Summer time of course means thunderstorms and hurricane season. Fortunately, most blackouts last just long enough to enjoy a candlelight dinner. But in the wake of a violent storm, it could be several hours or even several days before the local utility gets power up and running again. Because there's no way of knowing how long the wait will be, assume the worst and prepare for a prolonged outage.

• Turn off most of the electrical devices that were running before the outage occurred. This makes it easier for power to be restored to the grid.
• If you have water pressure, fill containers for drinking and bathing. Fill the bathtub, too; you'll want plenty of water on hand if widespread power outages lead to a disruption in water service. If you have a private well system, save the water in the pressurized tank for drinking only - you won't be able to draw additional water until power is restored.

As the 4th of July approaches for those of us here in the U.S., let's all remember just how lucky we are.

I'm able to spend the 4th with my family without fear of some tyrant or dictator.

Why can I do this?

Because there are young men and women around the globe making sure we'll be able to celebrate another 4th of July this year (and years to come.)

They receive little in pay and recognition. Sometimes they're forced to endure situations that would be considered cruel and unusual punishment under any other circumstances.

They're spending this holiday away from their families so you and I don't have to.

We honor them now, but what happens 5 or 10 years down the road. Will we still remember their courage and sacrifice they all gave?

We continue our monthly update from The Weather Channel's home improvement expert Danny Lipford, that not only reminds you of what needs to be done and when, but also shows you ways to save money. 

July

The month for outdoor projects...

Paint. July is warm and relatively dry (in most regions), making it a good time for exterior painting projects.