Expert Advice on Home Improvement TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

Since bacteria thrive at temperatures above 40º Fahrenheit (4º Celsius), it’s important to keep your refrigerator set below that level but above freezing for optimum food storage. Freezers should be set at 0º F (-18º C) or lower. Use an appliance thermometer to check the temperature, allowing 5-8 hours for it to adjust. Visit the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service website for more information, including how long to safely store various food items.

With summer in full swing, it’s important to keep a few safety tips in mind when using a gas grill:

• Always use a grill outside in an open area away from the house.
• Don’t store a propane tank in an enclosed area.
• Come straight home after having a tank filled and remove it from the car immediately.
• Don’t use a tank that is dented, rusted, or otherwise damaged.
• Never buy or accept an exhanged tank if the brass valve has turned a blue or green color.
• Turn off the burners and close the cylinder valve after each use.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, bucket of sand, or garden hose handy in case of fire.
• Never leave a lit grill unattended.

Documenting the construction process when building a new house can be a valuable resource for future renovations. Photograph every wall and ceiling after the plumbing and wiring have been roughed in but before the insulation and drywall are installed. Include a yardstick in the photo to allow you to gauge distances and label each picture on the back. Also, photograph and mark on your survey the location of outside wires and pipes that are buried.

According to a survey conducted for Johns Manville, one-fourth of homeowners are considering using their federal economic stimulus check on home improvement projects. Landscaping was the most popular item, followed by upgrading a bathroom or kitchen, painting a room, and adding insulation. Planning to get Uncle Sam to help out around your home? Leave a comment below to let us know what projects you have in mind.

To clean the gunk off the racks on your grill, wrap them in newspaper or paper towels and place them in a plastic garbage bag. Saturate the paper with household ammonia, tie the bag closed, and let it sit overnight. The next day take the racks out—being careful to avoid breathing the ammonia fumes—remove the paper, and spray the racks down with a hose. If needed, wash them in warm water with dishwashing liquid to remove any remaining residue. Rinse and dry.

Since its beginning in 1970 as a way to raise awareness of environmental issues, Earth Day has grown into an annual global event. Today those concerns are even more pressing that ever. While officially taking place on April 22nd each year, events are scheduled for several weeks before and after that date. To find out about events in your area, check out the searchable database at EnviroLink or the interactive map at Earth Day Network.

Having a problem getting your dishes sparking clean, or removing a stain from your favorite shirt? Not to fear, Cleaning 101 is here! This website from the Soap and Detergent Association provides information on everything from how to disinfect your kitchen counter to safety precautions when using bleach. There’s even a kids section with recipes and tips for blowing better bubbles.

Cast iron grates from Iron Age Designs are not only functional and beautiful but are made using mostly recycled materials and qualify for LEED green building credits. Grates come in over a dozen designs with sizes to fit most standard applications from drain and tree grates to wall registers for heating ducts. Made in the United States, Iron Age Designs can produce custom patterns and sizes as well, with no order considered too small. In addition to cast iron, grates can also be made from aluminum or silicone bronze.

Wireless lighting systems for your home used to be considered a luxury item that could set you back thousands of dollars, but the JetStream Lighting Control System® from CentraLite contains everything you need to control up to five rooms in your house for under $700. Individual wall switches communicate with each other using radio frequency signals without the need for a central controller, making the system easy to install in existing home.

The JetStream Starter Kit comes with five dimmable wall switches and a battery powered remote control which can be used to turn lights on and off from your house or car. Four preprogrammed lighting scenes are included, but up to 100 custom scenes can be programmed using a computer and optional USB interface device. Additional switches and accessories—like an automated timer, tabletop keypad and controllers for lamps—are available as well.

Installation requires a neutral wire at wall switches, which may not be present in some older homes. The JetStream carries a five-year limited warrenty and can be expanded to control thermostats as well as security and entertainment equipment. A searchable database of dealers and installers is available on their website.

A recent survey conducted by the American Institute of Architects, indicates a decline in homeowner demand for lavish high-end amenities in kitchens and baths. This was accompanied by a growing interest in environmentally friendly features, such as sustainable flooring and water saving toilets. Designs and products that improve accessibility for the elderly, like no threshold showers and handheld showerheads, were on the rise as well.