9 things you need to do to winterize your home

NEW YORK (WABC) -- We may be enjoying a late season warm-up but we can't dodge winter. Now is the time we should be winterizing our homes. Eyewitness News put together nine ways you can get your home ready for the frigid weather ahead.

1. Clean your furnace

Cleaning your furnace makes it more efficient and takes just a few minutes whether you do it yourself or hire a professional to check for gas and carbon monoxide leaks.

"We want to check it before you actually need it," said home technician, Mike Jackson from Gold Medal Service.

Simple maintenance in and around your home now not only makes certain you get heat when that first cold snap hits. But can prevent hazards which could harm your home and family.

2. Check AC disconnects

We asked Mike Jackson a technician with Gold Medal Service to take us around a customers house pointing out potential danger spots, like air conditioner disconnects.

3. Cover outdoor outlet

"You need to make sure water can't get to this it its attached properly and its water tight," points out Jackson. "What can happen if it's not (sealed), basically you're introducing water to a 220-volt power supply. So you could burn your house down somebody could get killed."

4. Check outdoor fixture seals

A leak in a outdoor light or outlet could also set off an electrical fire if not protected from snow and ice. Make sure fixtures aren't shaky and outlets are covered.

5. Unplug hoses

6. Drain pipes

Unplug hoses, turn off water supply to pipes running along the outside of your home. And drain the pipes.

"It will expand itself out of the pipe break the pipe and they you've got a broken pipe in your home," said Jackson. "Which is going to cause flooding damage insurance. The nightmares that you don't want to deal with."

7. Clear gutters

8. Direct drainage

Roof leaks and flood damage can also be prevented by clearing gutters and making sure water drains away from your homes foundation.

9. Reverse ceiling fans

Another nifty trick, reverse ceiling fans to save money on heating costs.

"All of the hot air that is up here gets pushed down to the living spaces," points out Jackson.

This homeowner feels knowing in the Fall his family will be safe and warm this Winter's priceless.

"You get out in front of the problem early and it will save you money," says Dayton, New Jersey homeowner, Gilbert Marchany.

A maintenance plan like his runs about $25 a month in his opinion money well spent considering the alternative of not preparing your home for winter resulting in burst pipe damage like this which could run into the tens of thousands.