How to protect your home away from home
The Snowbird home safety checklist
(NC)-When you're going away on your annual vacation you want to rest - and rest easy too. You want peace of mind that your home is as safe as it can be from burglary or other damage. According to Patrice De Luca, vice president of marketing and business development for Reliance Protectron Security Services, there are several key steps Snowbirds should take to ensure peace of mind when away from home. The following Protectron home safety checklist can help you plan important safety measures before your departure: . Did you suspend your newspaper and mail delivery; or have a neighbour collect them for you? . Does the house look lived in? That means having someone shovel the walk, clear your car off if it snows, or park their car in your driveway if you're taking yours. You can even ask a neighbour to put a bag of garbage at your curb on garbage day. . Did you set your lights on timers, in various rooms? With some timers, the lights go on and off at different times each day, which means a burglar can't pick up on a pattern. Motion sensor lights outside can also deter a burglar. Consider installing them in front and back. . Did you ensure that all your doors and windows are locked and secure? Don't forget about the garage. To be extra safe, place a bar or stick of wood in the lower track of sliding doors or windows. . Did you turn off the water-main and unplug the major appliances as an added precaution? . Did you inform a neighbor when you're leaving and returning, and ask them to keep an eye out for anything suspicious? Leave them a phone number where you can be reached, and a spare set of your keys in case of an emergency. . Did you consider a home security system? A home security system is a very effective deterrent. When looking for their targets, thieves usually select an unoccupied home with the easiest access. Why not make it difficult for them. A home protected by a monitored security system is less susceptible to a break in than one without a system. Security system decals and signs are also an effective deterrent. Make sure your security system includes a loud inside alarm, detectors at all exterior doors, and motion sensors in the master bedroom and main living areas. De Luca says the latest technology in security systems can now allow the monitoring of your home from a distance by wireless transmission (SkyGARD) if you have a cell phone as your primary line for example. The alarm system is linked to a remote monitoring centre that protects your home 24 hours a day against burglars, fire, carbon monoxide poisoning and floods by supervising the temperature, electrical system and point of entries of your home. "We can even configure the system to alert you by e-mail of the duration of comings and goings in your home, (cleaning staff, neighbours, family) with the TeleGARD service," De Luca added. More information on protecting your home while you're away is available online at www.protectron.com.
When is hand washing dishes better for the environment?
(NC)-The challenge of making our homes as efficient as possible is a reality of the 21st century. The kitchen is just one of the many areas in which the debate has raged on. More specifically, the most environmental-friendly way to wash dishes has been discussed endlessly and researched extensively. Dishwashers have always been thought to consume too much water and energy. Many have argued in favour of the sink - elbow deep in greasy soap and water seemed the nobler and thus environmentally-friendlier choice. But, as others argued, doesn't that depend on the person doing the washing and how efficiently they use water? On the dishwasher side of the kitchen, the catch seems to be the manner in which the appliance is loaded and, consequently, how often it is run. An efficient household could perhaps pack the dishwasher to its absolute maximum and run only once a week, while their careless neighbours thoughtlessly start it every night after dinner regardless of its contents. With the advent of energy-efficient dishwashers, choosing the more convenient option is not only better for our increasingly demanding lifestyles - it can also save us water, energy and time. Not to mention money! By following these simple tips, washing your dishes while keeping your conscience squeaky clean is easier than ever: . Buy an Energy-Star rated dishwasher. If your current dishwasher was made before 1994, a replacement is long overdue! . Choose phosphate-free dishwashing detergent. Phosphates are known to harm plants and animals through their impact on our lakes and streams - and today, the phosphate-free options are endless. . Use your dishwasher efficiently. Try different loading patterns until you find the one that makes the best use of space and choose the most appropriate setting your dishwasher offers depending on the load's contents. Needless to say, don't run it if it isn't full! Homeowners looking to upgrade their dishwasher are well-advised to consider the new GE Profile Dishwasher with SmartDispense which aside from being Energy Star-rated, features two industry-exclusive technologies that cut detergent, water and energy waste. While SmartDispense releases a customized amount of detergent from a reservoir that only needs to be refilled approximately six times a year, CleanSensor determines the exact amount and temperature of water needed to get the cleanest dishes. Visit www.geappliances.ca to learn more.
Keep toasty warm with help from Mother Nature
(NC)-As the cold weather settles in, many Canadians are looking to gather with loved ones and curl up by the fire. To ensure homeowners are prepared to maximize the ambiance during their next family gathering, the following tips from www.woodheat.org offer guidance on how to properly select and cut firewood. Follow the tips below to keep the home fires burning: . The best burn - Wood varieties differ in density levels, with some species, such as oak, yielding a longer-lasting flame. The best woods for burning include ash, oak, beech, birch, hickory, maple and dogwood. . Dry out - Ensuring the wood is properly seasoned or dried is more important than finding the hardest wood available. Properly prepared firewood should be dried for up to six months and have less than 20 percent moisture content. . Equipment for cutting excellence - Selecting the right equipment for cutting firewood is a key step in the process. For homeowners seeking a fast way to cut wood, choose a chain saw that offers an ergonomic design, low vibration and high power, such as Husqvarna 235 X-TORQ model. With X-TORQ technology incorporated, this chain saw features a light-weight engine, delivers increased power and reduces emissions up to 60 per cent and fuel consumption up to 20 per cent. More information is available online at www.husqvarna.ca. . Stacked for success - Wood should be cut and stacked immediately to reduce the chance for moisture to set in, diminishing the wood's burning quality. Moisture also contributes to mold growth, which homeowners want to avoid bringing indoors. . Size matters - Be mindful of the log size needed. Split wood to the correct size pieces that will easily fit inside a fireplace. . Safety first - When using axes, chain saws or other outdoor power equipment, remember to think safety first. Read and understand the operator's manual and be sure to wear the appropriate protective apparel. |
Love your laundry room - love laundry!
(NC)-Hard to imagine, isn't it? Looking forward to fluffing and folding, enjoying the hum of the machine, and spending your spare time ironing in the laundry room while whistling away.sound like a scene from Desperate Housewives? Believe it or not, it's NOT too good to be true. There are plenty of tips and tricks to make the laundry room a desirable place to be! . More and more, the laundry room is being built in the main room of the house, off the kitchen, or off the master bedroom. This means laundry room décor is more important than ever. Pick a paint colour that you're fond of, but wouldn't normally appear in a main room- like a calming violet, or a cheerful pink. The laundry room can be a place to live out décor dreams! . Organizing is the key to an ideal laundry room - nobody enjoys a mess. Set up different laundry containers for colours, clothing types, and hand-washables and have the kids sort their own laundry. This will make things efficient and easy come laundry day. Another great tip is to mount a flip laundry board to the wall, so you can easily tuck it away when it's not in use. Extra hanging bars installed in the laundry room also give you room to hang-dry items without having to lay them on the floor or counter. . Invest in a high-tech, high-efficiency washer and dryer! There's nothing like having the laundry machine take the guess work out of laundry for you - the GE Profile SmartDispense laundry pair will automatically dispense the right amount of soap and water, and even get out 40 different stains. You won't have to worry about turning socks pink or ruining your silk blouses ever again! Not to mention, it comes in three pretty colours. Check out www.stopguessing.ca for more information.
Work from home in peace and comfort
(NC)-When considering the option of working from home, a peaceful environment is always preferred. However, a comfortable and quiet room in the home is not always possible, especially when you consider that most households are furnished with noise-blaring stereos, televisions, musical instruments, washers and dryers - all of which make sounds that can easily travel around the home. A smart way to creating a quiet workplace would be to build a separate room in your home such as a den or office and insulate the room's walls and floors with QuietZone Acoustic Batt Insulation from Owens Corning. Applied to interior walls, floors and ceilings, it will help reduce noise transmission between rooms and increase acoustical privacy. If you decide to build your home office on the upper floor, it's also important to insulate the attic to help minimize heat. Venture into your attic and lay down at least 15 inches of PINK FIBERGLAS batt insulation on the floor - this will help prevent heat from escaping through the top of your home office. If you insulate your attic to a value of R-50, you can also qualify for a $600 government grant through the ecoENERGY Home Retrofit Program. In an office building, maintaining room temperatures to everyone's liking may often be a challenge. In your home, you can easily and properly control a room's temperature so you can keep your focus on the tasks at hand. The benefit of building a separate, well-insulated office is that it provides the peace and comfort that you need, while separating the workplace from common rooms and day-to-day family life. Too often, people let their professional and personal lives clash. By separating the two and creating a new office in the home, you can be more productive at completing your work and spend the extra time enjoying with your family. For more information on installing PINK insulation and the QuietZone Noise Control System in your home, visit www.owenscorning.ca. The colour PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning
Seeing green during your home reno
(NC)-If you aren't in the middle of a home renovation right now, you might be making plans to get started. A recent survey by the Canadian Home Builders' Association found that Ontario's renovators have been busy over the past year and expect to be even busier over the next one. It makes sense. Spurred by a desire to cut their commutes and shrink their carbon footprint, Ontarians are returning to urban centres across the province, many to older homes that need some TLC. And they are investing some serious money in sprucing up. Renovation spending in Ontario, which jumped 5.8 per cent in 2007, has been growing at an average annual rate of 8.9 per cent a year since 1998. Planning a renovation is also the perfect time to think about increasing your home's energy efficiency. Upgrading your lighting, windows, insulation, water and space heating systems can save you hundreds of dollars a year. It's good for the environment too, because the less energy your home uses, the fewer greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. The Ontario Home Energy Savings Program can help, by showing you how best to cut your electricity bill, and offsetting the cost of many eligible energy efficient retrofits. You could be eligible for rebates totalling as much as $10,000. Simply hire a licensed home energy advisor who will find your home's energy leaks and show what you can do to plug them, such as adding insulation or caulking around your windows and doors. (Your advisor will also apply on your behalf for an audit rebate of up to $150.) You will also receive a plan that will show you how reduce your energy bills, such as upgrading to a more efficient furnace. After your audit, you have 18 months to make some or all of the suggested improvements and qualify for government rebates. After completing the work, book a post-retrofit audit to verify the work was completed. After your second audit, the governments of Ontario and Canada will each rebate up to $5,000 for your upgrades. The more upgrades you make, the more money you'll get back, up to a total of $10,000. For more information, visit www.ontario.ca/homeenergy - or call the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure info-line at 1-888-668-4636.
From the runway to the living room
(NC)-Today's fashion runways are heating up with vibrant colours and luxurious, contrasting textures. This trend is making its way into homes as well. According to Karl Lohnes, interior designer, TV host and style editor at Style at Home magazine, "There's a return to glamour and high-end, bespoke decorating for the home." To incorporate this trend into your own interiors, Lohnes recommends buying the best home furnishings that you can afford and keeping them for a lifetime - silks, down-stuffed sofas, Persian carpets and fine china in classic colours. Add softly diffused light at the window with Hunter Douglas Silhouette window shadings. This trend-forward window covering features soft fabric vanes suspended between two sheer facings and is available in bright hues like purple and burgundy. Sue Rainville, director of marketing for Hunter Douglas, said, "Silhouette shadings protect against the sun's harmful UV rays while still providing light and a view, which is something more traditional products can't do." More information is available online at www.hunterdouglas.ca or toll-free at 1-800-265-8000. |
Shopping for carpet? ...Questions to consider
(NC)-The more hectic our lives become, the more we value our homes as our private place to unwind, relax and renew. Creating the perfect home sanctuary involves choosing home décor materials that promote health, happiness and comfort. That decision starts from the floor up. The choice of flooring sets the tone for the entire room. You want to choose something that embraces your lifestyle, looks great and feels good. The unique characteristics and versatility of carpet still make it the most sought-after choice for rooms where softness, texture, color, luxury or comfort are important, whether your style is classic, casual or contemporary. When it comes to selecting what is best for you from the endless styles, patterns, textures and colors of carpet available, here are a few important questions to ask yourself: 1. What are your short and long term plans for your home? Choose a product that meets your immediate personal needs, and remember that a good quality carpet will help sell a home. 2. What is your décor style? Classic elegance, casual comfort or urban contemporary? Gather together your favorite clippings from décor magazines to help identify your personal style. More information on defining your décor style and recommended carpet choices by style is available online at www.yourhomestyle.ca. 3. What areas will you be carpeting? Different carpet fibres and constructions offer different performance properties. Entranceways, hallways, stairs and children's bedrooms require a better quality, more resilient carpet to withstand the traffic. A flecked or multi-toned carpet, in a loop or cut-and-loop pattern, does a great job of hiding wear and dirt. A contemporary shaggy-look frieze is the perfect choice to cozy up a family room or home entertainment centre for both comfort and sound insulation. Sculpted carpets in subtle florals, waves, stripes, checks, pin dots or 3-D geometric patterns add the right touch of visual interest to the floor in living rooms, formal dining rooms or master bedrooms. 4. What is practical for your lifestyle? If an easy-care is important, consider earth-toned patterns, textures or looped carpet styles that hide footprints and dirt and are easily cleaned with a good vacuum. Look for stain-resistant or soil-resistance treated carpet for extra insurance. 5. What color options will work best? Light or neutral colors will make your room feel cooler and will make a small space appear larger. Darker colors can add warmth and can make a large space cozier. Do your research, follow your instincts and have fun. Advanced fibre and manufacturing technologies have ushered in a whole new revolution of carpet flooring possibilities with a myriad of colors, textures and patterns available. There is a carpet for every décor.
Create an earth-friendly room
Eco-Decorating:
(NC)-Today homeowners are choosing to create spaces made from environmentally responsible materials, and home décor retailers now offer eco-friendly products to meet the demand of this growing trend. Your floor is always a good place to start since it's the second largest surface in any room. The impact of buying an environmentally responsible floor can extend across the globe. Consider this: Rainforests are being destroyed at an estimated rate of 79 acres every minute, and consumers, who recognize this, are buying alternatives to thick-plank, conventional hardwood. Engineered hardwood, for example, uses up to 30 times less hardwood and is still a remarkably beautiful and natural floor. The air we breathe is always cause for concern, and there is a growing understanding that indoor air quality must be considered when renovating a home or purchasing a new one. Hard-surface floors made of materials like hardwood, cork or leather do not trap dust or allergens, and many are passing important European standards for low (or zero) VOC emissions. And what about the waste factor? In North America alone, 4.5 billion pounds of carpet are dumped in landfills every year. Re-using a floor, once considered a pipe-dream, is now a reality. Innovative new floors with high-quality joints - such as the European-patented Uniclic® joint - make it possible to move a floor quite easily, enabling simple re-use. In fact, one flooring company located in Canada, TORLYS Smart Floors, actually allows homeowners to re-use all their floors three times and still be covered by the original warranty. TORLYS (torlys.com) is one company that meets all the above criteria, upholding a genuine commitment that helps guide their success. TIP: When looking for environmentally responsible flooring, ask the right questions: 1. Does the product meet the strict European indoor air emissions tolerances? 2. Is the underlay specially formulated to prevent mould and mildew? 3. Which floor is produced with the least amount of hardwood? 4. Can the floor be re-used and remain under warranty? 5. Is there any arrangement for recycling donated flooring, for example, with an organization like Habitat for Humanity?
Don't get snowed under while shovelling your driveway
(NC)-The foot of snow outside your door brings many thoughts to mind: the glistening outdoor scene, great skiing conditions, and strained back muscles from shovelling it all off your driveway! But, shovelling doesn't have to be back-breaking work - just be smart, use the right equipment and try to have fun! The following tips will help you clear the drive pain-free and leave you time to enjoy the winter wonderland. . Warm up before starting. Stretch your arms and shoulders or walk in place for a couple of minutes to get your blood pumping. . Bend at the knees. You've heard it before because it works. Your legs have larger and stronger muscles than your back. Use them to lift the weight instead. . At the first sign of pain, take an over-the-counter pan reliever such as Tylenol. Treating the pain before it worsens can help tackling the driveway become at least a little bit easier. . Don't lift too much - clear out two inches of snow at a time. Smaller amounts of snow will be easier to lift. . Choose the right size shovel for your height - not too long or short. . Keep your hands spaced apart. The distance between your hands will help create greater balance. . Shovel early and often. Light snow that has just fallen is easier to shovel than heavily packed snow. |
