Autumn tips for your home

Autumn is here. Leaves are falling and the air is cooling. As we begin our shift from the summer months to the colder autumn months, here are a few safety considerations for you to think about.

Useful tips for your home

• Dry autumn weather is a great time to do any much needed painting. It's still warm enough to open windows for ventilation inside and cool enough to make exterior painting more pleasant;
• As the nights get darker home security timing devices on interior lights could deter would be intruders. Make sure you set the lights to come on and go off at different times so it looks as though someone is at home and don't forget to change the timers for when the clocks go back on the 26 October;
• Schedule any needed heater maintenance early, before peak use periods;
• Clean or replace heater and humidifier filters and clean the vents. This will increase efficiency and lower your energy bills;
• If you're going to use stand alone heaters make sure you leave at least three feet of space around your heater and unplug it when it's not being used;
• On chilly autumn mornings, avoid the temptation to warm the kitchen with a gas range or an open oven door. The un vented products of combustion can quickly build to toxic levels;
• During cold weather, your heater will be running and your windows will be closed, make sure you test your carbon monoxide detector.

Looking after your garden and outdoor area

• Security lighting and burglar alarms - Make sure that any burglar alarms and home security lighting systems are turned on, both at the front and the rear of your property. With good home security lighting both front and to the rear, it's going to make your home seem less of an attractive target;
• Clean and flush the gutters and down spouts before the rainy season starts;
• Call a professional to service your air conditioning unit if you have one;
• Fences and gates take a beating during the summer months. Check them for weather or insect damage and replace or repair any damaged parts, then repaint or refinish as needed and lubricate the hardware to protect from rust;
• Late autumn is a great time of the year to pile up your compost as we have our last grass cuts of the year, prune our shrubs and bushes and rake up all the leaves that fall off our trees.

Finally, if you're celebrating bonfire night at home, remember:

• Bonfires should be at least 18 metres (60ft) away from houses, trees, hedges, fences or sheds;
• Don't burn dangerous rubbish on the bonfire e.g. paint tins, aerosols;
• Use domestic firelighters;
• Never use petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids;
• Check the fireworks you buy are suitable for the size of the garden.