The leaves are falling, the temperatures are dropping, and the cozy comforts of home beckon — it must be October in the Mountains! Make the most of this month’s bountiful harvest by following this October home checklist and button down your house in preparation for winter. Then sit back, relax and warm your hands around a mug of hot apple cider. Fall is here!

1. Rake leaves.

To make quicker work of collecting leaves from a large lawn, rake the fallen foliage onto a large plastic tarp. Then bag it or add it to your compost pile.

2. Trim dead tree limbs.

Dead limbs are more likely to fall during winter storms, making them a potential safety hazard. Have an arborist inspect and trim large trees.

3. If you haven’t already, clean gutters and downspouts.

Wait until most of the leaves have fallen to schedule a rain gutter cleaning. Inspect gutters and downspouts for cracks and loose parts and make repairs as needed.

4. Neaten up the mudroom.

The back-to-school (and work) flurry can leave the mudroom looking as if a hurricane hit it. Sort through papers and put away stray summer items and extra coats. Clean the floors and invest in a new doormat if needed. Keep a recycling basket near the entrance to make sorting mail and school papers easier, and dedicate a tote or bin for items that need to be returned (like library books).

5. Keep seasonal decorating low-key with natural finds.

Pumpkins and gourds, fresh heirloom apples, quinces, pomegranates, figs and fall foliage all make wonderfully simple decor.

6. Maintain your wood stove or fireplace.

If you have a fireplace or wood stove, it’s essential for safety that you have it serviced before lighting the first fire of the season. If you haven’t done so already, schedule an appointment to have your chimney inspected and, if necessary, cleaned.

7. Check safety devices.

Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the house and replace batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on the kitchen fire extinguisher and replace it if needed.

8. Start a gift list.

It may seem like the holidays are a long way off — but that’s why it pays to start getting organized now. Start a list of everyone you plan to give gifts to this year. Then, as ideas strike, jot them down on your list. You can also use your list to keep track of a holiday gifting budget. And if you want to make any gifts by hand, October is a great time to get started — handmade gifts always seem to take longer to make than expected.

9. Cover or store outdoor furniture and grills.

If you plan to leave your patio furniture or grill outside through the fall and winter, cover them well and stow them beneath an overhang that will protect them from rain and snow. Even if you live in a mild climate, covering your grill between uses is a good idea to protect the finish.

10. Shut off exterior faucets and store hoses for winter.

Disconnect, drain and roll hoses before storing them for the winter. Shut off the water supply to exterior faucets to prevent frozen pipes.

Fall is another great time to meet with your local agent to go over your homeowners policy. Make sure you know what is covered and be sure to communicate property changes to your agent.

Find your nearest Farm Bureau Insurance Agent!

Information from Houzz Contributor, Laura Gaskill