Home Security Tips
Making sure that your home is secure should be a priority in your life not only because you want to protect what’s rightfully yours, but more specifically because it could be the most important thing that you do for your family and for yourself. Lock Your Locks When it comes to home security, the single most important thing that you can do is to make sure that both your windows and doors are locked. We no longer live in a time when it’s safe to go to bed at night with the door unlocked or the windows open, so do yourself and your family a favor by double checking those locks and making sure that all latches and hinges are functioning properly. Light Your Lawn What would you do if you were to hear a noise outside, but had no way to see without opening the door? The proper lighting outside your home is essential as it allows you to view your outside space from the safety of your home’s interior. A bright porch light or even a motion light is perfect and, for home security, it is a must. Keep Out One way to ensure the security of your home and family is to make sure that the possible entry ways are minimized. This means that you should take a look around your home, evaluate how many ways a potential intruder could conceivably find a way in and do your best to make the necessary upgrades and repairs to prevent that from happening. Clean It Up If you have any clutter in the yard, such as gardening or lawn tools, place them in a locked storage building or your garage. The reason why this is so important to home security is because an intruder could use almost anything to break into your home, but you can deter them by making their task more difficult. Customize Your System If you don’t have a home security system, get one. If you purchase a home that already has a system in place, change the code just as you would change the locks to any doors. Before you bought the home, who knew the security code that the former owner had programmed? You have no idea, right? That’s why you need to change the information. It’s also important that you not leave the code written on a piece of paper, which is lying around the house. The code to your security system is private information and it should be treated as such in order to protect the security of your home and family. Trim Down If you have large trees, bushes or hedges in your yard, trim them to a level that will allow you to see out the window without an obstructed view. If you hear a noise or a knock at the door, you will need to be able to turn on the porch light and glance outside the window before opening the door. An important rule of thumb is to remove or trim anything that may block your view of the lawn in any way.
Hot Decorating Tips
Let’s face it. There are two kinds of people in the world-those who have a knack for being creative and those who are seriously lacking in decorating skills. The good news is that it doesn’t matter which category you are in because there’s always something new to be learned. If you want to know how to add some new life to your home without spending a fortune, here is how to get started. Spruce Up Your Walls If you need a quick and affordable way to decorate your otherwise bare walls, consider adding a square of your favorite gift wrap to a standard photo frame and hanging it on the wall. Not only will this look great, but it will also save you a bundle of money when compared to the cost of traditional artwork. Lighten Up If you are tired of looking at a plain lampshade, consider adding some pizzazz by purchasing tassel fabric at your local craft store and affixing it to the trim. This will create a designer look and, best of all, won’t cost you a fortune. A Little Paint Can Go Along Way If you have an old drawer set that’s simply gone out of style, add a fresh coat of paint and some new hardware. This will work brilliantly whether you are changing the decor or just need a more updated look. Have A Seat If the cushions on your chairs are looking worn or simply need some new life, you can make a big difference with some new fabric. You can change the look of any chair by purchasing fabric and attaching it to the underside of the cushion. This is an easy and affordable way to get the look of a brand new chair at a bargain. Wow Your Walls If you’re looking for a conversation starter, consider purchasing plain white quilt squares and sending them to your favorite celebrities for an autograph. Be sure to send a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) with your request so that they can return the item to you. With each autographed quilt square that you receive, sew it next to a patterned square. Over time, you will have a wall hanging that’s sure to be a colorful treat for both you and your guests. Having a quilt signed by dozens of your favorite celebrities is one way to wow your walls in a big way. Create The Illusion Of A Larger Space Did you know that mirrors can actually give the illusion of a larger room? Even if your house is small, you can open it up with a few strategically placed mirrors. Horizontal designs are some of the best and they can offer a look that turns a small room into an open and airy spot. Now that you know what’s hot in decorating, it’s time to get busy and start sprucing up your space. After all, it’s often those finishing touches that make a house into a home.
How & When To Prune Roses
To many, a rose is one of the most beautiful flowers in existence. They can symbolize many things, including passion, love, friendship, innocence, etc. By definition, this fragrant flower is typically found in red, pink, white or yellow and is borne on a prickly bush or shrub. Because proper maintenance is a must for these beautiful blossoms, knowing how and when to prune is essential. Understanding The Pruning Process To prune is to trim a tree, shrub or bush, by cutting away the dead or overgrown branches and/or stems. Once you remove the unwanted areas, your shrub will be more likely to enjoy a healthy season. Protecting Yourself While Gardening Anytime you are working in the garden or pruning bushes, shrubs or trees, make sure to protect yourself from potential mishaps. In order to keep your hands safe, wear protective gloves that are specifically designed for gardening. This is especially true when working with roses, which can be prickly and painful if you aren’t careful. Because pruning involves cutting away branches and/or stems, it’s important that you protect your eyes from stray pieces that may find themselves in circulation during the pruning process. If you have allergies, it’s a good idea to limit your time spent outdoors and always make sure to wear a protective mask to help reduce your exposure to pollen and other outdoor allergens that may aggravate your symptoms. When To Prune Your Roses The decision as to when to prune your roses is based largely upon your geographical location. In some parts of the United States, pruning can be done in the winter. In the Midwest, however, winter pruning may result in substantial loss of water due to evaporation. If you are in doubt as to when to prune your roses, consult a local gardening expert or nursery for further instructions. How To Prune Your Roses The first step to pruning roses is to determine the right height. You will need to have the proper tools for pruning, such as electric and/or hand tools. The latter is especially useful for small jobs that require greater attention to detail, such as cleaning up trim work and performing small touch-up jobs on the rosebush. Post-Pruning Activities For years, gardeners have added fertilizer to help their plants receive the nourishment that they need in order to thrive. Approximately 45 days after pruning your roses, you may want to add fertilizer to the soil in order to encourage healthy growth.
How To Care For Your Lawn
If you love your lawn, it’s only natural that you would want to give it the proper care to help give it a healthy appearance. After all, your landscape is one of the first things that people will notice when they arrive at your home. Your lawn can either make or break your curb appeal. Grooming If you have weeds, remove them with the proper tools or by pulling them out of the ground manually. An important part of grooming your lawn is mowing it regularly to give it a manicured appearance. Feed Your Lawn Yes, even your yard gets hungry and what it craves more than anything is water. Most experts recommend that one thorough watering each week is preferable over a light misting every other day. When it comes to feeding your lawn, the best time of year to fertilize is during the spring. This is when your lawn begins to grow and its beautiful shade of green begins to come alive, which is why it’s important to make sure that it has all of the nutrients that it needs to enjoy the warm months ahead. Treating Bald Or Bare Spots What happens when your lawn begins to dry out or shows signs of brown spots? It could mean a number of things, but treating it properly will help to get your yard sparkling again. One way of doing this is by planting seeds so that new grass can grow. Before doing this, make sure to loosen the soil so that the seeds will have a healthy start. Your other option is to bring in sod, which is commonly used for larger areas that are in need of a quick fix. Just as you would loosen the soil for seeding, it’s important to do the same for sod so that it can properly attach to the surface of the lawn. Pest Control Your lawn is a reflection of your home, but it’s also a potential haven for pests. It’s important to pay close attention to the plants and/or flowers that you choose for your landscape as certain types can deter pests, while others may actually attract them. If in doubt, ask a local gardening expert or a representative at your local home improvement store for more information on this topic. If you develop a pest problem, there are products designed to protect your landscape and permanently rid the pests of your space.
How To Choose The Perfect Grill
When choosing the perfect grill, it’s important to understand the different types and their functions, but also how each relates to your particular needs. Types Of Grills A charcoal grill is a popular choice among many who enjoy cooking in the great outdoors, but it also takes a little more time to prepare your food with the intense smoked flavor that’s a trademark characteristic of charcoal-grilled foods. A gas grill, which averages out to be less expensive than charcoal when calculated on a per use basis, is also a popular choice. It’s important to note that gas grills, however, have additional concerns and safety precautions that must be observed. An electric grill is convenient for many people, including those who live in a condominium, apartment or other small home that has little or no backyard for grilling. In these situations, the use of a gas or charcoal grill may not be safe, which is why an electric grill is a popular alternative. All that’s required is a location close to an electrical outlet and the desire to enjoy grilled foods. A smoker is for the serious grilling fan, who plans to cook a lot of food at one time. This type of unit is ideal for backyard cookouts with a large group of friends or even a family reunion. Their ability to cook a large amount of food makes them perfect for gatherings. Choosing The Perfect Size In addition to the type of grill, it’s important to consider the size of the unit when planning for a new purchase. As the cook, you will need to know how often the grill will be used, what type of food will be prepared on it and how many people you will be serving at any given time. It’s equally important to know how much space you have available for the grill itself. As a general rule, grills are available in all shapes and sizes and knowing how much room you have will go a long way in choosing the perfect grill. Accessorize Your Outdoor Kitchen When choosing a grill, it’s also important to choose the right accessories to go along with it. After all, a chef is nothing without the proper cooking utensils. Some additional accessories to consider include cleaning tools for your specific grill and a protective cover to prevent damage.
How To Start A New Garden
Congratulations on your decision to start a new garden. Regardless of whether you are a novice or seasoned expert, you can enjoy the benefits of a garden with nothing more than a little knowledge, some seeds and the proper tools. Step # 1: Pick Your Plants Before you start a new garden, the first and most obvious step is to choose your plants. Some things to consider when making your selection include your geographical region, climate, soil condition and the size of your space. Different climates demand different plants, which means you must choose wisely in order to get the most out of your garden. Your soil condition is important because most gardeners find it best to have a flat planting surface with a soil that has the nutrients necessary for a healthy garden. You can always add fertilizer, which can help to make up for any lacking nutrients in your own soil. The size of your space is important because seeds should not be planted too close together or too close to a wall. Step # 2: Prepare Your Soil Whether you are planting seeds or transplanting a garden, it’s important to loosen your soil to allow for the proper marriage of your plants and the earth’s nutrients necessary for survival. Some gardeners prefer to till their soil, while others simply dig and leave the surface loosened for planting. Step # 3: Water Your Garden Once your seeds are planted, it’s time to have patience. There’s nothing quite like the hurry up and wait feeling that every gardener experiences when they have made all of the necessary preparations for their new garden and then the waiting game begins. The proper watering can help your hard work to materialize in a healthy way. Most experts recommend watering a garden in the early morning hours when the air is still cool. Instead of applying the water directly to the plants themselves, try adding it to the soil instead. Step # 4: Maintenance Matters It’s important to keep all clutter away from your plants and/or garden area. Toys, yard tools and even gardening supplies can cause damage if left lying about. Always remove items from the area once you are done using them and make sure that the area is free of any items that don’t belong. Step # 5: Know Your Plants’ Maturity As a successful gardener, you will need to know at what point your plants will reach maturity. This is especially true if you are planting fruits or vegetables, which you can collect when ready.
How To Successfully Set Up A Freshwater Aquarium
An aquarium is designed to simulate a natural environment for freshwater life. Speaking of freshwater, the fish that are found here are, as the name implies, those which are found in fresh water and not from the sea. If you want to start a freshwater aquarium in your home, keep the following in mind to help your fish-keeping hobby a swimming success. Choosing The Right Aquarium Aquariums are available in a variety of sizes and styles, but your most important consideration is the type and number of fish that you will be housing. If you plan to have a large freshwater fish community, you may need to consider either a large aquarium or several smaller ones to accommodate your new friends. It’s important to note that although fish bowls are inexpensive, they cannot provide your freshwater fish with the same environment as what they are used to. Flowing water and surroundings filled with underwater plants are only possible with the use of a traditional aquarium. Decorating For Your Finned Friends In order to create a familiar environment for your freshwater fish, you will need to decorate the aquarium in a way that looks like an underwater paradise complete with plants, gravel and/or sand. The latter will help to secure the underwater decorative plants, which are essential to your fish’s familiar surroundings. Speaking of environment, freshwater fish are use to flowing water. You can recreate this by adding a water filter to your tank, which will circulate and clean the water. An underwater light, which can also be purchased, can help to simulate day and night for your underwater roomies. Introducing Your Fish To Their New Home When you purchase freshwater fish and bring them home, it’s important to allow them time to adapt to their surroundings with a gradual introduction. If your fish are in a bag, place the bag into the water of your aquarium and allow it to float for 20-30 minutes before releasing them into the tank. This will allow them to adjust to the new water temperature and become acquainted with any other fish that may already be present in your home aquarium. Pay close attention to select fish that are compatible in a small, enclosed environment. Maintaining Your Aquarium Keeping the water supply clean for your fish is a must, which is why you should change the water regularly and consistently monitor the temperature in your aquarium. One way of keeping your tank’s water pure and free of algae is by adding mollusks (snails, slugs, etc.). In addition, you can test the water quality by using a test kit specifically designed for fish aquariums to help ensure the health and safety of your fish.
Ideas For Organizing Your Garage
Believe it or not, your garage is not only made to house your automobiles. In fact, you can use it for storage or even a work area for small household projects. Whether you decide to keep tools, lawn care equipment or other accessories in the garage, organization is a must. Maximize Your Workspace If you use the garage for small woodworking projects or other chores that require a sturdy surface, consider installing a fold-down table on the interior wall. When not in use, you can simply lift the table back up and into place. This is a terrific idea for those who have a small garage or simply enjoy making the most out of their workspace. Unclutter Your Clutter If you have any items that are broken, outdated or simply unusable for any reason, toss them out. One of the first steps to organizing your garage is to get rid of the things that you no longer need or can use. If you have tools that are rarely used, put them away so that you can place the most commonly used tools in the forefront. As a general rule, your garage will be more efficient if the things that you need on a regular basis are easily accessible. Categorize & Sort When it comes to organizing any part of your home, including the garage, properly categorizing your items is essential. This will help you to locate everything quickly and efficiently. You can use storage bins, shelves and even clear drawers for sorting your items. Storage Solutions For Your Small Items If you typically use your garage to store hardware, such as nails, bolts and other small items, try organizing them in a clear glass jar instead of leaving them lying loosely in a toolbox. Not only is the proper storage safer, but it also allows you to easily view and retrieve the items as needed. Used baby food jars are ideal for this purpose. Wall Mounting Is A Must If you or your children own a bicycle or you need to find the perfect spot for your ladder or large tools, consider mounting them on the wall using the proper hook or other support. It’s important to note that larger items should be within reach to avoid injury while trying to retrieve them. Mounting your large items on the garage walls will save on both yard and garage clutter and it’s also a wise way to protect your items from being stolen.
Landscaping Design Tips
As a homeowner, you can use a number of landscaping design tips to make your house look just as polished on the outside as it does on the inside. Create A Path One of the first things that a guest will notice as they walk up to your home is whether or not there is a defined path. Instead of simply allowing the lawn to be trampled down and act as a pathway to your front door, consider installing a stone walk. Not only will this be more visually appealing, but it will also keep both you and your guests from walking through the mud on a rainy day. Make Your Mailbox Marvelous The way that you maintain your mailbox says a lot about how you feel about little details. An appealing design might include the family’s last name, the street number or address and a colorful display of flowers surrounding the base or possibly even a decorative flag or covering. Add A Touch Of Color No landscape would be complete without the addition of a little color in the way of flowers and plants. Make sure to choose plants that will thrive in your particular region, making sure to keep in mind their tolerance to various temperatures and moisture levels. Before planting, check the soil to make sure that ample sunlight is available to promote a healthy life for your flowers and plants. Curb Appeal Nothing says curb appeal more than an attractive water feature. Whether you choose a do-it-yourself kit, which is available at most home improvement stores, or you hire a professional landscaper, a pond or waterfall is sure to be an asset to your landscape. If you really want to be the envy of your neighbors, consider adding a goldfish pond to your yard and building a decorative arched bridge for added accent above the feature.
Maintenance Tips For Your Home
Whether it’s spring, summer, fall or winter, it’s important to take the necessary steps to keep your home standing tall every day. Gutter Clutter It’s always important to make sure that the gutters on your roof are cleared, but it’s especially necessary during the autumn months. During this time, trees begin to change and leaves begin to fall, which means your gutters can easily become clogged. If this happens, it could prevent rainwater from properly draining and may even result in damage. It’s also important to check your gutters throughout the year for a buildup of ice, dirt and other elements that may create a blockage. Shingle Care If your roof has shingles, you probably already know that spring is the best time to check for damage. After the winter is over, it’s important to check your roof for any damage that may have resulted from heavy snow and/or a buildup of ice. In addition, it’s essential that you check for damaged shingles after a storm. If you notice one or more that needs repaired or replacing, choose a day with no rain in the forecast. Otherwise, you will be dealing with a roof repair on a slippery surface. Heating & Cooling How-To It’s important to maintain both your heating and cooling units to ensure their longevity. One way of doing this is to replace filters annually or earlier if needed. This not only helps to keep your home’s air cleaner, but it also protects your heating or cooling unit from malfunctioning due to improper filter maintenance. How To Spot Roof Leaks If you suspect a leak but aren’t quite sure what to look for, you’re not alone. Although some signs, such as water spots on the wall, ceiling or floor, are obvious, not every indication is that clear. Possible signs that you may have a leak include a weak floor or damp carpet. If you detect either of these warning signs, consult a professional roofing expert to help find the problem and correct it as quickly as possible. If left untreated, a roof leak could damage the structure of the home by weakening the frame or, in some cases, even creating a problem with mold and moisture buildup. Detector Detective It’s important to check your smoke detectors regularly to ensure that they are working properly and ready to alert your family if needed. Always make sure that the batteries in each unit are working and replaced on a regular basis.
