THE BLADE:TOLEDO, OHIO ■ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014 SECTION H, PAGE 15ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT toledoBlade .com

(NAPS)—Many homeowners overlook one of the most important things to prepare for when the holiday season rolls around — winter storms. Experts believe homeowners are unprepared for winter storms, putting their families and their home in danger. So while you’re decking the halls for the season, make sure you take the following into consideration and ensure your home is both merry and safe.

Major Dangers Associated with Winter StormsHomeowners can face major dangers when winter weather rolls around, including damage

from the weight of ice, snow and sleet. In the case of major snowstorms, families can even be trapped in their homes due to blocked or frozen entryways. Cracked or burst water pipes con-nected to anything from steam and hot water heating to a fire-protection system can be extremely costly. Even after the storm, melting snow can cause major flooding.

Tips to Winterize and Protect Your Home Though the list of winter weather dangers runs long, there are 10 easy steps that can ease or

prevent these issues, all while creating a safer home environment during emergencies. 1. Install weather stripping.2. Have your furnace/heating system serviced at the beginning of each season to ensure it runs

properly, and have the filters changed.3. Move furniture away from vents.4. Add rock salt and sand to emergency kits to help melt ice on walkways.5. Install roof-heating cables to prevent ice dams on roofs and gutters.6. Insulate pipes.7. Place a cover over attic stairs.8. Insulate outlets with gasket covers.

What To Know About Winter Storm Preparedness

9. Invest in an automatic home standby generator that au-tomatically provides power for heat and electricity when there is a power outage. They turn on as soon as the power goes out and stay on until utility power is restored.

10. If you have extra money in your budget, go for attic insulation, which can save as much as 30 percent on heating costs.

Basic winterizing for a home can be done for less than $200, but by investing in installations like attic insulation and a home standby generator, you get the best level of protection from winter storms.

List your Open House here for as low as $25 per listing Contact The Blade Classi�ed Advertising Department by Wednesday noon at 419-724-6500 or submit online at: http://toledoblade.com/openhouse

Whitehouse $115,500 Sun 1:00-3:00 10930 Waterville St. 3 brm, 1 full bath, zoned comm/residential, newer siding & windows, furnace, a/c Welles Bowen Realtors Shelby Myerholtz 567-952-2215

Whitehouse $239,900 Sun 2:00-4:00 9903 Julianna Lane New construction, 3 brm, 2 bath, awesome master suite Welles Bowen Realtors Cathy McLean 419-343-3525

West Toledo $82,550 Sun 2:00-4:00 6056 Nebraska Adorable 3 brms, full bsmt, 2 car garage, great yard! Welles Bowen Realtors Susie Thomas 419-367-3974

West Toledo $115,000 Sunday 1-3pm 2867 Boxwood Rd. New custom renov. Master, 3 brm 2 ½ baths, walk in closets, FP., large lot Eaglehurst Builders LLC John or Barb 419-885-8118

WEST TOLEDO $69,900 Sun. 1-3 5819 Adelaide 2 brm., partial bsmt., hrdwd under carpeting brms., some built ins, fenced yd The Vandergrift Company Eric Parsil 419-367-3948

Washington Local $109,900 Sun 2:00-4:00 5709 W. Rowland Great brick ranch, 3 brm, den, 3-season porch, deck, greenhouse! Welles Bowen Realtors Roula Manton 419-410-4208

Sylvania Township $139,900 Sunday 12/7, 2:30-4:30 4201 Garden Estates Drive Beautiful Sylvania Schools 3 brm home on fenced lot, many updates Loss Realty Group Dave Lahmers 419-262-0099

Sylvania $273,500 Sunday 1-3 pm 5631 Red Hawk 4 brm, 2.5 bath, 1st floor master suite with all the upgrades RE/MAX Preferred Associates Joan Rauh 419-266-6660

Sylvania $239,900 Sunday 1-3 pm 5671 Red Hawk 3 brm, 2 bath ranch w/full basement RE/MAX Preferred Associates Joan Rauh 419-266-6660

Sylvania $145,000 Sunday 12/7, 2-4 pm 2242 N. McCord Wow! 4 brm, 2.5 bath, Sylvania Schools, main floor master The Danberry Co., Realtors Tony Bassett 419-340-7843

Sylvania Condo $209,900 Sun 2:00-4:00 26 Woodforest Pkwy 3 brms w/full bath each, loft, screened porch, quiet street Welles Bowen Realtors Claire Browning 419-215-7929

Swanton $349,900 Sunday 1-3 pm 6792 Co. Rd. 1-1 This 4 brm, 5 bath home is a tremendous opportunity! Like new top to bottom Oak Valley Realtors Dick Perkins 419-262-2118

South Toledo $159,900 Sun 1:00-3:00 5693 Heatherbank 4 brm, 2.5 bath, over 2200 sq ft, 2 story brick/aluminum, large family rm Welles Bowen Realtors Neela Kelly 419-902-7728

South Toledo $74,900 Sunday 12:30-2:30 3114 Heatherdowns 3 brms, covered ceilings, eat-in kitchen, finished bsmt, newer windows RE/MAX Preferred Associates Joan Rauh 419-266-6660

South Toledo $159,900 Sunday 1-5 2318 Kneer 4 brm, 2.5 bath, Split Level, 2 car gar Barbara Walters owner 419-381-0316

Rossford $699,900 Sun 2:00-5:00 261 Riverside 5 brm, 3 full baths, 1.5 secluded acres w/view of river, commercial kitchen Welles Bowen Realtors Stephen Toon 419-290-6513

Perrysburg $299,999 Sunday 2-4 pm 1960 Hamilton 3 brm, 2 full & 2 half baths, immaculate custom built, bright open floor plan Welles Bowen Realtors Laura McIntyre 419-265-7000

Ottawa Hills $267,900 Sunday 2-4 pm 2909 Pembroke Rd. Amazing Architecture & Charm! 4 Brms, 2.5 Baths Effler Schmitt Daniel Effler 419-537-1113

Ottawa Hills $439,900 Sunday 2-4 pm 2589 Olde Brookside Custom Mehring built home, approx 1 acre! 4 Brms, 3+ Baths Effler Schmitt David Effler 419-537-1113

Oregon $74,900 Sunday 12 to 2 1650 Glenross Beautiful, move in ready and updated! Welles Bowen Realtors Carrie Yarger 419-309-4624

Old Orchard $194,500 Sun 2:00-4:00 3015 Goddard 3 brm, 2.5 bath, numerous updates in last 8 years, incredible master Welles Bowen Realtors Joy Smothers 419-376-5760

Northwood $179,900 Sunday 2:30 to 4:00 1320 Bradner 6 bedrooms! 3.5 baths! One half acre! Welles Bowen Realtors Carrie Yarger 419-309-4624

Lambertville $99,500 Sunday 1-3 pm 2871 Thunderbird 3 brm, 1 bath ranch, move-in ready! It has all been done The Danberry Co., Realtors Michelle Rumans 419-467-5882

Fremont $89,900 Sunday 2 to 4 2439 CR 198 Almost an acre, public water, 2 bedrooms Welles Bowen Realtors Terry Floro 419-270-9667

Franklin Park $309,000 Sun 1:00-2:30 5046 Cartagena Soft contemporary, 1st floor master, open plan, private wooded lot Welles Bowen Realtors Claire Browning 419-215-7929

Bedford $249,900 Sunday 1:30-2:30 3271 Ravine Hollow Dr. 3 bedroom, 3 bath Deer Run Decker built condo Welles Bowen Gio Realty, Inc. John Decker 419-944-7278

/homes

A listing of open homes in the area. We have what you are looking for...

AREA PRICE DAY/TIMES ADDRESS DESCRIPTION LISTED BY AGENT PHONE