Summer’s here, hot, high and sweaty. Vacations beckon. The garden takes on a life of its own. Busy families don’t have much time for home chores these months. School’s out, travel’s in and it’s easy to let life slide on the home front. Still, summer will run more smoothly if you keep tabs on these important areas in and out of your home, while staying cool! Make the season count. Late summer is a slow time for home maintenance and cleaning companies. Look for summer discounts from carpet and rug cleaners, gutter installers, and window washing firms, and get the jump on fall cleaning! Think ahead to fall’s cold weather. Schedule furnace maintenance now and beat the October rush. You’ll be snug and warm that first cold night–and your HVAC specialist will thank you! Prepare the medicine chest and first aid kit for summer’s little medical emergencies. In the bathroom, dispose of outdated medication as recommended by local health authorities. Be sure the first aid kit has ample adhesive bandages for scrapes, calamine lotion for insect bites, and hot/cold packs for strains or sprains. Tackle patio and sliding door tracks. Summer is open-door season, so be sure your doors open smoothly. Grab a bottle of all-purpose (degreasing) cleaner, a screwdriver and lots of rags. Spray the tracks generously and let sit for a few minutes to soften. Wrap the screwdriver with a rag, and make several careful passes along the track to get out the gunk. Check washing machine hoses. Replace them if you find cracks or bulges–or if they’re over two years old. Hold a garage sale. Declutter house and garage to turn cash to trash! Pest patrol is important. Inspect yard and garden for carpenter ants or termites. Call an exterminator if you see signs of infestation. Beware of fire ants in the South! If you see telltale mounds, treat with grits or borax. Keep borax away from children. Keep tabs on decks, siding and trim. Will you need to perform touch-up work before winter? Order paint and be ready for the first cooler days of early autumn. Control garbage can odor with a can clean-out. Rinse garbage cans with a hose, dump the water, then spray with disinfectant. Let the cans sit for 10 minutes, then rinse again. Turn upside down to dry. Inspect gutters, and clean out any leafy debris. Summer thunderstorms won’t faze you if your gutters are in good working order. Make a safety inspection of children’s outdoor play equipment. Tighten loose bolts and cover with plastic protectors.