Temperatures are dropping and now is the time to make sure your home — and especially your bathroom — are ready to handle the frigid temperatures.  Here are some cold weather tips for your home:

Tip #1 – Check for air leaks around doors and windows. Fix by sealing cracks and replacing old weather stripping. And, during evening hours, lower window shades and close draperies and blinds to reduce drafts.

Tip #2 – Help protect pipes from freezing by wrapping them (especially those in crawl spaces and exposed to exterior air) with insulation, heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables.

Tip #3 – Disconnect garden hoses. Also, use an indoor valve if possible to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets to help protect pipes in freezing weather.

Tip #4 – To heat up a cold bathroom, consider adding a towel warmer or a space heater. Remember, safety first … keep any appliances away from water and unplug when not in use.

Tip #5 – Make sure your fireplace is clean and well-serviced before putting it into heavy winter use. Now’s a great time to also check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!

These cold weather tips for your home should keep you toasty for the next several months.