Holiday Safety

The Consumer Products Safety Commission suggests following these tips to make your holiday a safe one.

Trees:

-When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
-When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. -The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
-When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. -Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

Lights:

-Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards. Use only lights that have fused plugs.
-Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs.
-Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use.
-Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
-Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
-Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
-Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
-For added electric shock protection, plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician.
Decorations:

-Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
-Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
-In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.
-Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

Fireplaces:

-Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.
-Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

Dishwasher Maintenance

With the winter and the holidays coming, your dishwasher is likely to get a little more and harder use. You may want to treat for scale build-up and perform a maintenance inspection. Over time, build-ups from various causes can become deposited on the inside walls and heating element of the dishwasher. Remove all dishwasher contents (leave the racks) and run with no detergent and the following, as applicable: for mold, place one tablespoon of bleach in your dishwasher and run it for a full cycle; for rust, use a rust remover (ask for the right one at a hardware store) and run a cycle; for stains, place a cupful of white vinegar in your dishwasher and run it for a full cycle. An alternative to vinegar is baking soda.

Maintain your Large Appliances

As the holiday season begins, make sure your appliances are prepared for the demands you will place on them.

- Pull your refrigerator from the wall and clean the condenser coils in back with a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. Also, vacuum dust from the front lower grille and clean the drip pan and the drain leading to it (if your unit has one).
- Clean the oven and stove drip pans on your electric range. Clean the surface burner on your gas stove to ensure proper flame level.
- De-stench your in-sink garbage disposal by packing it with ice cubes and 1/4 cup of baking soda; then turn it on. After the ice-grinding noise stops, pour a kettle full of boiling water into the sink.
- Check the dishwasher strainer and washer arm; clean if necessary.

Fall Home Winterizing

Check the gutters and downspouts: Are they unclogged and free of litter? Are the joints tight? Are extenders and splash blocks under the downspouts? Any leaves in the roof valleys? Check for tree branches overhanging roofs. See if the septic tank needs pumping out. Be sure the pool is properly shut down and winterized. Check/provide snow fences if needed to direct the snow away from the house. Assess your back yard for winter: Is the BBQ put away and covered? Are lawn and garden tools stored in the shed or garage? Has the lawn furniture been winterized? Make sure there’s room in the garage for your car(s). Have hose bib covers handy for a freeze. Check the nooks and crannies for snakes, spiders and scorpions that will be looking for winter warmth. Check windows: Are they tightly caulked? Have window screens been removed and cleaned? Is your weather stripping tight? In the North: Have something handy to de-ice walkways and steps. In the South: Be sure rat/mouse bait is in places safe for pets and children.

Fall Lawn Tips

There are a number of things that you can do to prepare your lawn for the winter and to ensure that it comes back strong in the fall. The cool night temperatures we are currently experiencing are probably already strengthening your lawn after the hot and dry summer. You may be noticing improved grass color and density. Now is the perfect time to enhance the grass's recovery with a few simple steps.

After the summer, it is likely that your lawn needs some supplemental fertilization. Nitrogen will be needed in the largest quantity and you should apply 1 pound of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer per thousand square feet of lawn. This will help the lawn to recover from summer stresses and will further improve grass color and density.

As the cooler weather intensifies, you will also be able to stop irrigating your lawn. It's easy to forget that changes in the program of your irrigation controller are necessary at this time of the year. The grass does not need as much irrigation as it did during the heat of the summer and it's the perfect opportunity for conservation. A great deal of water can be wasted in the fall because irrigation controllers are not adjusted for the cooler temperatures.

As it gets even cooler and winter is just around the corner, you will notice that your lawn is growing much more slowly. At some point, you will perform your last mowing of the growing season. This is a critical time in the life and health of your lawn. Hopefully you have been mowing at a height of 2 1/2 -3 1/2 inches to promote root growth and stress tolerance. This is a good practice, but not a good one to follow with your final mowing of the season. This last mowing should be much shorter, from 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Mowing at this shorter height will not leave long grass blades over the winter that can lay over and increase humidity beneath snow cover. If the grass blades are very long, and there is lengthy snow cover, a disease called snow mold may occur.

After your final mowing is also the best time to apply your last fertilization of the growing season. Once again, nitrogen is of primary concern. Following your last mowing, you'll want to apply 1 pound of quick-release nitrogen fertilizer per thousand square feet of lawn. It's important that the nitrogen source be quick-release so that the grass can take it up before going dormant due to cold. This is probably the most critical fertilization of the entire growing season and should not be missed! Research has shown that this late fall fertilization provides the most benefit and drought tolerance to the lawn the FOLLOWING summer.

These simple steps will ensure that your lawn makes it not only through the winter, but into next summer healthy and stronger.

How Long Will My Home Systems and Components Typically Last?

A well-built home can last for hundreds of years, but many of its parts must be replaced or removed regularly.

Here's a sampling of average life expectancy in years for different products and materials used in the home, as listed in a report titled "1997 Housing Facts, Figures and Trends" published by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) based in Washington, D.C. These are estimates only. I am making no guarantees or promises.

The number following the item is in years.

APPLIANCES

Compactor,disposal
Using regularly is the best maintenance. Also grinding bones helps clear away build-up 10
Dishwasher
Proper maintenance includes checking to see if water temperature is at least 130 degrees F and cleaning the filter and screens 10
Dryer
Proper maintenance includes regularly cleaning out the lint, tightening the connection between the wires and the heating element, lubricating the pulleys and rollers, and examining the exhaust outlet. 10
Freezer (compact)
Proper maintenance includes regularly cleaning the condenser coils every three months and sanitizing the door gaskets in order to maintain an effective seal. 12
Freezer (standard)
Same as compact freezers. 16
Microwave Oven 11
Range (free-standing electric)
Proper maintenance includes checking electrical connections, checking the oven vent for blockage and making sure the surface units are secure and level. 17
Range (gas)
Properly maintained by cleaning the igniters once a year. 19
Range (High Oven, gas)
Same as free standing gas ranges. 14
Refrigerator (Compact)
Proper maintenance includes cleaning the condenser coils every three months, sanitizing the door gaskets in order to maintain an effective seal, cleaning the mouth of the drain, and occasionally pouring a tablespoon of chlorine bleach followed by water in order to keep blockages from forming. 14
Refrigerator (Standard)
Same as compact refrigerator 17
Washer (Auto and Compact)
Proper maintenance includes checking the shaft seal, lubricating the pump, and tightening the belts. 13
Exhaust fan 20

BATHROOMS

Cast Iron Bathtub 50
Fiberglass Tub and shower 10-15
Shower Door (average quality) 25
Toilet 50

CABINETRY

Kitchen Cabinets 15-20
Medicine Cabinets/Bath Vanity 20

COUNTER TOPS

Laminate 10-15
Ceramic Tile (high grade) Lifetime
Wood/Butcher Block or Granite 20+

DOORS

Screen 25-50
Interior (Not perfect Hollow Core) <30

Interior (Solid Core Wood) 30+
Exterior (Unprotected Exposed) 25-30
Folding 30+
Garage Door 20-50
Garage Door Opener 10

FINISHES

Paint, Plaster, Stucco 3-5
Sealer, Silicone, and Waxes 1-5

FLOORS

Oak, Pine, or Slate Flagstone Lifetime
Vinyl sheet or Tile 20-30
Terrazzo Lifetime
Carpeting 11
Marble Lifetime

FOOTINGS AND FOUNDATIONS

Poured Footing and Foundation 200
Concrete Block 100
Cement 50
Waterproofing (bituminous coating)
(cracking results in immediate damage) 10
Termite Proofing
(may have shorter life in damp climates) 5
Baseboard System 20

HEATING, VENTILATION AND A/C

A/C Unit (Central)
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 15
A/C Unit (Window Unit)
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 10
Humidifier
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 8
Water Heater (Electric)
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 14
Water Heater (Gas)
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 11-13
Forced Air Furnace, Heat Pump
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 15
Furnace, Gas or Oil Fired
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 18

LANDSCAPING

Wooden Deck
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 15
Brick and Concrete Patio
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 24
Concrete Walk
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 24
Gravel Walk
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 4
Asphalt Driveway
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 10
Swimming Pool
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 18
Sprinkler System, Fence
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 12

PAINTS AND STAINS

Exterior Paint
Varies from the materials and products used 7-10
Interior Wall, Trim, Door Paint
Varies from the materials and products used 5-10
Interior Wallpaper
Varies from the materials and products used 7

PLUMBING

Waste Pipe (Concrete)
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 50-100
Waste Pipe (Cast Iron)
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 75-100
Sink (Enamel, Steel)
Varies from the materials and products used in the construction. 5-10
Sink (Enamel Cast Iron, Porcelain)
Much more durable 25-30
Faucets (Low Quality) 13-15
High Quality Faucets 15-20

ROOFING

Asphalt and Wood Shingles and Shakes
Last longer if pressure treated.
15-30
Tile
Depends on quality of tile and the climate. 50
Slate
Depends on the grade. 50-100
Sheet metal
Depends on gauge of metal, the quality of coatings and application. 20-50+
Built-up Roofing (Asphalt)
Depends on materials and drainage. Coatings will add to life. 12-25
Built-up Roofing (Coat and Tar)
Depends on quality of materials,thoroughness of design and application. 12-30
Asphalt Composition Shingle 15-30
Asphalt Overlay 25-35

SIDING

Gutters and Downspouts 30
Siding (wood) 10-100
Siding (steel) 50-Life
Siding (aluminum) 20-50
Siding (vinyl) 50

WINDOWS

Window Glazing 20
Wood Casement 20-50
Aluminum Casement 10-20
Screen 25-50

(In some categories, installation, quality and traffic/usage impact life greatly.)

Gas Lighter Bars and Gas Log Maintenance

Those handy gas starter pipes start a fire quickly, but they deteriorate over time and need to be replaced (as do their gas mixing valves). Look for excessive rust scaling, cracks, stripped threads on the joints or blocked gas outlet holes. Many fireplace/heating supply stores carry them or can order them for you. Be sure to get the proper natural gas or propane mixing valve. Gas logs should be serviced annually (we suggest your dealer) to help assure proper performance. Over time, the materials that help create the realistic gas flame will become worn and dirty, and replacing the embers and sand/vermiculite will help your log set perform and look like new. Consult your Owners Manual to determine the correct type of material to use and how it should be applied. Do not substitute materials or attempt to make alterations to your gas log set; doing so may cause dangerous conditions. Some helpful items to renew the realism of your fireplace include soot remover spray, replacement "glowing ember" lava rocks and rock wool mixture to replace the original material that came with your gas log set.