Fire can destroy a home and everything in it within minutes. While smoke detectors are essential for fire safety, many homeowners are choosing to install sprinklers in their homes as a way to contain fires and limit potential damage. According to the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, 90 percent of home fires can be contained by just one sprinkler, and by using them in addition to smoke detectors, the risk of death in a home fire is reduced by 82 percent. Also, 62 percent of U.S. homeowners believe that a fire sprinkler system can increase a home’s value, according to a Harris Interactive poll.

   A home sprinkler system can cost as little as $1 to $1.50 per square foot to install. Modern systems no longer look like bulky industrial sprinklers; they can be mounted flush against walls and ceilings to blend in with any decor, and they require very little maintenance. Sprinklers are temperature sensitive, so they won’t go off simply due to the presence of smoke, cooking vapors or steam. Only the sprinkler closest to the fire activates, so you don’t need to worry about water damage in other areas of your home.

        

   The grass is always greener on the other side, right? Well, next year it doesn’t have to be. Lawn and garden supplier Scotts Company offers tips to help you protect your lawn through the winter months and keep it looking lush and beautiful next summer.

• Re-seed any grass that has been hurt by summer heat and drought. Keep the new seed and grass watered, and don’t do any weed control until after the fourth watering.
• Help keep disease and bugs at bay by cutting back old perennials and vegetable gardens. Use the clippings to start a compost pile.
• Instead of raking fallen leaves, run your mower over them two or three times. Leaves left on the lawn during the winter can block sunlight and thin the grass.
• Plant trees and shrubs toward the beginning of the fall season, so there is less shock to the roots and they start growing early in the spring.
• Continue to cut the grass the same height (2 to 3 inches) until the final cut at the beginning of winter. Don’t go any shorter on that last cut.

        

The Home Safety Council provides an online interactive resource, MySafeHome.org, which identifies the most common causes of home injuries. Visitors can tour a home room-by-room to learn various safety tips to protect their loved ones from home-related injuries.

        

   Is your home designed for kids? Probably not. But it is important to create a home that’s safe for kids, even if you don’t have children, especially if you want it to appear family-friendly.

   Safety gates, outlet covers and cabinet locks are some of the more obvious tools to child-proof your home, but potential hazards lurk elsewhere. Think about how kids often run into a room — and think about the sharp corners of tables, counters and bookshelves. In the kitchen, consider installing padding on the corners of islands and countertops.

   You might also want to consider installing a stovetop barrier to prevent pots from falling or being pulled off the stove and to protect children from hot splatters and spills. Floor vents can also attract curious hands; if pulled out from the floor, the grate’s sharp edges can be dangerous. To deal with this danger, screw the vents into the floor. Standard doorstops — the kind with the rubber tips — are another often-overlooked hazard.

   The tips can easily be pulled off and pose a potential choking hazard. Consider replacing these with solid, one-piece doorstops. These solutions for warding off accidents are easy and inexpensive — and worthwhile in more ways than one. Source: Ron Hazelton’s House Calls (www.ronhazelton.com)

        

   In 1969, approximately half of all schoolchildren, age 5 to 18, walked or bicycled to or from school, and 87 percent of those living within 1 mile of school walked or bicycled. Today, fewer than 15 percent of children and adolescents use active modes of transportation. Source: Centers for Disease Control

        

   Think Sink Put your money where your mouth is. When it comes to remodeling your home, that old saying is especially appropriate. A kitchen is one of the best rooms in your home to consider renovating. Your bathroom is next on the list. Whether you’re planning to stay in your home for a while or are looking to sell in a few years, kitchen and bath remodels are great ways to increase the value — and enjoyment — of your home. Quantifying how much a renovated room will improve your quality of life may be impossible, but determining what percentage of each dollar spent on home improvements you’ll recoup when you sell is a little bit easier.

   According to Remodeling magazine’s 2007 Cost vs. Value Report, which surveyed 300 real estate professionals in 60 markets across the nation, the average return on investment for:

• a minor kitchen remodel (average cost $20,000) is 83 percent;
• a major kitchen remodel (average cost $55,000) is 78.1 percent; and
• a bathroom remodel (average cost $15,000) is 78.3 percent.

   Despite these ROI statistics, it’s always a good idea to research the features that are popular with other homes in your neighborhood. If most houses have upgraded kitchens with all the latest bells and whistles, you’re likely to get a better return if you remodel your kitchen. To get a better sense of how a kitchen or bath remodel might shake out given your neighborhood, talk to an appraiser or go to www.cyberhomes.com, where you can enter your address and use the “Refine Value” tool to see how changing different aspects of your home might impact your bottom line. Source: www.costvsvalue.com

        

Opening a door when you have an armful of groceries is tricky for everyone. But a home that features lever-style door handles and wide doorways can make it easier. This is one example of universal design — home features that enable people to live comfortably and safely, even as they get older.

Universal design isn’t just for seniors and those with disabilities. Younger buyers and families with young children also find that universal design makes homes more appealing and easier to use.

According to AARP, more than 89 percent of people age 50 and older want to stay in their current home as they get older. AARP offers some simple upgrades homeowners can make to create a safer, more comfortable residence for people of any age. And most of the materials needed for these changes are available at local hardware stores. 

• Install handrails on both sides of all steps (inside and outside). 
• Secure carpeting and area rugs with double-sided tape. 
• Install easy-to-grasp handles for drawers and cabinet doors. 
• Use brighter bulbs in all settings. 
• Install nightlights in all areas that host nighttime activity. 
• Add reflective, non-slip tape on all non-carpeted stairs. 
• Install lever handles for all doors. 
• Place a bench near entrances for setting down purchases and resting. 
• Install lights and adjustable rods and shelves in closets.

        

According to the Better Business Bureau ("BBB"), many new-home owners are unaware of the limitations on home warranties, which can cause confusion and unnecessary frustration when problems crop up and repairs are needed. To prevent this, the BBB suggests prospective buyers do some research before accepting the keys to their new home. 

• Find out how long the warranty company has been in business. Request a reliability report from your local BBB. 
• Shop around for the best prices. Most home warranties cost between $300 and $395, but not all offer the same benefits — and make sure to factor in the deductible. 
• Ask questions regarding the company’s policy on home repairs. Many have their own service contractors but others allow you to choose your own. 
• Get a professional home inspection so you are aware of any possible problems that may not be covered by your warranty. 
• Call the warranty company to ask questions and see how the customer service department treats you; this might indicate how you’ll be treated during future calls. 
• Know what is covered and what is not. Typically, major operating systems and appliances are covered due to normal wear and tear for the first year.

        

When installing handrails, choose rails that are 1 ½ inches in diameter and are strong enough to support 250 pounds. Source: AARP

        

You can dispose of still-functioning appliances and fixtures by donating them to a favorite charity rather than sending them to a landfill. Or visit www.Freecycle.org to find out how you can donate them to individuals who can use them. Appliances and fixtures that no longer work also can be recycled. Call your municipal solid waste agency, contact the Steel Recycling Institute at www.recycle-steel.org, or visit www.earth911.org for local options.