On the Wire - Candle Safety
Candles can be a festive way to decorate, but keep in mind that home fires caused by candles peak during the holiday season. Use the following tips when decorating with candles:
- A lit candle can cause a fire in the blink of an eye. Never leave burning candles unattended even for a short time. Extinguish all candles before going to sleep or leaving the room.
- Do not permit children to keep or use candles or incense in their rooms. Candles and candle-making kits should only be used when an adult is present and awake.
- Never use lighted candles on or within three feet of a Christmas tree or other greenery.
- Keep candle flames at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including other decorations and wrapping paper.
- Always use stable, nonflammable candle holders (such as ceramic or glass). Using a hurricane-lamp enclosure around a flame is a good idea.
- Place candles where they will not be knocked down or blown over and well away from drapes, blinds and other materials that can burn.
- Always keep burning candles up high, out of the reach of children and pets. If you have children living in or visiting your home, store candles, matches and lighters out of their sight and reach (preferably locked away).
- As an additional safety measure, consider using flameless candles (with a battery-powered “flame” light) which will eliminate the risk of an open candle flame.
back to the top
Ask Tom & Leslie - Caulking Step-by-Step
What is the best way to remove & replace the caulking around sliding shower doors, as well as a tub? Can you explain this step-by-step?
Caulking is an easy home improvement project that can deliver very attractive results. But that is the easy part! Removing the old caulk is not nearly as much fun – unless you are armed with a few tricks of the trade.
Step 1: Use a “caulk softener.” This nifty product helps soften and loosen the old caulk making it easy to remove. It is sort of like a paint stripper but not nearly as caustic or difficult to use.
Step 2: Wipe down the areas you have removed the old caulk from with a bleach and water solution to clean and kill any mold spores left behind.
Step 3: Re-caulk! Make life easy my cutting the end of the caulk tube on a slight angle (about 20 degrees). If the caulking gets sloppy, remember that your finger is usually the best caulk trowel available. If it really gets bad though, you can always remove the old caulk with a damp sponge and then start again.
Bonus Tip: Here’s one more secret to successful bathtub caulking. Fill the tub with water before caulking. Then, after the caulk dries, drain the tub. This compresses the caulk so it won’t fall out.
back to the top
Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!
- The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
- Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
- Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.
back to the top
On the Air - Haul the Deck?
The weather is getting frightful… your deck is not that delightful… you’re probably not even using it as much this time of year. But you don’t have to worry about doing anything special to maintain it NOW, right? WRONG! Your deck needs a little care in the winter too – find out what to do, on the next Money Pit radio show. Find out where to tune us in or download our Podcast at www.moneypit.com.
back to the top
Dot Common Sense - Playing Santa
Play Santa to your favorite DIYer by shopping The Money Pit. You can purchase home improvement themed gifts including apparel, décor items, accessories and even toys. Surprise someone on your honey-do list with an “I Love My Money Pit” shirt or a coffee mug that says, “I came, I sawed, I conquered”. Are you “All Truss, No Fuss”? Or do you “Love Power Tools”? Shop for yourself, shop for a loved one… if it has to do with your Money Pit, you will find it in our extensive selection of humor gear and logo gifts online at www.moneypit.com.
back to the top
Fun Fact - Pining Away the Holiday
Are pine needles giving you a bigger headache than holiday eggnog? To prevent needles from spreading when you take down the Christmas tree, place a plastic tree bag underneath the tree stand before you begin decorating. Cover with a tree skirt, and when the holidays end, just remove the ornaments and stand, pull up the bag and toss the whole thing outside. No mess…and no leftover needles in June.
back to the top
Short Cuts - Dryer Safety
A dirty lint trap can waste energy dollars by making your dryer run longer – but more importantly; it can also be a major fire hazard if the lint ignites. To make your dryer both safe and energy efficient, clean your lint trap regularly and eliminate any kinks or other obstructions in the dryer exhaust duct. One sure fire way to know that your dryer’s exhaust or lint screen is blocked is if your clothes are still damp after a normal drying cycle.
Take special care when drying clothes that have been soiled with volatile chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or finishing oils and stains. If possible, wash the clothing more than once to minimize the amount of volatile chemicals on the clothes and, preferably, hang the clothes to dry. If using a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and a drying cycle that has a cool-down period at the end of the cycle. To prevent clothes from igniting after drying, do not leave the dried clothes in the dryer or piled in a laundry basket.
If your dryer’s drum stops turning, if it doesn’t heat up or if it squeals or rumbles when it’s running, it’s time to call in a pro in to keep your dryer running safely and efficiently.
back to the top
Share This Information With A Friend!
Simply forward this Email. And invite friends to register to receive this E-newsletter each week.If you would like to unsubscribe from our weekly newsletter, please refer to the unsubscribe directions at the bottom of this newsletter.
back to the top
Copyright 2007 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
|
