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Here are some tips that will make working on a ladder easier. Use elastic cords to secure a small plastic basket to the top of your stepladder to hold your tools. If you're on an extension ladder, slide a broom handle through a hollow rung and hang a bucket for tools from that. Keeping your tools close at hand, you'll save several trips up and down the ladder.

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. There s nothing more frustrating than having to detangle a mess of extension cords before you can get started with your project. Check out these tips from the pros on proper storage. Tempting though it may be, wrapping an extension cord around your arm to coil it back up quickly will twist and strain the cable inside. That ll cause it to tangle in an instant and will shorten the life of the cord. When you buy a new cord, pay attention to how it s coiled. That s how it wants to stay. There s a certain amount of finesse to it, but try to follow the direction the cord wants to go. A short length of clothesline or hook-and-loop tape at the end will give you a permanent way to tie the coiled cable up and hang it neatly. If you ve got a really long cable you don t want to re-coil each time, use the old bucket trick. Find an old 5-gallon paint bucket and drill a hole near the bottom. Let the female plug hang a couple of feet out of the hole, then coil the rest of the cable around the inside of the bucket. Keep the male end at the top, ready to pull out when you need it. For cords you use frequently in the same place, install a wall-mounted cord reel near an outlet. Try a portable spring-rewind wheel or even a hose reel for long cords. You need a cord that, when fully extended, is the right gauge and length for your job. A cord that s still coiled can start to act like a transformer under heavy loads and can dangerously overheat. This is especially common with smaller-gauge cords. Look for grounded cables that are labeled UL- and OSHA-approved so you can be sure they ve been tested and found to be safe. And although it s more expensive, go for a thicker gauge. Twelve-gauge cable is okay if you re only using one power tool, but for multiple tools or for outdoors, 10-gauge is best. Electrical power dissipates after the first 100 feet and insufficient amperage can burn out your tools. Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. We all know that life would be very different without that wonder of modern science: the toilet. But when it acts up, we also know life can get pretty complicated in a hurry. Don t wait until you have a houseful of guests to get prepared. Homeowners should own a full-sized plunger, an auger, a bucket and some rubber gloves. In the event of a clog that s overflowing the toilet, shut off the water intake valve underneath the tank, then remove half the water from the bowl before plunging the drain opening rapidly several times. If the water goes down, plunge once more for good measure before turning the water back on and flushing. If plunging doesn t work, the auger will. Cranking clockwise, feed the auger into the drain until it tightens at the clog; reverse a bit, then continue down as far as it ll go, and pull the whole thing up at once. Remove that matchbox car that junior s been missing along with any other debris, and plunge again before you flush, just in case. As always, being prepared with the right tools can save the day! Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008