(NAPSA)—Many homeowners overlook one of the most important things to prepare for when the holiday season rolls around—winter storms. Experts believe homeowners are unprepared for winter storms, putting their families and their home in danger. So while youre decking the halls for the season, make sure you take the following into consideration and ensure your homeis both merry andsafe. Major Dangers Associated with Winter Storms Homeowners can face major dangers when winter weatherrolls around, including damage from the weight of ice, snow and sleet. In the case of major snowstorms, families can even be trapped in their homes due to blocked or frozen entryways. Cracked or burst water pipes connected to anything from steam and hot water heating to a fire-protection system can be extremely costly. Even after the storm, melting snow can cause major flooding. Tips to Winterize and Protect Your Home Though the list of winter weather dangers runs long, there are 10 easy steps that can ease or prevent these issues, all while creating a safer home environment during emergencies. 1. Install weather stripping. 2. Have your furnace/heating system serviced at the beginning of each season to ensure it runs properly, and have the filters changed. 3. Move furniture away from vents. 4. Add rock salt and sand to emergencykits to help melt ice on walkways. 5. Install roof-heating cables to prevent ice dams on roofs and gutters. i > GENERAC’ | Guardian Series , @ You can be safe at home in bad weather if you properly prepare your place. 6. Insulate pipes. 7. Place a cover over attic stairs. 8. Insulate outlets with gasket covers. 9. Invest in an automatic home standby generator, such as those from Generac, that automatically provides power for heat and electricity when there is a power outage. They turn on as soon as the power goes out and stay on until utility poweris restored. 10. If you have extra money in your budget, go for attic insulation, which can save as much as 30 percent on heatingcosts. As a leader in power equip- ment serving residential, light commercial, industrial and con- struction markets, Generac’s products are available through a broad network of independent dealers, retailers, wholesalers and equipment rental companies. Basic winterizing for a home can be donefor less than $200, but by investing in installations like attic insulation and a Generac home standby generator, you get the best level of protection from winter storms. Learn More For further facts and advice, visit www.Generac.com or call 888-GENERAC.
