11/8/11

A properly working fireplace is key for energy efficiency and safety in your home. If you're agile enough, one way to inspect your fireplace is to lay down a medium-size mirror at the base of the fireplace inside the home and then go on the roof and look down the chimney with a flashlight. You should see the light reflect. Of course, if you are fearful of heights, leave it to the pros and have them inspect, clean and sweep out your chimney annually.

11/7/11

If your home is prone to power outages during bad weather, you may have a refrigerator full of spoiled food when the power finally turns back on. One way to help save food during an outage is to always keep plastic containers -- like soda bottles and margarine tubs -- full of water in both the refrigerator and freezer. They'll help keep the inside cooler when the power is out, hopefully keeping your groceries chilled until the power is on again.

11/6/11

Lots of retailers now have convenient recycling bins for plastic shopping bags. What many people don't realize is that you don't have to bring back just the specific retailer's bag to recycle; you can bring back any store's bag and use those bins. Plastic bags have value as a recyclable product (often made into plastic lumber), which is why stores are more than willing to accept them. So whether it's a supermarket or a clothing store, feel free to fill up those bins with all of your plastic bags.