Most of the United States will be turning their clocks back one hour for “Daylight Savings Time” this coming Sunday, and I thought it would be a good time to mention a few quick and easy home improvement projects you can with that all that “extra” time you have!

We’ve been taught for years to replace the batteries in our home fire detectors during this time, but there are actually a lot of fast things you can do to get your house ready for colder weather. Though it may not be much fun, when the leaves begin to fall you’ll want to think about how the upcoming snow and ice will affect the inside and exterior of your home. When the cold weather hits you may not have a chance to accomplish some of these do-it-yourself projects. Senior citizens may want to start some of these winterization projects early so there is plenty of time to hire a professional if needed.

Install new Batteries: You might want to buy a decent pack of spare batteries and go around your house replacing them as you find them. There are many more battery-powered things in your house now than there use to be. All sorts of digital thermostats, monitors and flashlights operate almost exclusively on AA or AAA batteries now.

Check your heat system: Be sure to inspect your heat system at least one time each year. If you aren’t comfortable checking your furnace yourself, don’t be afraid to call in an expert. Some heating repair companies offer sales or special deals for senior citizens and yearly customers. Remember: it’s less expensive to pay for regular heating system maintenance than to take out a new bank home loan to pay for a new furnace! The only thing worse than being stuck without AC in the summer is being stuck without heat in the winter. If your heat isn’t working, then you’ll want to try some basic heating system troubleshooting steps.

Stock up on some needed winter supplies: Older people may also want to stock up on canned food, dry goods and even medication ahead of time just in case a big winter storm hits. It’s always a smart idea to buy winter tools like snow shovels and ice melt earlier in the season because supplies are usually gone once the snow hits. There are some special supplies you only use around your house during the winter months. You might want to order firewood, heating oil or propane before a real cold snap hits.

Most of these things are practical steps you can take to prepare your home for winter. It is best to prepare your house for the cold and snow before the really nasty weather hits. Senior citizens living in their own home will especially want to be vigilant about preparing for the colder months. Most of the above home projects only take a few minutes, but can save you hundreds of dollars in possible repairs and may even save your life!

Want some more ideas? These are just some of the 50 Daylight Savings Home Improvement Projects I can think of!