Your key to a long-lasting car

Here are 10 basic maintenance procedures can help keep your car operating at its best for the long haul. Read more

Save time while cleaning

The secret to effective cleaning is to make the best use of your time. Read more

How to throw a stress-free pool party

While a pool party can be a great way to spend an afternoon with friends and family, taking a few extra steps can help your event sparkle as much as your pool. Read more

Protect your house and family

A few easy electrical safety steps can help ensure that your home continues to be a safe haven for your family. Read more

Making your kitchen healthy and close to carefree

Nobody wants to spend more time cleaning their kitchen than they need to. So what's the secret to creating a carefree kitchen? Choosing durable kitchen products that are easy to use and nearly maintenance free. Read more

People food: pet poison

They say that a dog is a man's best friend. Just like best friends, people tend to do daily activities together with their pets, such as sleeping, exercising and even eating the same meal with them. Little do pet owners know, some foods can actually be harmful to the health of their canine and feline companions. Read more

Proper feeding: An essential part of responsible pet ownership

Your pet's nutritional needs are different from the needs of people, so pets should be fed the appropriate amount and type of food, not leftovers of human food. Read more

Chinese New Year traditions (and some do's and don'ts)

Here are some of the more practical and sensible Chinese New Year traditions that we can practice or pick up tips from as we usher in the Year of the Water Snake on Sunday, February 10. Read more

Avoid odometer fraud

Before you buy a used car, look to see if the wear and tear is consistent with the number of miles on the odometer. Read more

A day with the atom

Something too small to see can have a big influence on your life in surprising ways. Read more

When to do home improvements yourself and when to call in the pros

For some home repairs, getting professional help may be less expensive than trying to do it yourself. Read more

View all Living stories.

April 2, 2012

10 to-dos for homeowners

It's a good idea to check your smoke alarm batteries and other batteries regularly

It's time to check around the house to make sure things are operating efficiently. Here are 10 often-overlooked tasks to add to your home-cleaning list:

1. Check AC. Have your air-conditioning system tuned up to lower energy bills and ensure the system is running at its manufacturer-rated efficiency.

2. Check water heater. If your water heater is more than five years old, check it for signs of leakage or rusting at the bottom.

3. Fertilize lawn. Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer once in the spring and again in the fall.

4. Check refrigerator. Clean the refrigerator's condenser coil with a long-handled bottle brush and a vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose to remove dust and lint that could shut down the unit by causing it to overheat.

5. Clean gutters. Clean the gutters so the rainwater flows easily off the roof. Clearing leaves prevents water from pooling in areas and attracting mosquitoes.

6. Organize closets. Wash or dry-clean clothes before storing them in a zippered sweater or blanket bag or in a plastic bin.

7. Clean carpets. Vacuum carpets and shampoo with a spray foam or powder, or rent a steamer from the hardware store for a deeper clean.

8. Wash exterior windows. Pick a cloudy day to wash exterior windows. Too much sun dries the cleaning solution too quickly and creates streaks.

9. File important documents. Store warranties, operating manuals and other documents in hanging files, folders or binders for easy access.

10. Check batteries. The average home is filled with battery-operated devices-from flashlights to smoke detectors to cordless phones. Don't forget to test those devices and replace the batteries with fresh ones.

Test smoke alarms once per month and change the batteries at least twice per year. Ensure there is at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home, particularly in or near sleeping areas.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 3,000 people in the U.S. lose their lives in residential fires every year. It's time to replace the batteries if the detector emits a warning sound, such as chirping or beeping.

10 to-dos for homeowners

Current Comments