Winter will soon be upon us; indeed, it's starting to creep in on the northernmost parts of the country. Here are some ideas for you to consider to keep your home warm and inviting for this winter season.

It is a good idea to get your chimney checked well before you need to use it. Beware of flimsy work, check with your local Fire Department for recommended chimney inspectors if you are in doubt. If there are repair and maintenance works to be carried out, it will not be inconvenient as there is no need for a fire at this time of the year.

It can also even be termed 'pleasurable' to chop wood into kindling on a sunny day, but this is not so much the case in the wind and rain! Even if you only use your stove as a backup for power cuts, kindling is still necessary, no matter how dry your split logs are. If you do heat your home with a wood stove, then you should have your winter supply of wood already stacked, so that you can be sure that it is seasoned at least six months.

Other necessities to think about would include: batteries for your flashlight/ lantern, your clock, and radio. It is also handy to have a manual can-opener and canned compressed air with sealant (for emergency tire repair) and a bag of sand or salt for your driveway.

It's best to order your winter heating fuel (oil?) in the summer months, but if you have held off, buy now! If your water runs on electricity, a couple of large drums of water would be good to have in store. Keep a container of anti-freeze indoors, to protect your plumbing, if need be.

Food stuffs are common sense, if you have no wood stove to cook on, then you will need to store foods that can be eaten uncooked. Get in: crackers, cereals, tuna, beans, tomatoes and soups in cans, dried fruits, powdered milk. Also store up any food or medications for very old or very young, such as formula or diapers.

Sunlight or light from a good high power flashlight pouring in through cracks around the doors will help you to spot where you should be adding weather-strip. This system may be 'antiquated' but it goes a long way to keeping the home warm. Heavy winter drapes are also old fashioned but effective in keeping in the warmth.

For those who struggle with heating costs, there is a government backed grant scheme. It is run by your local state department and is called LIHEAP, this stands for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Check it out on the Internet or in the phone book under each state listing if you think you qualify.

Preparing for winter is best done in summer or fall, but it's never too late to improve your home's energy efficiency and stockpile food and other essentials in case the power goes out or a blizzard decides to descend upon your neighborhood. Preparing now helps you avoid discomfort later!

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