Celebrate with a Safer Holiday

The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy with family and friends. Taking a few safety precautions can help to prevent accidents that could spoil the celebration...(More)

Take the Right Steps to Cut Down on Contagious Germs

With the holiday season in full swing, cold and flu season must be just ahead. You may think you’re taking all the proper precautions, but you could be surprised. Here are some suggestions to help you reduce the coughing and sniffling...(More)

Furniture Care Made Simple

Furniture is a valuable financial and sentimental investment. Most people want their furniture to last a long time, and to look good in the process, with hopes to pass pieces to future generations as family heirlooms...(More)

Hints for Successful Wallpaper Removal

Removing wallpaper can be an adventure into the unknown – as you often have no idea what you will find underneath. Therefore, it’s best to be prepared for anything...(More)

Celebrate with a Safer Holiday

Make your holiday celebrations even merrier with the knowledge that you’ve taken steps to assure your family’s safety.

Be safe at home:

• Put up outdoor lights with care. Make sure the ladder is on a firm, level surface and reaches three feet beyond the roofline. Tools, lights or other items should not be held when climbing, but attached to a tool belt or handed up. Lights should always have the UL mark. Follow manufacturer safety guidelines, and only attach lights to surfaces with hooks or clips – not nails or staples.

• Real trees should be so fresh the needles are hard to pull off. Cut a small slice off the bottom of the trunk before putting it in a sturdy tree stand to help it absorb water and be sure to add water everyday.

• Any tree should be placed away from heat sources and thoroughly secured so it does not tip over.

• Avoid having decorations that children could choke on within their reach.

• Poinsettias are toxic; keep them away from children.

• Be careful with candles. Never leave a lit candle unattended and keep them out of reach of children.

• Dispose of wrapping and packing materials promptly, particularly plastic bags.

Be safe on the road:

• Have your vehicle checked out before embarking on a long trip.

• Map your journey in advance. Estimate the amount of time it will take and then add extra time so you won’t have to rush.

• Carry safety equipment. A first aid kit, flashlight, foul weather gear, and a road hazard kit, should all be included in your packing list.

• Be sure you have proper child safety restraints and that they are in good condition.

• Keep the kids occupied. Wait until the very last minute to load the kids up. Have them bring along some car-friendly toys, coloring books, or other diversions. Personal music devices are a good idea, too. Look into some activities that actually make the trip a game in itself, like back seat bingo. In addition, keep a few small surprises tucked out of sight just in case they get too restless.

• Get plenty of rest the night before leaving.

• Pack snacks and beverages that are not likely to spill or melt; juice boxes and fresh fruit are good options.

• If possible, share the driving with someone else to help avoid fatigue.

• Don’t hesitate to stop and rest if you have any sign of fatigue or loss of concentration. Schedule a rest break every two hours. Get out of the car, stretch and move about to loosen tight muscles. It’s far better to arrive late than not at all.

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Do you know where the real germ dangers are, and how to best protect yourself? You may be surprised!

The main germ infested place in most homes is not the toilet. In fact, recent tests have shown that the toilet is actually one of the cleanest surfaces in the house. The kitchen is where germs thrive, particularly in kitchen sponges and dishcloths. And, if you think running used dishcloths through the washing machine, or sponges through the dishwasher kills germs, you’re mistaken. They may look cleaner, but the germs have survived. The only way to get dishcloths and sponges truly germ-free is to wet them and put them in the microwave for two minutes.

Sink drains, faucet handles, doorknobs, remote controls, and telephones are the other big gathering places of germs in the home. It’s a good idea to take an antiseptic wipe to these danger zones as part of your regular housecleaning routine.

Of course, a lot of germs are simply floating in the air. Houseplants can help with this problem – they actually help to purify the air. You may also consider investing in a HEPA filter, which removes virtually all of the pollen, dust, dander, and bacteria from the air.

Unless you’re treating a cut, burn or other injury, avoid washing with antibacterial soaps; they are no more effective than washing with regular soap and water. There’s a big downside to using antibacterial soaps because they actually help some strains of bacteria to grow stronger and immune to antibacterial agents.

Since most infectious illnesses start when you touch your eyes, mouth, or nose with germy hands, frequent and thorough hand washing is your best defense. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Carrying a small bottle of hand-sanitizing gel at all times – and using it – is a great way to clean your hands quickly and conveniently. And, it’s often easier to get children to use this “magical” gel than it is to get them to spend the recommended minutes washing their hands.

Be conscious of things in public places that people touch frequently such as elevator buttons, handrails, or shopping cart handles. Keep your hands away from your face after exposure to any of these high-traffic areas until you can sanitize them.

The same goes for workout equipment at the gym. Even though gym etiquette calls for wiping down equipment after use, you can’t count on it, so wipe yours down before you use it.

Finally, don’t get too germ phobic. Your immune system gets stronger every time it defeats an infectious illness, making you more resistant to the next encounter. It might sound strange, but getting sick can actually help you stay healthier in the future.

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To extend the life of furniture and maintain its attractiveness, proper care is essential. The first step is regular cleaning and polishing to care for the finishes on wood pieces. Dust, dirt and food particle build-up can attract foreign contaminates to wood surfaces and hasten the deterioration of the finish.

Wood furniture and cabinetry should be thoroughly cleaned, especially after heavy use. For older or antique furniture, an oil-based cleaning product is the best choice. Using an oil-based product about once a month will help condition the wood in addition to cleaning it.

Furniture with newer finishes should be polished about once a week. Pay close attention to the ingredients in the furniture polish you select. Many products contain a high percentage of silicone, which can seep through the finish into the wood and possibly cause permanent damage over time.

Dust all types of furniture frequently with a clean cloth. A cloth made of 100 percent cotton is the optimum choice, and should be damp but not wet. Be sure to clean spills immediately, taking care to blot the stain instead of wiping.

When arranging furniture in a room, don’t place pieces in direct sunlight, which can cause finishes and fabrics to crack and fade. Also, avoid placing furniture in front of radiators and vents.

Protect your furniture from extreme changes in humidity. Such variations can cause wood furniture to warp and crack. Don’t place rubber or plastic objects on wood furniture. Some rubber and plastic can melt into wood finishes and leave a residue that can permanently soften the finish.

One of the easiest ways to protect tables is to always use coasters under cups and glasses. Make sure coasters are readily available in every room. If possible, choose wooden coasters with felt bottoms and an absorbent material on top. Metal coasters are less effective because they tend to “sweat” onto the table. Chemicals in plastic coasters may react with furniture finishes.

In addition, always protect table surfaces with trivets or table pads, especially when placing hot dishes onto the wood. Even if a dish isn’t hot, keep in mind that it can scratch the finish. When it comes to furniture care, small everyday actions can add up to a lifetime of beauty and enjoyment.

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Hints for Successful Wallpaper Removal

The wallpaper has to go, but what’s the best way to get rid of it? If you’re planning on putting up new wallpaper you might be able to leave it alone. However, this only works if the wallpaper has no texture, is in perfect condition, and is still tightly adhered to the wall. Most of the time, the wallpaper will need to be removed.

To determine the best way to remove wallpaper, first determine what type of wall you have – drywall or plaster. If you don’t know, remove an outlet cover to see. Drywall is more susceptible to water damage and gouging, so if that’s your wall, you will need to take extra care.

Now that you know what type of wall you have, you need to determine what type of paper you’re removing. A small test will tell you.

If you’re lucky, you’ll have wallpaper that can be stripped dry. Lift up a corner of the paper and try to peel it away at a low angle. If it comes off easily, just continue to peel. If only the decorative layer comes off and the backing remains, you have two options. If the backing is in good condition and tightly attached to the wall, you can probably wallpaper over it. Otherwise, you will need to dampen and remove the backing.

If the wallpaper doesn’t peel easily, try using moisture to remove it or the backing. Combine warm water and a wallpaper remover solution, according to package instructions, and dampen a small area using a sponge, paint roller, or spray bottle. If the paper absorbs the water, try again to gently peel it away by hand or with a wallpaper scraper.

If the wallpaper is particularly stubborn or nonporous, you’ll need to perforate the surface to let the water seep through. A wallpaper scoring tool is ideal for the job. Make circular motions on the wallpaper, being careful not to press hard enough to damage the wall. This will make it easier for the moisture to saturate the paper and loosen the glue. It may take several applications of moisture to make this work, just be careful not to let the wall stay damp too long.

Again, gently peel the paper, using a scraper if necessary. If you discover another layer of wallpaper underneath, you simply have to repeat the process until you get to the bare wall.

Once you’ve removed all the paper and backing, spray the wall with your mixture once more to scrape off any spots that remain. Then, make sure you’ve washed away all of the glue. This might require a heavy-duty scouring pad. If you still see uneven areas once the wall is completely dry, use sandpaper to remove them.

Removing wallpaper calls for patience and working on small sections at a time. However, it is not difficult if you have the right tools and the right attitude.

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