arden equipment, summer clothing and hot weather soon will be distant memories. It’s time to prepare for fall and winter. If you live in a part of the country that has cold weather, spend some time getting your home and car ready. You’ll be toasty and safe later on. Have your heating system checked by a professional. You’ll avoid unexpected heating problems on the first cold days. If you have a gas heater or hot water heater, the person should check that it’s vented properly. If not, carbon monoxide could leak into your home. This odorless gas can cause headaches, drowsiness and even death. Clean the rain gutters around your home. Clogged gutters can cause flooding and roof leaks. Put away garden hoses, cover outdoor water faucets and drain your sprinkler system. Forgetting these simple chores can result in frozen water pipes when it becomes really cold. If your home has a fireplace, have it cleaned to prevent a dangerous fire in the chimney. Close appropriate vents on your house to prevent cold air from seeping into crawl spaces. Place rubber mats by outside doors. Besides providing a place to wipe your feet, mats can prevent slips and falls on wet pavement or ice when you step outside. Install shutters or storm windows as needed. Perform a maintenance check on your car. You may be able to prevent car problems on very cold days with this bit of prevention. Check all liquids. Add antifreeze and be sure to pack a sturdy set of jumper cables. Check the tread on your tires. Bald tires make driving on wet or slick surfaces particularly hazardous. Prepare a “blizzard” kit. Always have on hand a few days’ food, plenty of any medicine you take, a flashlight and batteries and plenty of warm covers in case you’re ever snowbound. Make a plan for snow and ice removal. If you need equipment such as a snow shovel, de-icing pellets or a snow blower, buy it before you need it. If you’ll need help to remove snow and ice, line up someone ahead of time. Listen to weather reports so you’ll dress appropriately and plan your travels accordingly. Check your vehicle’s tire pressure after the temperature begins to drop. Changes in temperature can affect tire pressure. Low pressure can ruin your tires or cause an accident. Dress in layers using loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Remove layers if you begin to perspire. Wear a hat that covers your ears. Cover your mouth with a scarf or coat collar to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Wear mittens that are snug at the wrist. Stay dry if possible. Make sure kids follow these suggestions when they’re out playing or waiting for the school bus. Don’t warm up your vehicle in the garage even if the garage door is open. Carbon monoxide can filter into the house. © Your HealthStyle, 1999.