Archive for the 'Home' Category

Make Home Safety a Priority

Dreambaby 46 Piece Home Safety Kit
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Retail Price: $19.99
Amazon Price: $16.10
Home safety is a top priority in the minds of property owners and renters everywhere. When thinking about overall home safety, concerns extend beyond installing or maintaining an alarm system. Home safety also includes fire protection, storm safety, and having an evacuation plan at the ready.

Home Security

An ADT home security system provides a family with 24-hour protection from burglary, as well as automatically sensing smoke from fire and carbon monoxide leaks. The monitoring system also features a medical alert system and panic button, which can give property owners added peace of mind in the face of a medical emergency. Many systems also include the ability to observe the home via smartphone or computer, giving residents control over their home’s security even when they’re away.

Fire Safety

Fire safety is one of the most important factors people should consider when thinking about overall home safety. In many places, state… Read more »

Apartment Hunting Tips for Those Who are Just Starting Out

For people just starting out or for those who simply don’t want to own a home, living in an apartment is often a good choice. You could rent a house, but then you would still have to mow the lawn and shovel the walk in winter. Apartment dwellers don’t have to worry about such things. Instead they can concentrate on other facets of their lives. Just like buying a home, renting an apartment is more involved than simply signing a lease—you need to find just the right one. Here are a few apartment hunting tips.

Stay Within Your Budget

The all important issue when looking for a place to live, at least as far as most people are concerned, is how much it’s going to cost. If you’re like the majority of people, you have a limited budget, especially if you’re just starting out in the workforce or… Read more »

Tips for Choosing an Area Rug

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Retail Price: Varies based on product options
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There are many things to consider when choosing an area rug for a particular room or space in your home. It’s kind of like buying a piece of furniture—you want to find one that will fit in nicely with its surroundings, and last for many years to come. Featured for you here are some tips that will make shopping for an area rug a cinch.

Think About Function

Area rugs are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used for comfort. When placed in a room with hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring, their main function might be to warm up cold feet and add some coziness to the space. They can also be used strictly for decorative purposes. An ornate rug with vibrant colors and patterns can spice-up a room and serve as either a focal or an accent piece. Other times area rugs are used… Read more »

3 Ways to Make Your Home Safer

As a homeowner, your first priority is likely your family’s safety. While you hardly need to live in a fortress with a moat, you still want to make sure your property is protected and secure. Likewise, safety within your home is important to your peace of mind. Read on for three ways you can make your home a safer place to be.

1. Make sure the exterior of your home is well-lit at night by installing motion-sensitive lights, especially near doorways and, if applicable, your driveway and garage. Not only will you dissuade prowlers from lurking in the shadows, automatic lights can discourage visits from stray animals who aim to go through your garbage. Installing an alarm is also a great way to add an extra dimension of safety, whether you’re away at work, vacation, or just arming the system while you relax at home. Some home security systems even offer… Read more »

Hire a Good Mover for Your Move

A local move is less physically exerting than an interstate or international move since the distance to be traveled is less. But there are a lot of things to be nervous about while conducting a local move. While the very idea of moving can be intimidating, locating a reliable mover alleviates some of the stress. There is abundance of moving companies that can help you plan and organize a smooth move.

When people relocate their homes or offices locally, they usually prefer to move on their own. This is a good option for big families because everyone can pitch in and help out. Moving is not a one man show. If you are alone or don’t have extended family who can help, then hiring a good moving company is a better idea. You get relieved of the undue stress of packing and transporting heavy or expensive furniture.

Consider the following… Read more »

Avoid Accidents at Home

Safety 1st Froggy & Friends No Slip Mat
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Retail Price: $10.99
Amazon Price: $8.50
While most people assume their homes to be safe, the fact is that the average home contains a large number of potential risks. You could receive an injury just from your floor if it is slippery enough, or walking down the stairs if there is no secure railing. And bathrooms, with their slick tubs and tiled floors, are yet another hazard zone. These potential hazards can easily result in injury for a full-grown adult, and can be fatal for children and the elderly. Keep reading for an expanded discussion of probable sites of injury in your home, as well as anti slip solutions to prevent accidents from happening.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Slippery floors are a silent killer of the elderly. It has been estimated that one out of every three people over the age of 65 falls at least once per year. 20%-30% of these elderly people suffer severe injuries… Read more »

Black Mold in the Bathroom

Pro-Lab MO109 Mold Do It Yourself Test Kit
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Retail Price: $14.99
Amazon Price: $6.20
Black mold is a form of fungus that is toxic to humans. It grows in damp and dark areas. Breathing in this type of mold is hazardous for the lungs, and if it makes contact with human skin or is ingested, the effects can be bad as well. Bathrooms are the most common place to find mold; they provide a perfect environment for the fungus.

If left untreated, the mold can grow throughout the home or building. The elimination of black mold is crucial to preventing health problems, especially in the young and elderly. There are some suggestions below on how to defeat this dangerous fungus.

Porous materials are ideal for mold. Material like drywall and areas between the baseboards and walls is where the little creatures thrive.  After the fungus invades these areas, it will soon make its way throughout the home or building. The proper removal of… Read more »

Child Safety Made Simple

Evenflo Summit Pressure Mounted Metal Gate
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Retail Price: $49.99
Amazon Price: $49.36
One of the most pressing matters facing any parent will always be child safety, and you can start by installing baby gates and a basic home intercom system.

There are various baby gates marketed today ranging from permanently installed fixtures to modular units that can be moved from one area to another in a matter of moments. When considering what type of gate to use in what area, most professionals agree that baby gates for stairs should always be hardware mounted. Pressure mounted systems are more than adequate for most other areas within reason.

A key point to remember when choosing your gate is the overall construction. While metal is naturally more durable than wood, it is still a matter of personal taste. It is, however, wise to avoid those gates designed with horizontal slats as opposed to vertical ones due to the fact that the horizontal slats may allow… Read more »

Why Are Patio String Lights so Popular for Homeowners?

3.5" D Multicolor Paper Lantern String Lights (set of 10)
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Retail Price: Varies based on product options
Amazon Price: $8.50
Whether you’re a renter or a homeowner, if you’ve done any research regarding adding exterior lights to your home, you’ve more than likely heard of patio string lights. In the last ten or fifteen years or so, these string lights have become very popular. But why?

Some of the more common reasons that patio string lights are so popular are: Free Power: If you use solar string lights as opposed to traditional plug-in patio string lights, you won’t need to pay for electricity to power them. Also, they can be more versatile as you don’t need to plan where you’re going to plug them in to supply power since they are powered by a small solar panel instead of your home’s electricity. Variety: You can find these types of outdoor string lights in almost any form or shape you can imagine. Not only do they make lantern, globe, and rope… Read more »

Simple Closet Organization Ideas for your Home

Since closets tend to be the smallest rooms in the home, it can be difficult to keep them organized. They usually just become a “catch all” for seasonal items and other possessions that are not used regularly. This act will make it hard to find anything when the time comes to actually use it. Closet organization ideas are helpful if you wish to declutter the tiny rooms and make the most of the storage space.

Shelving is the most beneficial tool you can place inside your closet. Shelves open up a wealth of storage space in any area they are used. There are shelves that you can purchase that have the clothing rack built in, which will allow you extra space without taking up any room itself. Units can also be attached to the walls of the closet for even more storage areas. Wire shelving is recommended, as the see-through… Read more »