Wintry weather can freeze your home and your budget if you don’t take the proper precautions

The Insurance Information Institute recommends starting preparations for ice and snow while fall’s sun still shines. This is what you should do.

• Clean out the gutters so melting snow and ice can flow freely. This can prevent ice damming when water is unable to drain and seeps into the house, dripping from the ceiling and walls. Install gutter guards to keep the gutters clean.

• Trim trees and remove dead branches so ice and snow doesn’t do it for you, potentially causing damage to your home, car or even someone walking past your home.

• Repair steps and handrails to reduce risks when they’re slick with ice. Make sure you have rock salt or sand on hand to prevent slipping.

• Caulk cracks and wall openings to keep the cold air out and the warm air in. Check weather stripping around windows and doors.

• Add extra insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Too much heat escaping through the roof can cause snow or ice to melt up there. It then refreezes, leading to more ice build up and possible ice dams. Insulating garages, basements and crawl spaces can help protect your pipes from freezing.

• Have a reliable back-up power source in case of a power failure. If you have a portable generator, never operate it inside and follow all other guidelines for safe use.

• Have your heating system serviced by a licensed professional.

• Check pipes for cracks and leaks. Repair any broken pipes immediately.

• Protect pipes in attics and crawl spaces with insulation or a heating cable. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for heating cables closely.

• Install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system to protect against increased pressure caused by freezing pipes.

• Move combustible items away from any heat sources such as fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters.

• Install and check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Both fires and carbon monoxide poisoning instances increase in winter.

• Know how to shut the water off. If your pipes freeze, the quicker you can shut off the water, the better your chances of preventing major damage.