We have all, just recently, set our clocks back, but have you taken the time to do the little things around the house to make sure it is ready for the long winter ahead? This is a good time to replace the batteries in your wall clocks, bedroom alarm clocks that have a battery back-up feature, programmable thermostate and other electronics that require batteries. It is also a good time to change the batteries in the keypad for your garage door opener and the remote opener in your car.
In addition to changing batteries in your electronic appliances and devices, you should always change the batteries in your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors whenever we have a time change. While you are at it make sure your fire extinguishers are ready for use by checking that the gauge is in the "green" zone, which means it has the proper amount of pressure. You should also check to make sure the pin is intact and the nozzle isn't obstructed.
It is also a good time to test and change the light bulbs around the exterior of the house to make sure you are ready for the extra use your lights get during the dark winter months.
Consider changing the bulbs that get the most use to light-emitting diode bulbs, which are much brighter than incandescent bulbs and can last tens of thousands of hours longer.
Also, remember to swap out those yellow "bug" lights you used during the summer on the porch or deck. No one likes to see yellow snow!
Change your furnace filter and clean or change the drum, pad or sponge in your humidifier, and turn the water valve to your humidifier on. Then switch the metal arm on your duct work near the furnace to "W" (winter) from "S" (summer). This enables the warm air from the furnace to flow through the humidifier during the winter.
While you are in the furnace room, clean out the tank of your water heater to keep it working efficiently.
You can clean the sediment that builds up by using 2 gallons of canning-strength vinegar (5 percent) per 30-gallon water heater. Turn off the burner, drain the tank and pour in the vinegar through the anode rod hole, usually found on top of the tank. As with any home project, check your owner's manual if there is any question. Let the vinegar soak in the water heater for two hours. Rinse out the tank, then refill it with water and turn on the burners.
Obviously, when we switch to standard time, it means the winter weather isn't far behind. So the sooner you get these little projects behind you, the sooner you can start shopping for those tickets to Florida! (Adopted for http://detnews.com)
