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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 7, 1993                   TAG: 9302080298
SECTION: HOMES                    PAGE: D-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Curt Richert
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

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TIPS MAY SAVE TIME, EFFORT AND MORE

Here are some household tips that could save you time, effort and possibly a life:

In an earlier column it was mentioned that residents should be aware of where main waterlines enters their homes in case of an emergency. To help remember where that and other pipes are, label them with tags or tape.

To remove cigarette or other odors from a room, try setting out a bowl or two of baking soda or vinegar.

Save time and frustration in the kitchen. Put frequently used utensils in a large pot or bowl near the cooking areas. It's practical and looks good.

Buckets come in handy in the garage. Store car washing items such as wax, sponges and brushes in the buckets so that everything is in one easy-to-grab place. Gardeners may find that 5-gallon paint or drywall compound buckets are great for storing tools and, with the lid on, make a great seat.

Clean windows let sun shine through and provide passive solar heat (as any cat can tell you!) and also make the house look better.

Make sure batteries in your smoke detector are working. Some detectors have a beeper or a flashing light that goes off when the battery is low. Replace quickly.

Smoke detectors are great warning devices and should be compltemented with fire extinguishers in the home. Be sure family and other roommates know how they work and where they are.

Close the damper or replace the cover of your fireplace. Heat can rise up the chimney and can cost you money.

Have painted steps that are slippery when wet? Apply a coat of paint and, while wet, spread a layer of fine grained sand onto the paint and repaint.

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