Is your home ready for winter?

Fall is here! That means it’s time to make sure your home is ready for winter. Here are some of the most important safety checks to do now, before winter starts.

Install carbon monoxide detectors: Carbon monoxide is a deadly, colorless gas. A detector could save the lives of everyone in your home in the event of a malfunctioning furnace, hot water heater, stove, room heater or fireplace. CO alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.

Test your smoke detectors. If they are battery-powered, change the batteries, too. Make sure you have smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.

Have your furnace checked. Before you fire up your furnace for the first time, have a licensed contractor check your furnace and make sure it is running properly. Clean or replace the furnace filter.

Clean your chimney. Before you start your first fire of the season, have your fireplace or wood stove chimney cleaned and inspected by a licensed contractor. Doing this before the start of each season is an important way to prevent a home fire.

Trim large trees. Remove dead branches so they do not damage your home or injure someone if they fall during a winter storm.