Five tips to get your home ready for winter

 

(ARA) - It may not be winter yet, but do not wait for it to arrive to start getting the house ready for the coldest months of the year.

Preparing a home for winter will take time and should not be rushed. Neglecting certain projects or carelessly completing them can lead to major system failures, extensive damage and in extreme cases even health problems.

"Procrastinating can cost you when it comes to getting ready for winter," says Rhonda Hills, of Kudzu.com. "Systems that are not ready for heavy use can falter or even fail. This can be a recipe for disaster."

The home experts at Kudzu.com recommend the following actions to get the home ready for the cooler temperatures ahead.

Have the chimney inspected and cleaned - If you have a wood-burning fireplace, the inside of the chimney can be a dirty place, and this has the potential to cause some problems if not addressed. Over time a combustible material called creosote can build up on the inside of the chimney. If not regularly removed, this substance can catch fire, causing major damage to the home and resulting in serious injuries or even death. Chimneys should be inspected and cleaned by a professional at least once a year to ensure all creosote is removed and the chimney is ready for use.

Get the furnace serviced - Heating systems will be putting in a lot of overtime as the temperatures plummet, and it is important to have them serviced so they can handle the load. Well maintained systems will operate more efficiently, which lowers heating costs. They will have a longer lifespan too. During an inspection, the heating expert will evaluate and clean the heat exchanger, ensure the burners and pilots ignite properly, clean the system's blower and more.

Seal all air ducts - Air ducts can be punctured, torn or become disconnected, all of which will cause heated air to spew into the attic, basement or crawlspace before it reaches the home's interior. These leaks waste a lot of energy and can cause heating bills to be much higher than they should be. To ensure all of the heated and cooled air that is being paid for makes its way into the living space, patch and repair all ducts as soon as possible

Add insulation - According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 80 percent of homes built before 1980 are not well insulated, so chances are your home is not as insulated as it should be. Adding insulation is one of the fastest, cheapest ways to retain heat and save on heating bills. Insulation is available in a variety of materials and is rated by R-values, or how well the insulation resists the transfer of heat. Insulation needs will vary by region and are dependent on local climate conditions and heating costs.

Protect pipes and exterior faucets - Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on pipes and exterior faucets. As water freezes, it expands and can burst plumbing lines and fixtures. These ruptures cause a great deal of damage to the home and leave homeowners with some very expensive repairs. Before cooler temperatures settle in, wrap all exposed plumbing in insulation to ensure the pipes are ready for the worst Old Man Winter can dish out.

Visit Kudzu.com for more home improvement advice or to find a highly rated professional in your area who can help you get your projects done.

NAR Housing Affordability Index says "Grandma Would Be Proud"

"Grandma Would be Proud"

According to the NAR Housing Affordability Index, housing is at its most affordable in a generation. More specifically, the index shows there hasn’t been a better home buying opportunity in 40 years.
The HAI, comprised of median home prices, median family income, and the current mortgage rate, looks at the ability of the typical family to buy a median priced home. An index of over 100 means a family has enough income to be able to purchase a house. An index of 120 implies a median income family has 20 percent more income than is necessary to purchase said home. This year, the index will likely surpass 180.

The rise in affordability can be attributed to a combination of lower home prices, record low mortgage rates, and a slight rise in family income.

Speaking today at the NEW 2.5 Mil Jeff Davis County Library in Hazlehurst, Ga.

Speaking tonight at the New Jeff Davis County Library in Hazlehurst. Bringing some Recipes for Romance Books, and will be talking about all of my books, writing and the ebook revolution. If you are in the area drop by I'd love to see ya. Starts at 7pm. We are gonna have a lot of fun!

Simple safety advice to protect young children in the home

(ARA) - When your child skins her knee or bumps her head, how do you comfort her? With a kiss and a hug? No matter how loving and careful you are, it's impossible to shield your children from all of life's little injuries.

Parents often think their children are safest in their own home. Sadly, every year home accidents send thousands of children to the emergency room, many with serious injuries. But by taking some important precautions, such as replacing traditional blinds with cordless, motorized versions, you can help ensure your child avoids serious home accidents.

Here are some safety tips that can help parents keep children safe at home:

Choking and strangulation prevention

Choking and strangulation can be significant hazards in the home. You can minimize choking risks by making sure small children are served age-appropriate foods cut into smaller-than-bite-sized pieces. Never give foods that are choking hazards, such as hot dogs, nuts or raw carrots, to infants. Always stay with your small child while he is eating, so that you can quickly respond if he does run into trouble.

Window treatments with cords are among the biggest home safety hazards for children. Since 1990, more than 200 infants and young children have accidentally strangled on window treatment cords, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The dangling cords are attractive to children, who may become entangled in them. Consider replacing traditional corded shades with motorized shades. These blinds and shades, powered by manufacturers like Somfy Systems, eliminate cord risks because they are controlled by a motor and remote control or wall switch. Motorization also offers many other benefits, from convenience to energy savings, that make them a good choice when you're making your home child-friendly.

Falls

Falling down is part of growing up, and hopefully your little one will suffer nothing more than a few scrapes and bumps. More serious falls, however, can be a significant risk to children's safety. And children falling down are not the only danger; parents need to take precautions to prevent furniture and home items from falling on children.

Keep stairs and floors clear of toys or other objects that could cause someone to trip. Secure stairs with safety gates at the top and bottom of the staircase. Windows should have safety guards and remain locked when not open. Never leave a child alone in a room with an open window, even if the window has a screen on it. A small child's weight can be enough to pop a screen out of a window and expose a child to a potentially fatal fall.

To help ensure your child's falls are minor, minimize situations that could lead to trouble, such as attractive toys placed atop furniture that could tip over when a child climbs up to get the toy. Move furniture away from windows and secure items to the wall with anchor straps. If you have a flat screen in your home, consider wall-mounting it for safety.

Appliance and fire safety

Fire and electricity are fascinating to many children. Very young children may crawl over to a wall outlet and older kids may be tempted to try their hand at cooking without supervision.

To minimize danger, never allow children to play with any kind of power cord, even if it's not plugged in. They'll be safer in the long run if they learn that cords are not appropriate toys. Cap unused wall outlets with safety plugs and use cable channels to hide cords and cables that may attract children.

Keep flammable materials like matches, gasoline and lighters locked away where children can't reach them. When cooking, never let a child use a microwave unsupervised until he is tall enough to reach it safely on his own. Avoid placing hot foods or liquids on the edges of counters or tables; place them safely in the center of the surface where they're away from little hands.

You can't protect your children from all life's bumps and scrapes. A few precautions, however, can help ensure that all their accidents are the kind you can heal with a kiss and a hug.

Click Here to Search Area Homes and Land For Sale