Fall is in the air. It has been down right cool the past few mornings. Which got me to thinking about letting you know how to get your home ready for the cooler/cold weather that will eventually come, even in Alabama.

1. Get your heating system and gas log inspected. Make sure you have good and clean filters.
2. If you have a wood burning fireplace, have it inspected and/or cleaned to get ready for a new season of burning those cozt fires.
3. Check for drafts around your windows and doors. You may need some new weatherstripping. We all want to keep our utility bills as low as possible.
4. Insulate any exposed water pipes and outdoor faucets. It doesn’t get below freezing here very often, but when it does you need to be prepared. ALSO if you are going to be out of town for any amount of time, check the weather to make sure that your home will be ok while you are gone.
5. Clean out gutters and down spouts.
6. Change the direction of your ceiling fans to clockwise to help circulate warm air downward.
7. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace the batteries.
8. Make sure you have good flashlights and lots of batteries, just in case your power goes out.
9. When the cold weather gets here, protect your plants and pets.
10. Drain/ winterize your irrigation system. Don’t forget to check your boat, mowers, and any other equipment that will be outside.