Fall Series: Part 1

Preparing Your Home for Winter

Hi there, and welcome back to Canadian Senior Moment!

Last year, I watched my neighbour Frank spend three hours trying to unstick his garage door in -15°C weather. The mechanism had seized up because he’d forgotten to winterize it. Meanwhile, I was watching from my warm living room, coffee in hand, garage already prepped back in October.

The difference? I’d learned the hard way years ago that winter prep isn’t something you do when winter arrives—it’s something you do before winter arrives. And trust me, your future self will thank you.

This week, we’re kicking off a three-part series on making the most of fall. Today, we’re tackling the practical stuff: getting your home ready for the cold months ahead. Tuesday, we’ll cover those important health check-ups you should book now. And Thursday, we’ll explore cozy hobbies to keep you happy and engaged all winter long.

Why Fall Is Your Friend

Here’s something most people don’t realize: Canada loses about 100 seniors every winter to preventable home accidents related to cold weather—slips on ice, carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty furnaces, and fires from overloaded electrical systems trying to heat poorly insulated homes.

The good news? Almost all of these are preventable with a few hours of work in fall when the weather’s still pleasant.

Your Essential Fall Home Checklist

The Furnace and Heating Systems

Book your furnace inspection NOW if you haven’t already. HVAC companies get slammed in late October and November. A basic inspection costs $100-150 but can prevent a breakdown when you need heat most (or worse, a carbon monoxide leak).

Change your furnace filter—or mark your calendar to change it monthly all winter. A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder, costs you money, and reduces air quality.

Test your carbon monoxide detectors. Have one on every floor, especially near bedrooms. Batteries die, sensors wear out. If yours is over 7 years old, replace it.

Weatherproofing and Insulation

Walk around your home’s exterior looking for gaps, cracks, or damage. Caulk around windows and doors. A $10 tube of caulk can save you hundreds in heating costs.

Check weatherstripping on doors. That rubber seal degrades over time. If you can see daylight or feel a draft, replace it. Hardware stores sell it for $15-20 per door.

Consider window insulation film for older windows. Plastic shrink-wrap costs about $5 per window but can reduce heat loss by 25-45%. Not pretty, but effective.

Outdoor Prep That Matters

Clean your gutters before the leaves finish falling. Clogged gutters lead to ice dams, which lead to water damage, which leads to very expensive repairs. If climbing ladders isn’t safe for you anymore, hire someone. It’s worth it.

Drain and store garden hoses. Disconnect them from outdoor taps. Water left in hoses can freeze back into your pipes and cause ruptures.

Check your roof from the ground (binoculars work great). Look for missing or damaged shingles. If you see problems, get them fixed before snow and ice make everything worse.

Safety Essentials

Buy winter supplies NOW while they’re cheaper: ice melt that’s pet-safe, a good snow shovel (or better yet, a small snow blower if you can swing it), sand for traction.

Install grab bars if you haven’t already. Hallways, bathrooms, exterior steps—anywhere you might need extra stability on icy or slippery days.

Stock up on emergency supplies: flashlights with fresh batteries, candles, matches, a battery-powered radio, bottled water, and non-perishable food. Winter storms knock out power.

The Garage and Vehicle Prep

Lubricate your garage door mechanism with silicone spray (not WD-40, which attracts dirt). Test the door’s emergency release. Make sure it opens manually if the power goes out.

If you park outside, get a good ice scraper and keep it IN your house—you’d be surprised how many people lock their scraper in their frozen car.

Budget-Friendly Priorities

Can’t afford to do everything? Here’s the priority order:

1. Safety first: Carbon monoxide detector, furnace inspection

2. Prevent expensive damage: Gutter cleaning, pipe prep

3. Save on heating: Weatherstripping, caulking

4. Everything else: Can wait until spring if needed

Many municipalities offer free or subsidized home winterization help for seniors. Call your city’s 311 line and ask about senior home maintenance programs.

Our Shared Wisdom

What’s your best winter preparation tip? What did you learn the hard way that you wish someone had told you earlier? Reply and share your wisdom—your experience might save someone else a headache (or worse) this winter!

Coming Up

On Wednesday, Part 2 covers the health check-ups you should book now, while appointments are still available. From flu shots to medication reviews, we’ll make sure you’re physically ready for winter too.

Until then, stay warm and get prepared!

Warmly,
Bill and Marilyn
Founders of Canadian Senior Moment