Will your house be ready for the changing season? Preparing your home and yard ahead of autumn's arrival gives you the advantage. Here are six important tasks to tackle before Labor Day rolls around.

Care for the trees -- Removing dead limbs in late summer when the weather is nice can prevent potential damage during winter storms. If your trees need pruning, wait until winter when they're latent; fall pruning can do more harm than good by distributing fungi spores to other trees.

Maintain the yard -- Just because plants are about to go dormant doesn't mean there isn't work to be done in the yard. Mulching, fertilizing and planting in late summer and early fall can ensure a productive winter and bountiful spring.

Paint the interior -- If you've been putting off giving your home's interior a fresh coat of paint, now may be the time to get it done. Tackle painting while the weather allows for open windows and easy ventilation.

Clean windows and gutters -- They can be hard to see at first glance, but exterior windows often get cloudy over the course of the year and gutters can gunk up with leaves and debris. While the weather is mild, roll up your sleeves to remove buildup from both.

Give attention to the furnace and fireplace -- These two heating sources should be ready for you when you need them. Ensure the chimney and flue are in working order, and schedule preventive maintenance for your home heating system.

Reduce energy waste -- Avoid winter drafts by preventing them before they happen. Check for air leaks around windows and doors, and seal them up with caulk and weatherstripping.