​As cold weather approaches, there are  things you can do around the house.

Protect Your Pipes:
Water expands as it freezes. If water inside your pipes freezes, it will expand, too, which can cause your pipes to crack and burst. Pipes also can burst when pressure builds up behind a chunk of ice, which is why it's a good idea to leave faucets dripping in very cold weather. Either way, a burst pipe can cause massive damage. 

• Drain water from outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems to keep those pipes from freezing.
• Disconnect and store outdoor hoses; cover outdoor faucets with foam insulators.
• Protect water pipes that run through unheated areas of your home with insulation, such as the attic, basement, or garage.

Pro Tip: Know where your water shutoff valve is so that you can turn off the water in case of an emergency. Typically it's located in the basement or buried near the road.

Check the Heat:
The time to be sure you're going to stay warm all winter is before the weather gets too cold. Check your furnace by turning on the heat and the blower to be sure they're operating as they should.

• Change your furnace filter at the start of the season and then every two to four months. Filters get dirty much more quickly if your home is dusty or if you have furry or feathery pets. Clogged or dirty filters are less efficient, which means your home might not warm up properly.
• Consider installing a programmable thermostat if you don't have one. Programming it to be cooler at night and when you're not at home will save you money, and you can program it to be warmer for when you return or get up on cold winter mornings.

Pro Tip: Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans. Everybody thinks of using fans in the summer, but they can help you stay warm in winter too. Set the blades to turn clockwise to circulate warm air from the ceiling down into the room.
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Inspect the Fireplace and Chimney:
There's nothing like the glow of a fire to warm up a winter evening. But before you light up that first log, make sure your fireplace and chimney are clean and critter-free.

A professional chimney sweep can clean out soot and other debris that could catch fire. Keep your home's warm air from escaping out the chimney when you're not using it by keeping the flue closed all the way. You shouldn't be able to feel any cold air coming down the chimney.

You can also install glass fireplace doors or a chimney inflatable that blocks cold air from coming down the chimney and keeps in warm air.

Seal Windows and Doors:
Gaps around windows and doors can make it tough to keep your house warm in winter. Caulk around windows and install weather stripping around doors as needed. This minor and inexpensive task can help you save on heating costs.

If your windows and doors are older, they may be inefficient single-pane windows or uninsulated doors. Consider upgrading to double- or even triple-pane windows and insulated doors and garage doors to boost the energy efficiency of your home.

Another option is to add storm windows and doors. Remove, wash and store screens for the spring before you have them installed.

Halloween Safety Tips from your Inspector

Fall has finally arrived and the temperatures are dropping.  This happens to be my wife's favorite time of year and as she calls it sweat shirt weather or sweater weather.  Which I personally never understood here in Mississippi, because seasons only last a few weeks except for summer.  Little sarcasm there but kind of true.   Regardless of the temperatures when fall comes around the leaves will start falling.  When that happens It is important to start our fall responsibilities and keep our gutters clean. 

Why is it important to keep the gutters clean?  Gutters are designed to take water away from your home. When your gutters become stopped and water can not drain, then water will go in a path of least resistance. And sometimes that's back into your home. This can cause several issues wood rot, decay and even pest problem.       

So a few hours of cleaning leaves and debris out of your gutter can save you hundreds to thousand's of dollars.  And that's your tip from the Inspector. 

As high-tech as our modern homes have become, we’re still at the mercy of Mother Nature every time the next big storm rolls through. While there’s not much you can do to put a stop to strong winds, power outages, and flooding, the right smart home tech can give you a leg up in keeping your home protected in the midst of an emergency.

As you put together your disaster kit and emergency plan, consider these smart home recommendations — they could make all the difference between a short-term inconvenience and a long-term disaster.
Stay Connected Even When the Grid Goes Down
Before you invest in several smart home tools, you’ll want to make sure you have the power you need to keep those tools going when you need them the most. Invest in an uninterrupted power supply (or UPS) to keep your Internet connection and WiFi operational during the next power outage. A UPS can kick in the second the power drops, and even a mid-range device can keep your critical systems running for 12 hours or more.
If you live in an area that’s prone to hurricanes or other natural disasters that can cause long-term outages, consider investing in a small generator that can power your tech for days and keep essential appliances (like the refrigerator, HVAC system, and medical devices) up and running.
Keep an Eye on Your Property, Wherever You Are
Whether you’re stuck inside riding out the storm, or you’re hundreds of miles away and worried about your property from afar, a few wireless smart cameras can give you a full view of a storm and help you immediately know the difference between just a few broken branches or a devastating weather emergency.
Today’s WiFi cameras are affordable and easy to install.  Although they’re intended for general home security, their motion-based recording and night-vision capabilities can make them valuable allies the next time bad weather descends on your town.
Many of these cameras are battery-run (allowing them to function when the power goes out), and their recordings can also come in handy for filing claims with your insurance company. You can check footage right from your mobile device from anywhere. They’re great for keeping your family safe and informed every day, but, more importantly, they can be a lifesaver in the event of an emergency.
Get Alerts When Water Gets In
As you outfit your house with smart home tools, grab a few water sensors to put in key areas, such as the basement and near the patio doors, where there’s a high risk of water leaks or flooding. These battery-powered sensors are inexpensive and work with almost any smart home hub, making them a valuable addition.
As long as your home’s wireless network is running, a water sensor can send your smartphone or tablet a notification the instant a water emergency is detected, helping you stop a leak in a matter of minutes and avoid a potentially disastrous water emergency in the process.
The Simplicity of Staying Storm-Safe
These devices are simple to use and set up — they can be integrated into one system with a smart home hub set up by your local cable or Internet service provider. The right smart home upgrades will not only have a dramatic impact on your daily productivity, but they will also provide a critical safety net that can keep your family safe, and save you thousands of dollars in the midst of a weather emergency — and possibly save you even more on your homeowner's insurance policy. There’s no smarter way to be prepared in any type of weather.

Author Eric Murrell is a software developer and technology contributor. He enjoys sharing tips on how people can benefit from incorporating smart home automation and security in their homes on his blog At Home in the Future.  
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