It’s nearly time for the kids to head back to school, which means that there’s still a little bit of time left for ambitious homeowners to do some home improvement projects as a family. One of the things that Pinterest and blogs are great for is inspiring homeowners to be creative and tackle some home projects themselves, but when it comes to home improvements, there are some things are best-left to the professionals.

Trimming Or Removing Trees

Pruning a tree that’s no taller than you or a small shrub is east to do yourself, but as soon as you need a ladder to reach the leaves or need to remove large branches, you should probably leave it to the pros. Removing trees or trimming them will require power tools and considerable heights. A good tree

If your home was built before the mid-1960s, there's a good chance it has an underground storage tank for the heating oil used as the fuel for the furnace. This heating oil was usually stored in underground storage tanks (USTs) near the homes. Oil trucks would come to the homes and top off the USTs periodically during the winter months.

The Problem: Tanks Can Corrode & Leak Over Time

Over time, people switched to above-ground tanks or to electric furnaces or furnaces powered by natural gas. But the underground tanks still sit on the properties and may still have some oil in them. So what is the problem? Well, the tanks are made primarily of steel, which will corrode after about 20 or 30 years of use. Holes develop in the tanks, and the oil leaks out

The holiday season is a time for family, friends, food, and fun. Unfortunately, it’s also a time for thieves. With so many people exchanging gifts, thieves know that homes are full of new electronics, jewels, and other valuables at this time of year. So, as the holidays wind down, it’s a good idea to see what precautions you can take to protect your valuables.

Year Round Suggestions

Don’t make stealing easy. The harder you make it for thieves to get to your valuables, the more likely they will abandon your home for an easier one. Let’s look at steps you can take to discourage any potential thieves.

1. If you have a security system, use it every night and whenever you are away from home during the day. Make sure that there are security signs by

The holidays are a special time to spend with family and friends. To fully enjoy the holidays, it pays to be safe. Follow these holiday safety tips, and you'll enjoy a safe and fun holiday.

General Home Safety

Make sure that all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order and have fresh batteries.

Have a good fire extinguisher handy in any room that could present a fire hazard, such as the kitchen or any room with a Christmas tree, fireplace, or lit candles.

If you have had a party where guests have smoked cigarettes, after they leave look around the floor and under chairs for any lit cigarettes that may have fallen. Smoldering cigarettes could ignite something flammable and cause a fire.

Make sure the