Gut(ter) Check

For most homeowners,
cleaning the gutters is near the bottom of the proverbial to-do list. But keeping your gutters clean can really save you a lot of headaches; overflowing gutters can damage roofs and wreak havoc on your
foundation.

Keeping the water flowing properly isn’t as big a deal as you might think. And if you clean your gutters every six months, you’ll save yourself time and money.

According to www.hgtv.com, you can tell
if a gutter needs cleaning by looking up at
the gutter’s top, outside rim. If it is
discolored, there’s a buildup
and water is not flowing as it
should.

• To clean the gutters, use
a ladder. Make sure to be
safe and cautious around
power lines. If you feel
unsafe or uncomfortable,
hire a professional.

• There are several ways
to clean gutters. One is
to simply put on a pair
of gloves and dig the
debris out by hand and
rinse it with your hose.
Or you can use barbeque
tongs or make a scoop by
cutting a plastic, two-liter
soda bottle.

• To dispose of the debris, hang a
bucket on the ladder with a bungee
cord or lay a tarp on the ground to
catch the falling debris. When you’re
done, just roll up the tarp and empty it into
the trash.

USE HEAT SOURCES WISELY

In response to rising energy costs, some homeowners are using alternate sources to heat their homes. While wood-burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces are popular options, especially in colder climates, they can be fire hazards.

Wood stoves made of plate steel or cast iron are best. Use only seasoned wood for fuel, and avoid green wood, artificial logs or trash. Inspect and clean the pipes and chimneys annually, and check monthly for damage and obstructions. Keep combustible objects at least three feet away from the stove.

Space heaters that feature the Underwriter Laboratory certification are recommended. Use a heater with a thermostat control mechanism that can switch off automatically if the heater falls over. Don’t dry clothes or store objects on top of the heater. Like wood stoves, keep combustibles at least three feet away. Always unplug the device when it is not in use.

Clean fireplaces frequently to prevent creosote from building up in the chimney. Also inspect the chimneys for obstructions or cracks. Never burn trash, paper or green wood, which can cause heavy creosote buildup. Don’t wear loose-fitting clothes near open flames, and make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.

Finally, make sure smoke detectors are working properly, and replace batteries every six months.

UNDER LOCK AND KEY

While many homeowners say home security is a priority, they may not be taking the necessary precautions with their keys and locks. A recent survey by Kwikset, which manufactures locks and hardware for residential homes, finds that 47 percent of homeowners did not change or re-key their locks when they first moved in to their home, and nearly one-third have never changed or rekeyed their locks. More than half of homeowners surveyed also say they routinely loan house keys to friends or contractors, increasing the chance that the keys could fall into the wrong hands and be copied. Home security experts at American Lock and Key offer several tips to help you secure access to your home.

· Don’t hide keys in obvious places, such as under an exterior floor mat or a planter. Most burglars know the most common places to hide keys. If you must hide them, keep keys stored in a secured key box.

· Keep keys separate from your address, so if they are ever lost or stolen, no one can identify where they belong.

· Immediately change or re-key the locks when you move to a new home. A locksmith may charge $40 to $100 or more to re-key locks or, if you prefer to do it yourself, re-key kits are available at hardware stores for less than $20.

· Keep garage doors secure, especially those that connect to the house from inside the garage and doors leading to the garage from outside. Use a padlock to secure the inside of the garage door.

· Keep windows locked, especially on the home’s lower level where they can be an attractive target for criminals.

For all of my personal security lock and key needs as well as my business needs I use Gary Beaver with Bay to Beaches. Great service, great prices and when he’s done the sense of security feels great! Gary can be reached at (415) 388-9020.

Safety Patrol

As the weather outside gets frightful in some parts of the country, heading indoors sounds delightful. But staying warm inside is not without its hazards. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during December, January and February. Portable and space heaters can be especially dangerous. To make sure you and your family stay safe and warm this winter, consider these tips from NFPA:

· When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory and is legal for use in your community.
· Plug your electric-powered space heater into an outlet with sufficient capacity — never into an extension cord.
· Use the proper grade of the proper fuel for your liquid-fueled space heater, and never use gasoline in any heater not approved for gasoline use. Refuel only in a well-ventilated area and when the equipment is cool.
· Turn off space heaters in unoccupied rooms and when you go to bed; portable space heaters are easy to knock over in the dark.
· Do not use your oven to heat your home.
· Make sure fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside, that the venting is kept clear and unobstructed and that the exit point is properly sealed around the vent. All of these measures keep deadly carbon monoxide from building up in the home.
· Test smoke alarms monthly; install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.
· Inspect all heating equipment annually and clean as necessary.

Holiday Fire Safty Tips

‘Tis the season to deck the halls, but don’t forget to keep fire safety in mind. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fires that occur during the holiday season claim the lives of more than 400 people, injure 1,650 people or more, and cause over $990 million in damage each year. Follow these tips to prevent holiday fires.
Select a fresh tree. Needles should be green and attached firmly to the branches, and they should not break if the tree is freshly cut. Don’t place the tree near a heat source, such as a heat vent or fireplace. Keep the tree stand filled with water to keep it moist, and don’t leave the tree up longer than two weeks. When it becomes dry, discard it immediately.
Inspect holiday lights each year. Check for frayed wires and burned out bulbs before putting the lights on the tree. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Periodically check the wires to make sure they are not warm to the touch. Link no more than three light strands, don’t overload the electrical outlets, and don’t leave lights on unattended.
Use nonflammable decorations. Keep decorations away from heat vents or fireplaces. Avoid putting wrapping paper in a fireplace, which can throw off dangerous sparks and cause a large fire. Artificial or metallic trees should be flame retardant.
Avoid using lit candles. But if you do use them, make sure their holders are stable, and place them where they won’t be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning. Don’t go near a Christmas tree with an open flame (candle, match or lighter).
Most important, install smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them monthly. The holiday season can add extra stress to most everyone's lives. Take care of what is important and share in the wonderous of the season.

Happy Festivus!

Away for the Holidays? Protect your Home

If you are planing to go out of town for the holidays, here are some good tips to protect your home...

A burglary occurs every 15 seconds in America, according to the FBI’s Crime in the United States Report. A majority of these crimes take place in the summer months when many homeowners are on vacation. Follow these steps to protect your home while you’re away, so you can rest easy and enjoy your vacation.

Find a friend or relative to house-sit. This is the best option. Having someone in your home is the best way to deter potential thieves. Just be sure that it is someone you trust, and who is familiar and comfortable with your home.

Lock all doors and windows. If a house sitter is not a possibility, the first and most important step to securing your home is to lock every door and window in the house. Don’t forget about small attic or basement windows. Also secure the garage door and any garage windows.

Use timers on your lights. Automatic timers simulate occupancy by turning lights and other appliances (i.e. televisions or radios) on and off at random intervals during the day and evening. These are available at most hardware stores and cost approximately $20.

Don’t close all your drapes. It sounds like bad advice, but drapes that are closed shut during daylight hours are a sure sign to potential burglars that you’re not home. It also allows them to move around your home unseen after they enter.

Rely on your neighbors. Make sure that you find someone to pick up your mail while you’re away. If you’re going to be gone more than a week, find someone to mow your lawn. Also, be sure to give a trusted neighbor a key to your home and your itinerary in case of emergency