Preparing your home and family before winter arrives: the complete list

OUTSIDE THE HOUSE: Preparing the grounds

1. Put away and protect the outdoor furniture

What to do:

• Clean tables, chairs, the BBQ and patio accessories.
• Store whatever you can in the garage, the shed or the basement.
• Cover whatever has to stay outside (BBQ, hot tub) with waterproof, winter-resistant covers.

Because frost, snow and winter moisture quickly damage furniture, proper cleaning and storage will extend its life by several years.

2. Shut off and protect the outdoor water system

What to do:

• Shut off the outdoor taps from the inside.
• Drain the garden hoses completely and put them away.
• If you have an automatic irrigation system, have a professional drain it or follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Water that freezes in outdoor pipes can make them burst, causing major damage and costly repairs; don't underestimate how important this task is!

3. Clean the gutters

What to do:

• Remove all the leaves, branches and debris that have built up in the gutters and downspouts.
• Check that they're securely attached and that they direct water away from the foundation.

Blocked gutters cause ice buildup that can damage the roof and lead to water leaking into the house.

4. Inspect and seal doors and windows

What to do:

• Check the condition of the weatherstripping around doors and windows.
• Replace any that is worn, torn or ineffective.
• Apply caulking wherever there are cracks or gaps.

Cold air leaks raise your heating costs and create uncomfortable spots in the house. A few dollars invested in properly sealing your doors and windows can save you hundreds of dollars in heating.

5. Get out and test the snow removal equipment

What to do:

• Get out the shovels, scrapers, snow brushes and/or snowblower.
• Test the snowblower: change the oil if necessary, check the gas and make sure it starts.
• Put all the equipment near the entrance, where it's easy to reach.

6. Get your winter tires installed

What to do:

• Book an appointment as early as October (garages are swamped in November).
• Have your winter tires installed BEFORE the first snowfall.

The legal deadline in Quebec for installing winter tires is December 1. But definitely don't wait until the last week – garages often turn away new customers in November because they're so overloaded. To avoid forgetting to book this important appointment every fall, add it as a recurring task in your Octave app.

INSIDE THE HOUSE: Creating a comfortable environment

Service the heating system

What to do:

• Change or clean the furnace filters.
• Call in a technician for the annual servicing if you haven't had it done recently.
• Test the heating before it gets really cold.

A poorly maintained furnace uses more energy, heats less efficiently, and can even pose safety risks. And nobody wants to discover a heating problem on a January night at -25°C!

Check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

What to do:

• Test each smoke detector.
• Change the batteries if necessary.
• Replace any detector that is more than 10 years old.

In winter, we heat more, use the fireplace and keep the windows tightly closed, so the risks of fire and poisoning increase. Working detectors can save lives!

Organize the entryway for winter

What to do:

• Set up a storage system for boots, coats, mittens and winter hats (hooks, shelves, bins).
• Prepare a bin for the salt/sand that will be used to de-ice the steps and the balcony.
• Put down a sturdy absorbent mat to catch snow and water.

A well-organized entryway helps you avoid the daily chaos of winter: puddles everywhere, 20 orphaned mittens, coats lying on the floor, etc. Investing in organization now will spare you months of frustration!

FAMILY WARDROBE: Getting the winter clothes ready

Do a full sort-through of the winter wardrobe

What to do:

• Take out ALL the winter clothes of every family member.
• Try coats, snow pants and boots on each child.
• Note what no longer fits, what's missing and what needs to be replaced.

Checklist for each child:

• Winter coat (does it still fit? Is it warm?)
• Snow pants
• Winter boots (properly waterproof and warm)
• Winter hat
• Neck warmer or scarf
• Mittens (plan on at least two or three pairs per child)
• Warm socks
• Thermal underwear (for outdoor sports activities)

Label ALL the winter gear

What to do:

• Buy permanent stick-on or sew-in labels.
• Label every coat, hat, mitten and boot with your child's name.

At daycare and at school, dozens of kids have identical black coats and blue mittens! Clearly labelled clothes and accessories will make it much easier to find your children's things.

Create a functional “winter station”

What to do:

• Designate a specific spot for each child's gear.
• Put up hooks at their height so they can hang up their own belongings themselves.
• Set up clearly labelled individual bins for mittens, hats and neck warmers.

CAR: Getting ready for winter conditions

Prepare a winter emergency kit for the car

What it should contain:

• Folding shovel
• Sturdy scraper and snow brush
• Jumper cables (booster cables)
• Warm blanket
• Flashlight with fresh batteries
• Non-perishable snacks and water
  
• Tow cable
• Flares or a warning triangle

Find a complete list in the Octave app or download this printable so you don't forget anything!

Top up with winter washer fluid

What to do:

• Empty out the summer washer fluid (it freezes in winter!).
• Refill with -40°C washer fluid.
• Keep a spare bottle in the trunk.

Visibility is crucial in winter, and with salt, slush and snow, you use 10 times more washer fluid; so avoid running dry!

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Getting the family ready

Restock the winter medicine cabinet

To make sure you have everything you need to face the viruses and germs typical of the cold season, take inventory of your medicine cabinet and restock using our complete list, available in the Octave app or as a download! 

For an even more complete guide to all the tasks to complete before snow and cold officially arrive, download our seasonal guide, available in the Toolbox of our online Magazine, or find the turnkey list in our Octave app!