Basic Fall Preparedness Checklist

Summer is quickly winding down. Here are a number of items that will require your attention this fall.

• Make sure your children as well as yourself have updated immunizations.
• Have your chimney cleaned, especially if you use the fireplace often during the winter.
• Clean out the gutters on your home prior to the first big rain storm.
• Plant fall bulbs, trees and vegetables.
• Prune shrubs, trees and roses.
• Get your garden ready for winter.
• Make sure your alternative source of heat (ie: kerosene heater or other) is ready for use.
• Check all of the smoke detectors in your home.
• Inventory, stock, and rotate stored food.
• Change out your stored water.
• Visit "shoulder season" attractions (zoo, tourists destinations) once the tourists have gone home.
• Make a fall exercise plan so you can continue with all of the progress you made this summer (ie: consider indoor exercise opportunities).
• Powerwash the roof, decks, driveway and walkways.
• Make any needed exterior repairs.
• Clean and organize the garage and get any winter equipment (skis, snowblower) ready for use.
• Have your furnace serviced/tuned up/cleaned.
• Sign up for a class at the local community college.
• Clean up/repair/prep for storage all summer items (boat, jet skis, camp stove, tools) that won't be used again until next summer.
• Weatherize your home if needed (add extra insulation, caulk, weatherstrip).
• Get your car ready for winter--have it tuned up, the oil changed, rotate the tires and ensure that you have the correct snow tires/chains on hand for your vehicle.
• Give yourself a major four month (September to December) challenge: pay off a debt, become fluent in a language, pay off a big debt, etc.