Kitchen Fires

It’s that time of year. With cooler temperatures and holidays, baking and cooking are at their peak. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 41% of home fires start in the kitchen. Here are a few tips to avoid becoming a statistic this holiday season.

 

            -Keep items that could catch fire away from the cooktop. Pot holders, paper or plastic

              bags, towels and food packaging.

 

            - Wear short, tight fitting or rolled sleeves. Loose, dangling sleeves can dangle into

               stove burners and catch fire.

 

            -Pay attention! The leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking.

 

            -Stay in the house! When simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food, check it regularly

             and use a timer to remind you that you have something cooking.

 

            -Keep a fire extinguisher nearby-and make sure everyone in your family knows where

             it is and how to operate it.

 

            -Change the batteries in your smoke detector.

 

            -Never throw hot grease in the trash can. Let it cool and then dispose of it in an old

             coffee can.

 

Stay safe and enjoy your company and the delicious baked good coming out of your kitchen!

Tile Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Guests are coming and you really need to deep clean that guest bathroom. The grout is looking a little dingy and you just can’t seem to get the scum off of the tile. Here are a few easy tips and tricks for getting that bathroom sparkling clean.

 

·         Looking for easy? Stone and Tile Cleaner by Dupont, available at Traditions in Tile, is a multi-purpose cleaner that works on all polished marbles, porcelain and ceramic tiles and natural stone. Simply spray, lightly scrub and rinse.

 

·         For a little deeper clean to help with the soap scum, try a porcelain and ceramic tile cleaner. Test a small area on polished tiles first to make sure it does not affect the finish. As always, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

·         Has your grout cracked at the corners and around the top of the tub? A common occurrence as walls expand and contract, but simple to fix. Cut out the grout in those locations and fill with a sanded caulk that matches your grout color. Allow to fully dry before using the tub or shower. Traditions in Tile is a great source. Always be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

 

·         Once you have gotten your grout or natural stone freshly cleaned, seal it to help prolong the life and keep it looking like new. Most stones should be resealed every 1-3 years.

 

Nothing feels better than a sparkling clean bathroom. Your guests will thank you.

Plan Now for Holiday Projects

Fall weather is setting in, football season is in full swing and it is time to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas. Only thirteen weeks left till Christmas. Yes, I really did just say that. It may seem like a long time away, but we all know that it will be here before we know it and probably before we are ready.

 

Do you want a new kitchen or bathroom before Thanksgiving? Maybe you can’t redo the entire room but want to make some small changes. Or maybe you just want to finally get the dining room repainted. Now is the time to start thinking about it and making plans. If you begin now, you will have plenty of time to get your project done before Thanksgiving hits and then you can enjoy your new space all throughout the Christmas season.

 

Some people have said to me “But it doesn’t take that long!” Well, let’s look at that.

                                    -Tile: 4-6 weeks

                                    -Cabinets: 4-6 weeks

                                    -Wood Flooring: 4 weeks

                                    -Granite: 1-2 weeks

                                    -Painting: 2-3 weeks

                                    -Appliances: 2-4 weeks

Yes, if you choose an in stock item, the lead time might be less than that, but better to prepare for the worst and the best happen then vice versa. Make sure you clearly communicate your deadline to the contractors you work with to ensure an on-time project. That way there will be no surprises and everyone is on the same page.

 

We all know that the holidays can be a stressful time. Endeavor to enjoy this season and all of its wonderful food, people and events by planning ahead. You can thank me later.