Hiring a home renovator? Get it in writing!

(NC)-Sure you know to get quotes from at least three different businesses, check their references, and consult the Ontario Consumer Protection Branch's online Consumer Beware List before hiring a home renovator, but are you really listening for those cues that may tip you off that you may be dealing with a disreputable renovator? Here's a handy guide to phrases a home renovator may use that should make you suspicious:

"Just make the cheque out to CASH" The home renovator must provide the business' name and contact information in the contract.

"I need the deposit to cover my cost of materials" Your deposits should be around 10 - 20% - the more money up-front, the greater the risk.

"My secretary needs to make a photocopy first, I'll mail you the originals later" By law, you must be provided with a copy of the contract you have entered into with the home renovator, so make sure you do receive it.

"The price is guaranteed for 1 day only and only for my very SPECIAL customers" You shouldn't feel pressured during the sales pitch.

"You've got the best, why check with the rest?" Good home renovators are not defensive when you say you need time to shop around.

"You don't need my address because I'm never at home! I'll give you my pager/cell number instead where you can reach me 24/7" Cells and pagers can easily be disconnected - by law, a home renovator must give you a business address in the contract.

"I'm doing you a favour by coming out here for an estimate - do you know how busy I am?" Good home renovators won't make you feel bad if you don't sign a contract on the spot.

"You don't need to read it, we've covered everything so far, just sign here" It's amazing how many people don't bother reading their contracts.

Be on the alert too, for exaggerated claims of what the home renovator can do for you. When hiring, the wisdom of the old adage rings true: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

For more information about hiring a home renovator or your rights under Ontario's consumer protection legislation, go to www.ontario.ca/consumerprotection or call toll-free 1 866-351-5655.

Finally, kitchen range hoods that let the environment breathe New Energy Star certified range hoods merge design with high efficiency

(NC)-A range hood is a vital appliance for any kitchen. A quality kitchen ventilation system plays a significant role in the indoor air quality of the home, drawing stale air filled with grease, odors, and moisture out of the room. Apart from improving indoor air quality, a range hood that is vented to the outside can help exhaust heat and odours. But what makes a quality kitchen range hood?

According to Shirley Marquis, Range Hood Product Manager for Broan- NuTone and Venmar group, "a good range hood should be powerful enough that it reduces greasy buildup that can accumulate on cabinets and kitchen appliances, and strong enough to pull out contaminants that occur naturally while cooking."

A good way to check on a model's efficiency, she advises, is to look at the manufacturer's specifications. "A CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating tells you the amount of air that is moved per minute in cubic feet," she added. To determine the number of CFM your range hood needs will depend on your cooking habits, the dimension or layout of your kitchen (is it an open space or closed off) as well as your type of range (electric or gas). It is also important that your range hood be certified by the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI). HVI certification confirms that your product has been tested and meets specific industry standards. It also confirms that your product will perform as promised and you will receive proper ventilation to maximize your indoor air quality.

Performance is important, but preserving the environment has become a paramount issue with Canadians across the country and as a result more and more homeowners are now looking for energy efficient solutions for their home appliances, and range hoods are no exceptions.

That is why this year the top range hood manufacturers in the industry have answered this call and taken energy efficiency to the highest level by releasing new lines with ENERGY STAR certification.

"This is why we're proud to launch four new series of green products, says Marquis. The ESC270, ESN10, ESB10 and ESV10 are the first in our group to be ENERGY STAR certified."

All four series of range hoods offer a total energy savings of 564 kWh applicable on the product limited lifetime. They also feature the best of both worlds: the ability to cook on a uniformly lit surface and energy savings thanks to two compact fluorescent bulbs. These 13-watt bulbs last 10,000 hours-five times longer than regular light bulbs.

These new range hoods clearly have functional and efficiency purposes but Marquis said they have also become important kitchen design elements. These elegant series of Broan-NuTone Venmar range hoods add European streamlined style and effective pollution elimination to your kitchen. Meanwhile, these series are based on the same platform and are able to fit any décor.

In addition to standing out as a result of their unique, refined look, these new range hoods satisfy all your needs when it comes to trapping and eliminating various sources of pollution. They're a breeze for you to maintain with dishwasher-safe filters and come with a five-year guarantee. More information on the latest Energy Star range roods is available at www.venmar.ca, www.broan.ca and www.nutone.ca.

Change clocks and change smoke alarm batteries to change your odds of surviving a fire in your home

(NC)-Every Canadian gets the chance to improve their fire safety three weeks early this year, as clocks change at 2:00 a.m. on March 9. Daylight Savings Time now arrives the second Sunday in March, compared to prior years when people had to 'spring forward' on the first Sunday in April.

While the earlier time change is geared towards energy conservation, fire departments applaud the move because it launches the successful "change your clocks, change your smoke alarm batteries" campaign three weeks earlier across the country. By changing smoke alarm batteries at the same time you change your clocks, you can ensure this potentially life-saving household device is fully armed and working to keep your family safe from fire tragedy.

"There's no question working smoke alarms improve your odds of surviving a fire," says Carol Heller, a fire safety expert with Kidde Canada, the country's largest manufacturer of fire safety products. "In fact, survival rates improve 50% when your smoke alarms are maintained and working properly."

Heller also notes that spring is a great time to check your carbon monoxide alarms as well, to ensure their batteries are fresh, including those that plug into wall plugs but have battery back-up in case of power failure. Replacing old carbon monoxide and smoke alarms should be done according to the 10/7 Replacement Rule.replace smoke alarms every ten years and CO alarms every seven years, as per the recommendation of the National Fire Protection Association.

More information on smoke alarm maintenance and replacement tips can be found on the www.SafeAtHome.ca  web site.

Curb appeal: Tips to make your house stand out from the rest

(NC)-Caring for the exterior of your house increases value and makes it stand out from the rest. If you are selling your house, curb appeal can make the difference between a drive-by and a sale. A smart looking exterior sends the message that the house is cared for with time being spent to keep it maintained. Consider the following suggestions from The Home Depot Canada to increase your home's curb appeal:

Power clean. Make a noticeable improvement to the exterior of the home with a power wash. Don't forget to give the fences, deck, walkways and driveway a good clean. Give the windows a good scrub both inside and out. If the home still looks dull after the cleaning, give it a fresh coat of paint.

Jazz-up the landscaping. "Architectural landscaping is an immediate way to add colour, beauty and personality," says Dan Blair, seasonal expert at The Home Depot Canada. "Adding potted plants around a home's doorway or porch, placing shrubs alongside the driveway and keeping the grass neatly cut helps showcase a well kept home."

Complete the landscaping project by installing a water feature. They are aesthetically pleasing, emit soothing sounds and are easy to maintain.

Make the entryway inviting. Start with the sidewalk and ensure there are no weeds peeking through the cracks. Next, work on the driveway to remove or minimize oil spots and give it a fresh coat of asphalt sealer.

Come on in. A new door makes a smart visual statement to all that enter your home. If your door is only in need of a new coat of paint, choose a colour that complements the house and neighbourhood. Next, dress up the door by installing hardware, like handles, kick plates and knockers. After the door is updated, don't forget to look down. A doormat is a warm way to welcome the guests.

Lighting upgrades. Replacing the dated exterior porch lights is a quick and easy way to give the house a new look. Consider also adding solar lights to illuminate the walkways and gardens at night.

Regular maintenance. Once all the hard work is done, make it a habit to maintain the exterior appearance of the home. Doing so keeps the house looking pristine while helping avoid serious problems in the future.

More ideas on sprucing up the exterior of your home are available online at www.homedepot.ca. 

Caribbean Quick Tip: Any time is Aruba time

Palm Beach in Aruba is pick of the month.

Donald Nausbaum Photo

By Jane Stokes

(NC)-If you want the inside scoop quickly on all the sunny south islands, go to the Caribbean Travel Advisor website. In one glance, you'll get a wealth of useful quick tips, posted by Donald Nausbaum, a Canadian photographer and author who has spent years criss-crossing the Caribbean Sea, taking photographs for international magazines, guide books and photo libraries. Here's a sampling of a Nausbaum tip, with more information at www.caribbeantraveladvisor.info :

Beach Of The Month: Palm Beach, Aruba

"Palm Beach runs for miles along the south coast of Aruba. All the big hotel groups are well represented here along with many American restaurant chains, for your dining pleasure. Tip on the best time to go: anytime is Aruba time, after all they are out of the hurricane zone, so it's 12 months of uninterrupted bliss on the beach! Don't need a guidebook here, just a lot of novels to while away the time."