Cleaning Tips

Test batteries in smoke detectors twice per year; daylight savings time is an excellent reminder to do this task.

Plant spring-blooming bulbs in well-drained soil — they’ll need 12 to 16 weeks of temperatures that are 45 degrees or colder.

Turn off all outdoor faucets; coil and tie all garden hoses, and store them in a frost-free place.

Check for cracks in siding and shingles, and for window drafts. Plug air leaks with caulk or weather stripping to limit heat loss in your home.

 Feeding birds during the winter increases their odds of survival by allowing them to raise their young and restore their populations.