Ready, set, grill!

(NC)-Now that the warm weather is here many Canadians are ready to get grilling. Canadian Tire has the following information to help you barbecue like a "pro" this summer.

Choose the right grill

Propane and charcoal barbecues are popular choices and each has its own benefits.

Propane & Natural Gas- Propane and Natural Gas barbeques heat up quickly: Simply open propane tank or natural gas valve, push igniter button and you're ready to grill. The fully adjustable flames allow heat levels to be controlled at all times and multiple burners allow foods to be prepare simultaneously on different burners at different temperatures.

Charcoal - Charcoal barbeques can be a more affordable alternative to gas grills. Charcoal barbeques provide an authentic smokey flavour as well as intense aromas; while searing food on a hot grill and sealing in the natural juices.

Infrared Cooking Barbeque - New this year, infrared barbecues cook food from the inside out to seal in moisture and flavor resulting in a juicier, tastier cut just like what you would enjoy at a high-end restaurant.

Additional features to consider

. Cooking Surface - There are many different types of cooking surfaces. Chrome is the most popular type of surface. A porcelain-coated surface is non-stick, making it easier to use and clean, while a cast-iron surface provides even heat distribution to sear meat perfectly. Stainless steel surfaces are a durable option as they are rustproof so the surface will not chip or burn.

. Rear/Side/Rotisserie Burners - These burners provide extra space for cooking and also allow you to cook different items without mixing tastes.

. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and is a measurement of heat output. While it shouldn't be the sole deciding factor, it is important to consider. Make sure you calculate BTUs from the true square footage of the barbecue and include side, back and rotisserie burners.

Never leave your barbecue unattended. The Centro BBQ Kitchen Series, available at Canadian Tire, includes a food preparation station and kitchen cart, enabling you to rinse, chop and marinate without running into the house and leaving the barbecue unattended.

Prepare and protect your family this summer storm season

(NC)-If last year's weather forecast is any indication of what to expect this summer, many areas of Canada should prepare themselves for record temperature highs, heavy rain fall, flooding, lightening and tornadoes, which can all instantly cause an emergency situation.

In anticipation of Emergency Preparedness Week, which runs May 4-11, 2008, Energizer is reminding Canadians to stay safe when weather strikes and offers the following tips to help plan ahead for your home or cottage this summer storm season:

Prepare ahead of time: In addition to keeping flashlights, batteries and a radio handy, it is a good idea to keep a basic emergency kit in your home year round with an additional supply of water, nonperishable food items, first aid kit and cash. Having additional items such as blankets, clothing and copies of personal documents will ensure you will be well equipped for any emergency situation.

Make a plan: A family emergency plan will help you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency. Your plan should outline meeting places to reunite with family and friends, contact persons close-by and out-of-town, health information as well as the location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve and floor drains.

Protect your home and family during an outage: If the power goes out, avoid using candles, which is one of the top causes of household fires annually. Instead, light up without flames by using battery powered area lights, lanterns and handheld flashlights. The Energizer Weather Ready line of lights is specifically designed for use during emergencies and severe weather conditions.

Energizer, a leader in dependable, portable power, offers a variety of potential items for home and mobile preparedness kits, many of which are designed especially for emergency situations. For more information on products and information visit: www.energizer.ca.

Laundry room revival

(NC)-Most of us spend too much time doing laundry in a dingy room that doesn't get much attention. It's time to take a fresh look at this workspace and improve on the room's storage, décor and appliance efficiency with tips from The Home Depot Canada:

Front load efficiency. Front loading washers and dryers are musts for their eco-friendly and water saving performance, as well as their sleek, space saving design. Look for Energy Star certified units which are 10 to 50 per cent more efficient than conventional models.

Smart storage. Maximizing laundry room space is all about creative storage solutions. Consider a built-in ironing board cabinet that can easily stow away both board and iron when not in use. Next, install upper cabinetry to provide even more storage that can safely keep detergents out of children's reach. On the more decorative side, cloth-lined wicker baskets with covers are always a great way to openly stow laundry or cleaning supplies.

Well lit. To keep your laundry room both functional and stylish install pendant lighting over your laundry room counter. Styles can range from ultra modern to art deco.

Super sink. A sink for hand washing is a must for most laundry rooms. This year forgo the usual plastic wash basin model for a stainless-steel laundry tub complete with integrated washboard. Complement the look with a matching faucet and stainless steel appliances.

Wall wow factor. Add a little spice to your laundry room by either wallpapering a feature wall in a bold eye-popping pattern or adding a colourful tile backsplash. Other walls can be painted in a more subtle, but complementary colour. Finally, consider a decorative yet functional painted cork board in the feature wall colour to keep track of washing tips and family schedules.

For more laundry room inspiration visit The Home Depot in your community or www.homedepot.ca. 

How different cladding materials stack up

(NC)-Today's most popular cladding materials include vinyl siding, exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS), stucco and masonry. Here's a look at how they compare for maintenance, cleaning, durability, life cycle cost and fire safety:

The website www.MasonryWorx.com provides more information about brick, block and stone masonry.

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Water conservation made easy

(NC)-For many Canadians, manicuring the lawn and maintaining a beautiful garden continues to be a favourite summertime hobby. While the desire for a beautiful yard continues to grow, Canadians are becoming more conscientious about water conservation. To help gardeners achieve a lush environment while also conserving water, the lawn and garden team at Canadian Tire has put together some helpful tips to save time, money and energy.

. Water your garden or lawn first thing in the morning, ideally between 7 a.m. and 10a.m. This reduces the likelihood of water evaporation and fungal disease as the garden and lawn can absorb the water before the mid-day heat. Also consider a solar-powered watering unit, available at Canadian Tire is a Solar Rechargeable Sprinkler that charges batteries while in use using sunlight and includes a remote control to customize watering patterns.

. Use a soaker hose for your garden. Soaker hoses use up to 70% less water than conventional sprinklers as they allow the water to seep directly into the ground and target the root systems more effectively

. Installing a water timer, such as a programmable digital unit will ensure that you control the amount of water used on a daily basis

. Install a drip irrigation system. These systems use tiny emitters to water specific areas or plants versus open spaces at a set rate, using less water and nurturing fewer weeds

. Consider using an environmentally water saver, such as a rain barrel. Plants and lawns love oxygen-rich rain water and a rain barrel is the perfect way to collect this valuable resource. Simply connect the barrel directly to your eaves trough downspout and the barrel will collect the rainwater rather than letting it go to waste in the sewers

. Add mulch to your garden. Available at Canadian Tire is a 100% organic and biodegradable mulch block product that expands to 2 cubic feet. Providing a layer of mulch to your garden will help to retain moisture in the ground, inhibiting weed growth and requiring less watering

How to "window" shop for paint at home New interactive web tool makes choosing paint fun

(NC)-Did you know that a large percentage of consumers still don't know what paint to buy once in a store? Experts say most people don't know how to go about choosing paint colours and products for their walls.

"This often translates into a frustrating experience for shoppers, who feel pressured to make on-the-spot decisions which may not necessarily be the best choice for their needs," says Stéphanie Pelland, Marketing Coordinator for Sico Paints, explaining that these choices include paint colour, type and sheen, primer options and product quantities.

You can now brush away these troubles with the recent launch of a first-of-its-kind interactive web tool that makes it fun to choose paint colours, products and finishes, all from the comfort of home.

Doing away with conventions, the site - accessed at www.sico.ca - combines an entertaining, humorous and interactive video with a new Virtual Decorator tool that walks consumers step-by-step through the decorating process. Website visitors have the option of selecting décor options through the video and then proceeding to the Virtual Decorator, or going directly to the decorating tool.

"The word fun isn't always associated with choosing paint products, but we're out to change that," Pelland adds, emphasizing that Sico's website is designed to inspire consumers' creativity by offering a refreshing approach to décor, and enable users to make all their paint selections on-line before even setting foot in a store.

The video stars two fun-loving and amusing pals, Maude and Sarah - otherwise known as the "Colour Squad" - who sneak into a friend's home to surprise her with a makeover. In their folly, they turn to the website visitor for help in selecting a room to decorate, style and ambiance, with the click of the mouse. All of the user's choices are recorded and automatically transferred to the Virtual Decorator.

With about 100 new trendy three-colour schemes and almost 1,700 Sico colours to choose from, the décor possibilities include a range of urban, classic, rustic and free expression looks. There are also soothing, warm or invigorating ambiance options for every room in the house.

At the end of the process, consumers receive a print-out of their choices - along with the amount of each paint colour needed for walls, ceilings, doors, trim and priming, and Sico's suggestions for products and sheens - which they can then bring to their local retailer. The tool even automatically locates the closest Sico dealer and provides an accompanying map. To experience Sico's Colour Squad video and new Virtual Decorator, visit www.sico.ca.

Make a solid impression

Try staining the concrete in your driveway for a high-end look without the high-end price.

(NC)-Concrete and stone have a big part to play when it comes to improving the exterior appearance of your home. But a designer look doesn't necessarily mean an expensive landscape project.

"You can transform patios, walkways, pool surrounds and other surfaces around your home in just a few simple steps," says Lawrence Genga spokesperson for Rust-Oleum products.

Look for new do-it-yourself systems, like Rust-Oleum Stoneffects, that are easy to apply and give an attractive stone finish, texture and durability. Products that offer non-slip properties are especially important for areas around swimming pools and on walkways.

If you're looking to add a touch of elegance to those ubiquitous concrete pavers around the air conditioner or barbeque consider concrete stain.

"Concrete stain is an attractive, low-cost alternative to patterned concrete or interlocking stone," says Genga.

Choose an easy-to-use, environmentally friendly product that offers a wide variety of colours and with just a few steps, you can turn blah into beautiful.

More energy-saving laundry tips

. Hang clothes outside to dry on a sunny day. The sun actually kills germs that remain on clean laundry.

. Put full loads of laundry in the washing machine! Don't worry about letting your laundry pile up - it's environmentally responsible and saves energy.

 Make the long weekend refresh you, not rob you of sleep

(NC)-For many, the upcoming May long weekend means that summer, cottage and cabin season are right around the corner. And many also use this time to celebrate hard. While fun, it makes sense to think about how a jam-packed and over-active weekend can hinder, not help us, when Monday rolls around.

"Canadians' energy levels are already manic on weekends," said Gary Baskerville of the Better Sleep Council Canada. "Our own research has shown that we're the most alert on Saturdays, but then Sunday is one of the most tired days of the week. Throw in an extra day and the up and down pattern gets even worse. Proper and consistent sleep and energy is so important to good health - let's use the longer weekends to maximize that health benefit."

May is Better Sleep Month. And this year The Better Sleep Council Canada is urging Canadians to avoid these long weekend pitfalls to keep energy levels high and have an enjoyable, refreshing, holiday:

1. Overeating or eating late at night: Parties and feasts aside, consider eating light and early to ensure a good night's sleep. If you are eating late, try a short walk to get a breath of fresh air before hitting the hay

2. Too much drinking: Too much alcohol before bedtime can prevent your body from falling into a deep, relaxing sleep - the sleep we need to help recharge after a long week of work. When in doubt, sleep sober!

3. Sleeping in unfamiliar, uncomfortable or old bed: Cottages and cabins are prone to housing old hand-me-down mattresses. The average mattress should be replaced every eight-to-ten years for the best support and comfort

4. Over-exertion: Got big plans like renovating, gardening or playing more physical games with your kids? Extra physical activity in one weekend can cause physical strain and pain. Find time to relax and let your body rejuvenate

5. Irregular sleep hours: Keep regular hours - even when you are tempted to become a night owl on the weekend. Skip the Sunday afternoon nap - it'll likely make it hard to fall asleep Sunday night, making you much less productive on Monday

6. Over-stimulation: Too much activity, fun and excitement can make it tough to wind down. Reading, listening to music or taking a warm bath reduces stress before bed.

7. Too much noise: Your sleep environment should be comfortable, dark and quiet

To learn more about getting a better night's sleep, visit www.bettersleep.ca.

Reduce indoor noise

(NC)-Canadian winters can be unruly, but what we often forget is that Canadian summers can also be unbearably hot. And with the aging population and so many people suffering from allergies in the summer, the indoors can provide a cozy and climate-controlled safe haven.

As enjoyable as a cool and comfortable home may be, too much indoor activity can create a noisy environment. Sound can travel from room to room and may be disruptive for those in the home.

It's comforting to know you can equip your home to help reduce indoor noise. Consider insulating your home with products specially designed to help control sounds travelling from room to room. Try installing QuietZone acoustical batt insulation from Owens Corning in interior walls, ceilings and floors. It can be used to help absorb the irritating and unwanted sounds that interrupt a quiet home environment. If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, you may consider hiring a professional sound solution company to help you determine the best solution for your noise problem.

Here are a few other helpful tips that can help reduce noise transfer in your home:

. Add a solid core door to rooms to help block sound

. Replace old noisy appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and fans with newer, quieter models

. Use caulking to seal cracks around electrical outlets and vents to help prevent noise transfer into other parts of the home

Adding QuietZone acoustic insulation to rooms in your home can help reduce indoor noise and may be one of your most sound investments. For more information on noise control and do-it-yourself instructions on installing the QuietZone Noise Control System, visit www.owenscorning.ca.

Home design trends Canadians choosing "greener" products for their décor

(NC)-By now most people are fully aware of the necessity of preserving and protecting the environment in order to ensure our well-being and that of our children. This "be kind to the planet" awareness has led to the latest trend in home décor - the growth in popularity of environmentally-conscious "green" products.

You've seen them everywhere - "green" roofing options, "green" heating and cooling choices, "green" appliances, "green" flooring and now even "green" paint.

Sico, a long-time leader in environmentally-friendly paints, has gone even greener. The brand launched last year a new volatile organic compound (VOC) emission-free formula of its famous Sico Design line to answer the need in the market for greener paint choices.

Dominique Pépin, Senior Brand Manager at Sico said the company felt the timing was perfect as consumers are more and more preoccupied by environmental issues. Legislation is expected to be introduced this year that will require paint companies to lower the VOC levels in their products. "Sico has taken the lead in completely eliminating VOCs in our Design line products to reinforce our commitment to the environment and to Canadian consumers, who are increasingly seeking out green alternatives," she added.

Available in all of Sico's design finishes - including Cashmere, Chamois, and Shantung - the new zero-VOC paint is high in performance, so consumers do not have to compromise on quality when making environmentally-responsible paint choices, she explained.

VOCs are atmospheric pollutants that, among other things, contribute to the formation of smog. They evaporate at room temperature and react in sunlight to help form ground-level ozone, an integral component of smog and a harmful pollutant (not to be confused with the protective ozone in the upper atmosphere, which shields the earth from the sun's ultra-violet rays). Smog can cause respiratory complications, skin and eye irritation, headaches, nausea, tightness of chest, coughing, muscle weakness, and more serious ailments and diseases.

"In the home, VOCs evaporate while paint is applied and drying, making them one of the pollutants affecting a home's air quality as well," Pépin explained. "So, consumers using Sico's new paint will actually be improving the quality of air in their homes." Since the paint is still a chemical product, however, Pépin cautions that it must be used and disposed of safely.

Developed using Sico's state-of-the-art paint technology, incorporating environmentally-friendly ingredients and sophisticated polymers, the new zero-VOC paints deliver outstanding performance, resistance and adhesion - product features which have until now been an industry challenge with low-VOC finishes, she said.

Sico's VOC emission-free paint is also endorsed by Green Seal - a leading international non-profit organization which validates environmental excellence. More information is available at www.sico.ca.