Frosty weather is here, and bulky sweaters are already in use. But is your house ready for a deep freeze? To stay safe and save money: Prevent pipes from freezing by disconnecting unused hoses and cutting off their water supply. Never leave your home without heat during the cold, or pipes could burst and flood your space. Hire a licensed contractor or chimney sweep to clean your chimney and fireplace, inspect for gas line leaks and repair liner cracks to prevent a fire. Repair doors and windows by fixing missing caulking around frames. Fix cracked windows to save on your energy bill—and keep you safe and toasty.

Source: Debra M. Cohen, president of contractor referral service Home Remedies of NY