Today feels a lot like a late fall/early winter day here. It's still decently warm outside but the wind is howling and it's all cloudy and raining off and on. In the past week we have been trying to start preparing our homestead life for the upcoming winter. Winters out here where I live can be downright nasty. Last winter we were snowed in for almost 2 weeks! Also, not living on a county maintained road doesn't help us either. Here's a list for what we are doing to prepare for this winter that might help you get your house ready.
1. Sealing the windows. We bought "Great Stuff" foam sealant to put in all the cracks outside of the house in the windows.
2. Sealing around the doors. Last winter we had just moved in here and snow came right inside the cracks in the doors so we ended up just taping around them. This winter we are getting new weatherstripping to line in the frame of the door.
3. Foam in the outlet holes. We discovered after taking off the outlet covers to replace them that cold air just blows right in the outlet holes. We are getting those foam pieces that are made to go right into the outlet holes to stop that.
4. Preparing the animals. Right now we only have a dog and several cats, we didn't have them last winter so this fall my hubby is working on making them both houses(they are all outside animals) It only cost about $75 to make very nice large houses for both the cats and the dog and we are covering them with steel siding.
5. Getting a generator. Our is all electric, no gas whatsoever, so you can see how I might be a little worried if the power goes out. We have decided this year to invest in a generator.
6. Preparing the pantry. If the power does go out and stay out it's always smart to have alternatives for meals. I'm stocking up on gallon jugs of drinking water and things like protein bars and homemade beef jerky. Things that will keep you healthy that don't require cooking. You could also get things like granola bars and dried fruit.
7. Checking up on my medicine cabinet. I want to make sure I have enough medicines for certain situations in case I can't get out of the house. Also, if you have a baby you should stock up on the essentials, diapers, wipes, meds, ect.
8. Putting important things in one easy to get to spot. Things like flashlights and batteries if it needs them(we use the crank ones). We also have a weather radio which I would recommend everyone have. We don't have a tv and if the power was out we could still use our radio.(I will make another post with a few of these) Also make sure your family knows where your fire extinguishers are and how to turn off the water if a pipe was to burst. Mini emergency kits around the house work great!
9. Cleaning up the garden. I'm going to let my garden grow as long as I can until I see that a frost is coming. Then we are going to harvest everything and anything, even if it's not ready yet. (ie: green tomatoes, little zucchinis)
Read more items to put on your winter checklist HERE. And find even more tips on homestead living!
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