The late fall is an ideal time to take stock of your home and make sure that everything is ready for winter’s onslaught. If you act now, there are still plenty of nice days left to get things in order.

Start by checking the roof and gutters. Check your roof for loose, curled or missing shingles. If you see any problems or have seen evidence of a leak this is the time to take care of it. The next time you have a heavy rain, put on your coat and boots and step out into the yard. Look at how the water flows. If the gutters overflow they either need cleaning, realigning or replacement with larger gutters.

Proper maintenance of your home is required in order for your homeowners insurance to remain in force. Normal wear and tear of the elements on your home is not covered by you homeowners insurance.

One of the problems that cause the most winter insurance claims are ICE DAMS. They are damaging, dangerous and preventable.

A cubic foot of snow can weigh as much as 30 pounds. Multiply that times the area of your roof and you get a good idea of the kind of strain that can result when snow piles up overhead through the winter. The longer it remains, the higher the moisture content and weight become. The build up of moisture leads to the formation of ice dams.

Ice dams can cause water to migrate into interior walls and ceilings. The damage to plaster, paint or wallpaper results in substantial repair costs. Your homeowners insurance does cover some of this damage. Keep in mind you will have to pay your deductible and several claims could be cause for the insurance company to cancel your policy thus forcing you to pay a much higher premium. Consider buying a roof rake to clear the snow from your roof to prevent this damage.

A home is one of life’s most important investments. Keeping it properly maintained can help reduce the risk of loss and help ensure safety and well being of friends and family. Here are some tips to keep your home safe:

• Inspect your smoke detectors. Make sure that there is one on each floor of your home. Test them and change batteries every six months.
• Check the light bulbs in all your light fixtures to be sure that they are the correct wattage.
• Replace lamps that use high-producing bulbs (such as halogen) with those that use fluorescent bulbs and operate at a much cooler temperature.
• Check your electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires, loose fitting plugs. Don’t overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power source.
• Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible that is filled and ready for operation.
• Check for damage to your roof and clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating.
• Have your air conditioner inspected by a professional.
• Check your water heater for leaks and corrosion and keep surrounding clear.
• Clean and/or replace your furnace filter.
• Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove lint, dust and pieces of material or cloth.
• Inspect washing machine hoses and replace hoses that show signs of weakness with stronger reinforced hoses. Turn off water when not in use to prevent water damage if a hose breaks.
• Remove all dead trees in your yard and keep healthy trees and bushes trimmed and away from utility wires. Do not attempt to remove tree limbs from power lines yourself.
• Safely store oil and gas for lawn equipment and tools in a vented, secured area.
• Repair driveway and walkways that are cracked, broken or uneven.