• “Living Well Wednesdays” is a free quarterly UF/IFAS Extension program from Northwest Florida family and consumer sciences experts. Each quarter explores a different topic.
• The next topic covered will be indoor and outdoor home maintenance. The three-part series will be presented virtually on June 9, 16 and 23 at 12:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30 a.m. Central.
• Registration is free but required for Zoom webinar details: bit.ly/LWWhome.

For homeowners, the maintenance to-do list is never complete. But not all jobs require professional expertise, and UF/IFAS Extension wants to empower homeowners to perform simple maintenance tasks that can save money and headaches in the long run.

The next series in the free “Living Well Wednesdays” virtual workshop will offer tips to repair and maintain common issues seen inside and outside the home, with different subtopics covered during each of the June 9, 16 and 23 events. Experts from the UF/IFAS Extension Northwest District will lead the presentations and answer participant questions during the lunch hour, starting at 12:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30 a.m. Central.

“Home care and maintenance prevents problems later on,” said Terri Keith, UF/IFAS Extension Jackson County family and consumer sciences agent and one of the panelists for the upcoming series. “We want to share things homeowners can do to help save them money.”

Registration is required at bit.ly/LWWhome to access the Zoom information, but one submitted form covers all three free events in the home care series. Reminders and recordings will also be sent to registered participants.

June 9 | Basic maintenance: Presenters will share important records to keep for your home; needs you may not think about, like cleaning refrigerator coils and dryer vents; plus common needs like caulking, screen repair, minor plumbing issues and even homemade cleaning solutions.

June 16 | Indoor/outdoor maintenance, including hurricane preparations: Topics covered will include caring for flooring, regrouting or repairing cracked tiles, repairing a hole in a wall, lighting and home security, lawn and garden resources, as well as general hurricane preparations for your home.

June 23 | Energy efficiency: This session will be all about the small changes that improve a home’s energy efficiency and thereby save money. Thermostat settings, changing air-conditioning filters, options in energy-efficient lighting, adjusting water heater thermostats, timers, weather stripping, caulking, and a discussion on interpreting the Energy Star label.

In addition to Keith, the panel will also feature UF/IFAS Extension family and consumer sciences agents from nearby counties: Judy Corbus, of Washington and Holmes; Laurie Osgood, of Gadsden; Melanie Taylor, of Bay; and Jill Breslawski, of Okaloosa and Walton. Even more agents from the Northwest District will be on hand to chat, as well.

Other “Living Well Wednesday” series coming up later this year will tackle healthy eating and financial wellness topics. Follow the “Living Well in the Panhandle” Facebook page to be the first to know about those events.

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The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
ifas.ufl.edu | @UF_IFAS

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