Before Daylight Saving Time Ends, Do These 7 Things Around Your Home

Check your fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Take 10 minutes to test the fire and carbon-monoxide detectors around your home. Grab a step stool or ladder, and consider wearing a set of headphones in case you accidentally trigger the alarm in the process. Once you're up there, replace batteries as needed.

Flip your mattress.

Perhaps you've heard that the start and end of Daylight Saving Time is the time to flip or rotate your mattress. While some consider this advice outdated (depending upon the type of mattress), it's still a good way to extend its life. A mattress made with memory foam may not need a full flip, but it'll still benefit from a 180-degree rotation. If you have a classic spring mattress, consider giving it the full flip-and-rotate so all sides of the mattress wear evenly.

While you're at it, go ahead and clean your mattress.

Clean your coffee machine.

If you have a Keurig, follow our Keurig cleaning guide and, for a traditional drip coffee maker, watch our step-by-step video to complete the process. With more sunlight in the morning and better-tasting coffee, your morning routine is about to greatly improve.

Clean your furnace filters and AC vents.

As your home switches from blasting the AC to cranking up the thermostat, it's a great time to check on your air conditioner and furnace. The best time to inspect your air conditioner is in the spring before hot weather starts, but if you haven't looked at yours in a while, follow our air conditioner maintenance tips so your unit will be ready for summer.

Clean out the dryer vent.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, about 2900 clothes dryer fires are reported each year, with more of these fires occurring in the fall and winter months, and peaking in January. To prevent a fire, clean out your dryer vent ductwork this weekend, and be sure to clean out the lint filter every time you use the dryer.

Take stock of your medicine cabinet.

Typically, this is the time of year we recommend getting ready for cold and flu season. Toss out (safely, of course) any meds that are expired and stock up on the basics, as well as tissues and vapor rub. Also, check if your local drugstore or health clinic is offering flu shots. (They're often free or available for a small fee.)

Clean the gutters.

Once the leaves have fallen off the trees, it's time to clean out the gutters. In winter, icicles serve as the telltale sign that your gutters haven't been cleaned. While icicles may look cute, it's a sign of clogged gutters that could cause water to pool, potentially damaging the foundation of your home. If you don't want to do the dirty work yourself, hire a pro.