October is here, and fall is in full swing across Chester County. From pumpkin carving and haunted houses to harvest festivals, cooler weather, and more – October is a time of change and activity in our area. With so much to do and seemingly less time every day, here are some quick reminders to help get the most out of this autumnal season.
Home maintenance checklist
As more extreme weather rolls in, it’s time to prepare our homes for winter. From cleaning up leaves and changing décor to changing batteries and automated services, there’s a ton to remember this time of year. Here’s a quick checklist to help you stay organized while you winterize your home:
- Clear the roof of debris and check for damage.
- Clear the gutters of debris and check for damage.
- Remove summer screens and batten down windows for winter.
- Clear harborage from garden beds along the home and check for damage.
- Regularly clear leaves and other debris from walking paths to limit slip hazards.
- Prepare pest control options in and around the home.
- Further from the home, prepare landscaping for spring plantings.
- Bring in hoses and turn off outdoor water sources, including spigots and sprinklers.
- Bring in summer decorations and swap to more sturdy décor.
- Ensure snow shovels and salt are accessible without having to trudge through snow and ice.
- Maintenance your heating system before you need to use it.
- Ensure you have sufficient supplies to be stuck at home for a few days.
- Update your automated systems, like lights and HVAC. If you can set your automation around sunrise and sunset, that will save having to change them again when Daylight Savings strikes.
- Swap out the batteries in detectors, like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Ensure automobiles are winterized, from tires to fluids, and snow equipment is in each vehicle.
- While driving around, be on the lookout for animals on the roadways. Daylight is shifting, and there is an increased presence of animals during commuting hours.
When in doubt, professionals can help. There’s plenty of fun in our region this season, and missing out because you’re trying to bite off more than you can chew is the worst way to enjoy autumn. From climbing onto the roof to pest control to landscaping, there are some tasks best left to the pros.
Those of you who are familiar with my blog may recognize some of these tips. In years past, I’ve gone into further detail about many of these maintenance tips. Check out my articles “Winterizing your Home” and “5 More Tips for Autumn Enjoyment” for more comprehensive breakdowns of why and how these tips can help you. As technology has advanced, I’ve included a few new tips. Can you spot the differences?
Harvest Season Activities
There’s plenty to do in Chester County this fall, too. From football to fall fests, and everything in between, there’s autumnal fun for everyone. I’ll be in my usual spot Saturdays over at West Chester University for football and their world-class marching band. What’s your favorite fall activity? Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the season! Check out these autumnal events around our county for spooky inspiration.
- Malvern – Oktoberfest – October 5
- Kennett – Kennett Brewfest – October 5
- Downingtown – Fall Fest – October 6
- Oxford – Crossroads Bluegrass Music Festival – October 13
- Coatesville - Pumpkin Palooza – October 18/19
- Yellow Springs Village Open House and Fall Festival – October 20
- Phoenixville – Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat – October 26
- Colonial Theatre – Nosferatu (1922) with live organist – Oct 27
- West Chester – Harvest Festival – October 27
- Township Trunk or Treat – all across the region – Oct 26/27
- More events in our are can be found on Macaronikid.com here.
Dates to Remember
With so much going on this season, it can be easy to miss important dates. Here are a few opportunities to be involved in local government and important dates to remember over the next month.
- Final 2024 Household Hazardous Waste Collection in West Chester – Oct 5
- Chester County Planning Commission Public Remarks on the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing grant - Oct 9
- Daylight Savings - November 3
- Voting Day - Nov 5
Make sure you’re ready for winter and take advantage of some of the fun and events across our region this year. With so much to do so close to home, I hope you’re able to enjoy the harvest season and all the bounty that brings!
