Cold Water Cash

To save money while washing clothes, try using cold water instead of hot water. Improved detergents and modern technology mean you need a lot less hot water for your laundry, and instead can use cold water.  Replace your old washing machine with a new energy efficient model and you can use cold water to save cold hard cash while washing your clothes.

Get Leg Up On Ladder Safety

 

This common household accident causes more that 150,000 emergency room visits each year and is one of the most common causes of falls.   Worn or improperly used ladders cause hundreds of thousands of serious injuries each year.  To stay safe, make sure your ladder has slip-resistant rungs and feet.  Inspect it for cracked uprights, split rungs or loose rivets.  When using an extension ladder, make sure the bottom is pulled away from the wall by at least one quarter of the height you need to work at (refer to the illustration above for proper setup)  and never stand on the top rung of any type of ladder.

Tip for your next paint project...

You think you’re ready to tackle that paint job – but do you have a rubber band?  You’ll need one.  Here’s why.  Stretch a heavy-duty rubber band across the top of the paint can, anchoring it at the handles.  When you wipe a paint-loaded brush across it, excess paint will land in the can rather than in the lip.  You’ll not only save paint, but re-sealing the lid will also be much easier. 

Season for Fires…

Winter months most common for fires

January is the peak month for residential fires.  When heating systems kick on, residential fires peak.  Not so surprisingly, February and December follow close behind as peak months for residential fires, but keep in mind that fire safety is important all year long.  If your furnace has not been inspected lately now is the time.  Practice fire drills and check potential danger areas at least every 3 months, and always remember to test the batteries in your smoke detectors. Taking these precautions can drastically lower the risk of a residential fire occurring in your home.

Ceiling Fan For Winter Warmth

Are you using your ceiling fan in the winter months? There is a spin on why you should. During the winter, set your ceiling fan to turn clockwise to move rising warm air, down into your room. When the weather heats up, set the fan to turn counter-clockwise for a cooling breeze.

Dryer Safety

Plastic is great for most things around the house - but NOT when it comes to your dryer vent hose.  Plastic exhaust hoses used by older dryers can collect lint and become a serious fire hazard.  Check your dryer hose today - if it's white and plastic, replace it immediately with a flexible metal vent.

Insulate Your Attic Stairs

Prevent Leaks to Keep House Warm

Imagine leaving a window open all winter long – the heat loss, the cold drafts, the wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair -- that may be just what is happening every single day.  But there is something you can do about it.  Products like PINKCap® Attic Stair Insulator from Owens Corning are designed to reduce heat loss from an attic ladder access opening. They are fully assembled and easy to install without any tools.  These lightweight products fit through the attic opening from below and slide into place to cover the opening and encase the retractable ladder.