Weather seasons change

What to do when the seasons change to autumn?

It is that time of year again, when seasons begin to change, we enjoy crisp fall air, the leaves start turning, and it is time to harvest squash, pumpkins, and other late blooming plants. It is also time to prepare for the coming winter. Here are a few things you should do during this time, to not only your home, but yourself as well as your vehicles.

Why think about it now?

Fall is also a good time to go around the house, checking all your windows and doors for cracks and other problems that can make your furnace work harder. In many cases, it is a simple matter of re-caulking edges, replacing weather stripping, etc. In some areas, you can even get local government agencies to come in and do a free energy audit to let you know exactly where your home is vulnerable.

Speaking of your furnace, this is one of the best times of the year to do routine maintenance on your furnace. Check and see if you need a furnace replacement air filter or belts, and this is one of the best times to have a professional come in and do an inspection. They can identify small problems before they become big ones. It is also much cheaper to have routine maintenance done now, than having to call someone in the dead of winter when your heater breaks down. One more to-do item: winterizing air conditioner.

Reliable Transportation

If you have some kind of emergency supplies set aside, this is also a great time to go through these. Make sure that your vehicle is equipped with supplies, flares, first aid kit, emergency food and blankets. It is also a good idea to check expiration dates, and replace items as necessary.

Autumn is also when children are going back to school, and here are some helpful tips and information. One, now that the kids are in school, the signs are once again announcing caution when approaching school zones, and it is important to get back into the habit of slowing down.

If you are going through clothes, make sure you think about those that are less fortunate, so instead of throwing these out, they should be donated to your local charities instead. This is also a great time to go through your pantry, and donate overstocked or unwanted food to local food banks.