For the longest time, I wasn’t sure what season we were in. Californian’s sure do have it good when it comes to the weather, but finally winter is here and for many Americans, it’s time to bundle up and stay indoors! Whether you have a favorite down quilt to bury yourself in or love sitting by the wood-burning fireplace, keeping warm is key this winter! 
To ensure a wonderful and cozy winter season, licensed contractor and TV home-improvement expert David Leon from Home Made Simple on the Oprah Winfrey Network has provided the following tips for winterizing your home this holiday season.
- Heating system and air filters – Have your heating system serviced every year and check the filters system every month. Also, inspect your system’s exhaust vent for rust, damage, or any corrosion.
- Seal the leaks – Check to make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed so heat doesn’t escape. Inspect caulking and weather stripping around openings for wear and tear, and replace if necessary.
- Plumbing – Busted water pipes can cause expensive damage. Take time now to wrap outside pipes that might be exposed to extreme temperatures. Review the locations for the main water and fuel shut-off valves with all members of your household.
- Have a plan – When you own a home, you know that things are going to break down – but when it happens, do you know who you’ll call or what you’ll do? A home warranty is a great way to protect your budget against costly repairs, and save yourself the time and hassle of finding a qualified professional to get major systems and appliances up and running again.
Homeowners should also be aware of important warning signs and potential heating system hazards to protect their homes from any accidents! In 2011, faulty and improperly used heating equipment accounted for nearly 400 deaths nationwide, more than 53,000 fires and $893 million in direct property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association. 
To help prevent heating system hazards, be aware of the following critical signs when you’re indoors this winter:
- Always be aware of gas odors. If you smell gas around your heating unit, leave the area and call your gas company immediately.
- Be sure your pilot light is burning a steady blue flame. If it is not, call your heating professional or a gas company.
- Take a close look at your exhaust fan for any rust, damage or deterioration. If you notice any, call a qualified professional and describe what you see to determine whether a repair is needed.
- Take extra care with space heaters. They should be plugged directly into a wall outlet, never into an extension cord, and turned off at night. When in use, always be sure space heaters are a safe distance from curtains and other flammable items
Along with these warning signs, American Home Shield, the nation’s leading provider of home protection plans, reminds homeowners to use extra care when operating space heaters. For instance, they should be plugged directly into a wall outlet, never into an extension cord, and turned off at night. When in use, always be sure space heaters are a safe distance from curtains and other flammable items.
Homeowners can watch helpful videos about a variety of home maintenance tips and home heating warning signs at www.YouTube.com/TheAHSTeam, hosted by David Leon. American Home Shield also publishes the Home Matters blog, a resource to help homeowners balance their busy lives with tips and news on everything home and you can find them on Twitter, http://www.twitter.com/AHS_
WIN IT! One lucky reader of Jen is on a Journey will win a $100 Target GC to help you stay warm this winter….think cozy throws, floor heater, footed pajamas, fuzzy socks, maybe put it towards a new coffee maker!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Information and gift cards provided for this post.
My favorite way to stay warm on a winter’s cold night is by the fireplace with a good book.
hot cocoa and a blanket
I like to get comfy in my bed for reading, watching tv, doing puzzles, etc. If it’s really cold, I’ll put some type of head covering on. When it’s time for sleep, my bed is nice and warm because I’d been sitting in it for awhile.
I like to bundle up with lots of blankets.
Curl up on the sofa with my warm blanket.
I like to cuddle with my cats and cover myself with warm blanket
I have knit a number of throws so cuddling up next to my husband with a throw over us and some hot tea or hot apple cider
I love to cuddle with my baby girl under covers and watch a movie. While I drink some hot cider!
I like to snuggle on the couch with a warm blanket and a warm drink!
I like to snuggle under a quilt with hot spiced cider.
Put the heat on and drink hot chocolate 🙂
Nice warm blankets work well.
Thick flannel pajamas, a nice pair of warm socks and fleece slippers.
Hot cocoa on the coach with a good book!!
hot tea!
I love to stay warm during the Winter months in front of the fire with a good book.
Bundle up with socks and blankets.
Blanket, socks, hot cocoa and the TV!
I love sitting by the fire place with hot chocolate.
i just bundle up
I like to cuddle up to the TV with a blanket.
My favorite warm to stay warm on a cold winter night is to snuggle under a big blanket on the sofa while watching TV.
Hot chocolate with my warm heated blanket and a good movie to watch!
We turn the fireplace on!
I use a lot of blankets to stay warm!
I cover up with a soft throw, drink a hot chocolate, and sit by the fire!
I love making hot chocolate.
A great fuzzy blanket, the fireplace and my kitties!
I love to crawl in my bed with my cozy pajamas and blankets. Grab my pets and tuck them in with me. It’s heaven!
Winter is my favorite season, I love getting cozy with a cup of cocoa!
I like to wrap up in a cozy blanket!
My favorite way to stay warm is to snuggle up close to my husband in a nice warm blanket in front of the fireplace and and watch a good movie!
A hot bath then warm pj’s and curl up with a good book.
Blanket and a fire
Curling up next to my fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate.
Fuzzy Slippers, Warm Blanket and a Cup Of Hot Tea!
i like to have alot of blankets
I wear my cozy robe or if watching tv I snuggle with a blanket.
I love some Hot green jasmine tea, under a warm blanket with my honey.
hot cocoa and a soft blanket by the fire.
Sitting by a warm fire, cuddling with my hubby and kids under a soft blanket 🙂
My Favorite Way To Stay Warm On A Winter Night Is With A Blanket And Hot Chocolate
Love to sit in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine after a long day.
I like to snuggle under a warm blanket with a mug of tea.
I have a lap blanket that is heated,love that thing
I like to make a fire in my fireplace.
My favorite way to stay warm is an ugly sweater. Laughing generates heat, right?
in my bathroom with a cup of coffee
my heated blanket and a cup of hot cocoa.
Heating blanket
I wear slippers and robe and cuddle by the fire.
I love cuddling up with my laptop and a cozy blanket on the couch. Thanks for the chance to win!
I like a nice soft blanket and fuzzy socks
I like to snuggle with a warm blanket.
Snuggling with my husband and drinking hot tea!
I usually wear a hoodie!
I like cuddling up with my 4 year old and 19 month old under warm saranoni blankets.
When I am cold I have a nice cup of hot chocolate.
I love our mattress pad warmer!
My favorite way to stay warm is to cuddle up in a blanket with my feet under my husband’s legs. He may not love it, but it keeps my feet warm! 🙂
My favorite way is with a big fluffy blanket.
Sipping hot cocoa under a blanket is my favorite way to stay warm on a cold winter’s night.
I like to snuggle with a cozy blanket on my bed and drink hot cocoa ^_^ and watch a good movie 🙂
I enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with a splash of peppermint liquor to keep me warm on a cold night.
Snuggled together on the sofa with a warm blanket, hot tea , and with the fireplace roaring! If no fireplace, candles and low lighting create a warm ambiance.
i like wrapping up in a down blanket
I love cuddling under my heated blanket.
Sitting by a warm fire!
I like drinking hot chocolate & getting under blankets.
Reading by the fireplace is my favorite way to keep warm.
Fleece pajamas and slippers!
I crawl under a fuzzy blanket to stay warm on a cold, winter night.
Warm clothes and Candles
I like to stay warm by snuggling up on the couch next to my husband and sharing a blanket with him. Thanks.
partymix25(at)Hotmail(dot)com
I like hot showers, and they warm my body enough that I don’t mind turning the heater way down for at least an hour after the hot shower.
Curl up with some blankets and a good movie…..have popcorn and hot chocolate!!!
Watching Christmas movies snuggled up on the couch with my 3 & 5 year old drinking hot chocolate!
I like to snuggle up with a good book or movie and a warm blanket or my kids and hubby !:)
thanks!
Hot chocolate and snuggling up on the couch with my kids to watch a movie
My favorite way is to cuddle under a blanket with my husband.
Hot green tea every night.
Slippers and hot chocolate! Thanks for giveaway!
Snuggling up in warm blanket with my dogs.
snuggle up with some one very dear!
I like to cozy up on the couch with my slanket and a big cup of hot chocolate.
thank you
Under the covers with my lavender/vanilla candle burning and a good book while sipping on green tea
I got a Snuggie when they were brand new and I still use it every cold day.
I have 5 kids so we all get together on the couch with a blanket and watch movies. Then when it is bed time, they have electric blankets they keep warm with
Curled up on the couch in a fleece blanket and hot chocolate while watching a good movie.
I cuddle with hot tea and a quilt.
Sipping some coffee snuggled up with the fam for a movie night
Some nice coffee or tea works for me!
Curl up under a hand-knit afghan with a warm cup of tea.
I curl up with my husband and a blanket on the couch!
Drinking some Hot Chocolate – doing it right now!
My favorite way to stay warm on a cold night is piled up with my pup and a big squishy comforter.
These are great tips! Awesome post.
Curled up by the fire with my hubby!
Winterizing your home is so very important for winter. I learned about this a few years ago so this info is really helpful. I invested in a wonderful heated blanket and it is absolutely wonderful. I also have a fireplace so that is always awesome too!
My favorite way to stay warm is with long sleeve pajamas, warm thick socks, a nice comforter set on my bed so I can bundle up with it while I drink my tea. I use to have a heater and it dried out my nose and throat so badly so a trick I learned is to set up a humidifier. It doesn’t raise the temperature in the room, but the more moisture in the air the warmer your home will feel plus it helps with lots of winter issues like dry skin and nose bleeds.
putting on a pair of cozy sleepers and drinking hot cocoa!!!! and of course cuddling with my son.
Drinking a cup of hot cocoa
With warm socks and my favorite blanket.
I usually add an extra layer of clothing.
I love hot chocolate, a good book and the more blankets the better!
I like to crank up the heat and get under the covers!
I love hot baths, cocoa, couch snuggles, and reading in bed! Basically I’m lazy and boring, but warm! 🙂
Sweats, warm socks and hot cocoa.
Warm pj’s, a robe, big cuddly blanket, cup of tea, and my cat on my lap.
I love turning on my fireplace, and snuggling under a blanket.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Entered the rafflecopter form as “Wild Orchid”
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
My favorite way to stay warm is to put on some sweats, get a nice blanket and park by the fire.
fireplace if I had one
I love snuggling on the couch with the kids in front of the fireplace.
cuddle up with my husband
my favorite way to stay warm is to put on my footy pajamas and cuddle with the hubby!
Underneath my warm blanket.
A fireplace and a cup of coffee warm me right up!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
We love to make hot chocolate with marshmallows, put on a family movie (right now it’s Frozen), and cuddle together under a blanket.
A nice warm bubble bath…
or snuggled up in bed with lots of blankets…
or hot chocolate 😉
I love cold weather
My favorite way is under an electric blanket.
When it gets super chilly, I’ve been curling up in bed with a heating pad, a few cats, and a good book!
Coffee with Bailey’s, fleece onesie pajamas, a cuddly blanket, soft lighting & my favorite tv show!
I love snuggling up under a big blanket with a nice cup of cofffee! YUM!
I love to put on cozy loungewear and start a fire in the fireplace on the coldest nights.
Snuggling under a quilt my mom made me!