MEMA offers tips for winterizing your home

Is your home prepared for winter weather? MEMA is offering tips to help you winterize your home.

• Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
• Insulate walls and attics, use caulk and weather stripping around doors and windows. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic.
• Winterize your house, barn, shed, or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock, or equipment.
• Clear rain gutters, repair roof leaks, and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house.
• Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip slightly during cold weather to avoid freezing.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand and ensure everyone in your house knows how to use them.
• Learn how to shut off water valves in the case of a pipe bursting.
• Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors, or employees.

For more information or safety tips, visit msema.org.