January Home Tips
Hello, Everyone, Last month my home tips were devoted to smoke detectors, and I included my recent experience with a 10-year irreplaceable battery smoke detector which didn’t work, but I couldn’t remember the brand. The brand was Kidde, so beware. If you’re thinking of remodeling, then check out this website, www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value, to give you the % return for 36 types of renovations, depending on which part of the country you live. Charles Viancin, a French designer, has developed food covers in fun designs like lily pads and sunflowers for use in a refrigerator, microwave or on a stove pan. They’re clever products to use instead of plastic wrap, etc. Amazon has them. Best, BonnyDecember Home Tips
Hello, Everyone, Because it’s the season of lights, please check on line or call your local fire department to learn the proper placement of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your house or condominium. Before I order a smoke/co inspection at the fire dept. for a closing, I check the house to see if it will pass inspection and am amazed at how many properties are missing detectors or have them installed in the wrong places. Be safe! According to a Cambridge firefighter, detectors have a limited lifespan even with the batteries changed, so do check on the effective age of your detector/s. Hard-wired detectors are age affected, too, and also will not work if a fuse in the system has blown. Last month the man I use to help with lots of things, including installation of detectors, purchased a detector from Home Depot. The detector was a new style, containing an irreplaceable battery that is supposed to last 10 years (there is no way to open the detector to change the battery). Before installing the detector, we tested it for sound and it didn’t work. Maybe it was only 1 defective detector out of a case of them or out of many cases, but one out of one not working is enough for me to avoid that type in the future. Happy holidays! Very best, BonnyNovember Home Tips
Hello, Everyone, There are a number of water leak alarms that can be connected to your washing machine and to your water heater and are available for just a few dollars each to pricey ones. Remember to have your gutters cleaned and drain the outside faucets. The English Ivy, which strangles and kills trees, is easier to remove at this time of year. However, you might need a saw to cut into the thick vines at the base—an indication of how strong and pernicious these vines are. If you cut the vines on the bottom and are unable to pull the vines off the trees, at least the worst part of the vines has been cut. Happy Thanksgiving!
12 Fruits & Vegetables Most Likely to be Contaminated
The Environmental Working Group has listed its Dirty Dozen, which ranks fruits and vegetables containing the most pesticides—but also includes a list of those fruits and vegetables containing the least.
And, as I wrote last year, English ivy kills trees; it can be seen encircling/strangling trees in Cambridge, Belmont, and Somerville, etc. Please check the many web sites if in doubt.
Best,
Bonny