Many of us have learned the hard way that if we don't keep our cars, tools, and other things we rely on in good working order, then we end up spending money unnecessarily on repairs. The same is true in regard to our houses, both inside and out. The cost of NOT doing home maintenance can be steep indeed. Besides that, it's always much easier to be proactive than it is to wait until something breaks down.

One typical time to get busy is autumn. If you haven't had to be responsible for a house before, you can find plenty of early winter home maintenance tips online, at the library, at a local extension office, home maintenance chain stores, or in bookstores. Check with your neighbors as well. Some of the areas you should be concerned with are:

· Roofs and gutters

· Fireplaces and chimneys

· Decks and patios

· Shutters and siding

· Drafty doors and windows

If you let any of these deteriorate, you'll soon learn about the cost of NOT doing home maintenance.

Early winter or fall is not the only time to inspect these aspects of your house. It's a good idea to take a good look at everything at least twice a year. Additionally, if you notice problems at times in between; fix them right away. It will save you money later. By the way, you'll find free home maintenance tips in the same places listed above.

As you travel through various neighborhoods, it's easy to spot the houses whose owners haven't listed any early winter home maintenance tips. They often have peeling paint, stained concrete, rotting wood decks and stairs, and overgrown yards. All too often it's probably because they just got behind and have found out the hard way the cost of NOT doing home maintenance. If you possibly can avoid it, don't let yourself get caught in this trap. Make it your habit to take care of problems before they happen.

Some Specific Areas

Fireplaces and chimneys are especially important to keep functioning well. The cost of NOT doing home maintenance on your fireplaces can be more than just money; it can be lives. Any of your early winter home maintenance tips will remind you to get those chimneys cleaned before you start building cold weather fires. You should also thoroughly clean the layers of soot that collect just inside the fireplace itself. Try Fuller Brush Fullpower Fireplace Cleaner.

With fuel costs on the rise, it's a real plus to have a fireplace to help heat your home. They're also very cozy and conjure up pictures of a good book and a cup of hot cocoa. You may not see these benefits listed on your list of free home maintenance tips, but you know how much you'd miss them if you couldn't build a fire. Make sure your fireplace and chimney is always clean, and you'll be ready for any sudden storm. Taking care of your fireplace is a great way to avoid the cost of NOT doing home maintenance.

It's more than likely that you have some areas in and around your home that are made from concrete. These may include basements, garages, patios, driveways, and sidewalks. In addition to sustaining cracks that will grow if not fixed, concrete can absorb dirt and stains. Again, consult your free home maintenance tips for advice on how to fix any damage. You should also clean these areas to avoid major build-up through the years Try Fuller Brush Concrete Cleaner.

If you spend a few dollars and some elbow grease now on property upkeep, you'll avoid the cost of NOT doing home maintenance. Everyone is busy these days and time seems to fly by. It's easy to put off your chores, but before you know it, six months or a year has gone by. You can avoid this happening to you by making a checklist and posting it where you'll have to look at it. As you do each task, mark the date that you completed it and it will be easy to see when it's time to repeat it.

One more specific area to maintain is any surface made from wood. The most common instance is a deck, but you may also have stairs, railings, or porches that fall into this category. In your early winter home maintenance tips, you're sure to learn that it's important to routinely clean any outdoor wood that you have. (Fuller Brush Pressure Washer Deck Wash)

Wood can rot and fade, so performing maintenance, such as cleaning, painting, and repairs in a timely manner will keep you ahead of the curve. This information is something else that should be on your list of free home maintenance tips.

All of this may sound like just too much work. This is when it's time to think of old sayings like, "It's better to be safe than sorry", and avoid the cost of NOT doing home maintenance.

Source: articles4reprint.com

Nationally, drowning is a leading cause of death to children under five.

The key to preventing these tragedies is to have layers of protection. This includes placing barriers around your pool to prevent access, using pool alarms, closely supervising your child and being prepared in case of an emergency. CPSC offers these tips to prevent drowning:

Fences and walls should be at least 4 feet high and installed completely around the pool. Fence gates should be self-closing and self-latching. The latch should be out of a small child's reach.

If your house forms one side of the barrier to the pool, then doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that produce a sound when a door is unexpectedly opened. A power safety cover -- a motor-powered barrier that can be placed over the water area -- can be used when the pool is not in use.

Keep rescue equipment by the pool and be sure a portable phone is poolside with emergency numbers posted. Knowing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be a lifesaver.

For above-ground pools, steps and ladders to the pool should be secured and locked or removed when the pool is not in use.

If a child is missing, always look in the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.

Pool alarms can be used as an added precaution. Underwater pool alarms generally perform better and can be used in conjunction with pool covers. CPSC advises that consumers use remote alarm receivers so the alarm can be heard inside the house or in other places away from the pool area.

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS: ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT A DROWNING. WATCH YOUR CHILD CLOSELY AT ALL TIMES. MAKE SURE DOORS LEADING TO THE POOL AREA ARE CLOSED AND LOCKED. YOUNG CHILDREN CAN QUICKLY SLIP AWAY AND INTO THE POOL.

Source - US Consumer Product Safety Commission