According to photographer Ian Spanier, “Firefighters are the unsung local heroes of every community.” Enjoy these portraits of those who willingly respond when the alarm sounds.

Are you ready for cooler weather? Each fall, there are some important home maintenance tasks that you can do to save energy, make your home safer, and reduce the chance of a costly wintertime home repair disaster. Here are some of the most important things you should consider doing before winter hits:

Check your carbon monoxide detectors. Install units if you don’t have them. If you do have them, make sure they are working properly. Carbon-monoxide leakage from a gas furnace can be a real health and safety hazard. Inspect your fire detectors while you’re at it, too.

Reverse your ceiling fans. Warm air rises, so switching your fan’s blades so they run in a clockwise direction after you turn on your heat will push warm air back down into the room. This can save on heating costs, especially in rooms with high or vaulted ceilings.

Caulk around windows and doors. Caulk doesn’t cost a lot, but can make a real difference in terms of energy savings throughout your home

Divert water away from your home. It’s easy to add extensions to your home’s downspouts so that water runs at least three to four feet away from your home. Doing so can prevent too much water from pooling near your foundation and entering your home.

Want to learn more about other fall maintenance tasks that can save you money and headaches all winter long? Check out this informative slide show.

Utah is a great place to run a business or find a job. The folks at Money magazine think the Beehive State is a pretty great place to live, too! Utah is figured prominently in one of the magazine’s most prestigious quality-of-life ranking.

Three Utah cities made the magazine’s list of the 50 Best Places to Live: America’s Best Small Towns.

Davis County’s Farmington scored the highest of the three Utah cities at No. 14, followed by Draper (No. 25) and Utah County’s Lindon (No. 29).

Money magazine lauded Farmington for its outdoorsy charm, which includes 115 miles of bike and hiking trails. It also mentioned the $200 million Station Park development, which combines office space, housing, stores, and restaurants.

Draper was also lauded for its outdoor recreation, including walking, biking, and equestrian trails, and the plethora of major employers and job opportunities. The magazine highlighted Lindon’s super-low unemployment rate and its high livability.

Turns out men and women have some very different views on cars. Check out the results of this study: