Fall Is Almost Here!

It seems like summer pretty much flew by this year (I'm convinced time actually speeds up the older you get but anyway...).  In a few short weeks it will be September and for many parts of the country--not here as it will still be over 100 degrees--it will be fall.  Now is a good time to make your fall "to do" lists so you/your home will be set for the winter weather to come.

• If you/your kids will be hunting this fall, now is a good time to get your hunting license, sight your rifles in, take a hunter's ed course if needed, gather all of your hunting/fall camping gear, etc.
• If you have a garden, be sure to write up your fall garden "to do" list.  Example here.
• You should also make sure your home is ready for fall/winter by doing these tasks.
• Of course if you have kids, creating a back to school "to do" list should also be done.  Example here.
• Finally, winter storms are the most common natural disaster to prepare for so whether you live in tornado alley, a hurricane zone, or somewhere that gets a lot of cold, snowy weather, be sure you prepare now.

10 Things...The Fall Prep List

As of a couple of days ago it was officially fall in the US (hard telling here in Vegas where it is still over 100 degrees each day but I digress...).  Here's some stuff to do:

1. Go hunting.  Get a gun, get a permit, take a class, go with a friend.  It is a good idea for everyone to know how that hunk of meat gets on your plate.
2. Get your car ready for winter.  No need to wait until the snow starts flying.
3. Get your home ready for winter.  How long has it been since your chimney flue was cleaned out?  Dirty flues can cause some spectacular fires.
4. Get your exercise routine ready for winter.  No need to stop exercising when it gets cold out if you prepare correctly.
5. Consider fall and winter gardening.  Just think...vegies from your garden all year long!
6. Prep your yard and garden for winter.  Get your spring yard and garden off to a great start by preparing now.
7. Try camping in the fall and winter.  It's more fun than it sounds like (plus you will usually have the entire place to yourself).
8. Prepare now for a winter storm.  Yes it may still be sunny and warm out but winter is right around the corner.
9. Create multiple streams of income.  An idea...use this extra income to keep out of debt during the holidays.
10. Make this year's fall and winter holidays the best (and the cheapest/most old fashioned.  Make memories not more credit card bills).

25 Fall Tasks

I was reminded that for many people in the US it is now fall, not by looking out my window (it's still 100 degrees in Vegas) but because I saw the first snowfall in Denver on the news.  I guess it is about that time again...

Here are 25 fall tasks to prepare you and your family for fall:

1. Get your house ready for winter.  Add weatherstripping and insulation, clean out gutters, clear the downspouts, get the fireplace/wood stove ready for use, have the chimney cleaned, check the roof and fix any problem areas, etc.
2. Get your yard and garden ready for winter.  Clean up your garden and add a cover crop, clean up the yard and get rid of debris, bring the outdoor furniture in, do maintenance on your tools and yard equipment, cut down trees in danger of falling during a storm, etc.
3. Have your heating system serviced and change all HVAC filters in your home.
4. Change the batteries in all fire detectors when you change the clocks back in October.
5. Hold a fire drill with the family, an earthquake drill, and a lock down drill.
6. Rotate your emergency water stockpile.
7. Rotate and bulk up your emergency food stockpile.
8. Get your car ready for winter (change the oil, replace wiper blades, check your tires, get your snow tires or chains ready to use, make sure the emergency kit in your car is stocked, check the anti-freeze, etc).
9. Make sure all of your home emergency supplies are ready to go (fuel for gas cook stove, replace batteries in all flashlights, make sure battery-operated radios have fresh batteries, candles and matches are stocked, you have fuel for your alternative heat source, you have a fully stocked first aid kit, etc).
10. If you participate in hunting season, make sure your hunting rifles are cleaned and in good working order and that they are sighted in.  Get a current hunting license and plan your fall hunting trips.
11. If you use firewood, cut your own or buy more then rotate your seasoned wood for winter use.
12. Review you and your family's winter clothing; make sure all are in good condition and fit properly.
13. Winterize outdoor faucets and/or irrigation systems.
14. Be sure to have cash on hand in case the power goes out for an extended period of time and you can't use an ATM to get cash.
15. Stockpile emergency items in case the power goes out and you can't get to the store (toilet paper, diapers and formula, dog food, medication, etc).
16. Keep a supply of disaster repair items on hand: duct tape, tarps, rope, plastic sheeting, heavy duty garbage bags, 5 gallon buckets, work gloves, etc.
17. Make a "sick kit".  Include a thermometer, canned soup, tea bags, TheraFlu or similar medication, cough drops, boxes of tissue, lip balm, Gatorade or Pedialite, etc.
18. Put together a kit of things to do when the power goes out.  Include books, board games, coloring books and crayons for the kids, and other activities that don't require electricity.
19. Stock up now as food items go on sale for items needed during the holiday: baking items, Thanksgiving dinner items, Halloween candy, Christmas dinner items, etc.
20. Start Christmas shopping (starting early makes the financial impact less painful than doing all of your shopping the week before Christmas).
21. Make a plan to keep up your fitness activities into the fall and winter (join a gym or YMCA if you can't exercise outside, buy proper clothing to allow you to continue outdoor fitness activities in cold and wet weather, prep for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding).
22. Be sure your home has a carbon monoxide detector and be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, especially during the winter.
23. Consider taking a couple of fall and winter camping trips to expand your survival skills.
24. Be prepared for: a fire in your home (do you have a fire extinguisher?), iced over walkways and driveways (do you have sand or salt on hand?), high snowfall (do you have a snow shovel? chains for your vehicle?), an extended power outage (do you have an alternative heat source? no-cook food on hand?).
25. Be prepared for the most common weather emergencies specific to your area.  Is it flooding?  Snow and ice storms?  Hurricanes?