Category Archives: ~Home

Make Your Bathroom Safe for Kids

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The fact is: children cannot look after themselves. Think back to your very own childhood – without a doubt, you can recall more than a couple of instances when you ended up hurt on account of your parents’ or guardians’ momentary lapse of attention. Of course, child injuries are impossible to completely avoid, but steps can be taken to keep them at bay. Now, bathroom is a part of any home that has a reputation for being dangerous for children, which is why you need to pay special attention here. We hope that this guide will help you in making your bathroom as safe as possible for the little ones.

bath-1677843_960_720Sharp Objects

Okay, so the bathroom may not contain as much sharp things as the kitchen does, but these items are still a threat here. We’re talking razors, scissors, clippers, tweezers, you name it! Well, although simply keeping these items out of children’s reach goes without saying, kids have a way of being hell-bent on reaching what they want at the moment. This is why keeping sharp objects locked away inside a cabinet is just as important as having this cabinet placed beyond their reach. Additionally, pay attention to water glasses, mirrors and other items made from glass. Forget about glasses, get plastic cups instead, and, when it comes to mirrors, well, keep them safely locked away with sharp items.

Electricity

The concept of the invisible is extremely foreign to children (unless we’re talking imaginary friends) and electricity is among the top high-risk factors. Of course, you have been taught all about keeping your blow-drier away from the bathtub, but it’s important that you note that hair irons are equally dangerous near water. When it comes to the power outlets in the vicinity of your tub or sink, make sure that these are protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter and teach your children thoroughly about the rules of electricity.

The Toilet Lid Should Always Be Down

If there are toddlers in your home, the toilet lid should always be closed. Stumbling upon your kid casually sipping water from the toilet unfortunately isn’t the worst-case scenario here. Curious as they are uncoordinated, toddlers can easily lose their balance and dive into the toilet bowl. This scenario is even more worrying if you have plumbing issues, so make sure that you have your emergency plumber check for blocked drains whenever they make a visit! Finally, installing toilet locks is recommended.

baby_in_bubble_bathBoiler

The fact that your boiler can electrocute you while in shower may or may not be a myth, but it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to kids. Unfortunately, this isn’t the worst of it – your kid may turn the wrong faucet a tad too much while you’re not looking and they may end up with severe burns. The majority of boilers offer an option to set the heat to your preference, so you should aim at the ballpark of around 120 degrees max, just to be safe. Serious burns can occur in no more than three seconds after being exposed to hot water.

Never Leave the Kid Alone

Okay, so this might be applicable to the majority of scenarios that include children, but it is doubly true for the bathroom. You may want to go answer the phone or the door, thinking that your kid is safe and cozy, but bear in mind everything that was mentioned here – things can easily go awry!

Not thinking about all the bad things that can happen to your kid inside a bathroom is easier, but this is never the smart way to go – every parent knows this. Keep yourself informed and keep an eye on the little ones, they are very slippery!

 

Upgrade Your Home With These 4 Home Tech Solutions

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You have lived enough in the dark ages. It’s time to make your life a whole lot easier by simply installing a couple of gadgets around your home. Regardless if you want a smart air conditioning system, virtual assistant or something else, smart home tech has advanced so much in the past couple of years and it has become affordable to almost everyone that there really is no reason not to upgrade your home. For all of you who don’t know what gadgets to get, we have put together a list of the most interesting ones to give you a little look at what smart home tech has to offer.

electronic_lock_with_number_padNo more keys

Keys are a thing of the past. Let us introduce you to keyless locks. With these locks, you won’t need stacks of keys for each door and you won’t need to worry about losing them and then having to change the lock.

Keyless locks have a couple of types. The first and the most popular one is a fingerprint reader lock. This technology was something we’ve only seen in the movies not so long ago, but today it is available to everyone. Install one of these cool locks and you will never have to worry about forgetting your keys. The second type is a key card lock. A bit older technology, but still infinitely more cool and secure than regular keys, the key card will let you store all your keys in one piece of plastic. Lastly, we have code locks. A lot of companies use this system, but it is making its way to residential buildings.

Control hub

If you hate having ten, twenty light switches around your house and memorizing what each turns on, then you should definitely install a central control station also known as control hub. You will have all your lights, appliances, basically every piece of electronics in your home under one perfectly-sized touch screen.

You can turn the lights downstairs, start your washing machine, increase the heating or cooling, turn on the computer, etc. Control hub lets you do all this and much more.

furniture-998265_960_720TVs built into the walls

Long gone are the days of TVs sitting on a TV stand in the middle of the room. Let us introduce you to wall-mounted TVs that are literally hidden behind the paintings. You may have seen this tech in some millionaire’s home, but today it is easily affordable to everyone.

You can get any type of flat screen TV, mount it behind the painting or inside of the wall and once you turn it on it will pop out. Also, there are a couple of technical things you need to check before you mount your TV in a wall. Go talk to Brisbane’s TV wall mounting experts and they will help you determine what you can and cannot do when mounting your TV.

Smart thermostat

Last on our list is the smart or automated thermostat. These things are great. Not only will it track the movement around the house and adjust the temperature according to what rooms are occupied or not, but it will also remember your schedule and heat up or cool down the house right before you get back from your work. On top of that, the smart thermostat will save you so much energy because it turns on and off depending if you are home or not.

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And that is all from us. As you can see technology has come far and it’s only getting started. Who knows what we can expect in the near future, what gadgets will run our homes, but until then let’s enjoy what we have now.

 

 

 

8 Cost-Efficient Ways To Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly In 2017

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The 21st century started years ago and one of the most important things it brought with it is ecological awareness. Today, houses are built to be eco-friendly and energy-efficient which is definitely a great thing. However, that doesn’t mean that we should bring down historic houses built with no intention of saving energy or any of the Earth’s resources. That means that we should use all of our knowledge about energy and water preservation and to apply it in greening up old houses without affecting their unique aesthetic. Here are some ways to do that.

Insulate

Houses built before the 1940s were rarely insulated. If they were, the materials originally used may have deteriorated over time, allowing the cold air to creep in. Fortunately, today there are plenty of eco-friendly and efficient insulating materials that can significantly reduce your utility bills. Before you even begin insulating them, you should seal the air gaps around the doors and windows. Also, don’t forget to insulate the attic and ducts.

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Replace or Upgrade the Windows

There’s no point in preventing heat or the cool air from leaving the house by insulating the walls if it will eventually go out through the windows. When installing new windows you should check their energy ratings. Triple glazed windows are the best option, but double glazed ones are much more cost-efficient. If new windows would disturb the aesthetics of your old home, the combination of storm windows and good window treatments should do the trick.

Be Smart with the Lights

If your house still uses old incandescent light bulbs, consider replacing them, since they’re spending a huge amount of energy. Compact fluorescent light bulbs can save a lot of energy, but if you’re in it for the long haul, you should install LED lights throughout the house.

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Introduce Rugs

Have you ever stepped foot on the cold hardwood floor? It may look nice, but it feels freezing. Area rugs are a rather cheap way to prevent that awful feel, but also to save a couple of dollars when the energy bill comes. Besides, you’ll get an instant stylish punch.

Save Water

The way most people uses their bathrooms today speaks a lot about our disregard for Earth’s most precious resource – water. Almost 30 percent of the total water use in a household is flushed down the toilet and 10 percent is leaking from the pipes and faucets.

There are ways to decrease that consumption. The first step would be addressing the biggest problem – toilet. By installing a low-flow toilet you will cut down your water expenses, and the costs of buying a new toilet and hiring professional plumbers to install it will pay off in a couple of years. Unlike the toilet, installing a low-flow showerhead is in the DIY domain.

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Get Energy-Efficient Appliances

You may think you’re saving money by keeping your old refrigerator and indefinitely delaying the purchase of a new one, but you’re not. Old appliances are not only using more electricity, they also require frequent fixes and replacing of some parts. Switching all the old devices for their new Energy Star rated counterparts is, eventually, much cheaper.

Install Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are a great investment since they’re reasonably priced and they can, in the long run, save a lot of money. If you think that ceiling fans are useful only in winter, you’re wrong. They can be very beneficial during the heating season when they spread the heat throughout the air and make your heating system more efficient.

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Make Your Home Non-toxic

Toxic chemicals your house is filled with may not have a damaging effect on your wallet, but they are certainly harmful to your health. Paint colors that don’t contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) will prevent toxins from entering your body while using homemade cleaning products (e.g. any kind of DIY product with apple cider vinegar or baking soda) will minimize the number of chemicals you are inhaling and save you money at the same time.

“Greening up” is much more than just a buzzword. It is a practice that will not only minimize your negative impact on the planet but also benefit your health and budget.

How To Perfectly Light Up Every Room In Your Home

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Good lighting is essential if you want to achieve a pleasant atmosphere in your home. Houses and apartments with plenty of natural light are in luck, because most days, they won’t have to worry about staying in dim lit rooms. However, those homes that are not as lucky, have to think about the right choice of lighting in every room, so they could read, eat, bathe, and do all the other activities easily.

lamps-453783_960_720Living Rooms

Living rooms are areas where people gather and interact for most of the time. This is why the room should be appropriately lit, providing a family with a good atmosphere to talk, read, watch TV or just rest. One of the best choices for the living room would be lights that bounce off the ceiling. Unlike recessed downlights, these will provide you with ambient illumination, and they’ll create the sense of brightness. You won’t have to worry about shadows or other inconveniences. Cove or valance lighting would fit a room’s architecture perfectly, so consider them a possible choice for your living room as well.

Kitchens

Being the place where you prepare food and do a lot of cleaning, kitchen requires proper and strong lighting. What’s more, families tend to spend equal amount of time gathering in the kitchen as they do in the living room, so the more windows you can install in the kitchen to get the natural light, the better. However, ceiling mounted or recessed fixture as well as under cabinet lighting will be a perfect solution for a kitchen. To avoid shadows from an overhead light, install under cabinet lighting to illuminate the countertops.

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Dining Rooms

The focus of the dining room is the table, so the lighting fixture is usually placed just above the table. This way, it provides perfect illumination and ambiance. You could also consider dimmers, so you could get a more relaxed atmosphere when you want. A chandelier is a great choice for dining rooms, because it’s both elegant and illuminating. Wall sconces also look elegant, and they’ll provide sufficient lighting for dining and chatting with your family members and guests. What’s more, consider installing cove lighting on two opposing walls while having a dimmable chandelier above the table.

bathroom-1940171_960_720Bathrooms

Considering we spend time in the bathroom to take care of personal hygiene and viewing ourselves in the mirror, the room should have an adequate lighting and even more careful placement of them. Central ceiling mounted fixtures are the ones most often used, but they’ll only cast to many shadows and won’t be useful. Lighting both sides of the mirror would be the best alternative. Wall-mounted fixtures are perfect for small bathrooms. Wall sconces on each side of the mirror and one on an opposing side will flawlessly illuminate the room, minimizing the shadows. Installing lighting fixtures isn’t easy, so be sure to contact emergency electrician 24 hours whenever you need them; that way you won’t be at risk of electrocuting yourself.

Bedrooms

If you like reading in bed, you will definitely need proper lighting. Wall-mounted lighting fixtures are an excellent choice for this purpose. Install those with adjustable arms, and you’ll be able to direct them whichever way you need. Floor lamps, a pair of sconces on a wall mirror or architectural lighting can serve as the perfect ambient light. Furthermore, if you prefer floor and table lamps, over wall-mounted fixtures, feel free to opt for those, because they’ll also be suitable for a bedroom.

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Proper lighting is of great importance for every room in the house. If the space isn’t well illuminated, it’ll affect not only your eyesight, but the whole atmosphere in the room. Therefore, be sure to choose proper lighting fixtures for every room, and avoid any inconveniences.

 

The Trendiest Swimming Pool Design Ideas For 2017

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Let’s face it, there are few things in life that can beat a refreshing morning swim, cooling off on a scorching summer’s day or a wild weekend pool party with friends and family. However, swimming pools have come a long way from simple holes in the ground. So much so, that nowadays swimming pool fads change every year. Still, some of them stick and can last for decades. If you’re considering starting 2017 with a splash, then allow one of these trendy swimming pool designs to inspire your choice.

image-2Natural Pools

Chlorine and other chemicals associated with pools have a damaging effect on the environment. Luckily, 2016 has seen natural pools enter the market, which is set to become this year’s biggest trend. Instead of chemicals, natural pools use an ecosystem of aquatic plants to help clean the water, making them as eco-friendly and green as it gets. Best of all, they can take any shape and size, and with less maintenance costs they are cheaper than any traditional pool available.

Infinity Edge Pools

If you are looking to splash around with style and make a statement, you should consider a swimming pool with an infinity edge. Usually found in luxury resorts, vanishing edge or negative edge pools, as they are also known, are now available for private use, as well. Still, an infinity edge remains an expensive setup, and is really ineffective unless you have a view worth exploiting. However, if you meet the criteria, you simply can’t beat this swimming pool design with any other alternative.

image-4Spools

Spools might have entered the arena last year, but now they are becoming cheaper to install and maintain. Essentially, spools combine all the benefits of a swimming pool with the relaxing features of a spa hot tub. Their biggest draw is their compact size, which is ideal for smaller gardens and yards. Spools might not be a swimmers dream, but they are ideal for a mom and dad looking to play with their kids, or a romantic ending to a date.

Plunge Pools

Typically used as a refreshing end to a sauna, the latest plunge pool designs are now deeper and better than ever before. These deep swimming pools can generally take any shape or size, making them ideal for backyards. The only issue might be how deep you are willing to make your plunge pool, as that is mostly determined by the underground soil and pipes. Still, if you’re fond of diving, you can increase the basic depth of your plunge pool by extending its edge above ground level.

Beach Entry Pools

In case you want to have a beach side experience every day of the week, without traveling to distant tropical destinations, consider a beach entry swimming pool. The zero depth entry is especially great for families with small children, yet to learn how to swim. The shallow entry point allows for a smooth transition into the deeper area of the pool, and can even be lined with sand or pebbles, ideal for relaxing after a swim.

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Baja Shelves

Another innovation in pool design which is going to hit boiling point in swimming pool design this year are the Baja shelves. Also known as tanning ledges, Baja shelves allows you to soak up the sun without getting fully submerged in the water, with the help of the built-in sunbeds. It also separates the pool into two halves – a deep end, and a shallow area, making it both trendy and stylish, but also family-friendly.

These are just some of the hottest pool design trends for 2017, but the list goes on and on. Keep in mind, there have never been so many options to choose from than right now. Make you choice, and enjoy a year-long pool party right from the comfort of your own backyard.