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March Home Maintenance

March 1, 2017 /

It’s officially March! Here on Cape Cod, we know that means we’re in for some yo-yo weather patterns and little hints of spring. Start your monthly maintenance to-do’s early and enjoy what the rest of the month has to bring!

Snow & Ice on Roof
  • Daylight savings begins this month. Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when you change your clocks.
  • Clean out your medicine cabinet. Safely dispose of dated prescriptions and over the counter medicines (please not in the toilet!). You might find a local collection drive by calling your police department.
  • Examine your washer machine hose washers. Shut off their water source, remove the supply hose, and replace any worn or damaged washers. Replace the hoses every 5 years.
  • Clean out the garage. Gather all hazardous materials to be tossed (paint thinners, cleaners, pesticides, etc.) and contact your city’s Department of Public Works to find out when the next collection date is.
  • Clean your refrigerator inside and out, removing all food, shelves, trays, and old ice from the ice maker. Replace the baking soda.
  • If you have one, test your sump pump by pouring water into it and making sure it pumps out.
  • Garbage disposal cleaner: Grind two trays of ice cubes made of 1 cup of vinegar and 1 gallon of water.
  • Planning on planting a garden this year? Start drafting up a diagram of the space you have. Research how much space each plant is going to need, and the best season to start them. You may even be able to start some of your seedlings indoors.

March Home Maintenance Checklist Printable Version

February Home Maintenance

February 1, 2017 /

Love is in the air… everywhere I look around ? Show your home and family that you really care by taking care of them! Where to start? How about our monthly checklists? Roses and candy are always nice, but imagine doing all of the chores and tackling all of the February home maintenance projects. Now THAT is labor of love. You’re welcome ;-).

Honey_Do
  • Test all of your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Test all of your ground-fault circuit interrupter outlets by pushing the “test” button. The “reset” button should pop out indicating that it is working properly. Then press the “reset” button so it’ll be set to work when you need it to.
  • Check inside of bathroom vanities and kitchen sink cabinets for signs of moisture or leaks. Carefully inspect for condensation or slow drips.
  • Check your grout and caulking around your showers, tubs and sinks. Replace missing grout after chipping out the cracked areas. If caulk remains discolored after cleaning remove and replace it with caulk that is mildew-resistant.
  • Inspect for loose knobs and hinges on cabinets, vanities and furniture. Tighten or repair where necessary and lubricate squeaky hinges.
  • To eliminate any musty closet odors remove all of the contents and wash the walls with a diluted solution of chlorine bleach. Replace solid doors with louvered doors. If the smell is the result of too much moisture in the area you’ll need to locate the source and fix it or the problem will return. You may need to simply start running a dehumidifier in that area
  • Use a vacuum with a narrow nozzle to clean the condenser coils on the back or underneath your refrigerator.

Find your February Home Maintenance printable version here

Winter on Cape Cod

January 27, 2017 /

Now that the holiday festivities are over for the season, what is there to do until spring? Plenty! Cape Cod in the off season can be cozy, adventurous, and eventful.

Take a Tour!
Whether it’s the Cape Cod Chip Factory or Cape Cod Beer that strike your fancy, the number of Cape based production places is growing wonderfully! Escape the bitter temperatures to see how those delicious chips are made, and taste the local brew flavor on one of their year-round tours.

Browse a Museum!

  • The Cape Cod Museum of Art is always a great place to explore. They’ve got classes, exhibits, and wonderful programs too. Day passes or memberships are available.
  • Starting in February, watch artisans create masterpieces out of glass at the Sandwich Glass Museum. The 20 minute demonstrations take place every hour on the hour Wed-Sun.
  • Feeling adventurous? Button up and embrace the great outdoors this season at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History after they finish installing their newest exhibits February 12th, or anytime at the Cape Cod National Seashore. Pick a trail and bring your camera!
  • Take a workshop and expand your mind at the Woods Hole Historical Museum. January focuses on the art of knots! The galleries may be closed, but the gift shop is open!
  • Feed your child side with a visit to the Cape Cod Children’s Museum. They always have a wonderful list of programs, parking is free, and they’re open year round, 7 days a week!
  • For a larger list of the wonderful museums that Cape Cod has to offer, click here!

Take a Ride!

On a horse that is. The wonderful folks down at Emerald Hollow Farm in Brewster have their doors open year round. They offer riding instructions, horsemanship classes, and therapeutic riding!

Hit the Spa

From the luxurious treatments offered at the Chatham Bars Inn Spa, to the amazing packages available from Beach Plum Spa, there are plenty of fantastic places to spend a day – or the weekend! – pampering and restoring your mind and body. Relax – Renew – Rejoice! See TripAdvisor’s list of the top ranking spas and wellness centers on Cape Cod and book your appointments!

Paint Night!

Date Night? Girls Night? Why not try something new and visit a paint bar? They’re great for birthdays, showers, fundraisers, or just taking a class for fun. There’s no experience necessary. Tap into your creative side when you live, laugh, and paint with Artfully Yours!

Emergency Kit Checklist

January 13, 2016 /

Building an Emergency Kit

First Aid Kit

Winter Storm Kit – Emergency Preparation List – Power Outage Kit
With many names, serving many purposes, preparing a kit with at least these items will give you peace of mind that you are prepared to care for yourself and others during emergencies and severe weather. There are plenty of other items that could be added, but this will be more than a great start. Our favorite way to store them? In large coolers, duffel bags and large back packs.

  • Water – 1 gallon per person, per day and at least 3 days’ worth.
  • Food – non-perishable, nutritional, easy to prepare and at least 3 days’worth. (PB & J Sandwiches, Nutritional Bars, Nutritional Shakes, Nuts, Seeds, Trail Mix, Dried Fruit)
  • Flashlights & lanterns.
  • Battery-operated, hand-crank, and/or solar powered radio. An NOAA Weather Radio would be best.
  • Extra batteries for your flashlights, lanterns & radio.
  • First aid kit.
  • Medications – at least a 7 day supply.
  • Multi-purpose tool.
  • Hygiene & sanitation items. Body wipes and sanitizing wipes are always useful.
  • Cell phone & charger. Consider purchasing one portable, cordless, rechargeable charger per phone.
  • Copies of your personal documents. (Medications, Birth/death certificates, Deeds/leases, Insurance policies, Emergency contact list (Family & Friends).
  • Extra cash – ATM machines may go down.
  • Pet supplies – leash, food, bowl, blanket.
  • Gas – Fill your vehicle tank & have extra for your generator.
  • Non-clumping kitty litter, sand, and/or rock salt for walkways & traction.
  • Fuel for alternative heating methods –coal & wood for stoves & fireplaces.
  • Cooler(s) to put your refrigerated and frozen food in. If power is lost, keep it full of ice and stored in the refrigerator, then avoid opening the refrigerator door as much as possible

Inspire everyone to update their kits by sharing a picture with us on Facebook or Twitter!

Printable version: – Emergency Kit Checklist

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