84 | CANADIAN LIVING OCTOBER 2019
Hose^ down^ or^ power^ wash^ the^ exterior^ of
your home^
(a quick^ rinse^ will^ often^ do).^
Clean^ out^ your^ eavestroughs^ to^ ensure^ the
re are^ no^
leaves^ or^ debris^ that^ will^ block^ the^ flow^ of^ a
ny
precipitation.
Rinse^ out^ and^ disinfect^ your^ garbage^ a
nd recycling^
bins (this^ task^ is^ much^ easier^ to^ do^ before^ th
e snow^ hits^
the ground).
Tidy^ up^ and^ organize^ your^ outdoor^ spa
ces like^ the^
garage^ and^ the^ shed^ (this^ will^ make^ it^ easier^
and faster^
to access^ your^ things^ when^ it’s^ freezing^ cold
outside).
Turn^ off^ the^ outside^ taps,^ empty^ the^ hos
e and^
store^ appropriately.
Clean^ all^ outdoor^ furniture^ and^ store^ app
ropriately.
OUTSIDE^ THE^ HOME
Ensure^ your^ outdoor^ lawn^ maintenance^ eq
uipment^
is cleaned^ and^ stored^ properly.
Do a^ thorough^ cleaning^ of^ your^ barbecue^ t
o make^ sure^
there’s^ absolutely^ no^ food^ residue^ left^ on^ it
and cover^ it^
properly^ (this^ is^ very^ important^ because^ s
mall rodents^
seek^ warmth^ in^ the^ fall,^ and^ a^ yummy^ bar
becue^ is^ a^
common^ place^ for^ that^ to^ happen!).
Clean^ all^ garden^ tools^ and^ store^ them^ in^ a
dry place.
Inspect^ the^ foundation^ of^ your^ home^ and^ i
mmediately^
address^ any^ detached^ or^ crumbling^ surfac
es, as^ the^
deterioration^ will^ only^ get^ worse^ in^ cold^ w
eather.
Check^ that^ exterior^ stairs^ and^ railings^ are^ i
n good^
condition^ to^ avoid^ any^ slipping^ hazards^ in
icy weather.