Preparing Your Home for Fall

Fall is just around the corner, bringing cozy sweaters, crisp air, and the yearly display of colorful autumn leaves. As you get ready for fun times going on hay rides, carving pumpkins, and jumping into leaf piles, there are easy ways you can get your home ready for the season’s cooler weather.

Everyone loves a good fire when the nights get cold. Checking that your fireplace works when the weather first starts to turn cooler ensures that you can have a nice and cozy fire when you want one. If you are using a gas fireplace for the first time, run it for at least an hour. If your home has a wood-burning fireplace, verify that the flue is clear and that the chimney isn’t clogged. Before it gets cold, you should also check that your heater works, so it isn’t broken when you need it. Testing your home heating devices before you need them saves you time, effort, and stress while giving you and your family an excuse to relax by a crackling fire.

Everyone’s least favorite part about fall is the endless raking of fallen leaves. While you can’t eliminate the need for frequent raking before winter sets in, you can make the chore a little easier. Clear all debris off your lawn, so you don’t trip or snag your rake, and mow your grass low late in the season. The last step in the raking process is the most important: once you have a pile of leaves, leap in!  
​
People love fall because the season’s pleasantly chilly weather is perfect for spending time the great outdoors during crisp days, and for curling up by a warm fire in the cool evenings. By taking a few simple precautions, your home will be a comfortable, cozy oasis, ready for harvest wreaths and jack-o-lanterns.