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As winter approaches in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul and surrounding areas of Minnesota, preparing for cold weather and snow-related challenges is crucial for protecting your home, vehicle, and well-being. Freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and ice can lead to costly damages, from burst pipes and roof collapses to car accidents and liability risks.

As an insurance agent, I’ve seen firsthand how proactive winter preparation—such as insulating pipes, servicing heating systems, maintaining proper insurance coverage, and ensuring vehicles are winter-ready—can prevent major financial and personal stress. Taking the time to prepare before the snow flies can help you stay safe, avoid unexpected expenses, and enjoy the season with peace of mind.

Before The Snow Flies

1. Have Your Furnace or Boiler Checked: Schedule a professional check-up for your furnace or boiler. Think of this like a medical physical for your home’s heating system. A qualified technician can spot potential problems before they turn into emergency breakdowns – especially when you need heat the most during a freezing storm. They’ll inspect the flue vent and make sure everything is running smoothly, which can prevent unexpected and expensive repairs. 
2. Check Your Roof: Look for missing or damaged shingles, and ensure the flashing around chimneys and vents is secure. A damaged roof can lead to water damage and mold growth.
3. Remove Overhanging Branches: Take a close look at the trees around your house and cut back any branches that hang over your roof or look weak and unstable. During winter storms, heavy snow and strong winds can turn these branches into dangerous projectiles. A branch loaded with ice can snap like a twig and crash through your roof, causing expensive damage.
4. Inspect Your Chimney: If you use a fireplace, don’t skip the yearly professional chimney checkup. Creosote – a sticky, black substance from burning wood – can build up inside your chimney and create a serious fire hazard. A trained expert can clean out this dangerous buildup and make sure your fireplace is ready to use safely. Skipping this maintenance could put your home and family at risk of a potentially devastating chimney fire.
5. Winterize Your Sprinkler System: Drain your sprinkler system to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
6. Protect Outdoor Plants: Cover delicate plants with frost-protective covers or bring them indoors to protect them from freezing temperatures.
7. Test Your Sump Pump: Basement flooding can be a nightmare, so make sure your sump pump is ready to do its job. Test it a few times a year by pouring water into the pit and watching how quickly it pumps out. If it doesn’t work right, you could end up with a wet, damaged basement that costs thousands to repair.
8. Insulate Water Lines That Run Along Exterior Walls. This will help keep your water pipes from freezing and help to prevent damage from frozen pipes.
9. Reverse Ceiling Fan Direction: Switch the direction of your ceiling fans to clockwise to push warm air downward and create a more efficient heating system.
10. Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly. Replace batteries if necessary.

Check Your Supplies

• Plenty Of Wood For A Fireplace. If you will be using a fireplace or wood-burning stove, have a supply of dry, seasoned wood. If you start a wood-burning fire, follow all fireplace or wood stove safety precautions.
• Prepare An Emergency Kit: Assemble an emergency kit with essential supplies like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, and a portable charger. Here is a link our ultimate winter emergency kit for Minnesota.
• A Supply Of Food, Warm Clothes and Medications. Keep a supply of warm clothing and blankets to stay comfortable during power outages or extreme weather. Pack enough non-perishable food and critical medications to support your family for at least three days. Build an emergency kit with flashlights, extra batteries, a well-stocked first-aid kit, and other crucial supplies. Think of this kit as your family’s backup plan when normal resources become unavailable. Being prepared can make a huge difference in keeping your family safe and comfortable during unexpected emergencies.
• Power Up Electronics. During storms or unexpected blackouts, having a charged device could be more than just convenient – it could keep you safe.Keep portable chargers, extra batteries, or power banks fully charged so you can call for help, check emergency updates, contact family or be entertained if a sudden power outage hits.
• Fire Extinguishers: Make sure your fire extinguishers are fully charged and easily accessible.
• Fuel. Check that you have sufficient fuel for your generator, if you have one.
• Fun. Keep cards, puzzles and board games around in the event that online entertainment isn’t available.

Doors & Windows

• Caulk And Weather-Strip Doors And Windows. Protect your house from freezing temperatures by blocking drafts around doors and windows. Use caulk and weather-stripping to stop cold air from sneaking in – it’s like giving your home a warm winter jacket. If your doors and windows are old and worn out, it might be time for an upgrade. Modern windows and doors can dramatically cut heat loss, keeping your home warmer and potentially saving you money on energy bills.
• Replace Screens With Storm Windows. Swap out your lightweight screens for sturdy storm windows. They block icy drafts and provide extra insulation. Not only do they help keep your home warmer, but they also shield your windows from potential damage during severe storms. This simple change can make a big difference in keeping your home comfortable and protected during tough winter weather.
• Consider using plastic insulation over windows. It can help to keep cold air and drafts out of your house, especially if you have old windows. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using plastic window insulation, including safety recommendations.

Winter Activities:

• Shovel snow regularly: Shoveling snow regularly can prevent ice buildup on walkways and driveways, reducing the risk of slips and falls. If you need a reminder… Here is a funny video of people falling on ice.
• Remove Snow from Roof: Use a snow rake to remove heavy snow from your roof to prevent ice dams. Ice dams can cause water damage to your roof and ceilings.
• Maintain Indoor Humidity: Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, especially during dry winter months. This can help prevent dry skin, respiratory issues, and static electricity.
• Use caution when using ice melt: Be mindful of the type of ice melt you use, as some can damage concrete, animals, flooring and plants.  
• Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning: Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that can be produced by faulty heating systems. Make sure your home is well-ventilated and have carbon monoxide detectors installed. Never use an oven or a range as a home heating device.
• Stay safe when using a snow blower: Wear protective gear, such as gloves and goggles, and be aware of the dangers of throwing snow.  
• Be prepared for power outages: Have a backup power source, such as a generator, to keep your home warm and your appliances running during power outages.  

By taking these additional precautions, you can help to protect your home and family from winter-related hazards and potential insurance claims.

Other areas of the home

• Insulate walls and attic. This is a proven way to reduce heat loss if your power goes out in a storm. If you’re not sure how much insulation you need, check with a professional insulation installer.
• Inspect your roof. From the ground, look for wear and sagging areas. If you find any, have a professional roofer check them out and repair them. Weakened roof areas could be further damaged or collapse under the heavy weight of snow and ice.
• Repair roof leaks. Expansion and contraction of ice can make roof leaks worse. Have a professional roofer repair leaks quickly in order to prevent additional water damage.
• Remove weak and overhanging branches. Get rid of any branches that are overhanging your roof or near your house. These branches could break away under the weight of snow and ice or because of severe winds and cause damage to your roof and other property.

Stay inside – and be safe outside

The best thing you and your family can do is to remain indoors during a severe winter storm. However, if you do need to go outside around your property to shovel or salt, there are a few added precautions to take:

• If you go outside to shovel snow, know your limits and avoid overtaxing yourself.
• Protect, identify and treat frostbite and hypothermia by wearing layers of warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
• Stay away from downed power lines.

Be sure you have the right insurance coverage

Review your insurance policy: Review your homeowners insurance policy to ensure you have adequate coverage for winter-related damage, such as frozen pipes, roof damage, and water damage. If you are unsure if you are protected please contact me for a complimentary insurance review. We make it easy to work with us, send us a message, setup a 30 minute meeting in person or virtual or call us. Prokop Insurance Agency wants to make sure you have the right coverage to protect your home and vehicle.