Autumn has arrived, and before the weather turns cold and harsh, there are several things you can do to prep your house for the winter months. With good preventative maintenance, many expensive home repairs can be avoided or minimized.

Here is a checklist of things you may want to review or address in the upcoming weeks:

-Change or clean furnace filter and water filters

-Inspect storm windows for any signs of deterioration and make necessary repairs

-Remove bird nests from chimney flues and outdoor electrical fixtures

-Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

-Disconnect hoses from outside spigots

-Set thermostats and ductwork dampers for winter

-Remove fallen leaves from gutters and downspouts