Winter is coming. Colder air, sleet, snow leads to new set of concerns for the residence of New Zealand. To keep you and your family safe, here are 10 ways to get your home read for the winter.

Seal Air Leaks. The first and foremost thing is to use weather stripping to seal Air leaks. Windows and Door are the key sources from where heat can escape. Along this you should walk around the house and look for the gaps around vents and plumbing pipes.

Check Heating System. It is highly advisable that home heating system should be checked by the professional to make sure it’s working properly. If you have a fireplace, you should clean it out thoroughly and ensure that any heating vents around your house are not blocked by the drapes or furniture.

Clean the Gutters. Blocked gutters can lead to number of problems which include the penetrating damp, corrosion and rotting fascias. It is high desirable that gutters should be thoroughly clear and remove all debris.

Prune back overhanging trees branches. Hanging tree branches can scratch, gouge and can cause puncturing roof materials. In a storm, trees branches can cause damage to power lines and damage to your roof. Remember to clear such power lines and stay safe.

Check your pipes and taps for leaks. When temperatures drop, it can cause to damage the pipes and taps which cause leaks. Taps, showers, dishwashers, baths, washing machines and hot water cylinders should be checked regularly. Even a few drops of water can lead to rotting and dampness in the cold weather months.

Cover Your Windows. It is recommended to get a windows insulator kit to cover your windows. This traps the air between the film and windows and turn in to an insulators, While storm windows are more permanent solution.

Make a Plan. You should have water, food and medical supplies but you should think about staying warm and cooking food if the power goes out.

Have we missed any? Leave a comment below!