October 2010

Winterizing Your Home

It’s October and the chilly Arctic fronts have begun to roll down. Elizabeth Weintraub of About.com says "[Now] is a good time of year to start thinking about preparing your home for winter, because as temperatures begin to dip, your home will require maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape through the winter. Autumn is invariably a prelude to falling winter temperatures, regardless of where you live." See her article for ten tips to help you prepare your home for winter.

Low-Cost Fall Home Maintenance

Associated Content has a useful article by Shana Carlton, who says, "If you are looking for some low cost home maintenance projects to do to improve your efficiency or appearance of your home, there are several low cost jobs that can be done without a lot of hassle. Windows and doors can cost you lots of money on your heating and cooling bills. You don't have to replace your windows (unless you have already allowed for replacement in your budget), simply replacing seals and caulking can improve on your energy costs. However, replacing windows is your best long-term solution for maximum energy efficiency."

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Fireplace Maintenance for Safety

October is also a good time to check fireplace safety and maintenance. ehow.com has a good wrap-up about fireplace maintenance for safety. "Sitting in front of a roaring fireplace is a great joy during cold weather, but maintaining it properly is essential. Taking care of your fireplace can reduce accidents and fire hazards that can endanger you and your family. With today's new technology, fireplaces come in many varieties. Consumers can purchase for their homes an electric, stand-alone model, a traditional wood-burning fireplace or a gas fireplace. All types require the appropriate maintenance in order for them to be enjoyed safely for years to come." See the complete article.

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Easy Home Improvement Hints

Here are some easy, quick and relatively inexpensive home improvement projects that can add value and appeal to your home. Kitchen cabinets and drawer can be improved by simply changing the cabinet knobs and drawer pulls. Adding trim or borders to the ceiling junctions in various rooms can improve appearance noticeably and cost-effectively, as can changing light fixtures, switch plates and outlet covers. Hardware upgrades for kitchen and bathroom sinks can quickly better the overall appearance of the rooms, as can replacing toilet seats or tank covers and towels racks and towels. Websites such as DIY Home Network are a good source of ideas and instructions.

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NEWS 

Does home ownership matter? Real Estate Today says, "It matters in ways you may never even consider when you are signing your first contract. You are providing your family with a solid foundation – a place to come home to - a place of your own. .. It matters in schools, which are supported by the property taxes of homeowners ... It matters that people of different backgrounds make choices to live as one community. And when all is said and done, homeownership matters because it provides a real bond between you and your neighbors." Listen to or read the complete article at retradio.com for more reasons that home ownership matters in ways beyond an investment.

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Fast Facts

• It's estimated there are over 60,000 miles (97,000 kilometers) of blood vessels in a child's body and close to 100,000 miles (161,000 kilometers) in an adult's. That's equivalent to about four trips around the earth at the level of the equator.

• Veterinarians say cats have over 100 vocal sounds and dogs have about ten.

• An adult human has 206 bones; 25% of them (52 bones) are in your ankles and feet.

• A giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue! 

• The act of snapping one's fingers is called a "fillip".