A mature tree can have more than 200,000 leaves, most of which will fallto the ground when the coolerweather arrives. Multiply that amount by the number of trees on the prop-

erty, and one can see what a taskremoving leaves can be.

Depending on the size of a per-son’s property, leaf removal can be an all-day project. However, when doneright, one ensures the lawn under-neath the leaves continues to thriveand will be in a better position to rideout the winter.

For most, a human-powered rake

Autumn Leaf Clean-up

is the best tool for removing leaves.While blowers might seem quicker,they can simply disperse the leavesinstead of congregate them for easierdisposal. What’s more, blowers can be

noisy and distribute fuel emissions into the air.

It is important torake deep enough to dis-turb the thatch or driedup grass and otherdebris that can form inthe lawn. This helps pre-vent the lawn from suf-focation or discoloration.

Leaves can be gath-ered and packed intobiodegradeable bagsand brought to the localrecycling center. Theyalso can be brokendown and used in com-post. Leaves on theirown do not make ideal

organic material, so it’s best if they’remixed into a compost pile to generatethat “black gold” plants love.

If there are not many leaves on the property, a lawnmower can be pushed over the leaves to break them up intofood for the lawn. However, largequantities of leaves should be rakedand removed.

The autumn foliage can be beautiful to admire. However, once the trees are past their peak and

begin to drop their leaves, autumn can meanlots of yard work for homeowners.

Come the cooler weather, leaf removal becomes a chore for homeowners. Learn ways to make

the work go more smoothly.

Many household injuries areattributed to falls down stairs. Even asimple slip can result in a sprained orfractured ankle or another brokenbone. Young children and the elderlymay be especially vulnerable when itcomes to staircase injuries. There areways to help prevent the scores ofaccidents attributed to stairs.

Make sure stairs are clear of clut-ter. Any item left on the stairs is a trip-ping hazard, whether that be an errant sock or one of the kid’s toy cars. There should be nothing on the stairs thathinders a person’s ability to go up and down safely.

Make sure the stairs are well-lit.Ample illumination can make it easier to see the stairs and prevent shadowsfrom forming. Feel free to increase the wattage of bulbs used over staircases.If visibility continues to be a problem,as may be the case with basementsteps, put a strip of reflective tape onthe edge of the steps.

Make sure railings are secure –and used. Falls can be avoided byholding on to sturdy railings.

Make sure stairs aren’t slippery.Non-slip runners or other attachments can prevent falls from slippery stairs.

How to Make Stairs Safer

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CITIZEN’S NEWSFriday, October 1, 2010 19

Few home improvement projects canbe as fun, satisfying and inexpensive aspainting. The excitement of choosing anew color scheme and then watching your home transform makes painting a projectthe whole family can enjoy.

By following a few simple tricks andtips you’ll be painting like a professionalbefore you know it. Bercom, the paintingexperts behind revolutionary paint prod-ucts like Handy Paint Trays and Liners,offers an insider’s perspective on how tomake your next painting project as quickand pain-free as it is enjoyable.

Plan ahead. Planning is the first stepto a successful paint job. Before you startpainting, stop by your local hardware orpaint store, like Lowe’s or anywhere paints are sold, and pick up all your suppliesincluding paint, paintbrushes, rollers,trays, pails, tape and drop cloths. Look for new products on the market today that are long-overdue updates to traditional paint-ing supplies. These next-generation sup-plies make painting a lot easier, and thetime and materials they save you makethem a worthwhile investment.

To save even more time, take meas-urements beforehand and determineexactly how much paint you need to getthe job done. If you do this, you will notrun out of supplies and end up having tomake a trip back to the paint store in themiddle of your project.

Use the magic formula. The condition of the wall will play a role in how muchpaint is required to complete your paintjob. Smooth, even surfaces generallyrequire less paint than rougher surfaces.Make note of the wall surfaces when tak-ing measurements. An easy formula fordetermining how much paint you need topurchase is: (wall height X wall width)number of walls 300 = gallons of paint

One gallon of paint covers about 350square feet, so dividing by 300 will leaveyou the perfect amount of paint for touch-ups.

Let the paint do the work for you. Forthe best results, do not skimp on the paint.Applying a thicker coat versus one that isstretched thin will save time and help you achieve professional-looking results on the first try. The Handy Paint Tray is conven-ient because it holds up to a gallon ofpaint, more than any paint tray on themarket, so that you can keep workingwithout having to frequently stop and re-fill the tray.

Prevent a mess by expecting one.Painting might be a fun home improve-ment job, but even the veteran painterexpects a little bit of a mess. Painters can

Tips for a Pain-Free

Paint Projectreduce the stress of a mess by protectingfloors with old bed sheets or canvas, andcovering woodwork, glass and metal sur-faces with painter’s tape.

Oftentimes, inexpensive, plastic drop cloths seem like an effective way to protect your floor and furniture because you cansimply throw them away when you are fin-ished. However, cloth drop cloths tend tobe easier to work with because they aremore durable than plastic, are rip andpuncture resistant, lay flat as you walkacross them, and you can easily fold clotharound wall angles and doors withouthaving to tape them to the ground.

Paint in the right order. Painting yourroom from top to bottom will help prevent annoying drips and splatters. For the bestresults, start by painting your ceilings,then move on to walls. After your walls,paint the woodwork. Save the floor for the very last.

Keep rolling along. Always beginpainting an interior surface by “cutting in” -- paint a two-inch wide strip along theedges with a paintbrush. When using apaintbrush, new-age paint containers, like the Handy Paint Pail, are ideal tools. Lookfor containers that have magnetic brushholders and adjustable straps that prevent fatigue in your hand or can be strapped to your belt.

After you have cut-in, use a roller tofill in your brushed-on outline. Whileusing a roller might seem simple, a fewtricks can make it even easier and lessmessy. Slowly dip the roller into your paint tray, and then roll it back and forth until it is completely and evenly coated withpaint. Then, run your roller across a wash-board to remove excess paint. Painters love the Handy Paint Tray’s built-in, sturdywashboard because it has deep ridges that remove excess and evenly distribute paint to rollers, preventing drips and splatters as a result. And, the next-generation trayscome equipped with a magnetic brushholder that prevents paintbrushes fromfalling into the tray, which allows you tokeep a brush and roller nearby at all times.

Make clean up quick and easy. Likemost projects, clean up is often the worstpart of painting. Choose a paint tray withdisposable liners, so when you are fin-ished painting, clean up is as easy asthrowing away the liner -- then you areinstantly ready for your next paint project! Handy Paint Liners are made of recycledplastic that is thick and durable, and canbe used will all paints and stains. Plus,they snap into place so you don’t have toworry about them shifting around andcausing a spill.

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20 Friday, October 1, 2010CITIZEN’S NEWS

Clutter has a funny way of creepingup on a person. It starts with a fewpapers piling up on the counter. Afterawhile, closets and cabinets arepacked with stuff rarely used.Homeowners can tame the clutter byfollowing a few steps.

For many people the accumulationof belongings is a status symbol. Many believe that the more stuff they have ...bigger and better stuff ... the moresuccessful and well off they are. Theyhave to have the latest video gamesystems, books, magazines, electronicgizmos, and more. After a while – and when interest wanes in these items –they’re placed in storage and begincollecting dust.

Breaking the connection withbelongings is one of the first steps toclearing out clutter. Here are someother steps to take.

Make friends with the garbage pail.One of the easiest ways to get rid ofclutter is to simply get rid of it. If anitem hasn’t been used in at least ayear, think about throwing it out.Many people say they are going to sell or donate seldom-used belongings,only to procrastinate. Tossing theminto the trash is faster.

Have a yard sale. For individualswho have the gumption and devotionto organize and sell items, then have a yard sale. One man’s trash is anotherman’s treasure. This can be a fast wayto get rid of clutter and make a fewdollars in the process. Chances are ayard sale will yield faster results thanputting items for sale online. Plus, the seller doesn’t have to incur the costsof shipping.

Freebie offer. There are enterprising individuals who are just looking forno- or low-cost items to collect, andprobably add to their own clutter. Setitems that will not be used at the curb

Conquer ClutterFor Good

and there’s a good chance they will be gone before the next garbage pickup.Ask friends and family members ifthey have a need for certain items that can be given away.

Donate. There are plenty of less-fortunate people who can benefit from another person’s excess. If there isbaby clothes and gear that may bestored in an attic, find out if it can bedonated to a women’s shelter or adaycare center. Perhaps a halfwayhouse can use electronics, olderappliances, tools, and other thingsthat have been accumulating in thegarage. Be reasonable about clothingin the closet. If it doesn’t fit now, giveit away. Should one lose weight at alater time, it will be fun to purchasesmaller clothing.

Organizational systems can help.There are all sorts of products, fromcloset systems to storage bins, that can help organize belongings. Simplyculling through items and storingthem in designated bins or on shelves can significantly reduce a mess.

Rotate closets. Free up space inclosets by storing out-of-seasonclothes and shoes in the attic. Oncethe weather changes, then swap thewardrobe. This easily alleviates spaceconcerns.

Put things where they belong.Laziness often leads to clutter. That’sbecause people tend to drop things in drawers or areas where items don’tbelong as a quick fix. Not only doesthis make finding things moredifficult, it may contribute topurchasing doubles of things alreadyowned. It can also cause clutter toaccumulate where it’s least desired.Take the time to put things where they belong and alleviate a mess in theprocess.