How professionals in the Westbury-on-Trym area can help you winter-proof your property

There's talk of this winter being another severe one so now's a good time to start getting your house in order.

Make sure your boiler's service is up to date and check that you've got adequate insulation in your loft. Most of the heat generated in your home is lost through the roof.

With the cost of fuel bills increasing, more and more households are taking action to make their homes more energy efficient, which in turn helps the environment and lessens the impact of climate change in the process. Bristol City Council promotes home energy efficiency and supports a number of schemes which provide advice and grants to households. Click here to find out more.

Make sure that exposed plumbing pipes are insulated before temperatures dip below freezing. And check that you know where your water mains is so it can be switched off in an emergency.

Inspect your roof and replace cracked tiles, and make sure gutters and pipes are clear. It's also a good time to get your chimney swept.

There are professionals out there who can help make everything less of a chore. Remember that a plumber should be qualified to a minimum level of NVQ2 and ideally 3 and if they are also doing gas work they must be a member of the Gas Safe Register.

A good place to start is to look in our business directory. For plumbers click here. You can also check out builders and tradespeople.

Please post any reviews you have of local firms in the directory.

And if you do a lot of driving remember to get your car serviced before the winter. Here's a quick check list:

1. Make sure you are topped up with anti-freeze.

2. Check your tyres are properly inflated and legally safe.

3. Carry an ice scraper, shovel and torch and extra anti-freeze.

4. Keep the fuel tank full to help avoid moisture build-up and fuel-line freezing.

5. Have blankets, boots, gloves, bottle water and high energy snacks in your car in case you get stuck - enough for you and passengers.

6. Consider joining an automobile club like the RAC or AA for emergency road service.