Category: Restoration (Page 3 of 8)

Holiday Safety

November 8, 2017 / whalen

With all of the decorating, cooking, company and busy schedules it’s no secret that the holiday season brings a large increase in property damages and injuries. We’re here to help those numbers go down! Before you deck the halls, light the menorah or ring in the New Year with a crowd read this refresher on holiday safety.

Holiday Cooking Safety Tips

Think twice before frying your turkey. Yes, fried turkey is delicious, but it’s one of the most dangerous methods you could ever try. If you do plan on frying up the main course don’t overfill the pot, turn off the flame when you lower the turkey into the pot, fry outside far away from the house and shed on a flat, level surface that is not wood, make sure the turkey is properly thawed before dropping it, and keep a grease-fire-approved extinguisher (Class B Dry) close by just in case! See what can happen.
Don’t leave cooking food unattended. Cooking a turkey in the oven takes hours but please resist the urge to leave, even for just a few minutes. If baking, simmering, roasting, or broiling make sure to check on the food often and stay in the kitchen. If you need to step away even for a short period of time, turn it off.
If you have pots and pans on the stove make sure you turn the handles away from you, and keep kids and pets away from the stove and oven.
Make sure your fire extinguisher is not expired, that it’s fully charged, and remember the PASS instructions (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
Keep knives, matches, lighters, and hot things out of reach of children.
Keep your floors clear of tripping hazards.
If you end up with a fire in your oven turn the heat off and keep the door CLOSED.

Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

Location, location, location – Make sure decorations and candles are kept at least 3’ away from the reach of kids and pets. Keep your tree at least 3’ away from any heat source or electrical.
Keep your tree hydrated – A dry tree is a major fire danger. Preventing a fire starts with selecting a fresh tree that keeps its needles when touched. Lowe’s helps us select the perfect one! After you cut the tree to size you need to check it daily and add water as needed. Set yourself an alert on your phone to remind you, or purchase a Tree Nanny!
When the tree starts to lose needles and dry out make sure to quickly dispose of it away from your house, garage, or shed.
Before plugging them in inspect every inch of each string light to make sure there are no breaks or tears in the wiring. Discard damaged ones. Every string has a limit set by the manufacturer of how many can be connected together before you’re risking electrical shock or fire. Mark each set with a tag indicating that limit and connect no more than recommended.
The fire is so delightful but putting anything near it can end up frightful! Just as we said with the kids and candles you want to keep things clear of your fireplace as well. If you light fires under your mantle then hang your stockings elsewhere. Consider purchasing flameless candles instead of lighting real ones.
The Ooohs and Ahhhs for your outdoor display are not worth the risk of an overloaded electrical outlet. This coincides with only connecting the maximum amount of strings that the manufacturer recommends. Refrain from using extensions or outlet splitters.
If your string lights have loose connections toss them out.
Indoor or outdoor? – Pay close attention to the type of lights you’re buying and where they should be hung. If you’re not storing them in their original boxes make sure to label them for next year. Here are some great decoration storage ideas!
Before you leave the room or fall asleep make sure to turn off all lights and extinguish all flames first!
Use clips, not nails, to hang lights, like these Command Clear Decorating Clips.

November Home Maintenance

November 1, 2017 / whalen

We can smell the Turkey already! Within the hustle and bustle of planning your Thanksgiving holiday celebrations and Black Friday shopping lists, work in these maintenance items to stay on top of your game.

Daylight savings ends this month. Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when you change your clocks.
Shut off outdoor water spouts and empty hoses for storage.
Make sure everyone in the household knows where the main water shut-off is and how to use it.
Drain or stabilize the fuel from your gas powered lawn equipment that you won’t be using for the winter season and test your winter equipment.
Inspect your automatic garage door opener and lubricate it according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Reprogram your thermostats for the winter season and reverse the direction of your ceiling fans.
Clean your refrigerator inside and out removing all food, shelves, trays and old ice from the ice maker. Replace the baking soda.
Restock and update your severe weather emergency kit. Check expiration dates on first aid and supplies.
Back-up your computer files either on the cloud or on an external hard drive that you keep in a weather tight place.

Printable Version: November Home Maintenance Checklist

October Home Maintenanace

October 1, 2017 / whalen

Boo! Did I scare you? No? Well, these maintenance items aren’t so scary either. We’ll stick to providing good home maintenance advice and leave the scaring to the trick-or-treaters, haunted houses and horror films. Happy pumpkin spice EVERYTHING season!

Test all of your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
If you haven’t already done it from our June list, have your chimneys and wood stoves swept and inspected by a professional.
Add extra insulation to any exposed pipes in unfinished rooms that may drop below 65°F.
Vacuum and clean dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold-air returns.
Clean your windows and if they aren’t double pane replace screens with storm windows.
Once the leaves have fallen clear your gutters and downspouts. Consider replacing old gutters with new ones that include built-in leaf guards.
Clear your lawn of all debris from trees and shrubs. If the health of a tree looks questionable contact a tree professional and consider having it removed.
Check your windows and doors for air leaks and apply weather stripping and caulk where needed. Incense is a great tool for identifying the source of drafts. Don’t forget the basement!

Printable version: October Home Maintenance Checklist

September Home Maintenance

September 1, 2017 / whalen

School is in session! You may not have classes to attend but we do have some easy projects for you. Tackle these maintenance items now and enjoy recess for the rest of the month!

Test all of your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Have your heating system serviced and stock up on filters for heating season so that you have enough to change them every 4-6 weeks.
Visually inspect your exterior foundation, roof and siding for cracks, gaps and missing/loose shingles. Calk and seal as necessary.
Be on the lookout for season-end close-out sales on lawn and garden equipment.
Do any interior painting, carpet cleaning or carpet replacement while it is still warm enough to have the windows open.
Remove all paints, caulks and liquid materials from your garage or shed.
Check that the soil around your foundation slopes 4-6 inches for a distance of 3 feet from the foundation walls. If it doesn’t regrade the lawn.
Check your sump pump. Remove any debris and dirt from your sump pit, make sure the discharge line is free of obstructions and test the pump by pouring water into it. If it doesn’t pump out call a plumber for service.

Printable version: September Home Maintenance Checklist