It’s officially fall and time to start thinking about preparing our homes and property for winter and the upcoming spring. October also happens to be Fire Safety Month. We want to make sure your home is cozy this fall, safe throughout winter, and ready for new growth when spring arrives.

1) Plant bulbs before it’s cold for spring growth.

If you love spring flowers, consider planting bulbs in the fall. Daffodils, snowdrops, hyacinths, etc. will remain dormant throughout the cold winter and will begin to pop up once spring comes back around. Bulbs are easy to plant and pretty foolproof, not to mention are great for pollinators like bumblebees.

2) Weed Control

If you have weeds like dandelions and lawn burweed (stickers), now’s the time to take back control of your lawn. Like most plants, weeds go into an energy-absorbing mode during the fall. They will soak up anything you give them, including herbicides. Apply an herbicide now to prevent weeds from returning in the spring. Make sure you read the herbicide label before use for the proper timing/temperatures for your area, as well as, coverage amounts and types of weeds it will work on.

3) Rake leaves

Besides the fun experience of jumping into a pile of raked leaves as a kid, we know raking leaves can be a time-consuming task. However, it's important to remove fallen leaves from your lawn as soon as possible. If you wait until all of the leaves have fallen to start raking, the leaves will be wet from the rain and smother your grass, causing dead spots and fungus growth. A great alternative to raking is using a lawnmower fitted with a collection bag. It will help reduce time and is an easy alternative to bagging leaves and transporting them to a compost bin if you have one.

4) Test and replace smoke alarms/batteries

You should have smoke alarms on every level of your home and close to areas where you sleep and cook. They need to be replaced every 10 years. Test your alarms regularly, monthly is suggested, by pressing the test button. If there is no noise, check your batteries or replace the smoke detector. If you notice there is a chirping sound in your home, that is most likely one of your smoke detectors telling you to change the batteries.

5) Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Carbon Monoxide alarms are crucial if you have any kind of furnace, gas piped to your home, or have a wood-burning fireplace. Carbon Monoxide is a toxic gas, labeled as a silent killer since it is not visible nor does it have a scent. Like traditional smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms should be located on each level of the home, and typically plug into a wall outlet. They should be changed every 7 years or when failing a test procedure.

6) Clean dryer vent/lint trap

Dryer fires account for approximately 3,000 annual fires. Create a healthy habit of cleaning out the lint trap every time you do a load of laundry. Never operate the dryer without the lint trap in place as it can cause clogging and other damages from excess lint. Occasionally, every month or so, clean out the space that holds the lint trap with a lint brush or vacuum. Lint can get past the lint trap and build up. Make sure your dryer vent is not obstructed and properly ventilated.

7) Candle Safety

Fall seems to be the season for candles. Scented and decorative candles bring about warm and cozy feelings. Children and some adults are curious about fired and tend to want to play with candles, flames, matches, and lighters. Store your fire starters in a safe place, out of reach of little hands. Place candles in sturdy, fire-proof containers that won’t be easily tipped over and out of reach from pets and children. Make sure you blow out candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.

8) Check Fire Extinguishers

Now is the time to check your fire extinguishers. If you don’t already have a fire extinguisher, there are many options to choose from. Head on over to this article from FEMA “Choosing & Using Fire Extinguishers.” They mention multiple types of fire extinguishers available and discuss how to use and maintain them. If in an emergency and the fire extinguisher fails, flour is an option. Never pour sugar on fire or water on a grease fire as these will exacerbate the situation.

9) Update Outdoor Lighting

As the daylight hours change, you will need to check your outdoor lighting. Updating lighting fixtures can enhance the curb appeal of your home while adding to the safety and security of your dwelling and surroundings. These exterior-grade fixtures are typically placed around doors and parking spaces, along with ground fixtures for walkways and driveways, but they're also a great option for brightening garden features, such as trees, stone walls, fences, and fountains.

10) Get Your Heating System Serviced

Before the cold fronts move in, make an appointment to service your furnace. Without an annual inspection and service, a furnace can wear down quickly due to collected toxins, distribute deadly carbon monoxide throughout your home, or simply quit working properly. Don’t forget to change the filter if your furnace system has one. You’ll notice an increase in air quality and efficiency.

October Home Improvement Checklist & Tips