Winter Preparedness Checklist for You and Your Home
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I’ve lived in Wisconsin all my life, so prepping for cold weather is part of our yearly routine. I put together this winter preparedness checklist to help you to be prepared, too.
Little things can make a big difference when it comes to keeping warm and safe in winter. A friend made one change from this list and raised the temp in her daughter’s bedroom over 10 degrees – without turning up the thermostat.
With the right preps, we reduce our heating bills all season, and are ready if a winter storm knocks out the power.
Table of contents
Winter Preparedness Checklist
Start with the house, inside and outside, then make sure each family member has the right gear for keeping warm. Remember, a Winter Storm Watch means conditions are favorable for bad weather. A Winter Storm Warning means severe weather is imminent or occurring.
Home Preparation
Heating System Maintenance
- Schedule a professional inspection of your furnace or heating system.
- Clean your heating system. Replace filters in your furnace and clean vents. Clean the woodstove and chimney and inspect for any signs of wear.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing batteries if needed.
- Get stocked on fuel. Make sure your propane tank is full for the winter and/or you have plenty of dry firewood or heating pellets. You do not want to realize you are out of fuel when there’s a blizzard warning.
- If there is blowing snow, make sure your fresh air feed and vent stay clear.
Weatherproofing and Draft Control
Even with good windows, doors and patio doors, you might need to block drafts. In our first house we had a brand new front door. When we got winter weather with temps below zero, the door frosted up along the bottom edge. We added draft blocker against the door to reduce heat loss.
Some spots to check for drafts include:
- Weather stripping on all windows and doors. Replace any that is damaged or missing.
- Electrical outlets – may have drafts. If you are qualified, disable the circuit, pull out the plug and carefully insulate around the box. Outlet insulation is a simpler fix.
- Door bottoms. Place rolled up towel at the base of a front door or drafty door to keep heat in or cold out. Another more attractive option is heavy duty draft blockers that lock to the door.
- Windows – See the Reduce Window Heat Loss Section on 25 Cheap Ways to Keep Your House Warm in Winter. Installing window insulating film over an old patio door helped my friend warm up her daughter’s bedroom.
Check the roof for leaks and clear gutters to prevent ice dams. This is especially important when dealing with freezing rain or abrupt freeze/thaw cycles.
Keep an eye on your roof throughout the winter season. If you get icicles or ice damns, you likely have excess heat loss in the attic. Inspect the roof the following spring/summer for leaks due to ice damage.
Emergency Supplies
Many of the supplies for winter preparedness overlap with general emergency supplies.
- Stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water and toilet paper.
- Keep flashlights, batteries, and candles on hand.
- Prepare a first-aid kit and essential medications.
- Have a fire extinguisher on hand.
- Invest in a backup generator if feasible, and test it regularly.
- Charge cell phones and portable power banks for essential devices.
See “Emergency Heat During a Power Outage and Other Winter Storm Preps” for more detailed information.
Plumbing Protection
Most homes built in cold climates are insulated to prevent freezing pipes, but if it gets too cold, unexpected problems can pop up. Frozen drain pipes are a more common issue, because the water sits in the pipe.
- Insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing.
- Know how to shut off your water supply in case of a burst pipe.
- Let faucets drip slightly during extremely cold weather. You can also open cabinet doors where plumbing is concealed to let the room heat reach the pipes.
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If severe cold threatens, “Prevent Frozen Pipes – Extreme Cold Weather“. If it’s too late to prevent freezing, see “How to Thaw Frozen Pipes“.
Space Heaters
Use space heaters wisely. We recommend Buddy Heaters (that burn propane) for safe indoor use. There are also a wide variety of electric space heaters available. Check and double check to make sure any combustion device you choose is rated for indoor use and that you have enough airflow.
On electric heaters, watch for frayed cords or other signs of excess wear. Always keep combustible items clear of your heat source, and don’t plug electric heaters into a power strip. They will melt the strip.
Winter Preparedness for You
Stock Warm Clothes. Make sure each family member has:
- Long underwear tops and bottoms.
- Good winter boots and outdoor gear (if you’re freezing outside, it’ll take you that much longer to warm up when you get in)
- Clothes that you can layer for warmth, such as flannel over shirts or sweatshirts
- Very warm wool socks and slippers.
** For more info, see The 4 Layers of Winter Clothing Everyone Should Know
Bedding. Make sure you have a few extra warm blankets and comforters. Watch for sales or buy them secondhand to save money.
- A good wool blanket can really improve the livability of a cold house or cold bed. If you don’t like wool, sandwich it between cotton sheets or other blankets.
- Electric blankets can heat up the bed before you get in, and then get turned off once you get warmed up.
- Choose flannel sheets for extra warmth.
- Purchase cold weather sleeping bags (one per person) for emergencies (or winter camping or really chilly bedrooms).
- Down comforters trap insulating pockets of air, keeping you warm without adding a ton of extra weight.
See “No More Cold Feet in Bed” for more tips for toasty toes.
Targeting heating. Use chemical hand warmers in gloves, footwear or pockets. Be careful because they may be too warm to place directly against the skin. The warmers are inexpensive and work fast.
The heat can really make a difference for comfort and keep you from getting frostbite. Many boots, gloves and mittens have a pouch for the warmers.
Winter Travel
Make sure you have a good snow shovel (or two). You may also want a snow blower, or ice melt. If you are unable to clear your driveway and paths, make arrangements before winter for assistance.
Avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather. Inform someone of your travel plans and expected arrival time.
See:
What other winter preparedness preps do you make? Leave a comment and let us know.
This article is by Laurie Neverman. She has a BS in Math/Physics and MS in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis in renewable energy. Laurie and her family live in a “concrete bunker” (ICF home) with a permaculture food forest, greenhouses, and three types of solar. They “walk the talk” of preparedness by living a more self-reliant lifestyle.
Originally posted in 2017, last updated in 2024.