Winter Routine

Each year I go through the same tasks to prepare our home, family and myself for the winter. This particular year we've been busy with building projects and food preservation, leaving me behind in my pre-winter routine. Some tasks are done, others not so much. Another problem which has caused delays, is my list keeps growing as I find other things to add.

Home Preparations:

• Have wood stove cleaned.
• Trimming of trees and blackberry bushes.
• Draining of all hoses and outside water pipes at each animal home site.
• Have new fire extinguishers if others are old or don't work.
• Put all gardening tools in storage.
• Wrap outside faucet to prevent freezing.
• Have working non-electric can opener.
• Indoor-Outdoor thermometer. 
• Change batteries in smoke and CO2 detectors.
• Boards or plastic to cover back porch screened areas.
• Air conditioners out of bedrooms and into storage.
• Plastic on windows, inside and out
• Wood for heat.
• Small eco-friendly electric heaters for bathroom and kitchen to prevent frozen pipes. The electric bill is cheaper than repairing broken pipes. (Which happens all too frequently in this area.)
• Winter clothes pulled from storage.
• Summer clothes put in storage.
• Material for sewing projects and yarn for crocheting projects.
• Food preserved and breakfast breads baked and put in freezer.
• Stockpiling of food, personal care products including over the counter meds and cleaning supplies. 
• Stored water. Just in case pipes do freeze. 
• Ensuring flashlights are working, extra batteries, working radio (preferably crank or solar). Electricity goes out frequently in our area.
• Lighters for starting fires.
• Extra blankets available.
• Electric mattress pad.
• Stockpiled food for animals.
• Heated water bowls for outside animals.
• Eight to ten inches of hay on chicken house floor for insulation.
• Mulching of trees, shrubs and plants. 
• Extra hay for bunny. 
• Extra water for bunny to change out when other is frozen.
• Snow shovels.
• Boots

Car preparations:

• Ensuring up-to-date on maintenance and re-check all fluids.
• Inflate and rotate tires.
• Water in car for drinking and to clean windshield if needed.
• Food in car.
• Sleeping bags in car.
• First aid kit in car and other supplies in bathroom cabinet.
• Extra gloves and hats in car.
• Ice scrapers in car.
• Extra winter coats in car.
• Supplies for animals for times of travel; food, water, treats, dog sweaters, extra leashes, copy of shot records. 
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Tire chains.
• Jumper cables.
• Flashers.
• Maps.
• Shovel
• Kitty litter to provide traction if you get stuck in the snow or ditch.

What do you do for winter preparation?