On the home front

Did it yourself?

The budget is tighter, but home-improvement needs and wants never seem to end. The solution may be to get out the toolbox and do it yourself!

We want to feature your home or garden project in the Home & Garden section. Tell us about it (how long did it take? what did it cost?) in fewer than 250 words, and don't forget to include your name, address, phone number and, if possible, high-resolution photos of yourself and your project.

Send to Julie Young, Home & Garden, I Did It Myself, P.O. Box 85333, Richmond, VA 23293, or e-mail . Positive energy

If you haven't made the switch to more energy-saving light bulbs yet, consider the GeoBulb, by C. Crane Co. The LED bulb uses half the energy of a compact fluorescent bulb and is manufactured sans mercury or lead. It comes in three colors -- cool, which produces about as much light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb; soft, which produces 50 watts; and warm, which produces 40 watts -- all using 7.5 watts of power. Cost is $99.95.

Almost a hundred bucks for one light bulb? Well, yes, but only because you won't have to replace it for almost 10 years! The bulb's lighting is adequate. Let's hope the electricity bill is just as good. For details, visit http://www.ccrane.com.

Corner Lots

To aid in the prevention of chimney fires and carbon monoxide intrusion and to help keep heating appliances and fireplaces functioning properly, here are some safety tips:

• Get an annual chimney check, and cleaning as necessary. This reduces the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisonings due to creosote buildup or obstructions in the chimneys.

• Keep tree branches and leaves at least 15 feet away from the top of the chimney.

• Install a chimney cap to keep debris and animals out of the chimney.

• For burning firewood in wood stoves or fireplaces, choose well-seasoned wood that has been split for a minimum of six months and stored in a covered and elevated location.

• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Place detectors throughout the house and check batteries in the spring and fall. When you change your clocks for daylight saving time, remember to check your batteries.

• Never leave a fire unattended. Before turning in for the evening, be sure that the fire is fully extinguished. Supervise children and pets closely around wood stoves and fireplaces.

To read more on chimney safety, visit Chimney Safety Institute of America's Web site at http://www.csia.org.