Get Suped up for September

With the start of the school year upon us, there's no better time to get your home ready for fall and winter. In Ohio that could mean anything, weather-wise, so why not prepare now?

Some easy steps to take indoors while you're feeling some of the fall breezes blow through the house are:

1. Check your smoke alarms: It's less often you'll find a wired smoke alarm in a home as most modern ones have batteries. There is typically a 'test' button on the back of them and when you press it, the alarm should sound - the louder, the better, because it means it's working! If not, head to your local Lowe's or Home Depot and they sell two-packs for a decent savings. Even if you're just replacing one alarm, having a back-up brings peace of mind.

   
   

2. Carbon Monoxide alarms are a great addition to the home. The extra feeling of security we have by keeping one in the kitchen is comforting. It plugs directly into an outlet on the wall so there's no added worry about batteries failing and not detecting an issue.

   
   

3. Check the tub lining. If you're in your tub and shower often enough, you'll notice the seal around the edges. If you're seeing any gaps between the tub and the wall, then you're seeing the chance for moisture to seep behind and sit - over time this accumulation of moisture could cause wood rot or mold growth. An easy fix is to get a bath caulk and run that along the edge of your tub or shower. If you mess up initially, you can use a wet rag and wipe away any excess to restart. It takes a little getting used to but you'll get the hang of it and you'll feel much better about going into the upcoming seasons being protected from water damage.

Check back in for some late summer outdoor cleaning and organizing tips!