn and garden equipment.
Fire
Fire can quickly destroy an empty home. Unplug all electrical devices and appliances that will not be used. As an extra safety measure, turn the power off at the breaker box to any outlets that are not in use. Make sure the area around the furnace is clear. Do not store papers or chemicals near your furnace or water heater. Installation of security system with a smoke alarm will automatically notify emergency personnel if any smoke is detected in the home.
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