4 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter

For much of the country, cold weather is right around the corner. Before the snow starts to fall, it’s a good idea to make sure your home is ready for the change in season. How do you prepare for winter weather? Follow our winter home maintenance checklist for tips on how to make sure your house is winter-ready.

Test Your Sump Pump

Melting snow and ice can lead to flooded basements and potential water damage. A sump pump helps to prevent flooding by pumping excess water away from your home toward a storm drain, pond or dry well. If you don’t currently have a sump pump in your home, now might be a good to invest in one. Learn more about sump pumps and how they protect your home. Then, shop our selection of easy-to-install sump pump systems.

If you do have a sump pump, now’s a good time to test it to make sure that it’s working properly. The best way to do this is by slowly pouring a few gallons of water into the sump pump’s pit to make sure that it turns on. If your sump pump has a backup pump, be sure to check the batteries to make sure they can handle another season. If you do need a replacement, you can find both flooded and AGM sump pump batteries at your local Batteries Plus Bulbs.

Get a Home Generator

The winter months are prone to storms, which can knock out the power in your home. If you’re looking to protect your house from a sudden power failure, consider getting a generator. A generator will provide you with a source of backup power, enabling you to keep your heater and lights working.

It’s important to remember that generators run on battery power, so be sure to check your battery to ensure that it’s still functioning properly. Learn about which generator is right for you and shop our selection of replacement generator batteries.

Inspect Your Outdoor Lighting

Icy walkways can cause dangerous slips and falls. That’s why it’s important to check your outdoor lighting. Be sure to test each of the bulbs to make sure that they’re still functioning.

If you find areas around your house that require more lighting, consider adding some additional fixtures. Are you concerned about the safety of returning home after dark? Smart light bulbs can make a dark neighborhood less intimidating, by allowing you to turn your lights on and off remotely via an app on your phone. We also have an enormous selection of LED light bulbs, fluorescent light bulbs, halogens and other light bulb types available, so stock up today.

Build a Winter Home Emergency Kit

Many people keep a kit of emergency supplies in their car and it’s a good idea to do the same thing in your house. An emergency kit should include all of the things you will need in the event of an extreme storm or power outage. This includes basics like bottled water, non-perishable food and first aid supplies. You’ll also want to keep a supply of alkaline batteries handy to power things like radios and flashlights. AA and AAA are the most commonly used sizes, although be sure to check each application to ensure you get the proper battery type.

Speaking of flashlights, do you have a reliable flashlight in your home? If not, you’ll definitely want to pick up a few in case of an emergency. The NEBO Redline V is a rugged, affordable addition to your safety kit. It has an adjustable zoom and five different light modes, plus it’s waterproof and impact-resistant. If you prefer a hands-free option, the Duo LED Headlamp from NEBO is an excellent choice. It’s fully dimmable, with four separate light modes and comes with a dual adjustable head strap.

During an emergency, cell phone communication can be vital. Make sure you have the power to keep your phone working when the power goes out. The Tzumi Slim Pocket Juice is a 12,000 mAh power bank that allows you to charge your cell phone up to seven times or tablet three times. A Pawamini power pack is another great option. These universal single-use power packs are small, portable and allow you to charge your phone wherever you are.

The cold months can be a difficult time of year, but with a little preparation you can be prepared for whatever winter throws at you. Looking for a safe, contact-free way to shop? Each of our 720+ stores offers curbside pickup. Just shop for your items online and select “Store Pickup.” There’s even an option during checkout to receive a text message telling you when your order is ready. Find a store near you.