Here are a few tips to keep your home safe and efficient during the winter months:

Check the heating system - Check the filter, pilot light and burners in a system fueled by gas or oil. Fireplaces, boilers, water heaters, space heaters and wood burning stoves should also be serviced every year.
Clean ducts in the heating system - Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold air returns. Dust build-up in ducts is a major cause of indoor pollutants and can increase the possibility of illness.
Test fire and smoke alarms as well as carbon monoxide detectors - Often alarms and detectors go unattended. Batteries should be checked every six months to ensure that they’re working.
Remove excess leaves and damaged branches surrounding the house - Now that leaves have fallen off of trees, it’s a good time to remove any dead branches. Dead branches have the potential to break and fall, ruining roofs or decks.
Maintain gutters - Remove all debris that can slow or impede the ability of the water to drain effectively from the roof. Trapped water can freeze then thaw, an action which could be destructive not only to the gutters themselves but to the adjoining roof.
Inspect the roof - Look for damaged or loose shingles, gaps in the flashing at joints with siding, vents and flues, as well as damaged mortar around the chimney. Proactive maintenance can prevent emergencies and expensive repairs.
Inspect exterior walls and window sills - Check walls and window sills for damage such as cracks, gaps, loose or crumbling mortar, along with splitting and decaying wood. Wood trim and siding can suffer from deterioration or loose paint.
Maintain steps and handrails - Repair broken steps and secure loose banisters. Broken steps are easily hidden beneath snow, which could cause a dangerous fall.

For those who are planning on completing winter projects inside the house, such as painting or carpeting: Paint interior walls before it gets too cold to leave the windows open for ventilation from the smell or the fumes. The same goes for carpet cleaning or floor refinishing.

With your home prepared, you can then sit back and enjoy the winter, the holidays, lower energy bills and your own peace of mind.