Tag: kids

The Dangers of Lead: How to Make Your Home’s Drinking Water Safe

July 31, 2023

When in the market for a new home, there are endless considerations home buyers must think through. Dividing the “must-haves” from the “nice-to-haves” can be difficult, but parents are wise to keep the health of their families a top priority. Buyers can easily feel overwhelmed by the number of dangers and health hazards that demand their attention in purchasing a new home, but one health hazard that both the EPA and the CDC have highlighted as a concern in households is lead contamination. Many families and communities are exposed to the harmful effects of lead through their homes’ drinking water, but they may not be aware of this issue until after experiencing health problems. Lead contaminants within drinking water cannot be seen or tasted, so even in regions that aren’t commonly affected by lead, homeowners should be aware of every precaution at their disposal. What are the Effects of Lead Contamination? Lead has been a major part of industry and various technological advancements in history, but widespread understanding of the harmful effects of lead poisoning didn’t truly occur until the late 1970s. In a paper produced in coordination with the Center for Biological Diversity, Dr. Herbert Needleman describes some of

How to Host a Memorable Backyard Barbecue

May 29, 2023

Summertime brings a special kind of excitement and plenty of opportunities to spend time with loved ones. The backyard barbecue is a classic way to spend a hot evening. Although everyone wants to throw a cookout for the ages, it’s important to take the right precautions beforehand to make sure your barbecue is memorable in all the right ways. Seamless and safe barbecues are all about preparation and safety. So for your next backyard bash or summer shindig, consider these tips to take it to the next level. Practice Safe GrillingThe grill master is a role that’s not to be taken lightly. Not only is the grill master responsible for satisfying everyone at the party, but any negligence on their part can lead to major damage or potential injury. Grilling spaces should always be carefully selected and at a minimum, 10 feet away from any structures to avoid dangerous stray embers. This may go without saying, but never grill inside! Any overhead coverings can also cause ventilation problems, and unstable bases can lead to grills tipping over. Ideally, grills should be set up with plenty of space, separate from toppings stations, side tables, and dessert spreads. The final and most

Make Your Home Fire-Safe this October

October 1, 2021

October is here! While this autumnal month is most commonly associated with tricks and treats, it’s also recognized in both the United States and Canada as Fire Prevention Month. The first week of October has also been designated Fire Prevention Week in both countries. Close to 360,000 home fires occur annually, with many of them being preventable. To make your home fire-safe this year, here’s what you need to know. Have multiple fire extinguishers at the ready. A portable fire extinguisher can help stop a fire before it gets out of control. According to the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED), fire extinguishers are successful in extinguishing 95 percent of house fires. When they can’t fully put out a fire, extinguishers can effectively contain it until emergency services arrive. There are different variations of fire extinguishers, so it’s important that you have the right style for your home. Keep one on each level of your house in places where there are lots of appliances, mechanical equipment, or chemicals. Clean out your dryer’s lint trap. If it’s been a while since you last cleaned your dryer’s lint trap (or if you never have), start making it a regular habit. Lint

Best Tips to Remove Carpet Stains

September 21, 2021

The right carpet can really tie a room together by adding both comfort and style. It can also add some extra cleaning work. Pets, kids, and normal wear and tear dirty up your carpet and turn it from “chic” to “ick.” Luckily, there are some easy remedies to salvage your stylish carpet and prolong its lifespan. Stains in All Shapes and Sizes Anything from mud to Merlot can cause you to stress about having a giant spot on your carpet forever. A few of the most common stains are: General Rules to Remember When it comes to what you spill, each substance has special instructions. How you clean up muddy pet prints will differ from ground-in gum. That said, there are a few generic tips you can apply to any stain. First, you’ll want to start from the outside and work your way in. Removing the excess will make the spot easier to work with. Next, you’ll want to incorporate some sort of cleaner whether it be club soda, a vinegar solution, or store-bought chemicals. Lastly, remember to blot, not wipe. You’ll keep from driving the spill deeper and leaving an unsightly stain. Cleaning Drinks and Other Liquids As soon

A New Leaf: Pros and Cons of Moving During Autumn

August 16, 2021

Moving can be an exciting, albeit, stressful time during any season. Fall, especially, has its own set of challenges, the main one being weather. But there are upsides to selling at the end of the year as well. So is it worth it to move during the changing season, or should you wait it out? Pro: Fall typically has nicer temperatures. Autumn temperatures tend not to drastically swing too much, which is nice when you’re trying to plan out a moving day. Unlike spring or early summer, you won’t have to worry about getting caught in a surprise rainstorm. The cooler temperatures also mean you probably won’t be sweating or risk getting overheated as you sort boxes and lug totes up the stairs. Con: Northern falls can get chilly. While it’ll feel good to have lower temps, you might have to be wary of that fluffy white stuff interfering. Northern climates in particular are prone to early snows that could impact your travel plans. Ice and snow make roads dangerous to drive on for long distances. If you’re not heading out until late October or November, you may need to keep a close eye on the forecast. Pro: You might

How to Patch Up a Hole in Your Drywall

July 5, 2021

Holes and dents in your drywall can be one of the more aggravating things you have to deal with as a homeowner. Maybe you accidentally slammed a piece of furniture into the wall, a door handle left a puncture mark, or your kids got too rowdy playing ball in the house. Whatever the reason, you might be wondering about the best way to patch things up. Before You Begin There are a couple of things you need to do before you start cutting into your wall. First, check that the area is free from pipes or wiring. You don’t want to turn a small, fixable problem into a larger and more costly one. Also if you realize that it’s a bigger project than what you feel comfortable with, it’s best to call for backup. If you decide to tackle things yourself, you’ll need some tools: As you gather everything you need, get a pair of safety goggles and a dust mask to keep bits of paint and drywall out of your eyes and respiratory system. Square Off the Hole Holes that are larger than four inches in diameter have to be squared off and covered with new drywall. Using a

Ensure Your Pool is Safe for Summer Fun

June 21, 2021

As you get your pool in shape for the season, take a moment to go over your safety checklist. While a fun way to take a break from the summertime heat, pools also can be dangerous areas for young children and pets. Here’s what you need to do to keep everyone safe and cool. “I don’t have kids or pets, do I still need to take precautions?” Even if you don’t have young kids or pets, you should still make a safe swimming environment for them. It’s been shown that curious children and animals can wander into a pool area and find themselves in drowning danger. In fact, some states may even require you to implement security systems to prevent this. Florida for example requires you to have an approved pool cover and surrounding barrier at least four feet tall. Even individual counties could have requirements to post signage around residential pools. In this case, it’s always best to check local, state, and also federal laws to see what you need to do. Clean your pool of toys and floats. Kids are easily enticed by fun objects like pool floats and other toys that they see in the water. This

Celebrate Home Safety Month by Improving Your Home!

June 1, 2021

With June being National Home Safety Month in both the United States and Canada, it’s a great opportunity for you to give your house a thorough checkup! Even if you just moved into a new build, there could still be any number of hidden issues with its components. Take some time over the next month to protect you and your family from some of these commonly overlooked problems. Radon Reduction Radon is very common in both the U.S. and Canada, and it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer. It’s an odorless and colorless gas which makes it practically impossible to detect without some sort of monitoring device. Homes both old and new are susceptible to radon, so you shouldn’t assume you’re completely free of it. The most effective way to know how much radon is in your home is to buy a tester. Consistent testing lets you keep an eye on accumulation levels so that you can act quickly to stay safe. Check Wiring Electrical fires account for nearly 24,000 home fires each year. Your home’s wiring is one of its largest components, so you need to be certain it’s in top condition. Loose outlets should be repaired or

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

Handmade Haunting: Bringing the Tricks and Treats to Your Home

October 5, 2020

Halloween is normally the time where all the local ghosts and goblins make their way door to door in search of goodies. However, much like the spooky season itself, this past year has proved to be anything but normal. If you’re looking for a fun way to have your candy and eat it too, then making an at-home haunting is just what Dr. Frankenstein ordered. Get the whole family involved in the construction. While your kids may be saddened that they won’t be able to travel the neighborhood, having them create their own house of horrors will cheer them right up. It’s also a good idea to get your little ones involved in the creation since they know their own scare-level. You don’t want to create a house that scares them too much, and definitely don’t want to make a “house of snores.” Decorate with DIY spiders, ghosts and other monsters. You don’t need to head out and buy expensive animatronic spooks that will just sit in storage most of the year. You can easily create your own freaks and creeps from items around your house, with a few additional supplies from the craft store. Some grotesque guests to get