The newsletter of the Cleveland Restoration Society's Heritage Home ProgramSM.
APRIL 2021
UPDATE: In-Person Site Visits are back!
The popular and helpful site visits provided to homeowners are back in person!

The Heritage Home Program has been providing our site visits virtually for the past few months and during the height of the pandemic in 2020, and we are excited to be going back out in the field.
Site visits will be available on a limited basis beginning the week of April 26th as we fully transition to in-person visits.
Virtual site visits will still be available.
Site visits can be scheduled from the Heritage Home Program website or by calling our office at 216-426-3116.
Information Session Season is here!
Our virtual informational presentations will be going on every month this spring and into the summer! We have a full schedule planned through August.

Anyone interested in registering for one of our upcoming presentations can register online or call the Heritage Home Program Office. Our specialty presentations will be once a month, and recorded versions will be available on our website.
Spring Lawn and Home Safety
Take care of yourself while taking care of your home and yard! The warmer weather is great for spending time outside and getting projects around the outside of your home completed. A first aid kit is an important part of any home project toolbox, and for exterior work there are some other items to keep in mind.

When working outside, remember to drink plenty of water and keep to the shade if needed. The spring might have days where it is nice and cool, but it can get pretty hot in a short time, so be prepared!

Wearing gloves and a hat is important when working outside or in the garage. They protect your hands and head/face when you are working in your garden, taking care of the lawn, or checking your gutters for leaves and branches. Light nitrate or latex gloves are great when working with liquids, and heavier leather, canvas, or cloth gloves protect your whole hand. Hats can be used for protection from the sun and for cooling, and hard hats or helmets should be used when trimming trees or working where something can fall from above.

Also remember to use sunscreen! Even on our beautiful overcast Northeast Ohio days, there is still a possibility of a sunburn if you are not careful.

Investing in safety glasses is an important decision for every homeowner - for projects inside and out! Safety glasses come in different styles so you can find a pair that fits comfortably for your needs. Along with safety glasses, having a handy pair of earmuffs or earplugs is important for those loud projects. Earmuffs can offer the best hearing protection, and earplugs are small and handy.

In your work safety closet you should have a good pair of boots with adequate support, no-slip bottoms, and even toe protection. You should also have a pair of knee pads for those projects close to the ground - inside and out! Heavier-duty protective clothing is worn when working on projects that involve chainsaws or chemicals.

For projects around your home - inside and out - investing in a dust mask and/or respirator is important to protect yourself from dust or other flying debris that you might inhale. A fire extinguisher is important to have in any workshop or garage. There are large and small fire extinguishers available, so do diligent research in finding the one that suites your needs best.
When you are getting back outside after a long winter, check over your driveway, walkways, and lawn before heading out. Look for fallen branches and holes before mowing. Check the trees around your home for branches that look like they might fall. Those can be very dangerous and damage property and people if they hit something!

Find out about anything underground before digging in your yard. In Ohio, you can call Ohio-811 or visit their website to find out if there are any lines running where you want to dig and avoid injury and other damages.

Keep kids and pets away from areas that you are working on or in. Ladders and home maintenance equipment are not toys, and can cause serious harm and damage when used by someone not able to control it or not paying appropriate attention.
Bees, bunnies, and other wildlife can make your yard their home too! Keep a lookout for insects and animals when doing yardwork or burrowing bunnies when mowing the lawn.

If you are planning your yard to cultivate bees and other pollinators, it’s best to have a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the grow season from early spring through the late fall. Hummingbird feeders will provide additional sources of nectar for these pollinators, and building “bee condos” or leaving an occasional dead limb will allow nesting sites for native bees. Research to learn more about how you can make your yard pollinator friendly! 

Other bugs and animals can make a home in your yard or get into parts of your home, so be careful when using deterrents or pesticides. Some can do more damage than good. Do research on the best options for your home, yard, and family.

Most of all - be safe and aware when working in your yard, garden, or on your home!
Our Preservation Toolbox is a Helpful Resource
Have you visited our Preservation Toolbox? It is filled with advice for home repair projects and can help answer questions you may have about your home.

The good weather that comes with spring and summer care great times to look over your home and address any issues with your paint. The Heritage Home Program Preservation Toolbox has tips and tricks for painters and homeowners that are interested in fixing any paint problems and trying to decide what color to paint your home.

Check out our Preservation Toolbox and other resources available on the Heritage Home Program website!
216-426-3116 I hhp@heritagehomeprogram.org