Winter Safety Checklist: Here's What a Heating and Plumbing Specialist Does to His Home

John Carlsen has more than a decade of experience testing and reviewing home tech products, with a major focus on smart home security. He earned his BS in journalism from Utah Valley University. In addition to his CNET contributions, John has written for Android Police, TWICE, Home Theater Review, SafeWise, ASecureLife and Top Ten Reviews.

Whether you rent or own, I've prepared a handy guide to help you inspect and winterize your home. I consulted TJ Laury, president of Ben's ProServ, for some of the home winter safety tips in this guide.

Winter weather preparedness doesn't require a professional or maintenance team -- and can help prevent issues and save on utility bills.

Don ...