Winter is among us and while we may be dreaming of the summer months, the reality is we have to prepare for the season at-hand. To assist you in getting your house ready for the winter season, here are 10 tips from an article by MSN Real Estate.

1. Clean your gutters
Clean debris from your gutter by hand, spatula or scrapper. A clogged drain can cause ice dams to form and water to leak into your house.

2. Block leaks around your house
Patch any leaks that are in your house and outside your house. You can use outlet gaskets for electrical outlets where cold air enters and seal outside leaks with weather-resistant caulk.

3. Insulate your attic
Insulate your attic to reduce the flow of cold air into your home. According to the article, “regardless of the climate conditions you live in, in the U.S. you need a minimum of 12 inches of insulation in your attic.”

4. Check the furnace
Turn your furnace on to make sure it’s working before temperatures drop exceedingly low. During the winter, change the furnace filters monthly. A dirty filter reduces the efficiency of your furnace and obstructs air flow.

5. Check your ducts
Check for exposed ducts in the basement, attic and crawlspaces.  According to the article, “a home with central heating can lose up to 60 percent of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if ductwork is not well-connected and insulated, or if it must travel through unheated spaces.”  Ducts should be vacuumed every few years as well; dusty ducts can cause respiratory problems.

6. Face your windows
Take down window screens and replace them with storm windows. Storm windows provide extra protection and warmth for a house. If you don’t have storm windows, consider purchasing a window insulator kit and replacing drafty windows with more efficient ones.

7. Have Your Chimney Inspected Before Use
Have your chimney inspected each year by a professional before you use it. Also, keep your chimney’s damper closed when the fireplace isn’t in use to keep out cold air.

8. Reverse your ceiling fan(s)
Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan. By reversing the direction the fan will drive warm air downward and aid in recirculation. The fan’s blades should be turning clockwise.

9. Wrap those pipes
To prevent your pipes from bursting during the winter, wrap pipes that travel through unheated spaces, such as garages. Also, wrap pipes that aren’t insulated with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation.

10. Check your smoke detectors and other alarms
Check all smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your house to make sure they are working properly. Also, invest in at least one carbon monoxide detector for your home.