It’s the time of year when we take time to celebrate with family and to enjoy some of the simpler joys in life. No one wants to be caught unprepared during these darker months, so focus on getting the following tasks out of the way so your winter season is all you intend.

Light it up. Set up some timers for a lamp or exterior lights so you don’t come home in the dark each night. Not only does it help make your home look nice, but it will also help deter unwanted visitors from approaching your home with mal intent.

Decorate. It’s a seasonal thing that brings so much joy! Get your decorations out, check to see if any bulbs are not working, and get to decorating!

Rake leaves. We’re in the home stretch of seasonal raking. Most of the leaves are on the ground already, so one or two more collections and you can put your rake away until next year. If you wonder why picking up leaves is important, here’s some information on what happens to your grass if you leave them.

Replace the furnace filter. If you haven’t already done so this fall, replace the filter in your furnace so you’re not blowing dust and debris around or making your furnace work harder than necessary.

Cover outdoor faucets. Don’t risk a frozen water pipe – outdoor faucet covers are inexpensive and simple to put on and well worth the investment and effort. If you need to use the water faucet often throughout the winter, consider having a frost-free outdoor faucet installed.

Clean the garbage disposal. Pour a half a cup of baking soda into the disposal and follow it with a cup of white vinegar. The baking soda and vinegar will react into frothy bubbles. When it’s done bubbling, pour a pot of boiling water down the disposal and let it sit for about five minutes. Then run water to rinse out the disposal. No more stinky sink!

Stock up on water. Winter is a good time to ensure you have plenty of water on hand should we experience power outages. This time of year it’s smart to have extra on hand in case guests are in residence.

Check Your guest supplies. This is the time of year when many of us have someone staying in our guest room. In advance of their arrival, be sure your guest bed is cozy and that the bedding is sufficient for a comfy stay, along with evaluating the items in your guest bathroom to ensure they’re still in date and that you’re not missing something that would make their stay extra nice.