Important Safety Resolutions to Start Your New Year Off Right

photo by Centennialplumbing.com

New year, new opportunities indicates weekly trips to the gym, carrots instead of candy and an opportunity to break bad habits. How about a resolution that goes beyond 2012 and keeps your children and home safe for years to come? This year, make it a priority to childproof your kitchen and clean beyond the countertops to keep your family happy and healthy all year long.

“Your kitchen never gets a day off,” said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance Corp. “Between hot appliances and sharp cooking utensils, kids can often be in danger of hurting themselves. Fortunately, homeowners can prevent most accidents by making a few simple adjustments and educating their children about kitchen safety.”

Follow these resolution tips from Mr. Appliance to keep your kitchen clean and your kids safe:

Refrigerator

• Keep items not safe for kids on higher shelves. Place juice boxes, apple slices and cheese sticks on the lower shelves for a healthy snack within your child’s reach.
• Soak refrigerator removable parts in the sink with warm, soapy water to remove stains from food spills to keep new produce as fresh as possible.
• Position refrigerator shelves to make it difficult for children to climb inside and close the door leaving your kitchen with a dangerous hide-and-seek spot.

Stove and Oven

• Turn pot and pan handles in and away from the edge of the stove so curious hands can’t pull them down.

• Remove oven racks and wash them by hand with warm water and soap to remove caked on food that can burn in your oven.

• Establish a “safety zone” marked by a small rug or area of the kitchen to keep kids several feet away from the oven while it’s hot.

Microwave Oven

• Wipe interior microwave surfaces with a mixture of two tablespoons baking soda and one quart water to remove food stains and keep your microwave clean for future use.
• Encourage children to use an oven mitt when removing a hot plate or bowl.
• Heat a microwave-safe bowl of vanilla extract for three minutes to give your kitchen a fresh scent.

Dishwasher

• Keep the dishwasher closed when you’re not loading or unloading. Sharp utensils inside can be dangerous to children.
• Create a “safety zone” when opening the door to a steam-heavy dishwasher to avoid burns from the hot steam. Teach children to wait for dishes to cool down before unloading.
• Give your dishwasher a fresh start to thoroughly clean your dishes. Remove food residue by running an empty dishwasher with a cup of white vinegar.

Most of these resolution tips can be accomplished in a matter of minutes and keep your home safe and energy efficient, too!  If you find a problem that you can’t handle, contact an appliance repair professional to help.

For recipes, appliance and energy tips, follow us on Twitter at @MrApplianceCorp and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MrApplianceCorp.

by Arpi’s

Most of the time, your home will sail through the seasons without as much as a hiccup. It’s helpful to know, however, when a situation requires an HVAC contractor and who to call. If you see evidence of any of the problems below, you should call an expert as soon as possible:

Attic problems

Having the right insulation levels and efficiency is critical in your attic. Without it, you not only lose valuable heated air through the attic, but the potential for ice damming increases. Since it’s common to experience Chinooks in Calgary, those warm days can melt the snow on your roof, which leaks down to your eaves and gutters, and freezes when the temperatures dip again. The best defense against ice damming is to have effective attic insulation.

Additionally, if your home exhaust systems are directed into the attic space, it’s more likely to experience problems, as excess moisture can lead to wood rot and wet, ineffective insulation.

Furnace problems

A dirty furnace filter can lead to an inefficient furnace. It’s important that you change the filter regularly to ensure proper airflow for the furnace, as well as to keep pollutants out of your home’s air. Leaks in the ductwork can contribute to energy losses. If you haven’t had the ductwork evaluated recently, it’s important to do so now to ensure that they don’t waste energy all winter long.

Crawl space problems

The main contributors to problems in the crawl space are moisture and a lack of insulation. If the space is musty, you most likely have moisture problems. If it’s not insulated, you’re likely to lose a lot of heat over the winter.

While problematic situations in your home can often cause financial stress and discomfort, using a highly reputable and knowledgeable HVAC contractor can offer peace of mind.

—

About the Contributor

Arpi’s Industries has served the Calgary area since 1963, and we know how to solve home problems unique to Alberta’s climate, while saving homeowners money in the process and creating more energy-efficient homes. Call Arpi’s Industrieswhen you want the best of the best.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about contractors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Arpi’s services Calgary, Alberta. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

by Arpi’s

by Sarah Oxley

Roman blinds are currently gaining popularity again, as they can give any room a unique and classy look. The variety of these window treatments is becoming so vast, that it is often difficult to know which to choose and how to implement them. They have a great advantage over other window treatments, as they are both functional and beautiful at the same time. Installing roman blinds is what puts a lot of people off, as at first glance it seems to be a lot of hassle. However, it is actually rather easy and even easier if you follow this brief guide.

The first thing you need to decide is whether the blinds need to be installed outside or inside the window. This determines the size of the blinds, and therefore saves a lot of time and helps along the next few steps.

To work out the size of your blind, you’ll need to measure the window at the bottom, middle and top. The thinnest width of the blinds needs to be measured to determine whether to install it inside the frame of the window. This ensures that the blinds don’t stick together when they are raised or lowered. If you want to utilize the outside mount you will have to consider where you want the blinds to begin as well as if you want them to extend past the window.

Buying the blinds themselves is the easiest bit, as all you need to do is pick your favourite design and style. Roman blinds should come with an installing kit, so all you need to do is specify what kind of mount you want, so you get the right installing kit.  When installing an inside mount, you should ensure that the blinds don’t touch the top of the window frame or catch anything when they are lowered or raised. Before the brackets are installed, you will have to make sure the mount brackets are perfectly placed within the frame of the window. The important thing is to make sure they are level with each other on each side. This will enable them to move freely between the brackets.

Outside mounted window blinds should not make contact with the frame of the window when raised or lowered. This means it will function smoothly every time it is used. You also need to make sure any obstructions are moved prior to the brackets being installed. It’s recommended to have a surplus of one eighth of an inch in-between each of the brackets so the rotation is as smooth as possible.

Always be sure to test that the blinds runs smoothly. If it is working properly then you have nothing to worry about. If however it is not, making an adjustment should be relatively simple. If you have bought them from a reputable shop, you will find the installation manual will be included. This will, of course, make your life that much easier.

—

Written by Sarah Oxley. Interior Design and DIY Enthusiast.

by MeCC Interiors

If you’re a trend watcher and can’t wait to know what’s on the design horizon for 2012, here are a few of the evolving shifts occurring within Canada and the US pertaining to home design, which are making our living spaces more practical than aspirational.  These trends apply not only to new homes, but more extensive renovation projects.

Open Concept Living and Family space (photo by homeaway.com)

Then: Formal Living Room.  Now: Open Family Room.

The first is nothing new and will certainly come as no surprise: formal living rooms are a thing of the past, with a preference towards open rooms that encourage family gathering.  Interior walls continue to be torn down or opened up to expand views and make interiors feel more spacious and connected.  Just be sure you’re not tearing down a load bearing wall if you’re removing anything.

Then: Second Staircase.  Now: An Elevator.

RAM residential elevator

Rather than making room for that second staircase, keep an area reserved for that future elevator!  With aging populations, this luxury will become more commonplace as multiple floors become more difficult to manoeuver.  Though definitely more expensive than your standard kitchen or bathroom renovation, sizes and interior finishes vary considerably, making them available in a wide price range.

Then: Soaker Tubs.  Now: Steam Showers.

Showpiece bathrooms almost always feature a standalone tub, though a shocking number of homeowners say they never use the tubs to soak in.  For those with more limited space, tubs are being replaced with steam showers, which are fabulous year round and not as drying to the skin as saunas.  In homes with more space, many feature full steam rooms, often in the basement near the gym.

Then: Dad’s Office.  Now: Lifestyle Centres.

The panelled office that doubled as dad’s retreat are disappearing in favour of “lifestyle centres.”  Most homes feature wireless computing, so a fulltime desk is not even necessarily part of the equation.  They tend to allow for flexibility and togetherness and may act as home office, homework centre, craft station, or something else entirely, but they are included within the main, open space and keep users connected with others in the house, rather than segregated.

Outdoor Firepit and Conversation area by insideoutpatio.ca

Then: Breakfast Nook.  Now: Outdoor Spaces.

Kitchen sizes have changed substantially over the years, with many now being the hub of the home and opening onto the family room.  (Many also contain the home’s “lifestyle centre.”)  Instead of breakfast nooks, they feature a bar area and stools.  During the same time, outdoor kitchens have seen a dramatic rise and many would prefer to spend time outdoors when the weather is nice, and so the outdoor room continues to trend upwards.  It includes more than just a dining table and a few chairs, though.  Separate seating areas with a fire pit, for example, will grow in popularity as they help extend the outdoor season.

Then: Grand Foyer.  Now: “Drop Zones.”

The double story entrance foyer is seen by many as a waste of space and is often terribly energy-inefficient. “Drop zones,” however, are functional spaces that help keep everyone organize.  Most feature a place to store coats and footwear, as well as backpacks or briefcases, whether on hooks or cubbies or within a closet.  They also provide a place to drop and sort the mail, set the house keys, and other things of that nature.  Larger zones also store sports equipment or feature a place to store Fido’s leash and accessories.  Depending on the layout of the home, it may be at the front door, or off a more commonly used side or back entrance.

Bayou Cottage Laundry / Craft / Drop Zone

by Nicola Winters

When choosing a roller blind to feature in your newly decorated room or home, it is important to choose a style which you will be happy with and that compliments the rest of your interior décor. The amount of variety available in fabrics, colours and designs, makes it relatively easy to find the perfect window treatment to compliment your room. However, if mainstream designs and patterns are not for you then why not create your own roller blinds? This will, not only incorporate character, individuality and personality into your home, but also offer an inexpensive alternative the next time your blinds are in need of replacing or sprucing up.

Firstly, a plain roller blind will need to be purchased to act as the base of your design. Choose a colour that matches your room and also suits the pattern or design you wish to apply to it. DIY kits for roller blinds can also be purchased, complete with instructions of how to attach your appliques.

Stamping, painting and double sided iron on appliques can all be used to create the design you want. Appliques can be purchased readily made or you can make them yourself using separate fabric from the roller blind. Simply iron the appliques onto a piece of fabric, cut out interesting motifs and iron carefully iron them onto the roller blind. Alternatively, stamps can be used to achieve similar results. These, again, can be readily made and purchased from decorating or craft stores or made from scratch using everyday household objects such as wood, soap or even potatoes. By dipping them in the paint of your choice and pressing them firmly onto the blind, an instant pattern or design can be created.

A third option is to paint them manually. The perfect plan for the artistic and creative; this method is particularly rewarding when completed.

IDEAS

Kitchen and Living room

There are already plenty of designs, styles and fabrics available to buy in roller blinds and attempting to be creative is harder than most think. Take a look around your home and garden and be inspired by shapes, objects and patterns that you see. A particular favourite amongst homeowners is the use of flowers. These can be either painted, stamped or ironed on using fabric motifs and add instant character to your, seemingly, dull window treatments. Leaves are another favourite that also brightens up any room or area within the home. By using a thin paintbrush, stems and vines can be drawn around the shapes to create extra imagery. This is also a great way of covering up any mistakes or drips that have occurred when stamping.

Bathroom

Blues and whites are typically seen in bathrooms and blinds can be very limited when offering patterned designs to suit this type of room with the home. However, by using fabric appliques to create waves, dolphins, splashes or shapes, a bathroom’s window treatment can be transformed into a centre piece.

Bedrooms

The new fashion in home furnishing and decoration is the use of ornaments and pictures in the shape of single words. Words such as love, peace, home and relax can create a certain mood or feel within a room. Stencils can be bought which spell out single words or even phrases which can be added to blinds within the bedroom to add a warm, cosy yet modern feel to the area.

Children

When decorating children’s bedrooms, it’s a great idea to get them involved in the action. If children are actively involved in the creation of something, they are much less likely to damage it. Finger painting and hand stamping is a particular favourite activity amongst young children so why not incorporate it into the designing of their roller blinds. Not only will it be a lovely touch but can also be saved and stored, so in years to come, you can remember the time when you both actively engaged in a fun activity that brightened the home up.

by Mr. Rooter

Mr. Rooter Plumbing uses Wally the Wrench in The Drip Game on Facebook to promote being Water-Wise™ in real life.

The Drip Game is about stopping leaks, which has become a rampant problem in reality. More than 1 trillion gallons of water is wasted from household leaks each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

“We started the Water-Wise initiative at Mr. Rooter Plumbing to bring attention to the importance of conserving water,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “With The Drip Game we can make learning about water conservation more entertaining.”

And entertaining, it is. In the first month of being live, The Drip Game has been played more than 65,000 times. That equals more than 7,500 hours of playtime.

“We’ve been blown away with the attention The Drip Game is getting,” said Fawn Barlow, marketing manager at Mr. Rooter Corporation. “It’s challenging, fun and to be honest, my wrist hurts from playing it so much.”

The Drip Game has three levels: sink, toilet and shower. It also has “powerups” that make the game interesting. While some catch, slow and stop the drips, others multiply the score and lower the clog level.

The Drip Game is available on Mr. Rooter Corporation’s Facebook page at facebook.com/mrrootercorporation. Just click on The Drip Game link in the left side menu.

If you have a leak, check out the Mr. Rooter online drip calculator. It determines the amount of water wasted daily, monthly and yearly based on the number of drips per minute.

It’s easy to use. Just enter the number of drips per minute in the box, and the amount of wasted water is calculated immediately. You can find the drip calculator at www.mrrooter.com/AskTheExpert/Drip Calculator.aspx.

Finding and fixing leaks can save the average household more than 10,000 gallons of water annually, according to the EPA. That’s enough to fill a back yard swimming pool.

About Mr. Rooter^®:

Established in 1970, Mr. Rooter is an all-franchised, full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company with approximately 300 franchises worldwide. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500” and Franchise Times Top 200, Mr. Rooter franchisees provide services to both residential and commercial customers. Mr. Rooter began franchising in 1974 and is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information or to find the location nearest you, please visit our Web site at www.mrrooter.com and www.mrrooter.ca. Follow us on www.facebook.com/mrrootercorporation and twitter.com/mrrootercorp.

by Asha Stuttard

Whether you’ve got an ultra-modern home in the middle of town or a cosy country cottage, one thing you always need is a comfortable, user friendly living room.  It’s the place where you and your family can unwind and let go of the stresses and strains of the day, and somewhere you can all be together.

To make it a relaxing environment you need colours that you like on the walls, and a flooring choice that feels right for you.  For some people, that’s soft wall-to-wall carpeting. For others, who like to know their relaxation room is also dust-free, a solid floor finish like wood or tiling will appeal more.

The shape and size of your sofa and armchairs are important, too. One of the most popular styles of chair in the shops at the moment are recliners – perfect for putting your feet up at the end of the day, and having your whole of your body supported in the process.  Once you’ve sat in a recliner, then putting your feet up on the coffee table will never be the same again!

Many sofas now come with recliner sections, and you can choose whether all the seats recline, or more commonly, just the ones on the ends of the sofa.  Some living rooms aren’t quite large enough to take recliners – as when they are in the recline position they do take up quite a lot of space.  In this case a corner sofa might be a better option for you.

In a lot of homes, the living room also doubles up as the guest room, in which case a sofa bed is a great double purpose option.  Check online for a sofa bed sale taking place near you and go and find one that’s a perfect fit for your home.

When you’ve sorted out your furniture, get some soft glow table lamps to complete the tranquil feeling in your new look living room.

by Arpi’s

Does the idea of pollutants lurking around inside your home bother you? Does their presence trigger health-related issues, such as allergies or asthma? If so, you can do something about it by installing Ultraviolet (UV) lights in your HVAC system to boost the quality of your home’s air and enhance your health all year long.

UV lights have long been used in health-related settings to purify air. In hospitals, clean air is critical not only for the patients, but also for health workers who are exposed to viruses and bacteria. These systems are now available for residential use and accomplish the same goal: purified air.

UV lights target a specific class of pollutants, ones that your HVAC system’s air filter cannot: organic matter like mould, viruses and bacteria. If left unchecked, these pollutants pose risks for even healthy individuals, and cause significant problems for people with compromised immune systems or respiratory issues.

UV light is a form of safe radiation, and its short waves hit organic matter at the heart of each cell, thereby rendering the cell ineffective at reproducing. Once the cell is hit with the UV light, the DNA of the cell is changed: UV-light rays essentially kill off contaminants by taking away their ability to reproduce.

When UV lights are combined with your HVAC system, you get targeted, effective air-purifying technology that can keep all of the air in your home clean. Your home’s HVAC and duct system is designed to circulate the air throughout every corner of your home. As the air is drawn into the system, it is either heated or cooled, depending on the season. The furnace blower then pushes that air back into your home through supply registers, and the return registers pull it back into the system to start the process all over again. When UV lights are installed upstream of the HVAC system, each time the air passes through it, it’s purified again and again.

Keep your home’s air at top-notch quality with a UV light system.

—

This article was provided by Arpi’s. For help selecting a system, or to ask questions, contact the experts at Arpi’s Industries today! Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Arpi’s services Calgary, Alberta. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!