REMEMBRANCE DAY!

A woman places a poppy at a makeshift memorial to Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following Remembrance Day ceremonies Ottawa, Nov 11/06. (Tom Hanson/Canadian Press) ... more!

November Is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month

Cold weather tips to stay safe from Canada's "silent killer"

(NC)-You don't know it's there, but its affects can be lethal. As the cold weather blows into Canada, here are two potentially life-saving tips to help protect your family from carbon monoxide - appropriately dubbed the "silent killer."

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America. Appliances that use gas, oil, wood, coal or any other kind of fossil fuel produce carbon monoxide, or CO, during combustion. Sources can include your furnace, water heater, wood stove, fireplace, oven and of course automotive exhaust. Normally these appliances are vented outside, but if there is a leak or poor installation, tragedy looms.

To protect your family, STEP ONE is to have a licensed inspector give your fuel-burning systems the all-clear before turning on the heat each Fall.

STEP TWO is to add CO alarms to your home - one per floor is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association and, at a minimum, outside sleeping areas.

Safety experts say to look for a ULC approval certification sticker on the alarm package. And, you may want to select today's most popular CO alarms that have a digital readout.

"Since CO detection is impossible for humans, a digital readout makes it easy to watch for rising levels of carbon monoxide that may signal a slow leak," says Carol Heller, a home safety specialist at Kidde Canada, the country's largest manufacturer of home safety products.

Exposure to carbon monoxide reduces your ability to think clearly, so never delay if your alarm goes off or you sense there's a problem. Get everyone out of the house and stay out, then call the fire department or 911.

Be sure to test and maintain your CO alarms regularly, and once they are seven years old, replace them as the sensors wear out and can become obstructed over time.

More information about carbon monoxide safety tips for your home can be found on the www.SafeAtHome.ca web site.

4 tips that increase your family's chances of surviving a fire

(NC)-Keeping your family safe from fire is a 24/7 responsibility. These four simple and potentially life-saving tips can help:

1.Teach your kids: Children need to understand the basics of escaping fire, without feeling frightened or overwhelmed. Make sure they recognize the sound of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Then prepare and practice an Escape Plan that outlines two escape routes from every room in your home and sets an outside meeting place.

2.Never tamper with alarms: In more than 50% of fatal fires, firefighters report no smoke alarms or no batteries present in alarms. Never take down smoke alarms or remove batteries! Install alarms with a "Hush" button so you can silence false alarms caused by cooking or steam and still stay safe while you clear the air.

3.Right alarms in the right places: There are two types of smoke sensing technology: ionization and photoelectric. Fire experts recommend installing both types of smoke alarms in order to maximize protection from flaming and smoldering fires. These technologies are sold in either single-station smoke alarms, or in a dual-sensor smoke alarm that combines both technologies into one unit.

4.Replace old smoke alarms: Smoke alarms wear out! Replace ALL alarms over 10 years old whether they are battery operated or hardwired right into your home's electrical system. Outdated alarms do not provide the level or protection you need, since sensors weaken and can become obstructed over time. Remember to also change all smoke alarm batteries at least once per year when you change your clocks!

You can download an Escape Plan template, and find more tips and information about family fire safety, at the www.SafeAtHome.ca web site.

Energy expert answers important plumbing questions

Ask The Expert:

Take a look at the most frequently questions about household plumbing, answered by Dave Walton, Director of Home Ideas at Direct Energy:

Q: Can you pour fats and oils down the toilet?

A: Many don't realize when grease cools and solidifies, it sticks to the insides of pipes. Over time, it will build up and block the entire pipe. Rather than dumping grease into your plumbing system, pour it into a heat-resistant container, let it solidify and then dispose in the garbage.

Q: What are some tips for keeping drains from becoming clogged?

A: To keep your drains in top working order, pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drains on a monthly basis. Using baking soda and vinegar is a natural way to keep your drains clear and free of hair and excess build-up - it's also environmentally friendly.

Q: If homeowners fixed a leaky tap, approximately how much could be saved on the water bill?

A: A dripping tap can waste up to 150 gallons of water per day which equals approximately $15.00 additional dollars on the water bill. To avoid wasting this resource, make sure you turn taps off all the way or get a plumber in to fix any leaky tap. Investing in plumbing maintenance now will help save money in the long run.

* Planning Your Escape

* Save money at the gas pump

Change your clocks and change your batteries too!

(NC)-When you change your clocks at 2:00 a.m. on November 2, will you also remember to take steps to save your life?

The time change is the perfect opportunity to change the batteries in all the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in your home to ensure another year of protection for your family.

"By changing alarm batteries at the same time you change your clocks, you can ensure these potentially life-saving household devices are fully armed and working to keep your family safe from tragedy," says Carol Heller, safety expert at Kidde Canada, the country's largest manufacturer of fire and CO safety products.

"There's no question that working smoke alarms improve your chances of surviving a fire," Heller adds. "In fact, survival rates improve 50% when your smoke alarms are maintained and working properly."

Heller also notes that Fall 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. The colder weather means furnaces and fireplaces get fired up, increasing the risk of CO leaks.

Replacing old carbon monoxide and smoke alarms should be done according to the 10/7 Replacement Rule.replace smoke alarms every 10 years and CO alarms every 7 years, as per the recommendation of the National Fire Protection Association. Outdated alarms may not provide the protection you need since sensors weaken and can become obstructed over time. Replacing old alarms allows you to upgrade to the best sensing technology available.

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

How to make the home warm and inviting this holiday season

Photo Caption: Silhouette window shadings have the ability to diffuse light and protect against the sun's harmful UV rays, while still revealing the view out the window on that special holiday morning.

(NC)-The time is near for good tidings, great cheer and happy holidays. In an effort to prepare for entertaining during this joyful time, Sally Morse, director of creative services for Hunter Douglas, provides the following tips on how to decorate the home in preparation for visiting friends and family.

. Go for a simple way of decorating in the living area and use wide ribbon to "gift wrap" throw pillows like packages to give your couch a festive feel. Adorn your walls with indoor wreaths created from scarves and a little boxwood.

. At the dinner table, dress up dining room chairs while also protecting them by attaching gold tassels to colourful fabric and draping it over the seat. Create a festive centerpiece by filling a crystal bowl with fresh cranberries, adding one aspirin per bag, and topping it with fresh flowers with cut stems. For place cards, use holiday cards in small gilded frames. If your dining room features a chandelier, decorate it with ornaments to round out the holiday look.

. Windows are really the focal point of any decorative scheme. Whatever you do, be it simple or grand, they draw attention to a beautiful view, the holiday treasures you've lined up on the sill or, at night, reflect the mirrors and artwork on opposite walls to create, in effect, a masterpiece all their own. To add just the right touch for the holidays and a soft look at the window that is beautiful year-round, use Silhouette window shadings. Featuring soft fabric vanes suspended between two sheer facings, this line of window shadings transforms the look of a room by changing the quality of exterior light - from harsh and unyielding to gentle and controllable. It also protects against the suns harmful U.V. rays while still revealing the view of the outdoors.

. To add warmth at the window as well as soft, diffused light control, consider using Duette Architella honeycomb shades, which, with their highly energy-efficient honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb design, can reduce heat loss at the window by up to 50 percent to stay warm during the holiday season.

In the spirit of the season, Hunter Douglas is offering a "Wrap Your Windows for the Holidays" promotion from October 15 to December 15, 2008, during which consumers can obtain rebates on a variety of its most stylish window fashions.

More information is available online at www.hunterdouglas.ca or toll-free at 1-800-265-8000.

Home fire safety guide now available online

(NC)- A popular home fire safety guidebook, supported by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, is now available online for download in both official languages.

"Safe At Home" was produced jointly by the CAFC, Kidde Canada and Duracell. It was originally distributed to more than 2 million homes across Canada as part of Fire Safety Month in October. Fire Safety officials have made the publication available online so its valuable fire safety tips and money-saving product offers are accessible to even more Canadians.

"Most fires and most fire deaths are preventable," says CAFC President Patrick Burke. "The tips and links in this important handbook can help prevent fire tragedies."

Handbook content touches on fire safety messages of interest to all families: How to increase your family's chances of surviving a fire; Creating a home fire escape plan; How to choose and replace smoke alarms for your home; and the importance of remembering to replace batteries at least once per year when the clocks change. With colder weather approaching, the section on carbon monoxide safety is also timely.

"This is potentially life-saving information that every Canadian family can benefit from," says Carol Heller, fire safety specialist with Kidde Canada, the country's largest manufacturer of fire safety products.

"Common sense still rules when it comes to protecting your family on a 24/7 basis," Heller adds. "This Safe At Home guidebook is a quick read with comprehensive tips. And the money-saving offers make it extra appealing for families that want to add to the fire safety equipment in their home."

The "Safe At Home" handbook can be downloaded at www.SafeAtHome.ca/mydownload along with other fire safety tips.

Dreaming of leather in the bedroom?

(NC)-We're talking about home décor!

One of the most remarkable modern flooring innovations in years is now available across Canada. And yes, we are still talking about leather.

Leather floors are creating a sensation wherever they go. And why not? This floor is totally new, a world's first, and consumers are showing a real fascination with such a bold and original statement for their homes.

Back to the bedroom for a minute. Leather's smooth graining and rich, refined feel are a perfect contrast to the textured cottons and woven fabrics that typically accent any bedroom. A leather floor enhances the room's look and feel, adding vitality and elegance with a single design stroke.

The innovator behind this revolution is Torlys of Mississauga, Ontario. Their leather floors come with a backing layer of cork - a natural insulator - for extra comfort, warmth and quietness. Torlys Leather Floors contain no harmful VOC emissions, no added formaldehyde, and exceed California Indoor Air Quality standards - among the most stringent in the world.

These floors look beautiful and are made to stay that way for decades. Each floor is engineered so precisely that fewer resources are needed during production, and the ultra-tight Uniclic joint ensures a 1/1000" gapping tolerance for the life of the floor. All this, backed by a 25-year wear warranty. Best of all, this leather floor is made from 100% recycled leather.

Leather tile or planks are available, and your choice will depend on the orientation of the room and personal preference. Either style works well in the bedroom.

For more information on Torlys Leather Floors, visit www.torlys.com .

Tip Box

Leather's smooth graining and rich, refined feel are a perfect contrast to the textured cottons and woven fabrics that typically accent any bedroom.

Exciting new product for the home: leather floors

(NC)-If you're a fan of leather and looking for a new way to add it to your home décor, you might want to consider something totally new and original. Something bold and adventurous. You might want to go big with leather and explore its beauty as a spectacular floor.

Leather floors make a statement. They are pleasantly warm and sensuous, and fill any space with a refined yet approachable ambience that is simply unique to leather.

In recent years, leather floors have been produced for limited customized use, usually at a very high price. It is worth your time to research local dealers and find a reasonably priced leather flooring in your area. They do exist, as engineered planks or tiles, and preferably are made with 100% recycled leather.

Recycled leather has clear environmental benefits. One company in Canada, TORLYS Smart Floors (torlys.com) has perfected a process for using recycled leather as a floor surface. They have a beautiful selection of new flooring, all made from leftover leather in the manufacture of jackets, upholstery, belts and shoes that would otherwise find their way to the local landfill.

TORLYS Leather Floors also come with a backing layer of recycled cork - a natural insulator - for extra comfort, warmth and quietness. These floors contain no harmful VOC emissions, no added formaldehyde, and exceed California Indoor Air Quality standards, among the most stringent in the world.

Leather is an easy way to add richness and beauty to your surroundings and feel good about the environment at the same time. When you know all the facts, it's hard not to give recycled leather a second look.

TIP: Even a room with minimal decoration and furnishings will benefit immediately from the introduction of bold and vivacious leather floor.

Interesting Fact

This leather floor is made from 100% recycled leather.

Help increase your home's value with energy-saving insulation retrofits

(NC)-If you're one of many Canadians planning to sell your home this year, you may have reconsidered with the changing market in resale homes. According to Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation's (CMHC) second-quarter Housing Market Outlook, the average Multiple Listing Service (MLS) price of resale homes was projected to increase by 5.1 per cent in 2008. But at the same time, the number of homes that are selling is slowing down and mortgage costs are increasing. This means fewer home buyers and a tough sell for homeowners.

Like you, every homeowner wants to sell their home at the right time and at the right price. While waiting for the market to adjust, don't feel frustrated. There are plenty of things you can do to help increase the value of your home while you find a time that's right for you to sell.

One option is to upgrade your home's features to help improve its energy efficiency. "Being able to tell potential home buyers that you've improved the home's energy efficiency is an attractive selling point," says David Flood, Energy Efficiency Expert, Owens Corning. "There are a number of inexpensive and convenient projects you can do such as upgrading your home's insulation."

The task is easy. Begin with a tour of your home to check for drafts, especially around windows, doors and basement headers. Remember, if air can move in and out of your house, so can heat.

Help make your home weather-tight by sealing all gaps with a compatible caulking sealant or spray foam sealant and use weather-stripping around window and door frames - all of which are found at your local home building supplies store. "Sealing drafts and replacing old and damaged insulation is simple and can be an easy weekend project for any homeowner," says Flood.

Insulation can be added or replaced using PINK FIBERGLAS Insulation, which can fill both large and small spaces from the basement right up to the rafters. Manufactured in Canada using 60 per cent recycled content, PINK FIBERGLAS Insulation is GREENGUARD certified to meet stringent indoor air quality standards*.

Until the right selling time arrives, you can help increase the comfort of your home while helping to decrease energy costs to save money for your next abode. For more information and tips on improving your home's energy efficiency, visit www.owenscorning.ca.

The colour PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning

*60 recycled content applies to Canadian Manufactured PINK FIBERGLAS

© 2008 Owens Corning