5 Tips to Make Sure Your Home is Ready for Winter by BPT - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events

5 Tips to Make Sure Your Home is Ready for Winter

By BPT,
February 8, 2016 at 09:14am. Views: 63

It's a chilling thought, but winter is coming fast. Snow, sleet, ice and brisk winds are all on their way. You can't avoid winter's pending arrival, but you can prepare for it. If you haven't already, start your preparations today because once the first few flurries fall, it will be too late. To help you survive and thrive during the year's coldest season, here are five things you need to do to get everything ready for winter. * Make sure the roof is ready. When the snow starts to fall, undetected problems with your home's roof could cause ice dams, structural damage and flooding inside the home. Prevent these disastrous outcomes by clearing debris from your gutters. It is especially important you remove leaf and plant material before it can clog your downspouts. Using a leaf blower gutter kit you can carefully clean out gutters and then inspect the roof for any damaged or missing shingles that may need to be replaced. If you don't feel comfortable climbing on your roof, hire the services of a trained professional. * Have the right snow blower for the job. When your driveway is covered in snow, there is no household tool more important than a dependable snow blower. If you live in the northern part of the country, the Husqvarna ST 230P is perfect for clearing snow from large driveways or paths. The ST 230P has been designed to handle snow falls up to 12 inches and its efficient two-stage system offers maximum high throwing capacity. And for homeowners that need a more compact snow blower, there's the Husqvarna ST 111. Designed to clear hard, flat surfaces, this snow blower's compact design makes it easy to steer, and its rubber auger protects your sidewalk or driveway beneath. Pick the model that best serves you and you'll be ready for any winter snowstorm. * Protect against frozen pipes. Water damage cost homeowners an average of $1,000 to $3,500 in 2015, according to Home Advisor. If you're unfortunate enough to have a ruptured pipe in your basement, you can expect the bill to be slanted toward the high end - especially if you were out of town when it happened. You can protect against frozen pipes by covering the pipes on exterior walls with a towel or blanket to keep them warm. Then, on the coldest nights, let water drip slowly from the faucet. This continual water movement will prevent the pipes from freezing. * Have your furnace serviced. You'll rely on your furnace throughout the season, so have it serviced before temperatures plummet. A trained technician can make sure your furnace is running properly and that your vents are clear. From there it's up to you. Make sure to replace your furnace filter once a month and vacuum vents to encourage easy air flow. * Get your car is ready for the season. Your home is your castle during the winter months, and you'll need your car to be your chariot. Make sure it's up to the task by equipping it with all-season or snow tires and having a mechanic provide a winter tune-up. Finally, in case things go poorly, you should also pack a winter survival kit in your vehicle. The kit should include bottled water, snack bars, warm blankets and clothing, an emergency cell phone, medical supplies, a small shovel and cat litter for tire traction. The winter months include some of the best times of the year - and some of the worst weather as well. However, if you employ the tips above and spend some time focusing on preparation now, there's no reason you and your home can't enjoy a beautiful winter season and emerge in tip-top shape on the other side.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 751

Athlete of the Week Christopher Michael Lemos, Redlands High School Junior and Varsity Quarterback, proudly represents the Terriers with his dedication, leadership, and passion for the game.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1263

Redlands Pottery Project joins A.K. Smiley Public Library for a November 14 workshop designed for young artists ages 13 to 18. A lump of clay may not look like much at first. In the hands of a young artist, however, it can become a bowl, a decorative sculpture or an entirely unexpected creation.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.redlands.edu/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 2739

The University of Redlands Department of Theatre and Dance will present Día de los Muertos and Other Folk Tales November 5 through 8, 2026. Stories told by grandparents often become treasured parts of a family's history. Some are humorous, others mysterious, and many carry lessons that remain meaningful long after the storyteller is gone.

Photo Courtesy of: UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 821

A remote wildfire-monitoring camera overlooks a Southern California landscape. Redlands has partnered with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program to improve monitoring of areas near northern Redlands and the Santa Ana River wash.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.akspl.org/events/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1669

Annual ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will bring American history to life on November 21. On a November morning in Redlands, the sounds of fifes, drums and historic artillery will offer residents an opportunity to experience a chapter of American history that continues to influence the nation more than 160 years after the Civil War.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:18pm. Views: 747

The first years of a child's life are filled with milestones that families often remember forever. A baby's first smile, the first attempt to crawl and the first spoken words are moments of celebration. They can also bring questions, uncertainty and new responsibilities for parents learning how to care for a growing child.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.csusb.edu/

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 811

CSUSB’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has earned recognition for it for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse and supportive physics department, earning the Bronze Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Physics & Astronomy SEA Change program.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 1950

Operation Green Light returns November 4–11, encouraging residents to recognize military service and help veterans connect with available resources. As darkness settles over San Bernardino during the first week of November, green lights will illuminate several county buildings, transforming familiar government facilities into visible reminders of the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.authentikusa.com/

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 863

As America's most famous highway celebrates its centennial in 2026, San Bernardino reflects on the road that helped shape its neighborhoods, businesses and identity. Long before interstate highways became the preferred routes for cross-country travel, motorists making their way through San Bernardino followed a road that would become one of the most recognizable highways in American history.

Photo Courtesy of: Corina Borsuk and provided courtesy of SBCUSD

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 675

Muscoy Elementary students join SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board of Education President Mayra Ceballos, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Sandra Rodriguez and Dr. Tasha Doizan, Director MaryRone Goodwin and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the school’s new outdoor learning center.

Photo Courtesy of: https://riversiderecord.org/; A photo of Moreno Valley City Hall. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record) Credit: (Photo by Alicia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 956

A city is often judged by what residents experience every day: the condition of its streets, the reliability of public services, the availability of recreational programs and the ease of obtaining information from local government. Behind those everyday experiences are departments and employees whose work rarely attracts national attention.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 864

Athlete of the Week Zachary Scott Perez, Senior at John W. North High School, is recognized as Athlete of the Week for his dedication and accomplishments as a student athlete.

--> -->