A Handy Guide to Keep Your Home (and You!) Safe in a Winter Storm

When freezing temps seem to seep right into the marrow of your bones, know that the same thing is happening to your home, too. And like you, if you dont protect it from the elements, the results would be, well, lets just say, not good.

Heres how to keep your home safe and your bones warm.

Make Sure You Have Emergency Supplies

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says to be sure you have these things:

Snow shovels - more than one because they can break, and four hands are better than two if you have them
Deicers, preferably the pet-safe type
Extra fuel such as firewood, a full propane tank, or a generator.
Clean blankets, pillows, warm clothing, etc. because you might not be able to do laundry for awhile
Food and water that doesnt require refrigeration
Transistor radio with new batteries -- and backup batteries

When it comes to deicers, some of the more environmentally-safe types include calcium magnesium acetate and sand to improve traction. Be sure to stock up early in the season, as they become scarce before a well-publicized storm.

Do These 5 Tasks to Winterize Your Home

Check roof tiles, shutters, siding, and other exterior materials to ensure theyre secure
Make sure gutters are clear
Seal air leaks around the home to keep it warmer (and save energy costs)
Insulate all exposed plumbing pipes to prevent burst pipes
Trim tree branches away from your roof to prevent roof damage

High winds, ice, and moisture from winter storms can easily strip off roof tiles and gutters, exposing your home to serious damage, says home improvement expert and writer John Wilder of Jacksonville, Fla. Make sure no roof tiles are loose or missing. Do the same with your gutters and siding.

And clean your gutters. If you dont, you risk an ice dam.

Whats an ice dam? Ice dams occur when ice melts off the roof during the day and then re-freezes as it drips into a clogged gutter. This can force water back under the roofline and cause serious leaks, often thousands of dollars (!) in damage.

While youre insulating your pipes, remind yourself where all water shut-off valves are so you can turn off the water supply in case of any leaks.

Overgrown tree branches are a risk to your home, vehicles, and loved ones. But trimming and removal can be dangerous, too, so dont attempt it on your own. Best to hire a pro.

Now youre ready for a snow day!

Gwen Moran has written about finance and real estate for over a decade. Her work has been in Entrepreneur, Newsweek and The Residential Specialist. A Jersey Shore resident, shes weathered hurricanes, Noreasters and one earthquake.