Preparing Your Home and Family for Winter: The Complete Checklist

HOUSE EXTERIOR: Preparing the ground

1. Store and protect outdoor furniture

What to do:

• Clean tables, chairs, BBQ, and patio accessories.
• Store what can be stored in the garage, shed, or basement.
• Cover what needs to stay outside (BBQ, hot tub) with winter-resistant waterproof covers.

Because frost, snow, and winter moisture quickly damage furniture, proper cleaning and storage will extend their lifespan by several years.

2. Shut off and protect the outdoor water system

What to do:

• Close outdoor faucets from the inside.
• Completely drain garden hoses and store them.
• If you have an automatic irrigation system, have it purged by a professional or follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Water freezing in outdoor pipes can cause them to burst, leading to major damage and costly repairs; do not underestimate the importance of this task!

3. Clean the gutters

What to do:

• Remove all leaves, branches, and debris accumulated in the gutters and downspouts.
• Check that they are securely attached and direct water away from the foundation.

Blocked gutters cause ice buildup that can damage the roof and lead to water infiltration into the house.

4. Inspect and caulk doors and windows

What to do:

• Check the condition of weatherstripping around doors and windows.
• Replace any that are worn, torn, or ineffective.
• Apply caulk where there are cracks or gaps.

Cold air drafts increase your heating costs and create uncomfortable areas in the house. A few dollars invested in properly caulking your doors and windows can save you hundreds of dollars in heating bills.

5. Get out and test snow removal equipment

What to do:

• Get out shovels, scrapers, snow brushes, and/or snowblower.
• Test the snowblower: change the oil if necessary, check the fuel, and make sure it starts.
• Place all equipment near the entrance, easily accessible.

6. Have winter tires installed

What to do:

• Make an appointment as early as October (garages are overwhelmed in November).
• Have your winter tires installed BEFORE the first snowfall.

The legal deadline in Quebec for installing winter tires is December 1st. But whatever you do, don't wait until the last week – garages often refuse new customers in November because they are so overloaded. To avoid forgetting to make this important appointment every autumn, add it as a recurring task in your Octave app.

HOUSE INTERIOR: Creating a comfortable environment

Perform heating system maintenance

What to do:

• Change or clean furnace filters.
• Have a technician perform annual maintenance if you haven't done so recently.
• Test the heating before it gets really cold.

A poorly maintained furnace consumes more energy, heats less efficiently, and can even pose safety risks. And no one wants to discover a heating problem on a January evening at -25°C!

Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

What to do:

• Test each smoke detector.
• Change batteries if necessary.
• Replace any detector older than 10 years.

As winter arrives, we heat more, use fireplaces, and tightly close windows, increasing the risks of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Functional detectors can save lives!

Organize the entrance for winter

What to do:

• Install a storage system for boots, coats, mittens, and hats (hooks, shelves, bins).
• Prepare a bin for salt/sand to de-ice steps and balconies.
• Install a sturdy absorbent mat to catch snow and water.

A well-organized entrance helps avoid the daily chaos of winter: puddles everywhere, 20 orphaned mittens, coats dragging on the floor, etc. Investing in organization now will save you months of frustration!

FAMILY WARDROBE: Preparing winter clothes

Sort through the entire winter wardrobe

What to do:

• Get out ALL winter clothes for each family member.
• Have each child try on coats, snow pants, and boots.
• Note what no longer fits, what is missing, and what needs to be replaced.

Checklist per child:

• Winter coat (does it still fit? Is it warm?)
• Snow pants
• Winter boots (waterproof and warm)
• Beanie/hat
• Neck warmer or scarf
• Mittens (plan for at least two or three pairs per child)
• Warm socks
• Thermal underwear (for outdoor sports activities)

Label ALL winter gear

What to do:

• Buy permanent stick-on or sew-on labels.
• Label each coat, hat, mitten, and boot with the child's name.

At daycare and school, dozens of children have identical black coats and blue mittens! Well-identified clothing and accessories will help you more easily find your children's items.

Create a functional "winter station"

What to do:

• Designate a specific place for each child's equipment.
• Install hooks at their height so they can hang their personal belongings themselves.
• Create individual, clearly labeled bins for mittens, hats, and neck warmers.

CAR: Preparing for winter conditions

Prepare a winter emergency kit for the car

What it should contain:

• Folding shovel
• Sturdy scraper and snow brush
• Jumper cables
• Warm blanket
• Flashlight with new batteries
• Non-perishable snacks and water
  
• Tow rope
• Flares or warning triangle

Find a complete list on the Octave app or download this little tip sheet to make sure you don't forget anything!

Fill up with winter windshield washer fluid

What to do:

• Empty summer windshield washer fluid (which freezes in winter!).
• Fill with -40°C windshield washer fluid.
• Keep a spare bottle in the trunk.

Visibility is crucial in winter, and with salt, slush, and snow, you use 10 times more windshield washer fluid; so avoid running out!

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Preparing the family

Stock up the winter medicine cabinet

To ensure you have everything you need to face the viruses and germs characteristic of the cold season, take inventory of your medicine cabinet and make sure to replenish your supplies with our complete list available on the Octave app or for download! 

For an even more complete guide to all tasks to perform before the official arrival of snow and cold, download our seasonal guide, available in the Toolbox of our online Magazine, or find the ready-to-use list in our Octave app!