Spring Forward to Daylight Savings Time...Great Time To Tackle These Tasks

    Whew! Fresh off of our Spring Forward...it is rough beginning to the week. My kids (and us
parents too) are exhausted and just out of sorts. It takes a week or so to get readjusted to our new reality for the next 6 months or so. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE the "extra" hour of daylight at the end of the day...well eventually I love it. It allows for more outside time (which I do love without any effort) and it's a great signal that spring is here! So, with that in mind, what else can we be doing during our semi-annual time change here in Kentucky. We "Spring Forward" in March and "Fall Back" in the fall. Here are some great tips! Check them out!

• Change Your Smoke Detector Batteries. (Tip: If your smoke detector is older than 10 years old, take this opportunity to replace it!) 
• Flip Your Mattress. (Tip: It is a great idea to flip your mattress every 6 months to extend the life of it. Also, don't forget to vacuum it after you flip it!)
• Change Your Filters. (Tip: To extend the life of your HVAC, schedule a semi-annual checkup and filter change. A little maintenance now will save you a ton in the long run.)
• Wash All Your Bedding (Including Pillows): (Tip: It's often a great time to replace worn bedding and pillows at this time of the year as closeouts are happening.)
• Clean Your Fireplace: (Tip: You are the beginning of Spring which signals that fire season is most likely over until next fall. It's the perfect time to clean it out for the season.)
• Switch the Direction of the Ceiling Fans: (Tip: Running your fan counterclockwise in the summer will bring cooler air into the room.)
• Clean the Pantry/Fridge/Freezer: (Tip: Perfect time to run through all foods and spices to check their expiration dates and to clear out unneeded or expired products.)
• Clean Out Vents (Tip: Don't forget the less obvious vents such as dryer vent, as well as behind the fridge and stove where dust collects.)
• Update Your Disaster Kit (Tip: March is the beginning of tornado season in our area. Update food stocks, medication, emergency plans, and emergency clothing sizes as needed.)
• Clean Out Medicine Cabinet (Tip: Check your expiration dates. Also, check for local events to properly dispose of old medications.)

      I hope this proves helpful to you. I find that a trigger such as daylight savings time helps me to remember certain important maintenance items around the home. Have I missed any? What is a routine of yours? I'd love to hear!

Have a great day,

Melissa Hall, Realtor

Rector Hayden Realtors