Blocking Out the Brrr

While you’ll likely still be able to cook an egg on the sidewalk this month, it’s also the time to start prepping your home for the fall and winter. After all, Oklahoma’s weather is mercurial, and it’s just as likely to snow in October as it is to be 85 degrees. That said, here are a few ways to prepare your space for what’s to come. 

Before the chill sets in, inspect your home’s doors and windows. Seal any gaps you may find with weatherstripping or caulk to keep the elements where they belong: outside. If you want to go a step further, consider adding insulation where appropriate. Check your attic, as well as crawl spaces and walls, and insulate exposed pipes to prevent potential freezing. 

Next, inspect your roof. Do you notice missing shingles, dark or discolored areas, rust or moss growth? From the interior of the home, are you noticing water stains or the smell of mildew? If you answered ‘yes,’ to any of those questions, it may be time to get a professional out to repair or replace your roof. Oh, and while you’re up there, don’t forget to clean your gutters! 

Imagine this: It’s a cozy weekend morning in the dead of winter … and you wake up shivering. The heat’s out! If you don’t prepare your heating system before you need it, that may very well be your situation sometime soon. 

That said, have your furnace or central heating system serviced or inspected by a professional this month. You should also air change filters monthly and test your thermostat, upgrading it if necessary. 

Additionally, if you have a chimney or fireplace, clean it before first use for the season, and make sure it’s inspected, too. No house fires here! 

Often, power outages are totally beyond our control, even if we’ve winter-proofed our homes to the max. That said, you can prepare for outages by gathering and organizing the following items: 

• Battery-powered lighting with extra batteries;

• Backup power options like a generator, especially if outages are common in your area;

• Portable phone chargers/power banks to ensure you stay on the grid;

• Plenty of warming agents like sleeping bags, blankets and hand warmers;

• Alternative heat sources like battery-powered space heaters.

As the weather cools, many animals may be in search of a warm place to ride out the winter. To deter pests from seeking refuge in your home, try the following:

Seal all the entry points of your home, and inspect for holes and cracks in vents, the foundation, doors, windows and pipes. Pay special attention to your garage, as many critters find their way inside through it. 

Be smart about your food storage. Use glass, plastic or metal containers with tight lids, and don’t leave food out overnight – even your pet’s. 

Fix leaks, even little ones. Animals can live off even the smallest amounts of water. 

Take your trash out regularly, and ensure your bins are closed and sealed tight before you head back inside. 

Declutter messy areas of the home – whether that’s the attic, the basement, the garage or the living room. Pests love clutter.

Trim tree limbs or shrubs that touch your home or overhang onto your roof. These can act as a bridge for animals to get into your house. 

Set out traps or bait stations if you’ve noticed pests in your home. Just make sure these traps are set up correctly, and educate any kiddos in the house about proper safety beforehand.