Whether you live in an apartment, a condo or a house, when Autumn approaches there are some things you should do to get ready for the change in season. Go through your living space room by room and make a list of what needs to be done before the colder weather arrives.
Here are some ideas to start with:
- Reverse your ceiling fans. Heat rises and during the winter you will want the warm air to circulate throughout the room. Counterclockwise directions during the summer push the cooler air down and the warmer air up. Now is the time to change the direction to clockwise to keep your rooms evenly warm.
- Go through your clothing. This is a good time to take everything out of your closets and drawers and organize them. If you have wool coats, take them in to be dry cleaned. Pull out your warm sweaters and cozy pyjamas. Put away the tank tops and summer dresses until next year. Items that no longer fit can be given away.
- Change to winter linens. For those of us who live in cold climates, it’s time to put away the light cotton sheets and change to warm flannel. Blankets and heavier quilts, duvets or comforters can also be stored during the summer for use in the fall and winter. Add throws or comfortable blankets to strategic areas in your living room for those cold days when you’d like to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea.
- Check your heating system and smoke detectors. Change out batteries on your smoke detector and check that all CO2 alarms are in working order. Maintenance for your furnace should be done now, before you really need it!
September is a good time to get your house in order for the coming months. Most of us spend more time indoors and our homes should be safe and comfortable. For more tips on preparing for Autumn, click here.
