Winter means curling up next to the fireplace for many, but what if your home isn't prepared for winter weather? These helpful tips from the Insurance Information Institute and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry can help eliminate some of the worry about your home this winter.

• Make sure your furnace is in good working order. If it has a filter, check that the filter is clean and replace it if it's not clean. Ensure that the thermostat and pilot light are working properly and that the pipe bringing fuel to your furnace isn't leaking or loose.

• Have your heating ducts cleaned. It's recommended that the ducts be vacuumed every five years.

• Trim trees and remove dead branches. Ice, snow, and wind could cause weak trees or branches to break, damaging your home or car, or injuring someone walking on your property.

• Remember all the leaves that fell off your trees this autumn? Well, a lot of them are still in your gutters. Cleaning them out should prevent water from building up and freezing in the gutters.

• As long as you are cleaning out leaves, make sure there are none clogging your chimney. Install a screen over the chimney top to prevent this after cleaning.

• Check the caulking around doors and windows to make sure there's no cracking or peeling. Recaulking if needed prevents cold air from entering your home. Why pay a higher heating bill if you don't have to?

• Keep snow and ice from building up around the bottom of the garage door so it closes completely and doesn't warp.

• Frozen water pipes can crack and spew gallons of water all over your home. Prevent this by keeping your heat on even when you're away from home. Open cabinets below sinks to get more warm air to the pipes.

• Keep the house warm. The temperature in the home should be at least 65 degrees. The temperature inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 65 degrees will not keep the pipes from freezing.

• Make sure steps and handrails are in good shape. Broken stairs and banisters can become dangerous when covered with snow and ice. Make repairs now to prevent someone from falling and being seriously injured.

• Get to know your plumbing. Learn how to shut the water off and know where your pipes are located. If your pipes do freeze, time is of the essence. The quicker you can shut off the water, or direct your plumber to the problem, the better chance you have to prevent pipes from bursting.

• Take special care if you plan to be away from home. If you are not going to be in your home this winter for an extended period of time, have the water system drained by a professional to keep pipes from freezing or bursting. Also, hire someone to check on your home on a regular basis. If there is a problem, it can be fixed quickly — lessening any damage. Activity at your home will also reduce the likelihood that it will be burglarized.

• Drain the gasoline from lawnmowers, weedwackers, and other engines that won't be used until summer.