Goodbye, Summer. Hello, Fall!

September 23 is the official first day of fall! Although in California, the first days and possibly weeks of Fall still feel like summer. Here are some tips from lifehack.org to make sure your home is ready for when the fall season arrives.

Interior Maintenance

• Check for drafts
  Feel for drafts around windows and doors. If needed, replace the seals and repair caulking around the windows and door frames.
• Test home safety devices
  Replace batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure they are all working as well.

Exterior Maintenance

• Do a roof check
  Look for missing, damaged, or loose roof shingles.
• Inspect siding
  Check your home’s exterior for cracks and holes, and have them repaired.
• Clean gutters
  Remove leaves and debris from your gutters. This can cause gutters to fall on a rainy day.

In the Garage

• Test the generator
  Make sure it is working properly, so it’s ready to go for if a power outage occurs.
• Clean the garage
  Organize and clean your garage.

For the complete list, visit http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/30-smart-tips-to-get-your-home-ready-for-fall.html.

Feel free to contact Kaplan Construction at 562-495-0483 or via email for any home remodeling or renovations.

National Preparedness Month - Week 4

Week 4 (September 20-26) of National Preparedness Month focuses on Power Outages. Power Outages are common in California due to our concentrated population. Long beach alone has seen multiple power outages in only the past couple months.

Photo Credit: jennifer helen via Compfight cc

The California Energy Commission provides tips to prepare for power outages:

• Know where your circuit breakers are located and how to check if a breaker switch is tripped
• Have a number of flashlights with fresh batteries around your home
• Have a battery powered or hand-cranked generator radio
• Post the emergency number for your electric utility
• Have a regular, hard-wired telephone, not just a cordless model, and a fully charged cell phone.
• Have a household first aid kit
• Have a household disaster plan that you and your family can follow if something occurs

For the complete detailed list, go to http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/tips/beprepared.html

National Preparedness Month - Week 3

Week 3 (September 13-19) of National Preparedness Month focuses on Hurricanes. Although California almost never experiences hurricanes, this may be helpful with all the El Nino forecasts. This week alone, the forecast for Long Beach has rain tonight and tomorrow.

Here are 3 quick tips to prepare for hurricanes:

• Make a plan – specific meeting locations, emergency contacts, and procedures
• Make a kit – organize a supply kit with basic survival items
• Protect your home – secure items and make sure insurance is up to date

For the complete detailed list, go to http://www.mnn.com/family/protection-safety/sponsorstory/6-tips-to-prepare-for-a-hurricane and http://www.coastalliving.com/lifestyle/preparing-for-hurricane-irene

Feel free to contact Kaplan Construction at 562-495-0483 or via email  for any renovations or remodeling so your home is ready for El Nino.

Not Quite Feeling Like the End of Summer..

With Labor Day behind us, we associate that as the end of summer. Although summer is coming to an end, it sure doesn't feel like it! This week, in Long Beach and the rest of California, we get smacked with a heat wave. With that being said, power outages may occur due to the high electricity usage.

Photo Credit: PhilipsPhotos via Compfight cc

Here are some tips from doityourself.com to maximize the efficiency of your air conditioning and to conserve electricity so you can stay cool in your home.

1. Set your air conditioner to a practical temperature. Instead of setting it to 65 degrees, you can set it at 72 degrees.
2. Check if your filters are clean. Dirty filters may result in lower air circulation, taking it longer to cool the house.
3. Keep your filters clear. Make sure nothing is blocking your filters.
   
4. Turn off the air conditioner. If windows and doors are open, make sure to turn of the air conditioner. Also, if no one is home, turn off your air conditioner. Doing so will help conserve electricity.
5. Ducted air conditioning. Close the ducts in rooms that are not being used. Doing so will reduce the strain on the air conditioner and reduce your electricity.
   

For the detailed explanation and all the tips, go here. Stay cool and hydrated out there!