Getting your home and car ready for winter: the complete checklist
The checklist to work through before the first hard frost: chimney and heating, alarms, supplies for a multi-day power cut, pipes, roof, car and winter trunk kit. Everything worth doing now, while it's still autumn.
In short
- Get the chimney and heating serviced now, not at the first frost, when every technician is booked.
- A smoke alarm on every floor and a carbon monoxide alarm near the bedrooms, especially with a stove or gas boiler.
- Supplies for a few days without power or water: light, power banks, water, no-cook food, blankets.
- The car: winter tires where needed, winter washer fluid, tank always over half full and a winter kit in the trunk.
The first real snow almost always comes earlier than expected, and in the first week of frost every chimney sweep, plumber and tire shop is booked solid. This checklist takes two or three autumn weekends and spares you the most common winter problems: stove fires and poisonings, burst pipes, multi-day power cuts and cars stranded on the road.
It’s based on FEMA’s Ready.gov guidance, which is in the public domain, extended with advice from European civil protection agencies.
Heating and safety
- Chimney swept and inspected
- Boiler and water heater serviced by a qualified technician
- Stove free of cracks, flue pipes properly joined and away from wood, curtains or cardboard
- Smoke alarm on every floor, with fresh batteries
- Carbon monoxide alarm near the bedrooms and in the room with the boiler or stove
- A fire extinguisher in the kitchen, checked
- Wood, pellets or fuel stored dry and away from the stove
The house
- Pipes in the attic, basement or garage insulated
- Garden faucets drained and shut off from the inside valve
- Gutters and downspouts cleared of leaves
- Roof checked: missing tiles, branches that could fall on the house or power lines
- Windows and doors sealed (weatherstripping), to keep the heat in
- You know where to shut off water, gas and electricity
Supplies for a winter power cut
Storms and ice bring down power lines, and a winter outage can last several days. Most modern boilers won’t run without electricity.
- Flashlights and an LED lantern for every room you use, with spare batteries
- Charged power banks
- A battery or hand-crank radio
- Water for at least 3 days (4 liters / about a gallon per person per day)
- Food that needs no cooking for 3 days
- Blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothes, hats
- At least a week of daily medication
- Cash in small notes
More in our guides to power outages and heating your home safely without power. Work out the exact quantities for your household with the supply calculator.
The car
- Winter tires with at least 4 mm of tread where you drive on snow (the legal minimum is often lower, but grip on snow drops sharply below 4 mm)
- Battery tested: old batteries fail at the first frost
- Antifreeze checked and winter washer fluid filled
- Wipers replaced if they streak
- Chains, if you drive in the mountains, fitted at least once for practice
- Winter kit in the trunk: shovel, blankets, water, snacks, flashlight, power bank, jumper cables
What to do if you get stranded is in our guide to being stuck in a car in snow.
People
- Older neighbors or relatives who live alone: do they have fuel, medication, a charged phone? Do they know whom to call?
- Pets have a warm place, and outdoor animals a dry shelter and water that won’t freeze
- Your family knows what to do if you lose power or heat: a written family emergency plan helps
Recommended equipment
What to look for when buying. Links go to partner shops; if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Details.
Carbon monoxide alarm
Essential in any home with a stove, fireplace or gas boiler.
- Certified to UL 2034 or EN 50291
- 7–10 year sensor life
Rechargeable LED lantern
For long winter power cuts: lights a whole room with no fire risk.
- At least 10 hours of runtime
- USB-C charging
Winter windshield washer fluid
Summer fluid freezes in the reservoir and on the glass.
- Rated to at least -20°C (-4°F)
Frequently asked questions
When should I fit winter tires?
Where they're required, follow local law: many European countries require them on snow and ice regardless of date. As a rule of thumb, fit them once temperatures stay below about 7°C (45°F): below that, summer tire rubber hardens and grip drops even on dry roads.
How often should the chimney be swept?
At least once a year, before the heating season, and more often if you burn damp or resinous wood, which leaves a lot of soot. A blocked chimney can cause both a fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
How do I stop pipes from freezing?
Insulate pipes in unheated spaces (attic, basement, garage), drain and shut off outdoor faucets, and in hard frosts let one faucet drip slightly and leave the cabinet doors under sinks open. If you go away, don't let the indoor temperature drop below about 12–15°C (55°F).
What if I lose heating during a cold snap?
Gather everyone in one room, the smallest and most sheltered, cover the windows, put a towel along the door, dress in layers and sleep together. Never use a gas oven, grill or generator indoors for heat.
Sources and further reading
Preper is for general education and does not replace instructions from your local authorities or advice from a doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.