With the nip autumn in the air and leaves on your lawn (and in your gutters) - it's time to winterize your home and family vehicles. These sites let you know what needs to be done, and how you can do it yourself in most cases.

http://www.pacificnet.net/mag/articles/hi09.html. This page has some excellent and very specific advice for all homeowners even though this list was created for California residents. Not only does it cover winterizing, you'll also find great basic energy conservation tips as well.

http://www.insure.com/home/wintertips.html. Who better than an insurance company to warn you about the possible damage winter can cause? This is a pretty typical list with a couple of exceptions. The hint about caring for your garage door and link to a story about frozen pipes make this one worth the visit.

http://www.allabouthome.com. The ServiceMaster folks have put together a wonderful house care site with hints and tips from other homeowners as well professional and experts. Read through the information provided and if you have a problem or question that isn't addressed, try their ''Ask the Expert'' service.

http://www.dem.dcc.state.nc.us/wintrrul.htm . This site by the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management covers both house and auto protection for the winter. In addition to those lists, this page provides advice for anyone caught in a winter storm.

http://www.wssc.dst.md.us/info/winterizetips.html. This advice is for anyone who will be leaving a home vacant during the winter months.

http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/e-resources/ebooks/records/7108.html. OK, this one has a really long address, but it offers specifics about winterizing your lawnmower - something people might well forget to do. Find out not only how, but why by reading this brief pamphlet.

http://money.cnn.com/2000/11/02/homeauto/qwinterize. From the experts at CNN, this site offers sound advice about getting your car ready for the snow and slush as well as winter weather driving tips. Checking your battery, tires and windshield wipers are a must, but hoses, heaters and other often neglected parts and systems can be just as vulnerable.

http://www.askmen.com/toys/cars/24carreview.html. This is a really good article from AskMen.com. This one takes the common sense approach to winter driving survival. I love the emergency kit equipment list offered here. (I use a tackle box filled with everything I'd need ''just in case.'')

Jan Perry is a Kentucky-based freelance writer. She welcomes your suggestions, questions and comments at SiteSeer2K@aol.com.