--- title: "Stay Safe This Autumn: Smart Preparations for Fall and Winter" description: With all the enjoyment these fall-time activities bring, the season also presents its own set of risks and dangers to beware of and prepare for accordingly image: https://life.dortonline.org/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Stay%20Safe%20This%20Autumn%20Tips%20for%20Older%20Adults.jpg --- - Banking - [Checking](https://dortonline.org/checking/) - [Boost Checking](https://dortonline.org/checking/boost/) - [Rates](https://dortonline.org/savings-and-investing-rates/) - [Certificate](https://dortonline.org/certificates/) - [Savings](https://dortonline.org/savings/) - [Online/Mobile Banking](https://dortonline.org/online-banking/) - [Fees](https://dortonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Consumer-Fee-Disclosure6-24.pdf) - Borrowing - [Vehicle Loans](https://dortonline.org/vehicles/) - [Loan Rates](https://dortonline.org/loan-rates/) - [Home Loans](https://dortonline.org/mortgages/) - [Home Equity](https://dortonline.org/home-equity/) - 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[Housekeeping](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/housekeeping),[At Home](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/at-home),[Lifestyle](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/lifestyle),[Outdoor Activities](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/outdoor-activities),[Safety](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/safety) # Stay Safe This Autumn: Smart Preparations for Fall and Winter [![Living50+](https://life.dortonline.org/hubfs/Artboard%201.svg) Living50+](https://life.dortonline.org/content/author/living50) calendar icon Oct 13, 2026, 1:22:01 PM · Reading time 6 [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/safe-autumn-smart-preparations-fall-winter&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/safe-autumn-smart-preparations-fall-winter&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/safe-autumn-smart-preparations-fall-winter&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/safe-autumn-smart-preparations-fall-winter&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) Fall brings plenty to look forward to, from changing leaves and outdoor outings to the first gatherings of the holiday season. It also brings work around the house, shorter daylight hours, colder weather, and the first signs of winter. Taking care of a few seasonal preparations now can reduce the chance of falls, fires, weather-related trouble, and rushed decisions later. Use these tips to make your home, car, schedule, and outdoor plans safer for the months ahead. ## **House Check-Up** ![pexels-scott-webb-1029599 (1)-1-1](https://7364579.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7364579/hubfs/pexels-scott-webb-1029599%20(1)-1-1.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=pexels-scott-webb-1029599%20(1)-1-1.jpg)Caring for your home in the fall not only spruces up your property but also protects it from the ravages of colder weather. Yet, many of the tasks involved carry extra risk for an older person. For example, if you have gutters, home maintenance experts recommend cleaning them at least once a year to prevent clogging, maximize their lifespan , and avoid damage to your house. The standard method of gutter cleaning requires standing on a ladder, a risky proposition for people of any age, but even more dangerous for seniors who might have strength and balance problems. The best advice for safe gutter cleaning is to hire a professional to do the job. Other fall house chores also need to be approached with safety in mind: - Leaf Clean Up – Falling leaves don’t at first appear to present safety risks, but don’t be so sure. If your property has many deciduous trees, unraked leaves, especially when wet, can increase the risk of slipping or tripping. Also, even though raking leaves seems like a fairly benign activity, it could be a lengthy and strenuous task to get them off the lawn. If you’re not used to prolonged outdoor manual labor or have health limitations, consider spreading leaf collection over several days, with plenty of rest periods and water breaks each session. - Sealing Windows – Older homes sometimes need an extra layer of protection over the windows in the form of plastic insulation. Easy-to-use kits make this job a snap, but handling large windows may require ladders or step stools, which older adults should use with extreme caution. - Fireplace and Chimney Maintenance – An open fire of crackling logs sets the perfect mood for a cozy fall or winter evening. To keep this cheery situation safe, clean wood-burning fireplaces and chimneys regularly. A fireplace is fairly easy to clear of cold embers and ash, but many people forget about the creosote that can build up inside a chimney after years of use and can easily cause a devastating house fire. Never try to take on the dangerous job of cleaning a chimney on your own. Always hire a professional to inspect and clean it if necessary. - Gas or Oil Appliance Safety – If you have any indoor appliances that use natural gas, propane, or heating oil, beware of dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. These include furnaces, stoves, and clothes dryers. Another CO risk is an attached garage, where a motor vehicle or gas generator could be a hazard. The best defense against CO problems in the home is to have a professional inspect your appliances and install smoke/CO detectors on all levels of the home. ## **Get Winter Gear Ready** Fall is the best time to prepare for winter. If you live in a cold climate, once frosty winds start to blow, you’ll want to be ready to stay safe around the house. - Place mats at each door to remove wet footwear and keep the floor dry to prevent slips. - Keep ice melt, salt, or sand available near the entry doors so you can walk safely outside. - Check that outdoor light bulbs are working as well as lights inside the garage. It’s a tough job to change light bulbs on a cold, dark night. - Inspect winter hats, coats, gloves, or mittens. Donate things you no longer need and buy weather-worthy replacements so can stay warm even on the coldest days. - Check your cold-weather footwear. Will they provide adequate protection against slipping? If in doubt, replace them with a pair that will help prevent a nasty fall on the ice. - If you use electric blankets or throws, inspect them for wear, particularly the electrical cords. Discard any items that have frayed wires. If you need to clear snow in your area, make sure all snow removal equipment is serviced and ready to go. Be aware, however, that snow removal is strenuous. [A study out of Canada](https://www.cmaj.ca/content/189/6/E235) found that in a review of storms with 7 to 8 inches of snow, hospitalization for heart attacks in men increased by 16%, and the risk of death by 34%. Consult your doctor before taking on any significant snow-clearing duties. The best policy may be to have someone else clear your sidewalks and driveway when it snows. Fall is also a time to get your space heater out of summer storage and check it over for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections. If wires are frayed, worn or damaged, discard the space heater or have it repaired by a professional. A further note about space heaters: they pose a disproportionate share of heating-related fire deaths. [The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission](https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Keep-Warm-and-Safe-This-Winter-Tips-for-Using-Generators-Furnaces-and-Space-Heaters) estimates that portable heaters, including electric space heaters, were involved in an average of 1,600 fires, 70 deaths, and 150 injuries annually from 2020 through 2022. When using electric space heaters, place them on level, flat surfaces at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Also, plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet and do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet. Finally, never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you’re leaving a room or going to sleep. ## **Prepare Your Car** ![artur-d-zdI7VVYIj8w-unsplash-1](https://7364579.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7364579/hubfs/artur-d-zdI7VVYIj8w-unsplash-1.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=artur-d-zdI7VVYIj8w-unsplash-1.jpg)Fall presents a terrific opportunity to prepare cars and other vehicles for winter. - Visit your local auto repair shop to have your vehicles inspected, any needed repairs made, and fluids topped off. - Get an oil change to ensure your oil is the proper weight for winter. - Make sure your tires have enough tread for the upcoming season, and if you have winter tires, have them installed before the first snow flies. Also, assemble a winter safety kit for your car in case you break down or get stranded because of the weather. Keep the kit in the back seat in case your trunk jams or freezes shut. This kit should include at a minimum, blankets or sleeping bags, additional warm clothes, a flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries, drinking water and high-calorie, non-perishable food (trail mix, energy/protein bar), sand or rock salt for traction, and a cell phone adapter and charged-up power banks.  ## **Adapt Your Schedule** ![weekly planner ](https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hub/7364579/hubfs/pexels-tara-winstead-6690924.jpg?width=300&name=pexels-tara-winstead-6690924.jpg)As the days get shorter, you'll have less time to safely run errands like grocery shopping and appointments in the light of day. Once darkness falls, many older adults have difficulty seeing clearly when driving or walking outside. For example, morning walks may need to begin later, which can affect a daily routine. Also, if you do walk outside in low-light conditions, wear clothing with reflective material so drivers can see you. If you just can't get all your errands done during these shorter days, skip shopping in person and arrange delivery for some items. Many pharmacies and grocery stores offer delivery, so you can get what you need by simply picking up a delivery at your front door. ## **Getting Ready for Holidays** ![grandmother bringing cooked turkey to table for Thanksgiving dinner](https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hub/7364579/hubfs/pexels-rodnae-productions-5847894.jpg?width=300&name=pexels-rodnae-productions-5847894.jpg)Autumn can also be a convenient time to prepare for the holidays. For example, even though it might feel too early, hanging holiday lights is better done during balmy fall days than in freezing weather when slipping on ice can be a hazard. If you’re using extension cords to connect the lights, secure them to the ground to prevent tripping. Also, use electrical outlets with ground-fault interrupters to prevent overloads. If you are expecting Halloween trick-or-treaters, make sure all pathways kids might use are clear of hazards that might cause them to trip as they run from house to house in the excitement of the night. As Thanksgiving approaches, think through what you’ll need to provide the best hospitality to your guests. Making sure you have enough of everything on hand will lessen the chance that you’ll have to make a rushed last-minute store run in poor weather or dark conditions. ## **Prepare for Outdoor Activities** If you enjoy the outdoors in fall and winter, it’s time to check over your equipment before you head outside. For example, downhill skiers should have their skis and boots evaluated at a local shop to make sure everything is AOK so they can safely hit the slopes. Some fall and winter activities involve small, enclosed spaces that are often CO risk areas. This can include tents, cabins, RVs, ice fishing enclosures, or warming huts. Check that any portable heating devices used in these structures are functioning properly, and provide adequate ventilation when using devices that burn any kind of fuel. Seasonal preparation is partly about knowing which tasks are worth doing yourself. Jobs that involve ladders, strenuous physical effort, or hazardous equipment may be safer in someone else’s hands. Focus your energy on the preparations you can complete comfortably, arrange help where the risk is higher, and give yourself more freedom to enjoy the season. *Prepare your home for the seasons ahead. Projects such as replacing windows, updating a heating system, improving exterior lighting, or repairing walkways can make your home more comfortable and easier to maintain. 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