The Third Annual Deep Freeze Festival in Edmonton is over but the chilly winds and the knee deep snow is here to stay for a couple of months more. In fact, December 2009 saw the towns of Huntsville and Bracebridge near Toronto declare snow emergency. Even Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park, Alberta experienced severe snowfall – great news for skiers! But not so great news for all of you who are yet to winterize their homes!

Unless you desperately want to be in the FAH (Frozen at Home) list, winterizing your home is probably the best option right now. Wondering how to go about it or where to start? Here are 8 hot tips for winterizing your home:

Get the furnace inspected: Call a HVAC pro so that they can inspect your furnace and clean the ducts and yes! Don’t forget to remove inflammable items from near the furnace.

Is your fireplace ready: Call for a chimney sweep and get rid of last year’s creosote and soot. Check the fireplace damper

Check for plumbing freezes: You will need to call in a professional to check if there are any burst pipes caused due to freezing or extreme temperature. If the piping is exposed in any part of your home, ensure that it is properly insulated using foam.

Landscaping is essential: Sometimes overgrown trees close to electrical wires can create unwanted situation in the winters. If there are overgrown trees or shrubs in your garden, trim them. While you are working in the garden, seal the driveway and wooden decks if any.

Keep an emergency kit handy: When snow comes calling anything can happen and snow storms can turn your day into a nightmare. Having an emergency kit around can be quite helpful. Your emergency kit should contain lighter, candle, torch, an utility phone book, first aid kit, water, and food supplies. Winter storms have quite a nasty habit of popping up uninvited – make sure you have an evacuation plan in place.

Check your windows: Wood and glass can be prone to cracks, and fissures. Check your windows for cracks in the glass and air leaks. If there are cracks, replace the glass. Rope caulk will work best on joints from where air leaks are suspected.

Weatherstrip your wooden door: A DIY job, weatherstripping a wooden door is easy. All you have to do is take out the old weatherstripping and slide in a new one. Weatherstripping kits are available at all hardware stores.

Check the roof: I once missed out on checking my roof and that year a snow blizzard happen to visit my city. I guess I am lucky to be still writing this blog. When checking the roof, look for damaged shingles and flashing around the chimney. Oh yes! Don’t forget the downspouts; clean them if necessary.

Last but not the least; keep emergency or paramedic numbers ready. Enjoy the snow, enjoy the dark chocolate, and keep reading my blog!

FYI: To get extra ounces of warmth this winter, check these real hot homes on YouTube!