It will not be long before fall is in full swing. As kids begin to head back to school and the temperatures start their slow crawl downward, now is the time to begin thinking about preparing your home for the season ahead. Before fall begins, it is a good idea to get your house ready for the weather elements. Here are five things that you need to do now to ensure that your house is ready for the arrival of fall.

Check Your Windows and Doors

As the mercury begins to plummet, you are going to want to make sure that your home is staying as warm and cozy as possible. As you get your home ready for the season ahead, be sure to check all of your windows for possible drafts or leaks. An easy way to check for drafts is to light a candle and hold it around the seals in the doors and windows. If you notice the flame flickering, there is a good chance that you have a draft.

You can repair this by replacing the seals and using caulking around the frames of the windows and the doors. You may also find good results with insulated drapery. If you do not already have one, a programmable thermostat will also help you to save money on utility bills.

Prepare for Power Outages

With the arrival of fall comes the arrival of blustery weather. To prepare your home for the storms, you are going to need to ensure that you are ready for potential power outages. If you live in a rural area that frequently sees power outages in the fall and winter, this is a good time to start thinking about investing in an emergency generator. If you already own a generator, use this time to make sure that it is working properly. Because the fall is when people begin using fireplaces, you should also check all of your carbon monoxide and smoke detector batteries and make sure these home safety devices are working properly.

Give Your Yard Some TLC

There are a number of things that you need to do in the waning days of summer to prepare your yard for the seasonal changes ahead. Keep in mind that greenery grows significantly during the summer months, necessitating that you trim back trees, shrubs, bushes, and other plants. Trimming the trees is particularly important if they are getting too close to power lines or your roof.

Before you head indoors for the season, you may also want to consider applying a fall lawn fertilizer. This will help to prevent the damage to the yard that typically occurs in the winter while also serving as a protection against spring weeds. The early days of fall are also the time to plant spring bulbs. If you live in a particularly cool climate, be sure to bring in all flower pots or other types of seasonal items such as patio furniture.

Inspect the Exterior of the Home

You never know what weather the fall and the winter will bring, making it important that you do what you can now to prepare for possible storms. Start with your water drainage systems to make sure that there are no obstructions. You can then move on to inspecting the roof. Things that you need to look for include damaged shingles or cracks. You should also clear the roof of any debris that may have accumulated. Do not forget to clean the gutters at the same time.

Air Conditioning and Humidfier Maintenance

Do not neglect your air conditioning and humidifier system while prepping your home for the upcoming fall and winter. If your home has central air conditioning and you know that you will not be using it in the months ahead, you should think about covering the outdoor unit. If you use window units, you need to take them out to prevent air leaks. Use this time to also replace old filters and clean your humidifier.

While it is not fun to have to perform all of these tasks, you will be thankful that you took the time once the cool and stormy weather begins to set in.