CLOSING THE HOUSE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 897, 14 February 1930, Page 5

CLOSING THE HOUSE

THINGS TO REMEMBER Closing the house for the annual holiday is often a matter of anxiety, particularly to the newly-married housewife. There are many things to be thought of, and a list of them will, perhaps, save some oversights. Firstly, turn off the gas at the meter. A good way to keep plants fresh is to stand them in a bath, filled about one-third with water. Thus they only absorb what they require. It is not altogether wise to draw all the blinds, unless anything is likely to fade with the sun. Drawn blinds suggest that the household is away, an interesting fact to burglars. It is wise to send all valuables to ■the bank. It involves very little trouble and one’s holiday is apt to be marred if worrying -about their safety. Rub any metal articles with paraffin to prevent them tarnishing. STORING THE CUSHIONS Even with the windows tightly closed. a certain amount of dust creeps in, and covers and cushions often get very soiled. It is a good plan to put all the covers and cushions in a cupboard. Remember to close the regulator of the chimney. Wheu there are no fires, there will frequently be a fall of soot, especially after rain. Avoid leaving flowers in the vases. Nothing is so depressing on returning home than to see a few sticks of dead flowers in every room. Don’t feed the mice while you’re away by leaving bits of food about. The larder should be watched, as a crust of bread can attract several ■types of vermin, often most difficult to get rid. Pets have to be arranged for. Newsagents like to be told about a week before that the papers, will not be required for a period, A VALUABLE INVENTORY There are so many things to see to that it is Well -to have a list and tick the things off as they are attended to. otherwise one may have an uneasy moment during the holiday, because the weekly groceries, milk or meat are stil being sent to the house. Fruit and vegetables will keep fresh much longer if placed on a wire grid, standing a couple of inches from the ground, and if the things are not allowed to touch.

When you have a last look round, see that you have something in the store cupboard which will make a first meal when you return. It is never very encouraging to have to go shopping after a journey. V If your holiday is to be extensive, it is well to look up your household insurance policies. Some policies contain a clause which requires certain precautions to be taken if the house is to be closed for a long period- If these steps are not taken, the company can disown liability in the event of fire or burglary occurring.