7 Essential Home Tasks You Should Do Before Daylight Savings Ends

Fall is officially here; temperatures are dropping, and the holiday season is just around the corner. But before you dive into shopping and cooking, it’s time to get your house in order. Whether you live in a cold climate or someplace more temperate, doing these tasks can not only prevent potential problems in the coming months but also help you get more organized before the winter festivities begin. Here are seven home tasks to complete before daylight savings time ends.

Remove Hoses from Exterior Faucets

After using your hose all summer, you probably still have it out—but it’s time to disconnect it. “In cold climates, one common thing people forget is to remove their hoses from exterior faucets,” explain professional handymen Tony Conz and Jamie Addie. “When you turn an outside faucet off, the valve is located much further back inside your house than you might think. This keeps the water in your home warm and away from the frosty air, preventing the pipes from freezing.”

Frozen pipes aren’t just an inconvenience, they can actually cause major damage. “If you leave the hose attached, it traps water outside the valve and leaves the pipes susceptible to bursting,” Conz and Addie say. “Homeowners who don’t remove their hoses cause themselves unnecessary stress and expense.”

Install Bib Covers on Exterior Faucets

Conz and Addie recommend installing bib covers before daylight savings time ends, especially if you live in a climate that has cold winters. “Bib covers are also a good idea in areas that experience extreme cold,” they explain. “These are small ‘blankets’ that encompass the exterior faucet, keeping the metal just a little bit warmer to prevent freezing.”

Update Smart Lighting Systems

Reprogramming automated lighting systems, smart bulbs, and timers as daylight hours change is the best way to update smart lights, according to cleaning and organizing expert Maria Anderson. “It helps add comfort and security, ensuring your home is well-lit during the darker evenings.”

Reconsider Your Winter Lighting Needs

It’s also a good time to evaluate other winter lighting needs in your home, explains Gabai. “With shorter daylight ahead, workspaces and common areas will receive less natural light,” she says. “You might need to add extra lighting; doing so can help create a functional and efficient space in the darker months.”

Check and Replace Detectors

The last thing anyone wants to discover during an emergency is a smoke or carbon monoxide detector that doesn’t work, so it’s best to prevent this problem before it occurs. “Daylight saving is a great time to check and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms,” Anderson says. “Make sure these devices are working to keep your home safe.”

Seasonal Gear Swap

Anderson also advises taking time to sort and swap out seasonal gear. “Pack away summer gear and make autumn and winter items easier to access,” she says. “Store them in clear, labeled bins for easy storage, making it easier to swap in the future.” It might be time to get rid of those pool floats and bring out those cross-country skis.

Draft-Proof Your Home

Does your home feel a little cool even though you don’t have the air conditioning on? Check your windows and doors. “As the weather cools, take the time to inspect windows and doors for air drafts,” Anderson suggests. “The application of weather stripping or the use of draft stoppers increases warmth and energy efficiency in a home.”