You’ve seen the signs. There’s a chill in the air. Button-up plaid shirts have made their yearly comeback. Spooky jack-o-lanterns grin at you from the front porches in your neighborhood. Fall has arrived, and with it, the end of Daylight Savings Time (DST). Here are a few friendly reminders to help you prepare.
Turn back the clocks.
This year, DST officially ends on Sunday, November 3. That’s the Sunday after Halloween, so you’ll get an extra hour on the weekend to watch scary movies! Just don’t forget to:
- Your cell phone will update automatically, so no worries there. However, you’ll need to set any alarm clocks, wall clocks, stove clocks, car clocks and microwave clocks back an hour manually. Do it on Sunday evening before heading to bed so you don’t wake up in a panic on Monday, thinking you’ve slept in an extra hour. Gaining an extra hour of sleep should be a welcome experience, not a cause for extra anxiety.
Make the most of that extra hour.
- Schedule bi-yearly home maintenance. The end of DST marks a great time to catch up on home maintenance activities that need to be done twice a year. This includes things such as:
o Change the batteries in your smoke alarms. You want your family and home to be safe, so ensure your smoke alarms are in good working order and change their batteries if they’re not hard-wired. This also goes for carbon monoxide detectors.
o Change your home’s air filters. Unless you’re really on your game, your home’s air filters are likely due for a change. Keep the air clean and your heating system efficient by replacing them at least once every six months.
o Clean the gutters. It’s a great time of year to make sure your gutters are cleared. They could be clogged with leaves, and it’s better to do it now than to wait until winter. Nobody wants to be up on a ladder cleaning frozen sludge out of the gutters.
o Clean the oven. It’s holiday season, and you’ll want a clean oven before all the hams, turkeys and casseroles need to be baked. Most ovens have a self-clean setting, so try that first and then go in with some heavy-duty cleaners if it’s still dirty.
- Restock emergency medical supplies. If it’s been a year since you’ve stocked up on first aid supplies, now would be a great time to re-supply. Get some more Band-Aids, bandages, alcohol pads, over-the-counter medicines that may have expired, and other first aid supplies. That way, you’re not scrambling to the pharmacy (or clinic) when life’s little emergencies happen.
So, enjoy your extra hour of sleep. If you take our advice, not only will you be well-rested but also well prepared for the upcoming winter months.
Craftmark Homes has been serving the Washington, D.C. area for more than 27 years. If you’re in the area and are thinking about buying a home, contact us to go over your options. With a wide variety of floor plans and communities throughout the area, you’re sure to find something you’ll love. Take the first step toward finding your dream home.