Got an older home -- one that still uses fuses? When they blow, don't "re-fuse" without "reading" first. Today, you'll learn how to read the message your blown fuse is sending. When a fuse fails, it is for one of two reasons -- either there is an overload on that line's circuit, (meaning you're drawing too much power through the line causing dangerous overheating and, thus, fuse failure), or there is a direct short on the line, again causing the fuse to blow. In either case, the small metal bar inside melts, which, in turn, shuts off the flow of electricity. The simple solution? Replace the fuse. But before you do, read the ?message? the fuse is sending. An overload causes the inner bar to simply melt, leaving the glass around it clear and clean. But a short will blacken the glass or make it opaque. By reading the message, and with these clues, you can correct the problem before you re-fuse. For more tips, visit our Web site at onthehouse.com. And that's the On The House tip for today.