There remains still a major escape for heat, the fireplaces.  If each is equipped, as is customary with all built during the last half century, with a cast-iron damper that closes the throat when not in use, make sure it is in working order.  Sometimes such dampers get clogged with soot and fail to close tightly.  For older fireplaces the problem varies.  Some can have a throat damper installed; others are of such size or shape that it is not practical.  With the latter, if the throat is not too large, it is possible to stuff it with tightly packed newspaper, first crumpling the sheets to make them bulky.  The large fireplace, once the scene of all family cooking, generally has an opening into the chimney so large that there seems to be but one practical way to treat it.  This is the use of the time-tried fire board which fits tightly into the opening of mantel and shuts off the fireplace completely.  This causes much lamentation each winter in our own household, as the picturesque effect of the fine old fireplace with swinging crane is blotted out by a none too ornamental expanse of board.  But it is so fitted that it can be readily removed any time a fireplace fire is desired.  When not in use such a cavernous avenue for escaping heat must, of course, be closed.  No heating system can compete with it.  Stand beside such a fireplace for a moment and the cold breeze swirling out from it will convince you.

Nothing is more uncomfortable in winter than cold and drafty floors.  Much of this can easily be corrected by closing the cracks, usually found in older houses, between flooring and walls at the baseboards.  Generally quarter-round molding, carefully fitted and securely nailed is sufficient but occasionally wide, uneven cracks have to be closed with oakum, putty, or crack filler before the molding is put in place.  Again, if the cellar has no plaster ceiling, a drafty floor can be remedied by lining the under side of the flooring with felt paper or like material.

Lastly, inspect the heating plant.  Has it been cleaned and put in order since last season?  If not, it should be done without fail, for no soot-clogged furnace or encrusted boiler can work properly.  You are simply wasting fuel and effort if you neglect them.

Out of doors, there are several minor things that can make or mar a winter in the country.  Be sure the faucets used for the garden hose are disconnected and drained.  There is probably a drain valve in the cellar for this.  If your water supply is a shallow well, notice the location of the supply pipe.  If it extends to within four or five feet of the top, some sort of covering must be placed over the latter to prevent cold winter winds searching it out.  A cover of wall board with a small opening for ventilation is easily fitted to it and will avert later trouble.