Home Front
Compiled by JUDY STARKBriefs and news of note
Published July 16, 2005
Turn tin into something priceless
These could hardly be cuter - or easier. Find a tin candy box like those that mints come in. Glue a piece of magnetic strip to the back. (Find this at office-products stores, or just look on your refrigerator. You probably have somebody's magnetic business card stuck there. We used Gorilla Glue for a strong hold.) Let it dry, then stick it on the refrigerator door or a filing cabinet. This idea comes from the August issue of Country Sampler Decorating Ideas, which also shows how to use candy tins for drawer pulls, picture frames and other finishing touches.
Going away? Defuse electric mishapsBefore you leave on vacation, take these safety tips from Mr. Electric, a franchised electrical installation and repair business:
- Unplug all electrical appliances, including hair dryers, toasters, blenders, televisions and computers. They are susceptible to lightning strikes and power surges.
- Use metal power strips rather than plastic ones, and unplug them before you leave.
- Make sure extension cords are not overloaded.
- Use a random-patterned timer that will vary the times indoor lights and radios turn on and off every day.
- Install adequate lighting and a motion-detecting light outdoors.
The easy-lock deadboltIf your home has a key-operated deadbolt on an exterior door, it can be an irritation to get out the key and turn the bolt every time you leave. Almost half the homeowners with such locks don't bother to use them. The Turner deadbolt lock has a rotating metal collar on the outside of the lock. Just turn the collar and the bolt is thrown. It's $45 for the lock, $55 for a lock/knob combination. Order online at www.turnerlock.com
HURRICANE TIPS
Keep cordless tools readyNext time a hurricane heads our way, start charging the cordless tools you'll need to make repairs, particularly drill-drivers and saws. If you are without power after the storm, electric tools will be useless. Cordless tools won't help if their batteries are dead. It's worth it to stockpile some extra batteries and keep them charged.