Use this month-by-month guide to safeguard your home year-round, especially when you are keeping the home fires burning on your own.

JANUARY

Overcoming Power Loss
If you lose electricity in a blizzard or ice storm, warm up cautiously.
Never use charcoal briquettes, camping stoves, or other propane- or kerosene-powered appliances indoors.
If you need extra warmth and don't have an alternate heat source, such as a fireplace or wood stove, layer on loose clothing, put on a hat and grab extra blankets.
If you use a portable generator, keep it outdoors. Its exhaust has odorless-yet-deadly carbon monoxide fumes, the top cause of poisoning deaths in the United States.
Make sure your home security system has a back-up system that will work even during a power loss. That way it will continue to protect your family and household from break-ins, smoke, fire or carbon monoxide in the air.
Be ready with Plan B, like a friend's home or a local Red Cross shelter where you can stay if needed.

Winter Storm Questions & Answers

How Safe is Your Home?
Find out by using the Safer Home Checklist provided by the Institute for Business & Home Safety's DisasterSafety.org, or IBHS. Type in your ZIP code for a complete list of hazards that might affect where you live and tips to help you protect your home.

Monthly Reminder
To avoid electrical fires and severe electric shocks, check all ground fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs. These electrical devices are usually attached to electrical outlets that are outdoors, in bathrooms and kitchens and other areas where electrical appliances come in contact with water. To check if they are operating correctly, follow these directions provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission:
1. Plug a nightlight or lamp into the outlet. The light should be on.
2. Press the test button on the GFCI. The reset button should pop out, and the light should go out.
3. If the reset button pops out but the light doesn't go out, the GFCI has been improperly wired. Contact an electrician to correct the wiring errors.
4. If the reset button does not pop out, the GFCI is defective and should be replaced.
5. If the GFCI is functioning properly, and the light goes out, press the reset button to restore power to the outlet.

FEBRUARY

Give Your Pipes a Winter Coat
When a freeze is forecast, avoid burst pipes and water damage by protecting your pipes.
Cover your pipes with insulation sleeves. They are sold at your local hardware store or home supply center in lengths. The cost for 6 feet of insulation ranges from $3 to $11, depending on the thickness. The lengths are round and have a slit along one side so they may be cut to size and slid over the pipe.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
Let water trickle through faucets that connect pipes to unheated or unprotected spaces.
Use caulk to seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes. That includes TV cable and phone line entries, since frigid air can invade attics and crawl spaces.
Use an expanding foam caulk or another permanent sealant to close gaps inside the house around ductwork, pipes and chimneys.

Spring Runoff and Storms Underscore Importance of Flood Insurance

Do You Know What Stuff You Have?
Take a home inventory using the Insurance Information Institute's free online Know Your Stuff software. Having an up-to-date home inventory can help you determine how much you need to replace your belongings. USAA's Valuable Personal Property insurance policy1 protects items that have coverage limitations or are not covered under a homeowners or renters policy, such as your diamond engagement ring or grandmother's silverware.

Keep Your Home Secure

Monthly Reminder
Each time you finish a load of laundry, remember to clean the lint-trap screen in your dryer. Then, each month clean the trap with a soft brush and dish soap to remove residue caused by fabric softener sheets. With a long dryer lint-trap brush, which costs about $10, clean the lint-trap housing cavity where you pulled the screen out. This simple task could save you $400 to $2,000 to replace an overheated dryer - and avoid a costly fire in your home.

MARCH
5 Ways to Prepare Your Family for Tornadoes
1. Identify the safest area of your home. This is usually the basement. If there is no basement, go to a small interior room without windows, such as a closet or interior hallway. Be sure you can easily access this area when a tornado threatens. The more walls between you and the outside, the better.
2. If you live in an area prone to tornadoes, use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, all-hazards radio that is specifically tuned to pick up warnings. Become familiar with your community's severe weather warning system and make certain your family knows the difference between a tornado watch and warning.
� A tornado watch means that tornado conditions exist in an area.
� A tornado warning means that a tornado has actually been sighted and you should take shelter.
3. Learn about your workplace's disaster safety plans and similar measures at your children's schools or day-care centers.
4. Create a family plan. Identify escape routes from your home and neighborhood and designate an emergency meeting place for your family to reunite if you become separated.
5. Put together an emergency kit that includes:
First-aid supplies
Portable NOAA all-hazards radio
Flashlight batteries
Tools, such as a screwdriver and hammer
Work gloves
Portable lanterns
Signaling device, such as an air horn
Prescription medications
Extra car keys, extra eyeglasses
Cash and important documents, such as insurance policies

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, tornadoes are most frequently reported east of the Rocky Mountains during spring and summer months. Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May; in the northern states, it is late spring through early summer. Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.

After the Storm: Filing a Damage Claim

Did You Set Your Clock Forward One Hour?
Daylight Savings Time begins the second Sunday of March, which means it's time to change batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Monthly Reminder
If you've got a basement, clear debris from the sump pump, its screens and drains. Also test it monthly to make sure it is working properly. Especially during rainy seasons, this cleanup and regular testing will avoid backup and overflow and the $150 to $1,000 cost of a new pump.

APRIL

Spring Showers Bring Flowers - and Flooding
Find out how much flood coverage you need by typing in your street address, city, state and zip code at FloodSmart.gov, which will reveal the risk of flooding in your area.

Five Common Myths About Homeowners Insurance

Before Lightning Strikes
Plug electronics and computers into power-surge protectors to prevent them from being destroyed by lightning.
Do: Turn off the strip when you're not using it so it doesn't draw excess energy and raise your electricity bill.
Don't: Plug one power-strip into another or you risk an overload that could start a fire.

Returning Home After a Long Absence?
If you're returning to an empty home after a lengthy trip or deployment, turn on the water valve and/or supply lines to each plumbing fixture and carefully check for leaks. Seals can dry out when they are without water for a period of time. To help you prepare your home before you leave for a lengthy trip or deployment, go to Is Your Home Alone? Keep It Safe When You're Not There, an online brochure produced by the Institute for Business & Home Safety.

Monthly Reminder
To save energy and improve efficiency, replace your air conditioning filters. Biannually have your heating and cooling system cleaned professionally. A seasonal checkup costs around $150 but can save $5,000 or more for a new system.

MAY
Shutter Up
Before hurricane season begins June 1, consider installing window and door shutters for protection against flying debris and water.
If you already have shutters, use them.
If you plan to get professionally installed shutters that meet building code-approved standards, order them now because supplies dwindle if a hurricane heads your way.
If you plan to use plywood, prepare and label the panels ahead of time, and install permanent stainless steel anchors around the window.

Warning: Make sure plywood shutters are properly attached to your house. During high winds, plywood can rip off and become a flying object that can cause serious damage to your property - and anything nearby.

USAA Offers Hurricane Preparedness Tips For Military Families

Is Your Foundation Protected?
1. Make sure your sprinklers are set correctly so that you are watering your lawn, not your foundation.
2. To avoid future cracks, do not plant trees within 12 feet of your foundation. Shrubs should be no closer than 4 feet. Consult your local garden center if you're unsure of the proper distance.
3. Since accumulated moisture can cause rotting, mulch should be no closer than 7 inches from the top of your foundation to protect your siding.

Monthly Reminder
To eliminate debris that could damage your home in severe weather, remove dead plants, shrubbery and limbs from around your house. Regular landscape maintenance can save you hours of yard work and thousands of dollars in repairs caused by fallen trees and branches.

JUNE

Hurricane Season Begins
This year the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, is predicting a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict:
A 70% chance of nine to 14 named storms
Four to seven storms becoming hurricanes
One to three major hurricanes Category 3 or above, which can cause extensive damage from high winds, heavy rains and flooding.

Before the Storm: Eight Steps to Prepare Your Home For Storms

Have You Looked at Your Roof Lately?
Since your roof is the largest component of your house, it also can be the most vulnerable to severe storms and costly damage caused by high winds and hail. To make sure it's properly maintained:
Keep trees trimmed to prevent them from rubbing against the roof.
Keep roof, gutters and downspouts free from leaves, twigs and other litter that can build up and prevent proper drainage.
Look for these signs of a roof problem with three questions:
1. When it rains, do too many roof granules wash away?
2. Are there water stains on your ceiling?
3. Do you have a small leak or curling shingle?

If you have concerns, follow tips provided by the Institute for Business & Home Safety, or IBHS, to schedule a professional roof inspection.

Monthly Reminder
Check for gaps in caulking around toilets, tubs and under sinks, as well as in grout around ceramic tiles. A tube of caulk costs less than $10 to prevent costly water damage. The average repair associated with a small bathroom water leak is in the $1,000 to $2,000 range. Costs can rise depending on the source of a leak, the length of time the leak has existed and the items damaged by the leak.

JULY

Before a Flood
� Install backflow valves or plugs for kitchen drains, toilets and other sewer connections. Also, anchor your fuel tank so it won't be swept downstream and damage other houses.
Sanitize sinks and tubs with bleach, allow to air dry and then fill them, as well as plastic soda bottles, with clean water.
Fill your gas tank.
Buy and pack a three- to five-day supply of nonperishable food and water. Include water-purifying tablets and a manual can opener.
Make sure you have flood insurance.

When Disaster Strikes: A Natural Disaster Recovery Plan

Is Anyone Home?
Thieves might prey on your home while you're away on summer vacation. July and August are the worst months for burglaries, says the Insurance Information Institute, or III. To keep your home safe:
Use timers to turn on lights, radios or the TV.
Cancel or ask neighbors to collect mail or newspapers.
Give a house key to a friend or neighbor; never leave one outside.
Install a monitored burglar alarm system and add window decal or lawn signs identifying that service.

Want To Lower Your Electric Bill - and Taxes?
If you're looking for new household products, or even a new home, look for ones that have the Energy Star label. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The federal government and many local utilities provide financial incentives for purchasing Energy Star-qualified windows, doors and skylights.
To find out if rebates or other incentives are available in your area, use the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder.
For a list of home improvements that qualify for tax credits, go to Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency.

Monthly Reminder
Check your home's exterior weather stripping and ensure window peepholes and locks work. This can protect your house from rain, air loss, energy costs and theft.

AUGUST

Say No to Mold
Check for damp walls or carpets.
Replace washing machine hoses with durable steel hoses.
When leaving your home for an extended time, turn off the water and drain the pipes.

Prevent Mold

Are You Earthquake Ready?
Earthquakes can happen anywhere. To get your home ready, the Institute for Business & Home Safety, or IBHS, offers a comprehensive guide on protecting your home from earthquakes.

Be Earthquake Ready: Prepare Before an Earthquake Strikes

Do Your Lights Flicker?
Never ignore outlets that don't work, lights that flicker, wall switches that are warm to the touch and circuit breakers that flip often. Get a qualified licensed electrician to inspect them. This may be a sign of improper splitting or overloaded circuits, both of which could lead to fire or shock.

Monthly Reminder
Give your kitchen a monthly once-over. The average smoke loss damage due to a small kitchen fire is $5,100.
Check for water leaks under your sink and around your dishwasher.
Make sure burners work on your stove and the range hood filter is clean.
Be sure you have a working fire extinguisher in your kitchen or pantry.

SEPTEMBER

Where There's Smoke, There Could Be a Wildfire
To minimize your home's exposure:
Create a safe zone around your residence to slow wildfires. Within 30 feet of your home (50 if you live in a heavily-treed area or 100 if your home is on a hillside), introduce more native vegetation and space trees at least 10 feet apart. If you live in California, state law requires you to create an even larger safe zone that extends 100 feet.
Use only non-combustible roofing materials and cover exterior walls with stucco, stone, brick or other nonflammable materials. Also treat decks and fences with fire-resistant materials. Move firewood and storage tanks 50 feet from your house and clear at least 10 feet around them.
Purchase a monitored home security system that automatically notifies the fire department of flames at your home.

Wildfire Risk & Protection: Tips to Prepare Against Wildfire

Where's the Fuse Box?
Each adult or teen in your family should know where the fuse box is and how to use it. They also should be able to find and close valves for gas, oil, water and your home's main electrical supply. Mark each valve so you can easily identify the switch in an emergency.

Monthly Reminder
To save energy and improve efficiency, replace the air filters in your air conditioning and heating system. Since winter months are near, remember to have your heating equipment checked and chimney inspected and cleaned to remove buildup that can cause fires.

OCTOBER

Leaving for the winter?
To help you prepare your home before you leave for the winter or deployment, the Institute for Business & Home Safety has produced Is Your Home Alone? Keep It Safe When You're Not There. Some of the suggestions include:
Adjust the thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees so pipes won't freeze.
Drain your water system and turn off the main water source to prevent serious damage from a buildup of pressure if water freezes within your pipes.
Turn off the water supply to your washing machine, ice maker, toilets and sinks to prevent a flood from ruptured hoses. A �-inch crack can spew 250 gallons of water a day, ruining floors, furniture and mementos.
Unplug your coffee maker, microwave oven, television and computer.
Check sump pump is working so you need not worry about flooding from melting snow or heavy rain during your absence.
Arm your home security system to keep monitoring for break-ins, fire, smoke or carbon monoxide even when you're not there. Make sure you provide the security company with the name of an emergency contact who has keys to the house.

Monthly Reminder
Pull out your washing machine, refrigerator, ice maker, dishwasher and other appliances to inspect hoses for bulges, cracks and leaks. To prevent thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses in the future, replace rubber hoses with durable, flexible steel hoses that cost from $10 to $20.

NOVEMBER

Blitz Blizzards
Have a plan: Withdraw cash from your bank, fill your tank and buy water and canned goods, in case you are unable to leave your house.
Have an emergency kit with first aid, batteries, tarps and buckets if your region has power outages, floods or other crises due to volatile weather.
Insulate any ducts or pipes that travel through unheated spaces. An insulation R-Value of 6 or more is recommended.
Use a snow rake to keep snow from getting too heavy on your roof and causing it or your porch to collapse.

Monthly Reminder
Change your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries when Daylight Savings Time ends the first Sunday of November.

DECEMBER

Practice Fire Safety
Cold-countering heaters, holiday lights and increased seasonal baking and cooking can boost the risk of fires.
Dispose properly of any ashes and cinders from your wood stove into a container that's fireproof - not paper or plastic.
Make sure your fire extinguishers are charged and within reach of your kitchen and garage.
Check electrical cords to see if they're frayed and your outlets and power strips are not overloaded. Look at lamp sockets to ensure the bulb you're using doesn't exceed the recommended wattage.
Turn off tree and outdoor holiday lights as well as space heaters when you're away or asleep.
Have your gas furnaces and heat pumps serviced every two years and oil-fired systems once yearly.

Electrical and Fire Safety

Is Your Home Secure from Thieves?
Only one in four home burglaries involves a forced entry. To avoid becoming a victim:
Keep doors locked even when you go out briefly.
Leave extra keys with a neighbor, not hidden on your property.
Use the 3-foot/6-foot rule: To avoid hiding places for burglars, trim tree branches to 6 feet off the ground and trim your shrubs down to 3 feet. This creates a "window effect" into your yard and minimizes hiding places for burglars. Further raise visibility with an iron bar fence, versus a wood one.
Install tapered inch-long dead-bolt locks on your exterior doors. The taper makes it harder to use a wrench to twist the lock open.
If you go on vacation, stop newspaper and mail delivery until your return. Also hire someone to snowplow your driveways and walkways. Put interior and exterior lights on timers or motion sensors and don't pull down all your shades.
Alert neighbors, police and local constables to the dates you'll be away.

Monthly Reminder
To prevent water damage and electrical malfunction, inspect your water heater for rust or cracks. Remember to drain the tank each year.