Chambana Sun

State Representative Brandun Schweizer encouraged Illinois residents to prepare for weather changes in a December 2 Facebook post. He said, "Living in Illinois means homeowners have to always be prepared for changes in the weather."

"Living in Illinois means homeowners have to always be prepared for changes in the weather," said BRANDUN LYNN SCHWEIZER, according to Facebook.

According to Schweizer, he shared a link to a blog post from the Illinois House Republicans Caucus blog, which offered various tips for preparing homes for winter. The recommendations include winterizing the exterior of homes by removing and storing window screens, swapping current windows for glass storm windows, caulking windows and doors to seal gaps, and repairing loose roofing shingles to prevent potential damage from snow.

Screenshot of State Rep. Brandun Schweizer's Dec. 2 Facebook post | State Representative Brandun Schweizer's Facebook page

Illinois homeowners are also advised to prune trees to remove sick or dead limbs, clean and inspect gutters to reduce the risk of clogs, and secure outdoor water sources. The blog post suggests spraying door locks with powered graphite lubricant to prevent them from freezing during winter weather.

Inside the home, there are measures that homeowners can take to increase energy efficiency and potentially avoid unexpected issues. Now is the time to have fireplaces, chimneys, and furnaces serviced if this has not already been done. This maintenance helps prevent fires that could damage a home or cause injury. Adding insulation to attics or crawl spaces is an investment that will help save money over time by keeping heat where it is needed and out of the attic. This also reduces the likelihood of ice dams forming on roofs, according to a Consumer Reports article focused on tasks for homeowners preparing their homes for winter.

Schweizer was appointed to fill a vacancy in the 104th House District when Representative Mike Marron retired. He is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant and worked in Danville as a code enforcement inspector. He lives in Danville with his wife and sons. According to his official biography for the Illinois House of Representatives, he created the Tiny Troops Soccer program which teaches young children living on military bases the basics of soccer.