I am one of those people who really doesn't appreciate winter. My idea of a good winter day is one that quickly gets up to about 70 and stays there, especially when it's sunny. But that's not what happens in Atlanta. No, our typical winter day is dark, dreary, cold, and wet. Not cold enough to have snow, but just cold enough to be uncomfortable.

I know we are several weeks away from the official beginning of winter, but it's time for you and me to get our houses ready for the unpleasantness to come. The reward we will reap is a house that stays warm and cozy, one that keeps the rain and snow out and the spirit of the holidays in. Not only that, we can save money on energy costs as the same time.

Here are some common household tasks that need to be completed as the cold weather moves in:

EXAMINE YOUR ROOF

From time to time, it's a good idea to take a pair of binoculars and carefully examine your roof. You are looking for broken or damaged shingles, or any build-up of debris that might allow water to dam behind it and force water up and over the shingles. If your roof shingles are cracked or worn, it's just a matter of time until you will need a repair.

Also look for roofing nails that have popped-up and are forcing the underlying shingle to lift out of place. If left unattended, the raised portion can weather quickly and cause a failure in your roof as a barrier to the weather.

In addition, look for cracks or gaps in the shiny metal strips around vents and gables. If the flashing fails, you are probably going to have a leak, and winter is the worst time to deal with such an issue. Better to deal with it now.

CLEAR THE GUTTERS

If your gutters are sagging or rusting through in places, it's time to replace them. Get it done while the sun is still shining.

One of the best things about Atlanta is that we are a city in a forest. Unfortunately, that forest generates billions of leaves, and most of them seem to land in my gutter. I have been promising for years to install some sort of gutter guard, but I never have. So I guess it's up to me to clean the gutters.

Here's the deal: if you don't keep the gutters clear in the winter, they are going to fill up with leaves. When that happens, the gutters are probably going to overflow along the side of your house, creating a waterfall directed right into your foundation wall.

This can lead to problems. If you are lucky, the worst that will happen is that your basement will flood. But if you've been bad, the overflow can eventually undermine the footings for your house, and you can end up with a sagging foundation. Yes, it can be fixed, but it will cost thousands of bucks. Better to keep the gutters clean.

Next, make sure the downspouts are also clear and that they cause the water to drain several feet away from your foundation. You've got to provide a place for the water to go, or it will find its way into your basement.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR CHIMNEY

I am amazed at how many homes in the Atlanta metro area have fireplaces, when they rarely get used. In any case, use the binoculars again to examine your chimney.

You are looking for crumbling mortar between the bricks, or even worse, loose bricks anywhere. Be careful to look closely at the top of the chimney - that's the part that gets the brunt of heat, moisture and wear. If your chimney cap is rusted out or missing, hire a chimney repair specialist to do the repairs.

We once came home late at night and found an entire swarm of birds had flown down our unprotected chimney at dusk. They had decided to bed down all over our living room. After that, I installed a cap with a screen.

Finally, inspect your chimney damper for proper operation. A chimney with no damper pumps warm air out the chimney all winter, causing the house to draw in cold outside air through any available gap or seam. Instead, install a damper.

HELP YOUR FURNACE DO ITS JOB

You already know to install a programmable setback thermostat, and set it to drop back several degrees while you sleep or leave the house. In addition, make sure to change your air filters monthly, and check that your vents aren't covered up or blocked by sofas and furniture. A warm house requires free flowing air to circulate, and blocked vents make your furnace work harder.

Since much of your heat loss is though doors and windows, check to make sure the openings to your house close properly. Caulk gaps around windows and doors, and consider replacing drafty single-pane windows and old doors. The new generation of insulated windows and doors can make a big difference in the way a room feels. If you can't go that far, consider the window insulation kits that tape up clear sheeting over old windows, and replace any worn weather stripping on doors.

In addition, consider adding an insulating blanket to your water heater. They are cheap, easy to install, and pay for themselves quickly. Do not cover the water heater's relief valve, which must allow water to vent to the outside of your house.

SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES

Last but not least, make sure you have a working smoke detector near the ceiling on every habitable level of your home. A separate detector outside each bedroom door is even better. Check them monthly for proper operation. Know that these units are not designed to last a lifetime, and that they will fail eventually.

Because these units are so inexpensive, it's smarter to replace them with new units instead of attempting a repair. Also consider adding carbon monoxide detectors to your home. They have become much less expensive in recent years, and can save lives by sensing unsafe levels of toxic gas in your home.