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If you live in an area with heavy snowfalls, you may want to reinforce the rafters to preâ€" vent your roof from sagging, or even collapsâ€" ing, after a blizzard. Snow can accumulate on your roof and become quite heavy, creating a hazard to the structure or people nearby. In fact, four feel of snow on a 20 x 30â€"foot roof can weigh up to 30 tons â€" as much as a DCâ€"9 airplane. Don‘t just wait for the snow to melt; clear it (along with any icicles) when you can. Check it regularly for snow buildâ€"up and for any other signs of actual or potential damage. If you‘re using a ladder to clear the snow off your roof, watch for icy spots and be careâ€" ful of your footing while both climbing the ladder and up on the roof. If you notice that mice, squirrels or racâ€" coons are making a winter home of your attic, it is more than a nuisance â€" it is a potential safety hazard. These furry creatures can chew through the protective covering on electrical wiring, possibly causing a fire. Snow off the roof "Remember that while your insurance polâ€" icy covers the residence and its contents, most policies don‘t cover damage caused by snow buildâ€"up because the problem is detectable and preventable," says Dolores Vokey, a home insurance expert with The Coâ€"operators. safe. These fires are low heat source fires and may not be detected by fuse boxes or breaker systems until it‘s too late. Call a local electrician to come and inspect your wiring. If you can locate how they got in, block it up with wood, filler or concrete. Other items on your checklist * Clean all debris out of window wells and eavestroughs. * Have your chimney professionally cleaned . * Adjust and lubricate all window and door hardware. * Test door and window hardware for security. ROYAL fi'fi'%“é" 825' ] ]7] d T111 11 Royal LePage Raal Estate Servins Lid, Brccer s 239 Lakeshore Rd. E _ t $209,000. Large lot with mature trees. 3+1 bedâ€" rooms, sep. dining room, eatâ€"in kitchen, hardâ€" wood floors, 4 pc. 3 pc. baths. Separate entrance to basement. MIRA LUCIC* 825â€"1171. Royal LePage Real Estate Senvices Li., Brcker $174,500. Glen Abbey townhome end unit. Upgraded with stripped hardwood floors. Large kitchen. Appliances. Attractive landscaping. Quick closing. DUDLEY FOSTER** 845â€"8522 Getting ready for winter By M.H. Parnu efore winter arrives, there are a numâ€" ber of things you should be concerned with to keep your home and family *Sales Representative Oakville *â€"Use insulated tape, not metal nails or tacks, to hold strings of outdoor lights in place. Don‘t tape cords over, under or along metal eavestroughs. Use plastic electrical tape over all plug connections to make them waterâ€" tight. * "Each string of Christmas lights is designed to be used individually. If you bunch miniâ€"lights together, the excessive heat can melt the insulation and expose live wires," says Vokey or The Coâ€"operators. * When working with outdoor wiring, turn off the power to the supply outlet. Hang outâ€" door lights with the bulb pointing down to prevent moisture from entering the sockets. * Replace burntâ€"out bulbs quickly. If you don‘t, the other bulbs may burn at a higher than normal temperature. Before replacing a Christmas tree bulb, unplug the light string to prevent shocks. * Check the original package (or take a bulb to the store with you) to make sure your replacement bulb has the same voltage/wattage as the original. * Examine light strings carefully before reusing them each year. Discard any with frayed cords, cracks in the lampâ€"holder, or loose connections. * Check that bulb reflectors are the right size for the light string, and have insulation between the lamp and the metal part of the reflector. * If a bulb breaks with part of it is the sockâ€" et, here‘s a simple trick to get the metal part out. Unplug the lights and insert a rubber erasâ€" er into the bulb, letting the surface catch the fragments. This makes it easier to turn the bulb. * Check humidifiers for efficiency. * Check radiators for airlocks and leaks. * Clean all electric baseboard heaters. * Have your furnace checked. Tree and outdoor lights During the holiday season, nothing brightâ€" ens up a home like a Christmas tree or outâ€" door lights. As with any electrical item, take care to ensure the lights don‘t become a hazâ€" ard. The Very BeS® Way To Sell Your Property MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE ONLY A REALTOR IS QUALIFIED TO HANDLE THE MOST IMPORTANT FINANCIAL TRANSACTION OF YOUR LIFE. Call one of our Broker members Many uppates â€" Wai to "GO" Ran A LOT !7F%2(PLITTI.E ENJOY THE CRACKLING FREPLACE Call FRANCES WEDLAKE 825â€"1171 HaARDWOOD MAPLE KTCHEN â€" Quiet P, UP AND AWAY MATURE townowe â€" Roor tor pAno ror your sELEctions 179 P AWV AWAY!