London may be in for a rough winter — ways to prepare

Environment Canada says a highly active winter is likely for London. Stock up on salt and scrapers, check outdoor pipes and sump pumps, and have trees inspected.

This past week brought freezing rain, snow, high winds and temperature swings to the London region and Environment Canada says it may be the start of a "highly active season." The region has already seen heavy demand for winter supplies and damage from ice on trees and infrastructure, and there are practical steps homeowners can take now to reduce risk. Stock up on basic supplies Hardware stores in the area reported strong weekend demand for items such as salt, ice melt and car scrapers; some stores sold out and say more stock is on the way. If you haven’t yet picked up basics, keeping an eye on availability is advisable so you have what you need when a storm arrives. Plumbing checks to reduce costly damage Plumbing problems such as burst pipes, frozen water lines and backed-up drains are common in cold weather. A frequent cause of burst outdoor pipes is leaving them charged over winter. Locate the indoor shut-off valve for outdoor taps, turn it off, open the garden-hose tap to drain remaining water and leave that tap open for the season to reduce the risk of freezing and bursting. Sump pumps and power outages Sump pumps can fail during storms, especially if the power goes out. A battery-powered backup system can keep a pump running for a few days, and periodically pouring a bucket of water into the pump is a simple check to make sure it’s functioning. If you’ll be away If you plan to be away from home, consider turning off the water at the meter, then flushing toilets and draining taps. As one local plumber noted, a furnace failure during very cold weather can lead to frozen lines and serious interior water damage by the time you return. Tree inspections and risk reduction London’s recent ice storm caused tree limbs to break and fall on roads, homes and vehicles. Regular inspections by an arborist every few years can help identify hazards or disease early; some companies offer free inspections and can advise on whether pruning or other work would reduce risk. Summary and suggestions Consider stocking up now on safe-winter essentials, shut off and drain outdoor water lines, test or equip your sump pump with a battery backup, and arrange a tree inspection if you haven’t had one recently. If you’re unsure about any plumbing or tree concerns, contacting a local professional for guidance is a reasonable next step.