I have received product and compensation from Energizer to facilitate this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My experience may differ from your own. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
It’s almost time to set our clocks back! Those of us that participate Daylight Savings Time (that’s everyone but Arizona) will set our clocks back one hour on this Sunday, or as most of us do, before we hit the hay on Saturday night. Then you pray that the kids actually let you sleep for that extra hour.
Twice a year we change our clocks, and it’s also a little tickler for us to do some other things around the house. I’ve partnered with Energizer to bring you this list of things we do and welcome your suggestions too. A twice per-year checklist is one we can actually complete, right?!
10 Things to Do When You Set Your Clocks Back
Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
This is #1 on the list every single time, and we don’t even have to think about it. Change Your Clock Change Your Batteries™.
Despite the fact that an increasing number of homes have smoke alarms and smoke detectors, the National Fire Protection Association reports that 71% of smoke alarms which failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries.
WHAT? 71%?? This is really not okay. A smoke alarm is the first line of defense in keeping your family safe in the event of a fire and this is SO EASY to do. Please take the time to grab your Energizer batteries and chance them in every one of your smoke detectors this weekend. (And if you’re too short to reach like I am, get some help. No excuses!) Energizer and International Association of Fire Chiefs are encouraging everyone to use that extra hour you gain this weekend to take lifesaving action. They’ve been spreading this message together for 29 years, trying to keep our families safer.
What else do you have in your home to keep you safe that’s battery operated? Flashlights, an alarm system, home devices? We have so much tech now that we rely on. Our thermostat is connected to our WiFi and we can change the temperature in our home right from our phone. I know ‘connected homes’ are increasingly popular. Make sure all of these devices actually work when you need it to by taking the time to pop in new Energizer batteries this weekend. They provide a variety of battery sizes and products that power these connected home gadgets.
Do it, do it, do it! Just change those batteries and go to bed (and get that extra hour of sleep!) knowing that your family is a bit safer.
Bring in your patio furniture and anything else you don’t want to leave outside all winter.
Still have your potted plants and summer doormats out? It’s time to accept that winter is coming and get your yard in order. Bring in the deck furniture, any outdoor ground lighting you down
Change your furnace filter.
Do you need your vents cleaned? Do you need to order a supply of heating oil? These are not only a sort of home maintenance tip, but also a money-saving tip. You’ll be cranking up the heat soon enough and a clean filter will allow your furnace to run more efficiently, saving you money. Double win!
If you need to order oil, do that before you actually need it. Do like the Boy Scouts and be prepared.
If you fertilize your yard this is the time to put winterizer down.
It’s also a good time to do some pruning. This is really my husband’s domain and he takes care of this every fall. Give the yard one more treatment if that’s something you invest in, and fall or early spring is the best time to prune. We usually do a little now, and a little in the spring. Some of our plants still provide a bit of wind protection to house and we’ll leave those ‘long’ so to speak until spring.
Seal up any drafts around doors and windows before it gets cold.
Another place that drafts come in that you may not have thought of is around electrical outlets. You can buy insulators for these and fix that little leak very quickly. Do what you can to tighten up your house so the heat you’re using doesn’t make its way right out the window.
Get your car ready for colder weather.
Change the windshield wipers, make sure you’re stocked with a blanket, ice scraper, and emergency kit, and check your tires. Throw an extra set of gloves in there while you’re at it. How many times are you out with the kids over the winter and no one has brought proper accessories? No, just me?
Start thinking about your gift lists for the holidays.
Even if you don’t know what you want to buy for everyone yet, make a list of who you’re buying for. You can fill it in with ideas as you think of them, then cross them off as you buy. It’s a good idea to grab a few gifts that are a good fit for anyone, typically a food item, because you might just find yourself needing an extra for someone that you didn’t plan on.
Make sure the kids have hats and gloves and a winter coat that fits.
It will get cold suddenly and you’ll be glad you’re prepared! I know my kids have outgrown last year’s winter boots and this is something that I don’t even think about until the first snow when I realize they don’t have boots to play in. I’ve learned to check this stuff ahead of time to avoid a lot of disappointment.
Do you need to spend any money left in your HSA or FSA?
Schedule any doctor appointments you want to squeeze in before the end of the year. If you’re met your deductible, get those appointments done before it resets January 1.
Make any charitable donations you want to make this year.
Just a couple months left to make those count for the current year. Keep your records for tax purposes. Ah, we have that to look forward to, too!
Number 1 on this list is the most important.
All of these other items are reminders, good ideas, and tips for a smart start to the winter season. Changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and any other important home devices is a matter of your family’s safety. Don’t skip that one. Energizer makes it easy with a variety of batteries that fit all of your devices.
Get the kids involved in good fire safety habits in your home with these fun coloring and activity pages.
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