·         Put a smoke detector in your basement.  That is where your furnace is, it may be a work room with lots of wood and flammable substance or it could be a playroom for children.

·         Have trio of fire extinguishers.  One in the kitchen that’s made to fight grease fires.  One in the broom closet that is labeled for general purpose and another in the workshop that is especially made for wood fires.

·         Reduce clutter.  Make sure flammable items are as far away from the furnace as they can be and find another spot to store old papers.

·         Don’t be a show-off.  Criminals look for houses that contain something worth stealing.  Keep that new stereo equipment, computer system or art collection away from a window or at least store out of sight.

·         Conduct a broom check.  Let your children take their fire safety know-how with them to Grandpa and Grandma’s house.  Ask them to check the batteries in the smoke detectors at their grandparents’ home by using a broom handle to reach the test button. 

·         Ultimate Window Cleaner.  Try combining 1 gallon hot water, ¼ cup liquid dishwasher detergent and 1 tablespoon Jet-Dry brand dishwasher rinse agent.  Wash the window with a brush and then just hose them off.  This works because rinse agents are designed to lower the surface tension of water causing it to sheet off dishes during the final rinse in your dishwasher.  Does the same thing for your windows, eliminating streaks.

·         Take a load off your refrigerator.  The coils on the back disperse the heat but they also get covered with dust and gunk.  Unplug the refrigerator and vacuum the coils once a year.