Even though fall officially started only a few weeks ago, harsh winter weather will be here before you know it. Now is the time to prepare your home for the conditions ahead — while the temperature outside is (hopefully) still decent where you live.

We’ve put a list together of the often-overlooked areas to “winterize” around your home so that it’ll be ready when brutally cold temperatures arrive. Check it out!

Schedule a furnace tune-up with a pro

Have your heating system cleaned and inspected professionally every year. Even if it seemed like the unit was running well last winter, have an expert heating maintenance service provider do a full tune-up on the system to get it ready for “showtime” this upcoming winter. During the maintenance tune-up, the skilled technician will ensure that all components are operating efficiently. If any potential problems are found, they can be taken care of before they result in a breakdown of your system.

Seal your windows and doors

Now is also a great time to make sure you have adequate sealing around your window and door frames. If you noticed this past summer that your home felt warmer or more humid than usual (with the AC running), it could be an indication that the weatherstripping material around window and door frames has become weak and is letting outdoor air get inside. Not only does this make your home feel uncomfortable, but it can also lead to your HVAC system running more often than it should to maintain the temperature on the thermostat. This extra use could lead to premature wear and tear, and higher energy bills.

Store your lawn equipment

Put your lawnmower, weed trimmer, rakes, garden hose, and patio furniture into storage until next spring. If you can, put these items in an enclosed area so they aren’t exposed to snow, ice, and harsh temperatures. These things could lead to irreparable damage and/or rust. If you’ve got a garage, store these items there. If not and if you’ve got room in your basement, that’s your next best bet. Otherwise, cover these items securely with a tarp so they aren’t exposed to the elements.

Prepare your gutters and trim back branches

Nobody wants to drag out a ladder to clean out leaves, pinecones, twigs, and other outdoor debris from their gutters. But it’s something you don’t want to overlook. If you have clogged gutters, moisture from melting snow and ice will be trapped on the roof of your home. This can lead to damaged shingles and roofing panels, ice dams, and issues for your siding if the melting precipitation drips down the side of your home. Now is also the perfect time to trim back branches that may be hanging over your roof. A strong gust of wind could knock a loose limb onto your home and cause serious damage.

Check your smoke/carbon monoxide (CO) detectors

Don’t forget to check the functionality of your emergency alarms. If your smoke and CO detectors operate on batteries, now is a great time to replace them. Press the “test” button on the detectors to be sure they make a loud sound that can be heard easily by your family. If any alarm needs to be replaced, they can generally be found at your local hardware or home improvement store, or even some grocery stores.

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