How do I winterize my home before cold weather arrives?

Start by sealing air leaks around windows, doors, and any gaps where pipes or wires enter the house using weatherstripping, caulk, or foam sealant. Add door sweeps to exterior doors and consider plastic film insulation kits for drafty windows. Check your attic insulation and add more if needed, since heat rises and escapes easily through the roof. For your systems, have your furnace serviced and replace the filter. Drain and shut off outdoor hose bibs to prevent pipe freezing, and disconnect garden hoses. Clean gutters so ice dams don't form. Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down. Stock up on ice melt and check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors before you start running the heat regularly.