Fall is known for crisp leaves, chilly air and the holidays that take place in succession. When the temperature drops for the first time, many people pull out their boots and scarves and won’t look back until the following spring. While you may be preoccupied betting yourself ready, you should consider taking the time to make sure your house is prepared for the colder weather, too.
Your house shelters you, so it makes sense that you should care for it in return. Before the weather grows too cold, you can patch up the areas that may be failing and ensure your family has an easy winter ahead of them.
1. Check Batteries
Checking the batteries of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be a routine item on your checklist. At the very least, you should change these batteries once a year to ensure everything works properly.
Work the battery check into your seasonal routine, and you’ll never put your family at risk. As a bonus, you’ll never have to worry about the annoying beeping from those devices when batteries run low.
2. Go Through Clothes
As you prepare for the winter months that will soon be here, you may be digging through boxes in the closet or your garage full of warmer, thicker clothes. Take this time to go through any summer clothing that doesn’t fit your family members anymore and donate it to an organization that will give it to someone in need.
Giving away clothes that your family doesn’t wear anymore can help you clear out some space in your house, which might work exceptionally well as storage for new holiday decorations. You can also pride your family on a job well done in a simple task that can make a huge difference.
3. Catch up on Maintenance
Look out for the areas of your home that need a little extra care before the cold weather comes — especially your gutters. As autumn rolls in, leaves will be falling everywhere. Make sure your gutters are spotless before the season begins so they won’t be blocked by so many leaves.
Additionally, you can save money on your heating bill by insulating your garage door properly. If your garage is attached to your home, you mustn’t allow heat to escape through it. You should also clean or replace any weather stripping that looks dirty or rotten. Doors and windows can receive the same treatment if you have the time.
4. Test Your Backups
Test your backup generator to make sure it still works. Replace batteries in flashlights and radios if need be. By testing these items out when you don’t need them, you’ll feel better prepared for the storms that are sure to come. You’ll know that reliable backups are waiting for you in case of an emergency.
5. Make Outdoor Repairs
Before it gets too cold, you should focus on making the repairs you put off or didn’t get to over the summer. For example, if you need to trim or remove dead limbs off trees so they don’t pose a hazard to your home, you should do so before the winds of fall come rolling in.
You should also fix walkways that are damaged. Later in fall or early winter, when ice forms overnight, sidewalks can become slippery and a falling hazard. Even healthy and active people are at high risk for outdoor falls, maybe more so than their senior citizen counterparts. You’ll also want to have a plan for clearing snow and ice in place, like when you’re going to salt your driveway or sidewalk or if you plan to shovel it the next day.
Preparing to Fall Into Cooler Weather
Fall is a transitional period of the year. You should ensure your household is prepared for the worst of the cold weather to fully enjoy all the exciting parts of the season and the most beautiful time of the year.
Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.nd slow-paced lifestyle now, because your little ones will be back in school before you know it!
