Sacramento winters bring rain, wind, and the occasional cold snap. Small fixes now prevent leaks, outages, and emergencies later. Use this guide to keep your home safe, warm, and dry—with simple steps you can do today and pro help when you need it.
Quick Start Checklist
- Test smoke and CO alarms; replace batteries
- Set water heater to 120°
- Replace furnace filter; clear supply/return vents
- Seal door/window drafts (weather-strip + caulk)
- Clean and flush gutters; add downspout extensions
- Wrap exposed pipes and cover hose bibs
- Make a mini outage kit (flashlight, power bank, meds)
1) Safety First: Alarms, Heat, and Emergencies
- CO & smoke alarms: One on each level and near bedrooms. Press “test.” Swap batteries now.
- Space heater rules: 3-ft clearance, tip-over shutoff, no extension cords. Turn off when you sleep or leave.
- Water heater: 120°F prevents scalds and saves energy.
- Know your shutoffs: Find and label the main water and gas shutoff.
2) Stop Drafts Fast (Comfort + Lower Bills)
- Feel for cold air at doors, windows, baseboards, outlets.
- Weather-strip doors and operable windows.
- Caulk small gaps (≤¼").
- Seal attic hatch edges and recessed lights with approved gaskets
