Home & Garden Checklist

Springtime means spring cleaning – and allergies.

It's officially spring – and time to freshen up the house. Welcome the new season by making rooms feel lighter and brighter, said Sally Morse, Hunter Douglas creative services director.

Spring arrives today with a new spin on gardening at the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show at the San Mateo Event Center.

Some classics never go out of style. Real redwood is regaining popularity in decks and other uses, particularly in California. Besides, it's cool – literally.

HOME CHECKLIST-Where did the time go? You'll lose an hour tonight. How? Turn that clock forward!

The final weeks of winter can seem like the longest. You're aching for spring and eager to get outdoors – if only the weather cooperates.

Get inspired for a busy spring at the 32nd annual Sacramento Home and Garden Show, which opens at noon today at Cal Expo for a weekend run.

Most folks don't think much about the air inside their homes. But according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality often can be worse than the air outside. The EPA pegged indoor air pollution among the top five environmental health risks.

New paint ranks among the least-expensive ways to make a room feel fresh. But painting a whole room can seem overwhelming. It may be too much change – or too much work.

Another celebratory time approaches: Valentine's Day. Thursday is time for hearts and flowers.

Ants! These persistent critters drive people crazy. All they want is food and shelter – just like us. But when they come marching single file across the kitchen counter, these minute invaders are never welcome.

This week, a popular product celebrates more than 50 years of package protection – with a little extra pop. Monday is Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day.

Goodbye, incandescent bulbs! You're history.

How safe is your home office? More than 10 percent of U.S. employees work from home, which can create hazards around the house.

Is home safety on your list of New Year's resolutions? January is National Crime Stoppers Month, with a common sense focus on how individuals can keep their families and valuables better protected.

Is a remodeling project on your to-do list for 2013? Start shopping now.

It's a common holiday complaint: There's so much waste wrappings that a gift sometimes gets lost or thrown out with the trash.

Americans again are lighting up the holidays with illuminated decorations, indoors and out.

Don't let fire ruin your holidays. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, American homes will suffer an estimated 128,700 fires during this holiday season. Based on averages from past years, those fires will result in an estimated 1,650 injuries, 415 deaths and almost $25.5 million in property damage.

A fresh-cut Christmas tree adds instant holiday spirit to any home.

With the first chill of winter, folks switch on the furnace for the first time in months – only to discover they may need a new furnace.

Is your carpet ready for company? That question is on the minds of a lot of holiday hosts – especially with Thanksgiving only five days away.

It's not your imagination; Thanksgiving comes early this year. That means the holiday rush is already upon us. But is your home ready for the holidays?

Is it that time already? Get set to fall back to Pacific Standard Time – and gain an hour.

Colder weather drives people indoors – critters, too. As temperatures drop at night, rodents, spiders, roaches and other pests scramble to find ways to stay warm – often in people's homes.

October is National Energy Awareness Month, a good time to give your home an energy-minded checkup before the cold months ahead.

An important tool in home fire protection is a fire extinguisher. Your home may have one, but do you know how to use it?

National Fire Prevention Week begins Sunday. The theme of this year's observance is a simple safety message: "Have Two Ways Out."

• Plant bok choy, spinach, peas, radishes, carrots and lettuce; the warm ground will get these fall crops off to a fast start.

Where do your kids do homework? If your home is like most households, it's the kitchen or dining room table.

Take advantage of pleasant weather, especially in the morning, and renew your garden. When was the last time you could actually fit two cars in the garage?

The threat of West Nile virus continues to be a major concern in the greater Sacramento area. This has been a terrible mosquito year in several California counties, too.

No time to clean? Life can be very hectic (especially with kids), but you can do a lot in a little time, according to the experts from the Maids Home Services.

August is a perfect time to enjoy fresh-cut flowers, especially late- flowering summer bulbs. But how do you keep them looking beautiful (and lasting longer) once you bring them inside?

Vacation season often sees a spike in home burglaries. How do you keep your property safe (and your peace of mind) while you're away from home?

With the Olympics under way in London, it's time to go for the gold. Silver and bronze work, too.

Heat takes its toll. By late July, many gardens look a little ragged or just plain tired.

If you want to get the kids off the couch and into the workshop, teach them how to use basic tools, suggest the editors of Family Handyman magazine.

Accidents will happen, usually when you're wearing summer whites. Be ready to give your clothes some first aid. Summer brings picnics, barbecues, berry pie – and stains.

Does your home's exterior look a little tired? Does it need a major face-lift or just new paint?

Summer annually puts extra strain on one major household appliance – the air conditioner.

It can freshen the fridge, clean the grill and even keep the pool sparkling. Oh, yeah, it's great for baking, too.

When choosing an outdoor barbecue, the first question may be the hardest.

When window shopping, look for the NFRC label. You'll save energy and money.

Take a Sacramento home remodeling tour without leaving your house. There's also still time to plant a vegetable garden.

They're industrious and hungry. And they're likely looking for a way into your kitchen.

Installing tile? Planning a garden room? Remodeling a kitchen or bath? There are apps for these.

Use water wisely. That's the message all May during California's Water Awareness Month.

If you're getting ready to put your home on the market, you may want to start with the garage.