The busy holiday season is over and while we enjoy spending time with friends and family and going to festivals as much as the next person, it’s a relief to know the days are getting longer and life is back to its normal pace. This month we have a few things we think you should do around the house:

1. Protect your front entry. Rain, snow, ice, dirt and sand can all do a number on the entry floor in your home. While an interior and exterior rug make a huge difference, be sure to vacuum on, under and around them more often this time of year. If your entry space allows, placing a shoe tray to house wet boots and shoes is a great choice for protecting your flooring. Depending on how muddy it is around your home, a boot scraper outside the door is also recommended.
2. Check your emergency supplies. The recent flooding and power outages were a good reminder to double check to make sure your emergency supplies are fully stocked and easily reachable should you need them. Here’s one of the many lists available to help you get stocked.
3. Prevent frozen pipes. Your risk for frozen pipes rises in the winter as temperatures drop. If you have a trip planned, leave a faucet open a bit so that a small drip will keep water moving. Continue heating your house while you’re gone, and open under sink cabinets to ensure heat is reaching the pipes. If you have water pipes near an exterior wall it never hurts to wrap them with pipe insulation heat tape.
4. Pay attention to strange furnace noises. If you’re hearing a tapping or gurgling noise from your furnace, take note. It might be a sign that it’s struggling. If you haven’t had your furnace serviced this year, now is a good time to get on your service providers calendar as knocking or gurgling can indicate a failing part. No one wants to be without heat during the cold season.