First winter out east: the checklist

Winter on the East End means short days, cold nights and, in many hamlets, mostly empty second homes. At Bridgehampton the January average low is 23°, February brings 8.6 inches of snow on average, and the sun sets at 4:22 p.m. in mid-December. This checklist covers the fixes that matter before the first cold week. If you are still choosing a home, see year-round rentals and read the move checklist too.

Heat

Confirm what heats the house and who orders fuel. Heating guide.
Check the tank level and the supplier’s emergency delivery plan.
Put the lease’s fuel arrangements in writing. Rental utilities.

Power and storms

Save PSEG Long Island’s outage and downed-wire number, 1-800-490-0075, in your phone. Storms and outages.
If anyone relies on powered medical equipment, ask about the Critical Care Program.
Know where the main breaker and water shutoff are.

Alerts and roads

Sign up for county and town alerts. Emergency alerts.
Find out who plows your road. Who plows what.
Check the lease for who handles the driveway.

Health

Choose a primary care doctor and an emergency department. Healthcare.
Know the nearest urgent care and its hours.
Ticks can be active whenever it is above 40°F, so keep tick prevention for yourself, children and pets going through winter. Ticks and archery season.

Daily life

Get a library card. Hamptons libraries.
Set up trash and recycling for your town. Permits and bags.
Enroll children if you have them. Schools.
Test your internet where you will work. Internet.

Calendar

Daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday in November, and the bay scallop season opens the first Monday. The November almanac lists both and the rest of the month.

Wildlife

If you see a seal, stay at least 50 yards away; see seal watching. Part of a winter walk is knowing which places are open.