Winter storm to hit large portion of United States; photo by batsac

As a major winter storm barrels down on the U.S., read this winter storm checklist to keep your home safe

ByDawn Allcot

As a major winter storm barrels down on a large portion of the United States, these storms and freezing temperatures can be more costly than most people realize, especially when they hit states that normally have a mild winter climate. Last winter, storms and other severe weather events cost homeowners, business owners, and insurance companies a staggering $182.7 billion, according to theNOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. That included January’s freeze across the Northwest and Southern states.

The costs involved more than money. The US recorded 568 weather related deaths in 2024, a record high for any time period since the 1980s. Not every weather event brings fatalities, but the danger of a fall is very real as people get older. A widely cited study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research found that more than one in four older adults worldwide experiences at least one fall. Common causes include medication that can make people dizzy, a lack of balance as we age, and environmental factors like uneven terrain or slippery surfaces.

Fortunately, you can be proactive as winter rolls around and protect your property and yourself from winter risks.

Prevent Ice Dams

Ice dams form on your roof when heavy snow melts during the day and refreezes overnight. Several nights of melting-freezing cycles, and the water can work its way under roofing shingles, enter the attic and, ultimately, seep through your ceiling and damage your home.

The National Weather Service offered these tips to help prevent ice damming:

  • Clean debris from gutters and downspouts to allow melting snow to escape
  • Remove snow from the roof, if possible
  • Ensure your attic is adequately insulated

Protect Your Pipes

In recent years, State Farm Insurance paid out more than $806 million in frozen pipe and water damage claims. Some of these claims were due to ice dams, but frozen pipes also did significant damage, according to the State Farm press release. Surprisingly, Georgia was the top state for frozen pipe losses in the winter of 2022. You never know when temperatures will drop below freezing. State Farm recommends insulating pipes and using heat tape to keep pipes warm.

You can also take these steps:

  • Disconnect garden hoses and turn off your outside water
  • If you’re taken by surprise with freezing weather, let warm water drip overnight
  • Set your thermostat above 55 degrees, even if you aren’t home

Trim Trees

Snow and wind can take down trees, causing property damage and even injuries. Fortunately, winter is the best time to prune trees in most regions. The trees are dormant and you can see dead or dying branches easily since they have dropped their leaves. Being proactive about landscaping can prevent a home insurance claim and help keep your rates low.

Keep Walkways Clear

Keeping walkways and steps clear of snow and ice can prevent one of the biggest dangers of winter weather: Slips and falls.

But don’t let shoveling do you in. Don’t shovel or use a snowblower if you have a heart condition or aren’t used to rigorous exercise. Make sure to wear snow boots with plenty of support. And warm-up as if you’re going to the gym before you start, advised the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website.

Even if you’re in good shape, take it slow, with plenty of breaks and lots of hydration. Starting early, before snow gets too heavy, works best. When you’re done, choose a pet-safe, eco-friendly ice melt that works fast to keep walkways clear.

Test Your Generator (Or Purchase One)

If you have a home back-up generator or standby generator powered by propane, diesel or gasoline, top off the tank and make sure it starts before you face an emergency power outage. A generator can help keep your refrigerator running to avoid spoiled food, offer heat and light to your home’s residents, and even make it possible to work from home during a storm. A standby generator kicks in when power goes out so you’ll experience minimal disruption.

If you don’t have a generator, it may be time to invest in one. The best time to buy a generator is typically early spring, before hurricane season or winter storms, according to DuromaxPower.com. But you can still shop around for deals now.

Replenish Emergency Supplies

Is your home stocked for a storm? Make sure flashlights have working batteries, plus extras, or are charged up if they charge via USB. Make sure you have candles and matches or lighters. Keep a few  portable batteries on hand and fully charged for your family’s phones.

Stock your pantry with canned goods and a manual can opener, and keep at least two weeks’ worth of bottled water in your home. What about the milk and bread memes that have people rushing to stores before a storm for these necessities? Bread may not be a bad idea if you also have peanut butter on hand for a quick, no-cook, protein-rich meal. Milk is only necessary if you have toddlers or teens who drink it – and it’s likely to spoil quickly if you don’t have a generator.

The American Red Cross recommended these additional items for home emergency kits. They may vary based on your family’s needs:

  • First aid kit
  •  Multipurpose tool
  •  Personal hygiene items
  •  Specialty medical supplies
  •  Duct tape
  •  Scissors
  •  Sleeping bags or emergency blankets
  •  Pet food

Consider Remote Monitoring for Second Homes

If you have a second home in a warmer climate where you stay during the winter, you’ll want to take extra steps to protect your primary residence. In addition to winterproofing your home, start with vacation basics: Have mail forwarded to your summer home so it doesn’t pile up; mail and packages are telltale signs a house is unoccupied

Ask neighbors to keep an eye on your place, and arrange for a snow removal service, if needed It’s also wise to put indoor and exterior lights on timers, giving the appearance people are home, the Travelers Insurance blog suggested.

Take advantage of today’s technology like smart thermostats to keep your home’s temperature at a steady 55 degrees, along with video doorbells, and motion-sensing exterior lights and video cameras to keep your home safe from intruders. Security.org also recommended installing water-leak detectors from your home security provider or DIY solutions from a big box home improvement or local hardware store. Water leak detectors will alert you via email or push notifications to your phone if there’s a problem while you’re away, allowing you to act quickly.

You may have already taken these steps or planning to do so. If so, you’re in a good position to have a safer winter. There’s still plenty of time to winterproof your residence for safety and security.   

More from Nifty50+


Dawn Allcot has more than three decades of experience as a magazine editor, trade journalist, and content marketing writer specializing in finance, tech, travel, marketing and insurance. She’s thrilled to contribute to Nifty50+, where she covers the topics that keep GenX up at night, from budgeting and retirement planning to multigenerational travel and finding peace in the chaos of midlife. Dawn’s work is widely published on top personal finance and other sites including GOBankingRates, CardCritics, CNET, The Street, and The Daily Navigator. It’s often syndicated at MSN, Yahoo! Finance, Nasdaq and other top sites. Find Dawn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnallcot/.

Related Stories