While some Virginia and mid-Atlantic winters can be relatively mild and lack significant snowfall, others can bring chilly and wet seasons. As a rule of thumb, homeowners should take steps to winterize their homes prior to bad weather. 
 
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety encourages people to assess their homes’ winter exposure and create plans for both before and after a winter storm. Here’s how: 

Inside your home: 

• Insulate pipes near exterior walls and in hard-to-reach places – like attics and crawl spaces – as some older homes, particularly in the South, may be more susceptible to freezing temperatures. 
• Schedule preventive maintenance for home heating systems. 
• Keep homes cozy by caulking and sealing the exterior around windows and doors and add weatherstripping as needed. 
• Ensure chimneys, fireplaces and woodstoves are cleaned each year and are in good working order to prevent fires and keep carbon monoxide from building up indoors. 
• If leaving home, even for just a few days, maintain your heat at a reasonable temperature—over 60 degrees. 

Outside your home: 

• Check your roof; replace loose, damaged or missing shingles; and fix any gaps or broken seals around vents, chimneys and roof corners.  
• Clear debris from gutters and drains to avoid roof leaks and ice dams. 
• Trim tree branches near or overhanging your house, as they can damage the roof, siding and windows.  
• Shut down sprinkler systems, and drain outdoor faucets, irrigation systems and hoses. 

It’s also important to take an inventory of your home, and know what’s covered. An insurance agent can provide details on any new enhancements to policies that you may be missing out on. 

Lastly, don’t forget to protect yourself. Monitor weather alerts, and plan accordingly. Having an alternate heating source like a generator is recommended in case of a power outage, along with keeping an emergency kit with water, nonperishable food and other supplies.