What is it about springtime that makes us want to clear out the clutter? Walk down any residential street in the spring and you’ll encounter garage sales—or better yet, a pile of free stuff—offering you more junk to replace the items you just got rid of. Still, the trick to spring organizing isn’t just what you remove from your home, but how you organize what you keep.

A few weeks ago, I faced this problem after cleaning out my front hallway shelving, where I keep a small assortment of everyday tools and fasteners, items I want at-the-ready for quick fixes, like small screws and nails, a multi-head screwdriver, duct tape, and so on. Rather than jimmy an awkward storage system, I’ve been considering getting a small storage container for these items.

Virtually every hardware store offers its version of “the ultimate” portable tool storage solution. Of course, “ultimate” depends on your needs and space, but the three storage solutions below should work for most lifestyles for everyday tools and fasteners.

Order a Bucket

Milwaukee’s Bucket Organizer: finally, a sensible solution to lugging tools around the house in one easy-to-carry tote. Milwaukee gets it right with its heavy-duty, 55-pocket bucket organizer made from water-resistant polyester. The various-sized pockets can house everything from a flashlight to screws and fasteners; inside the bucket is a holster for a cordless drill; and there’s a dedicated square sleeve. At $15, it’s cheaper than the Colonel’s bucket.

Fast Fasteners

Keeping screws, nails and other fasteners in jars or large, wall-mounted storage containers is fine for the home workshop, but not in spots where space is limited, like the garage. Enter Stanley Hardware’s portable, 684-piece kit (pictured below, not yet online) filled with everyday fasteners—nails, thumbtacks, pushpins, anchors, screws, picture hooks—all neatly sorted into 14 separate compartments. Made of plastic, this lightweight tray can hang on the wall or sit on a shelf. Retailing for $13 and available at Wal-Mart, other versions are sold North American-wide at other retailers.

Box it up

Toolboxes are a dime a dozen; unfortunately, most of them aren’t worth the 10 cents. For basic storage of everyday items, keep it simple and don’t overload yourself with a hefty, hard-to-carry tool box filled to the brim with tools you don’t need. Stack-On has the right idea with their 26-inch box with two removable storage boxes. Rugged, built-to-last, and inexpensive—what more could you ask for? Retail: $20.

More people are killed or injured in fires than all the burglaries of homes or businesses combined. Smoke & soot damage will consume every square inch of your home. I had a neighbour who had a fire and clothes packed in suitcases still got damaged with soot. They were far removed from the actual fire. So it is important to add fire protection to your security system.

Most smoke detectors security alarm companies use is different than the ones sold in hardware stores. They measure the quality of the air electronically. They usually can detect a fire as opposed to fumes using this method is much better. When a fire is detected, the fire department is notified even sometimes before you the home owner know you have a fire. The internal siren in the home alerts your family of the fire. Most alarm systems give intermittent short blasts if there is a fire as opposed to a steady sound of the siren. This also lets you know even in a deep sleep that when the siren goes off, you know it’s a fire instead of a break-in.

It is important where you place these devices. Some cities have codes stating you have to have one for each bedroom. Most of the time they are installed in a common hallway outside of the bedrooms.

Another device is called a heat rise or heat sensor. Most of these devices operate sensing the heat of the air surrounding them. There are two kinds. The first device will detect a fire if the heat rises to a certain temperature. The other device will activate if there is a sudden change of temperature from a certain degree to another.

These devices are placed in areas like kitchens, garages, attacks, basements near the furnace, utility rooms, and any where you have a heater or flammable materials.

Every family should have a fire drill every so often. Each member of the family should know all exits. Have a place where you meet outside, like at the mail box, so you know everyone has gotten out. Many people have lost their lives going back into a burning home thinking that someone is still in the home when actually they were out but on the other side of the home.
Keep in mind that most insurance companies give discounts if you have a security system installed in your home or business. The more levels of protection could mean a greater discount on your insurance. So an investment in a complete security system could mean a substantial savings over the years plus the “peace of mind” knowing you’re protected.

Get a FREE* ADT Alarm System worth over $850, with a $99* installation fee, and $ 0 activation fee, 24/7 Immediate Emergency Medical, Police and Fire Response, 2 Way Voice Enabled Control Centre and much more. Please visit: http://www.apexdirect.ca/promos/3 to get a FREE, no obligation Life Safety System quote or call us at 1 888 496 9488