How to Winterize Your Home for Safety & Savings

Winterizing your home goes beyond comfort; it’s about safety, savings, and peace of mind. Winter brings extra risks, such as more time indoors, more heating, more cooking, and higher chances of house fires or carbon monoxide leaks.

Regular maintenance for the season can:

• Protect your family from fire and carbon monoxide hazards.
• Prevent costly damage like frozen pipes and roof leaks.
• Save money by improving energy efficiency and reducing repair bills.

Use the tips below to learn the most important winterizing steps to keep your home safe, warm, and efficient, plus see how Guardian’s smart devices can add another layer of protection. 

Tips for Winterizing Your House

Shorter Days Mean More Opportunity for Break-Ins

As winter sets in, shorter days and longer nights create more cover for suspicious activity. Extended darkness can make it harder to notice unusual behavior around your home and easier for intruders to go unseen. Smart security devices like those from Guardian Protection help combat this increased risk with outdoor security cameras and floodlight cameras that illuminate dark areas around your property. Additionally, motion-activated mobile alerts notify you the moment activity is detected, while AI-powered deterrence features can help ward off unwanted visitors before they ever get close.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Safety

Candles, wood stoves, and fireplaces add warmth during the cold season, but they can also increase fire risk. Winter is peak season for fire and carbon monoxide risks, thanks to increased furnace use, fireplaces, space heaters, and other indoor heating sources. Unfortunately, these activities also raise fire risks. For example, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of home fires caused by electrical failure or malfunction. 

To reduce the risk:

• Clean your stovetop and oven to remove grease, crumbs, and buildup
• Check oven seals and range hood filters; replace or clean as needed
• Empty dryer lint traps and vents regularly to prevent overheating
• Avoid overloading outlets and never run cords across doorways
• Use only one heat-producing appliance per outlet (coffee maker, toaster, or space heater)
• Keep hot light bulbs away from curtains, paper, or other flammable items
• Place space heaters at least 3 feet from curtains, bedding, or furniture. Choose models with an automatic shut-off and always turn them off before sleeping or leaving the room
• Only use the manufacturer’s recommended fuel type for fuel-burning heaters
• Schedule a professional inspection for your fireplace annually to clear soot, debris, and blockages
• Replace furnace filters quarterly to improve efficiency and reduce fire risk
• Use a smart thermostat to help control heating schedules safely
• Lower fire hazards with room temperature sensors and light control modules provide automation

Additionally, carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas that can be deadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports about 100,000 ER visits annually due to accidental CO poisoning.

To stay protected this winter:

• Replace batteries yearly in standalone smoke and CO alarms
• For plug-in detectors, press the test button monthly to confirm they’re working
• Test all detectors monthly, whether smoke or CO

Guardian customers benefit from added peace of mind: our monitored smoke and heat detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are professionally monitored 24/7. 

Detect Water Leaks Before Winter Weather Wreaks Havoc

Freezing winter temperatures can take a serious toll on your home’s plumbing. Burst pipes, cracked exterior spigots, and basement flooding are common issues during cold snaps, and they can cause costly damage if left undetected. Guardian’s water sensors can be placed in vulnerable areas like basements, laundry rooms, and near water heaters to alert you at the first sign of a leak. Temperature-drop alerts and integration with water valves add an extra layer of protection, helping prevent damage before it escalates.

Additionally, to protect your plumbing:

• Insulate pipes in attics, crawl spaces, and exterior walls
• Wrap outdoor hose bibs and disconnect hoses before the first freeze
• Keep indoor faucets dripping during severe cold spells
• Install monitored water sensors to detect leaks before they spread

Taking these steps can prevent costly damage and give you peace of mind all winter long.

Make Winter Routines Easier with Smart Automation

Dark mornings, early nights, and harsh weather can make everyday routines more challenging during winter. Smart home automation helps take the hassle out of cold-weather tasks. With Guardian, you can set lights to turn on automatically when you arrive home, adjust smart thermostats for comfort and efficiency, and unlock doors remotely so you’re not fumbling with keys in freezing temperatures. These small conveniences add up to a safer, more comfortable winter at home.

Build a Cold Weather Survival Kit

Winter storms can cause power outages that last for days. Prepare a kit that includes:

• Flashlights with fresh batteries
• Three-day supply of non-perishable food and water
• First aid kit
• Blankets and warm clothing
• Backup phone charger or power bank

Having these essentials ready keeps your family safe and comfortable during emergencies.

Develop a Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Use this checklist to stay on top of winter prep inside and outside your home:

Inside the Home

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly
• Perform a security system test to ensure monitoring communication
• Replace HVAC filters quarterly
• Clean dryer vents and stove interior
• Check plumbing for frozen pipes
• Install monitored water sensors to prevent flooding
• Inspect fireplaces and furnaces annually
• Update smart thermostat schedules for efficiency
• Review and update smart door lock user codes
• Organize storage and update your home inventory

Outside the Home

• Shovel snow away from the foundation and walkways
• Clear gutters and downspouts of ice and debris
• Inspect the roof for ice dams and icicles
• Check outdoor security cameras for snow or ice obstruction
• Wrap/insulate exterior hose bibs and pipes
• Trim branches away from siding and windows
• Inspect and seal driveways, patios, and walkways
• Stock de-icing salt and spare fuel

Plan Ahead for Spring

• Donate unused coats and winter clothing
• Create home improvement project lists
• Start budgeting for renovations
• Watch for early supply sales

Guardian’s 24/7 Monitoring Doesn’t Take Snow Days

Winter weather can disrupt daily life, but Guardian’s professional monitoring remains reliable no matter the conditions. Even when roads are hazardous or phone lines are impacted by storms, Guardian’s professional, 24/7 monitoring centers continue to respond to alarms and emergencies around the clock. Professional monitoring means trained specialists are always watching over your home, ready to take action when something goes wrong, so you don’t have to worry, even during the harshest winter weather.

Winterizing your house can be a lot of work. If you need help securing your home this winter, call Guardian at 1.800.PROTECT (1.800.776.8328) for a free quote on professionally monitored smart home security!