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Fencing in Fido: What Material and Style is Best for Your Dog

February 1, 2021

Creating a safe home extends to the furry friends that you have under your roof. Your yard is their playground, and making sure that it’s properly secured is necessary in keeping them out of harm’s way–you never know what lengths they might go to to chase that squirrel. Picking the right fence design is important in providing your pet their own safe place. Why Does “Buddy” Break Out? There are several common reasons why your dog turns into a “hound-dini” and disappears out of your yard: • Boredom or frustration• Anxiety• Fear• High hunting instinct• Disobedience• Breed type Luckily, you can be proactive to reduce your dog’s urge to run off. Regularly exercising, training, and playing with your dog can help alleviate the reasons for these conditions with canines. But letting your dog enjoy some fun in the sun while you’re away is still a nice treat. The Paw-fect Match Just as there are multiple reasons for your dog running away, there’s a variety of choices when it comes to the style of fencing. You should try to get to the bottom of what it is that’s causing your dog to get out, as fences are not a one size

Picture Perfect: Hanging Art in Your Home the Easy Way

January 18, 2021

Your favorite artwork or family pictures can brighten up your home and turn it into your own personal art gallery. However, trying to get the right layout and preventing your walls from getting damaged by nails and hooks can be a hassle. These tips can help you get things right the first time and save your walls. Plan Before Your Hang If you have several pictures that you’d like to hang together, plan out your arrangement before you put it up. Make paper cutouts of your different pieces, and use tape to place them on your wall. Also mark with a pencil or tape on your wall where the center of each frame is so you’ll know where to place the hook or nail. This way you’re free to rearrange and position your art how you’d like, without puncturing your walls unnecessarily. Use Adhesive Strips and Hooks Want to preserve your walls and secure your pictures? Then adhesive hangers are just the tool you need. They’re easy to apply to the back of a frame and quickly stick to wherever you place them. While you can apply them to larger frames, they tend to work the best with lighter ones.

Tips to Update and Accident-Proof Your Home Workspace

January 11, 2021

Sunday marked the start of Home Office Safety and Security week, an annual awareness event that takes place the second full week of January. With everything that’s happened in 2020, it’s no surprise that almost 30% of people are expected to continue working from home this year. If you fall into this category, then use this week to organize your workspace for safety and efficiency. Corral Your Cords Charging cords, cables and other loose wires don’t just make things look messy, they also pose a tripping hazard as you walk around. Not only can you end up flat on your back, you run the risk of pulling your expensive equipment down with you. Wrap up and secure your runaway cables with zip ties and tape to keep them in place and out of the way. You won’t have to perform a balancing act when moving through your office during the day and you’ll keep your electronics protected. File It Away Your remote station might not be as big as the one at your office, which can cause things to pile up. If you have the budget for it, invest in a filing cabinet or other storage system to organize your

Radon: Protecting Your House from a Hidden Danger

January 4, 2021

January is National Radon Action Month, which means it’s the perfect time to make sure that your home is protected. Around 20,000 people in the United States and 3,000 people in Canada die each year from radon exposure. It’s estimated that 1 in 15 homes in the U.S. and over 1 million homes in Canada have elevated levels of radon. This is scary to think about, but there are ways for you to lower your and your family’s chance of exposure. What exactly is radon? You may have heard about radon before, whether in the news or during the process of buying your first home. But what exactly is it and where does it come from? Radon is an odorless and colorless gas that forms when radioactive metals in rocks, soil and groundwater break down. This is a naturally occurring process, and everyone has some level of exposure at all times. Health risks become a greater concern when you’re exposed to radon for extended periods of time, as can happen with homes that have cracks and gaps in the foundation. It can take years for symptoms like lung cancer to develop, so you may not be aware of a health

10 Ways to Keep Your Calm in 2021

December 28, 2020

To say that 2020 was a stressful year might be an understatement. According to recent studies, almost a third of Americans and Canadians say they experienced high levels of stress during the year. For a more laid-back 2021, try these home design tips to let go of your worries. 1. Let the light shine in.Dark or dimly-lit spaces in your home can negatively impact your mood. Letting in more sunshine can boost your emotions and help you unwind after a long day. Sunlight is especially important during the shorter days of winter, which can cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Plus, Vitamin D is key for your immune system and natural lighting can increase your focus and take the strain off your eyes when reading or looking at screens. 2. Get your green thumb in gear. Whether they’re fresh, dried or even faux, incorporating plants and flowers in your home can have a calming effect. It’s been found that greenery can significantly lower your stress levels. Their leaves also act as a natural humidifier that enhances your indoor air quality. If you don’t have enough sunny spots, there’s lots of plants that will be fine in lower lighting. 3. Better bedding,

How to Have a Healthy and Jolly Virtual Holiday Season

December 21, 2020

More than 115 million people traveled for the holidays in 2019, but this year will look a little different. Many are forgoing their usual party plans and opting to stay at home and celebrate. But just because you might not be able to be close, doesn’t mean that you can’t still celebrate some of your favorite festive traditions. Host a virtual baking day. The holidays wouldn’t be the same without festive food. While your meals may be smaller, you can still have fun making all those delicious dishes and desserts you make just once a year. Set up a virtual event with your friends so everyone can prepare their favorite food and swap recipes. You’ll also likely learn fun facts about the history of a certain food or tradition you might not have known before! Put a new spin on holiday arts and crafts. Along with gingerbread houses, there’s an assortment of holiday projects you can do. Have each family purchase the same craft box and get to building. To make it even more exciting, set a time limit and have incentives for the winners. The shorter the time, the higher the chance for creative projects and guaranteed laughs. Stream

Top 5 Christmas Catastrophes and How to Avoid Them

December 14, 2020

Christmas Day is fast approaching, which means now’s the time to get those last few decorations in place. It’s easy to get into a frenzy and rush around, but don’t disregard your own safety to put on a Yuletide spectacle. Here’s how you can avoid injuring yourself and still put together the perfect setup for Saint Nicholas. Don’t string yourself out with the lights. If you’ve ever seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, then you’ve witnessed exactly what NOT to do when hanging your lights. Clark Griswold finds himself in a comedy of errors by stapling his shirt to the siding, not securing his ladder properly and of course trying to accomplish his master design by himself. Nearly 6,000 people are injured during the holiday season each year due to falling off of a ladder. To keep you and your home protected, remember to: NPI’s Decorating Tip: You don’t have to knock out your town’s power like Clark for an eye-catching presentation. Sometimes a simple, thoughtful layout is all you need. Make sure your tree won’t come crashing down. Whether you have an artificial tree or one straight from the forest, it’s important to keep it from tipping over onto someone.

4 Leading Fire Extinguisher Tips for Keeping Your Family Safe

December 7, 2020

When it comes to choosing the right home safety tools, you have a variety of options to consider. However, you might not be inclined to give a second thought to something so seemingly simple as a fire extinguisher. It turns out, there’s quite a bit to know about fire extinguishers and how to choose the best one for your home. Here’s what you need to know: 1. Fire extinguishers are made for different purposes.Each fire is different, and so is every fire extinguisher. This is why it’s important to know that extinguishers are divided up into five main classes: Classes A, B and C are most commonly found in homes, and can also be combined. Having a two- or even three-class extinguisher means you’re better prepared for different types of fires. 2. You also need to choose the right extinguishing agent. A common assumption with fire extinguishers is that they all produce a white chemical cloud to subdue flames. In fact, there are six types of extinguishing agents, and each reacts a different way. 3. Place extinguishers around your home. When you decide which extinguisher will best suit your home, buy multiples to place strategically throughout your space. At the

Common Electrical Hazards to Watch For

November 30, 2020

Your house has hundreds of different components that constantly need to be monitored and serviced. From your HVAC to your dishwasher, it can be hard to stay on top of everything. The electrical system in your home is just one of these many pieces that could end up costing you if left unchecked. Loose Outlets A loose wall outlet may seem like a minor annoyance, but it can quickly turn into a serious problem. Years of constantly using an outlet can wear it down, causing whatever you plug into it to slip out. When a plug isn’t secure, it causes the connection to arc in your wall. This then creates a spark that can either shock you or start a fire within your home. The good news is that old outlets can be repaired easily and fairly inexpensively. Cracked or Missing Covers Missing or cracked outlet covers are more than just a cosmetic concern. Pets or young children that get too close can be injured from a powerful shock. An exposed outlet also means that the wiring and box behind aren’t protected, allowing the box to move around freely and sever the surrounding wires. Replacing a cover is another simple

Talking Turkey: Safely Frying the Best Bird

November 23, 2020

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time filled with loving family, good friends and of course, delicious food. But it’s also one of the top holidays for trips to the emergency room. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, almost three times as many cooking fires happen Thanksgiving Day than any other time of the year. Here’s what you can do to stay safe while frying your fowl. Why Fry? Deep-frying is a popular choice for people that want to get the perfect mix of crisp, golden skin, while also sealing in those savory juices. Soaking the bird in the fryer allows for a little wiggle room, should you overcook your turkey. Plus, the cooking time can be significantly quicker than the traditional oven-baked method. If you aren’t the most experienced of home chefs, then frying might be the right fit for you. Dangers of Deep-FryingLike any form of cooking, frying up a turkey isn’t without its own set of hazards. The most common safety issues with frying are: The good news is that with some extra precautions, you can reduce the chance of injuring yourself. Take it Outside If your Thanksgiving holiday is usually overcast and cold, you might be tempted