Danie M. Huffman

wdreporter2@yahoo.com

Making sure you have a warm jacket on is not your only duty for winter preparations.

If you are looking to cut energy costs and make your home more winter efficient, or are planning a winter vacation and leaving your home unattended, here are a few ways to help:

According to Tim Carter, Ask the Builder, a nationally syndicated columnist, if you are leaving your home for the winter or for an extended period of time during freezing months, shut off the main water valve then turn on all faucets and flush all commodes to ensure water is drained from pipes. Keep in mind freezing water in pipes expands and causes cracks. Pipes eventually burst and flood your home when it thaws. Carter reminds his readers not to forget the kitchen sink sprayer.

Experts recommend keeping valves partially open, drain the hot water tank and pour a non-toxic antifreeze in toilet bowls and all drains including tubs, showers and sinks.

It is advised to shut off water outside of the home, but leave the job to professionals.

Always turn off the furnace and electrical breakers. Unplug electrical appliances. To turn off natural gas lines, call your local utility company.

To winterize your home when you are occupying it:

Not everyone can afford heated floors and Rinnais or other never-ending hot water systems. Here’s a few helpful hints to make even Heloise jealous.

Energy costs can be reduced by weather stripping windows and doors. By simply caulking around windows can reduce energy cost dramatically. The slightest crack can allow heated air to escape, causing an extreme hike in energy bills.

Reverse ceiling fans and keep them on low to circulate warm air throughout the room.

Google, or look in your local directory for coupons for local HVAC companies to winterize your furnace and clean your air ducts. The job is fairly inexpensive and is recommended to be done only by experts. The process saves you cash in the longrun. Changing air filters often can reduce colds and germs as well as keeping costs low.

Use firewood for heating your home to help reduce electric bills and remember to store wood in a dry place. Remember to have your chimney swept by a professional and close the damper when not in use. Always wait for fires to be fully extinguished first.

Add insulation in your attic and inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles.

Capping or filling gaps and small places where animals and rodents can enter also saves energy bill costs. To fill basement, attic and storage area gaps you can use a foam insulator. Experts say professionals can be called, but any homeowner can buy the foam by the can and save a substantial amount of money by posing as your own handyman.

Avoid fires by removing gasoline from mowers and remove or rake debris from the outside of home.

Be your own home inspector by performing a short walk-around to look for cracks in your foundation, leaks or needed repairs.

Bob Hopkins, Weatherford Fire public information officer, said most home fires are caused by people trying to stay warm in the winter or being careless when decorating for Christmas.

Carbon monoxide is a serious hazard during the season.

It is invisible, odorless and deadly, and can build up in minutes.

Hopkins warns against using ovens, charcoal or gas grills inside the home for warmth.

“Many people use these methods to heat the home when there is a power outage or to save money on their monthly bills,” he said. “We’ve even seen people use them in garages and outbuildings where they think it’s safe.”

Christmas lights are another danger he said people don’t give a second thought to.

“They’ve come such a long way and are so affordable,” he said. “I recommend people change them out every few years. Make sure they’re UL listed. Candles are pretty during the holidays, but they can be dangerous when not used properly.”

He suggests using glow sticks or UL listed pug-in versions where possible.

“They are affordable,” he said. “They work just as good and come in many colors. Candles are always a big concern around the holidays.”

Many home fires are caused by unattended candles or by placing them on wood surfaces.

“When they burn down, they actually produce enough heat to set fire to the base they rest on,” he said.

He recommends using an approved candle base or holder with a proper, non-combustible base.

“Placing it on top of a dresser or TV is not a good idea,” he added. “In the last five years, we’ve seen a huge increase of house fires across the United States which were started by candles. Proper care is vital. Never use them in homes with small children. They’re curious and it can burn them. It’s just the same for lighters or any open flame product. There have been so many deaths because they’re curious.”

To winterizing pipes, wrap them and underpin your home.

Hopkins said Weatherford firefighters responded to a fire where one homeowner did not make the effort to protect his pipes and tried to thaw them by using a blow torch.

“It burned the house down,” he said. “And it could have been prevented.”