PERSONAL CHALLENGE - Get Organized in 2009

• As you put away summer clothing, select items that you can donate or toss.  Clean and repair the rest before storing in dust-free containers. 
• Keep like things together and label the containers for easy retrieval next summer.

2.  Clean and prepare summer tools, furniture, and gear for winter storage

• Just like clothing, the summer tools should be purged, repaired and cleaned prior to storage for the winter.
• Acquire covers for furniture left out to the winter elements.  Extra large garbage bags can adequately cover chairs or umbrellas.
• If you store items in a shed be sure to keep like with like.  Put the gardening equipment in one area, the pool supplies in another.  Label the shelves to make finding items easier.
• Put containers that might leak in plastic tubs (labeled) and check the container for safe storage guidelines.
• Many areas offer free disposal of hazardous materials (paint, pesticides, oil, etc.)  Watch for these in your local paper and note the disposal date on your calendar.

• As you are closing up the outside living, you need to evaluate the inside living as well.  Assess and test your heating system, chimney pipe, propane tanks and connections.  Now is the time to do maintenance before the service companies get busy.
  Check smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.  Replace batteries at the same time each year, whether they need it or not!  Check level of fire extinguishers, recharge or buy new ones if necessary. 
• Bring out warm blankets and refresh by running through the dryer with a fabric softener sheet.  If blankets were not cleaned before storage, now is the time to do that.
• Purge any summer clutter that has gathered and make room for life indoors.

GOOD TIPS, READS & LEADS