To assist first timer's and DIY on matters related to Renovation but not limited to moving, furnishings, interior design, financial, legal, security and etc. In my Blogs to come I will update on the current market prices and trends of products and contracting prices to Help you decide on Y future Home.
Everyone knows that IKEA is cheap stylish furniture that you have to put together yourself once you get home. More than often after I have been shopping at IKEA, I have unfortunately found myself wondering where certain parts are since they are not included in the package that I hauled home. And don’t get me wrong, there have been parts missing, and that’s the downside of IKEA. When it works and everything is included, there is no reason why you would buy the exact same lamp at LightStyle for twice as much just because it has a wooden foot.
However, there is another way to do things after you have brought home your new furniture. If you do it the hacker style, you might find that there are plenty more uses for those two chairs that you suddenly found didn’t fit into the overall visual composition. If you are one of the people that welcomes a little bit of odd yet functional interior design, then you will definitely like the IKEA Hackers website.
The ultimately best use for a couple of chairs that don’t belong really seems to be to create bedroom dress boys out of them. The more I look at these, the more I see how awesome they are. Not only do they bring some creativity to the room, but they also add a true use. Instead of throwing those clothes in a pile on the floor, use the dress boys to help you keep your bedroom tidy and neat. It’s definitely IKEA hacker style. You can find the full tutorial on the IKEA Hackers website.
This is NOT a joke . Pretty neat idea. Never thought of it before.
Put your car keys beside your bed at night Tell your spouse, your children, yourneighbours, your parents, your Dr'soffice, the check-out girl at the market,everyone you run across. Put yourcar keys beside your bed at night.
Are you in the market for an air purifier? Air purifiers are electric machines that are used to eliminate harmful particles or contaminants from the air. If used inside your home, air purifiers will help to make the air that you and your family breathes cleaner. For that reason, there is a good chance that you would be in the market for a new air purifier, if not now then in the future.
When it comes to buying air purifiers, there are many consumers who think they know what to look for. Many of those consumers end up purchasing the lowest costing machine or the one that looks the best. Of course, you will not want to pay more than you have to and a good looking machine would be nice, but you are advised against basing your decisions solely on that. Instead, you will want to take the time to understand the product you are interested, namely the price of the purifier, as a whole, and the performance quality.
Perhaps, the first step in buying a purifier is to familiarize yourself with all of your available options. You can do this two different ways. The first way involves visiting one of your local retail stores. You will want to thoroughly examine each product that they have available. This should be done by reading the information which can be found on air purifier boxes. In addition to comparing prices and products at the store, you can also use the internet. In fact, the internet may be the easiest way. Online, you can not only familiarise yourself with different air cleaning machines, but you can also read product reviews.
If you have the opportunity, you are advised to read online reviews of multiple air purifiers. These reviews should give you inside information on the operation and maintenance of multiple air purifiers. Although product reviews are nice, you are also advised to do your own research, as well as use your common sense. This is important, especially when determining the final cost of purchasing an air purifier.
With air purifiers, you will find a number of different make and models. Some of these makes and models use filers. With certain types of filters, many just need to be cleaned, but others need to be replaced. If you need to replace the filter in an air purifier, you need to determine when that filter needs to be changed and exactly how much it will cost. This is extremely important, especially if you are shopping on a budget. In some cases, you will find that some air purifiers need to have their filters replaced in as little as a couple of months. You may also find that the filter ends up costing more than you originally paid for the air purifier. You are urged to stay away from these types of cleaning machines; many times they are not just considered air cleaners, but financial traps.
When looking for an air purifier, you are advised to look for air purifiers with HEPA filters. HEPA filters, although they are considered expensive, are often the most well performing. This is because HEPA air filters must meet specific regulations. These regulations, which are imposed by the Department of Energy, are the reason why air purifiers with HEPA filters are considered the most successful at eliminating unwanted or harmful air particles.
Once you have researched and examined a number of different air purifiers and you have made a final decision, you will find that you have a number of different purchase options. A large number of retail stores carry these purifiers, including home improvement stores, home stores, and most traditional department stores. In addition to storefront retail locations, air purifiers can also be purchased online from a number of different retailers. For the largest selection of air purifiers, as well the ability to quickly compare prices, you may want to think about shopping online.
Honestly, where you shop doesn't matter as much as which type of air purifier you are purchasing. If you are looking for an affordable, but well performing air purifier, you should be prepared to spend a little bit of time researching all of your available options. While this research may seem time consuming, it will almost always be worth it in the long run.
Using an Air Purifier that employs both HEPA Filtration and UV Lamp or Water based filtration, will reduce the likelihood of contracting various bacteria which are often 0.2-5.0 microns in diameter.
It is also true that most airborne germs are easily transmitted in closed spaces especially when trapped in our homes or offices.
Since there are literally hundreds of different Air Purifiers out there and the market especially in Asia completely unregulated, it is absolutely key that you do your research and choose a proven and respected brand. One which DOES what it claims it will do.
The best choice for Air Purification is to trust not only an AP which has HEPA but one which offers TRUE HEPA which are typically the PREMIUM AP's you will find which were used in Clean Rooms and Hospitals but now available to consumers for home use and office environments.
True HEPA removes 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns and larger which captures dust, mold and other microscopic particles and therefore is you key first line of defence in improved air quality directly relating to improved respiratory health.
Matched with a High Performance UV Lamp, you can kill 99% of all bacteria.
You may then choose to these other key features and benefits:
An Negative Ionizer - Ability to add in 1,000,000 ions per cubic cm to your enviroment when you need extra respiratory allegy relief or reduction in headaches. This is not a full time solution but can help in the event of these symptoms.
Energy Star - Save money, requires less energy making it a GREEN product!
Ozone Safe - Better for health and environment
Warranty - Find the best warranty possible!
Look carefully and purchase the best AP that you can afford with the above features to best protect you and your families health. Also look carefully at the ongoing costs of maintenance as there will be some cost here.
Again, do your homework. Don't rush in and be disappointed as clean air is as important as healthy food & clean water.
CONSUMER ALERT - There are many air purifiers on ebay that use OZONE or O3 or ACTIVATED OXYGEN as their primary cleaning function. BEFORE BUYING ONE OF THOSE PLEASE GOOGLE "HEALTH RISKS OF OZONE GENERATORS". Tests have proven that high levels of activated Oxygen (O3) and Ozone actually can be harmful to your health. Many of these air purifier manufactures actually call this the "away" mode as you are supposed to leave your home to run the Air Purifier with Ozone or O3.
Tried drilling through tile but could not keep the bit in one place? Watched your beautiful tile work be destroyed when the tile cracked? Never put up that extra shelf or rack because you never thought you could drill through tile? I'll explain how and it is not as difficult as you think.
I suppose you have heard of the old potato trick. Cut a potato in half, push it into the bulb base, and twist it out. Does it really work? I guess it could, though I must admit (sigh) that I never tried it.
Clarence Yuzik, aka The Fridge Doctor, has two words for you: Magic Sliders. Put these little plastic disks under the fridge's front feet (you can lever them off the floor with a long pry bar), then pull. Most refrigerators have wheels in the back, so the whole unit should glide forward effortlessly.
When contemplating your homeowners or renters insurance, consider this idea to speed things along. Use your digital camera and take pictures or video of all four walls in each room, close ups of opened drawers and closets, bathroom cabinets, garage contents opened tool boxes, etc.
International Greentech and Eco Products 2010 opened its doors on the 14th October 2010 at the KLCC Convention Centre and will end on 17th October 2010. Incorporating ECOEX this years exhibition aims to provide an essential platform to feature innovative eco-products, green technologies and services. It is a prestigious venue where green product buyers and sellers meet and conduct transactions.
IGEM2010 is positioned to take lead and gather industry players and professionals from various sectors, public and private, big and small, local and foreign, new as well as established, to explore and seize the many opportunities from the exciting and emerging green market in the country and the region.
This four-day event has draw an estimate of more than 500 companies / organizations from around the world and over 120,000 visitors.
If you ever experienced cleaning your bathrooms, you'll know that the hardest part would be is removing the grind and dirt that has accumulated in between the tiles and over the grout. What you would usually do is to put your backs into it and to try to scrub it until your hands seem to come off your arms. It's a lot of work which is why Korean designer Dong Hun Seo designed a snail like figure to clean the bathroom tiles so we don't have to.
Textured Wall Finish is a revolutionary concept in wall dressing. It offers amazing textures in myriad colours. Not simply decorative, it is also durable, economical and adaptable to diverse climatic and varied surface conditions.
For those of you who are not or were not able to make it to KLCC Convention Center, don't despair. I have carried out some research and have posted in today's topic some brochures to help you in your quest to renovate and fit-out your home.
I had the opportunity to be there this morning and the turn out was good. Crowd was starting to build up at about noon. I predict that there would be a large turn up this weekend. So get there early.
I came across this interesting product at HomeDec2010 (pt1), the concept is noting new to the general market but the system employed is some what interesting.
You have, of course, heard of HEPA filters. They are made to take certain sized particles from the air by your vacuum cleaner. What, though, about water system vacuum cleaners? If you have not heard of them, you owe it to yourself to at least understand what they are and what the advantages of them are. Here is some of the salient information about water system vacuums.
What Is Water System Filtering?
First of all, it is important to understand that a vacuum with water filtering is not the same as the machine that wash and or shampoo carpet. Instead, this is a vacuum that actually uses water as a filter. A HEPA filter will catch almost everything, so imagine what water does when used as a filter.
Effectiveness of Water Filtration
What happens with a water system vacuum cleaner is that you put water into the filter of tank of the machine. When air is sucked out of your carpet or surface, it is forced through the water before being sent back out. The water actually provides the vacuum with 100% filtering. Any and all particles are removed from the air before it is sent back out into your home.
Overkill or Not?
For many people, a water system vacuum cleaner is a little bit of overkill. However, if you have allergies, water filtration can be a huge relief. Most allergies are a result of the waste created by dust mites feeding on organic material in dust. The waste is too small for even some HEPA filters, but it will be removed by the water filter. This means relief for those with serious allergies and asthma. They are bit more expensive, but water filter equipped vacuums are worth it for those with severe asthma problems.
So you may not see water system vacuum cleaners every day, but you can see why it would be important to understand them. For those with sensitive allergies or bad asthma, they can be worth the investment. While HEPA filters can get a great deal of the particles out of the air, water filtration is the one way to get them all.
Instantaneous electric water heaters (tankless) are taking over the world! Well, not exactly the world...just the world that was once dominated by electric water heater tanks. These technological innovations are beginning to appear in houses, apartments and condominium units everywhere simply because of the promise of hot water whenever the person needs it. This promise has been proven time and again by these electrical gadgets, leaving more than one contented bather happy with the result. And why shouldn't they be? These water heaters are pretty efficient with what they do. How do they do it? Let's see, shall we?
How a Instantaneous Electric Water Heater Works
Instantaneous electric water heaters heat water by using heat coils. Sensors usually tell the heating unit when a tap in the house is turned on. The water that passes through the pipe that passes through the heating unit is then heated to a specific temperature. The water then rushes through the pipes to the exact tap that was turned on. The water that reaches the person who turned on the tap is now heated.
Why Instantaneous (Tankless) and Not Those with Tanks
A lot of people wonder why some folks have made the move from electric water heater tanks to Instantaneous (tankless) electric water heaters and some even go so far as to proclaim that it was the best move they have ever made. These two heating modes both use electricity and heating elements or coils to heat up the water, they reason out. The main reason actually is the hot water on demand. Hot water coming from electric heating tanks often take a bit of time to get heated since the heating agent has to heat up a batch of water. Instantaneous electric water heaters heat up the water as it passes by the heating unit on the way to the user. While the disadvantage of a Instantaneous (tankless) water heating system may be the possibility of having only one person use the hot water being produced at the exact same time, a solution to that problem can be had by using the right sized Instantaneous electric water heater for your home.
Trying to figure out how low or high a light fixture should be!!!
Deciding how a light fixture should hang isn't easy. The Picture below shows the heights I recommend (measured from the bottom of the light fixture) for 3 or more settings in your home. Those with high ceiling could raise the light fittings slightly but for sake of clearance, you shouldn't lower them.
The old rhyme "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite" has become a frightening reality lately. With bedbug outbreaks so common they're hardly even newsworthy anymore, people are on high alert for the tiny insects. But with increased awareness comes an onslaught of rumors, myths and flat-out fallacies. So WD went to the experts to differentiate fact from fiction, and found out everything you never knew about bedbugs.
Welcome to the SmarterCity. Not a vision of tomorrow, but a vision of today. Explore a collection of smart ideas happening in cities all over the world, brought together in one place.
Architecture is an art. These Photographs are surrounded with beautiful things: fashionable and traditional architectural designs. This is an existing collection that helpful for photographers to learn the angles, timing, effects for brilliant shots. We’re appreciating all talented photographers for capturing amazing photos. All these pics are taken from 1x.com and are linked back properly.
A (mostly) do-it-yourself family-protection makeover
Securing Your Home's Primary Doors
Any home-security plan should begin with your main doors. Remember that the back door, especially if it's hidden from street view, can be even more vulnerable than the front. Burglars frequently ring the front doorbell and, if no one answers, go around to the back of the house, where they typically break through the door. Dead Bolt
Get a good-quality dead bolt for your exterior doors and you can stop worrying about that credit-card lock-shimmying trick that works not only in the movies but also in real life. Make sure the lock has a bolt that extends at least an inch into the door frame and that the strike plate (the metal piece that mounts to the door frame and holds the bolt) is attached with screws that are at least three inches long. Installing a new dead bolt requires precise measuring and drilling―it's best to call in a locksmith. To buy: Single Cylinder Deadbolt
Door Reinforcer
This U-shaped metal plate wraps around the outer edge of a wooden door and prevents pry bar–equipped intruders from gouging out your lock. There are models available to fit a dead bolt or a latch-style knob lock. (Note: A knob lock is not adequate protection on its own and should be used only in tandem with a dead bolt.) Since you'll need to remove the doorknob to install this product, have a locksmith do it when he comes to change locks. To buy: Security Door Reinforcer
Sliding Door Locking bar: The standard locks that come with sliding doors are easy to pry open. Use a locking bar (or a wooden dowel) to keep the door from being forced open. If there is too much space between a sliding door and its upper track, the door can be picked up, tilted outward, and removed―just like a sliding shower door. Install screws along the inside of the upper track, leaving just enough room for the door to slide, and the door can no longer be lifted out. To buy: Sliding Patio Door Bar
Figure 1 Typical patio door lock.
Figure 2 Rotating motion of the panel caused by prying action, can break the lock.
Figure 3 Jimmy plates and a spring lock will prevent a sliding patio door from being lifted out of its frame.
Figure 4 Install screws in upper channel to prevent sliding panel from being lifted out of its track.
Figure 5 Safety bar.
Figure 6 Auxiliary lock for sliding doors.
Back and Front of House Motion-sensitive lights: Discourage nighttime prowlers by installing motion-sensitive lights. Putting up a solar-powered light won't even require an electrician's help―it gets all the power it needs from the sun and attaches to your home's exterior with the screws provided. Position the light and the solar panel in different locations for maximum sunlight. To buy: Solar Motion Sensor Security Light
Doors With Knobs Door jammer: Perfect for a hotel room or a rented apartment or house with iffy locks, the DavieBar door jammer is essentially a door stopper on a stick. It looks like a footed cane, with a top that hooks under the doorknob and a base that grips the floor, preventing your door from being forced inward. The DavieBar is easy to use and fits in a suitcase. To buy: DavieBar
Most apartment and condominium buildings are secure and safe. However, you should be aware of, and periodically review, the security and safety of your apartment and apartment building.
In rental buildings, the building owner and management are responsible for security. In condominiums, suite security is typically an owner concern and the condominium corporation is responsible for common areas — including exterior doors and windows and corridor doors to individual apartments. Your best defence is to know about and use the security and safety features in your building and surrounding spaces. Be alert and prevent dangerous situations before they occur.
This About Your Apartment highlights the types of security and safety features you may have in your building and how to use them effectively. It deals with personal security; discouraging theft and trespassing; preventing falls from windows and balconies and combustion safety.
Whether you own or rent your apartment, you can make it more safe and secure for you and your family. If, after reading this About Your Apartment, you realize that your apartment or building has security or safety issues, discuss them with your building management or condominium corporation. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Security: How Secure is Your Apartment?
Various methods are used to keep apartments and apartment buildings secure from trespassing, theft and vandalism. Security devices, such as deadbolt locks on doors, window locks, controlled-access entrances and well-lit common spaces all contribute to a secure building. Familiarize yourself with your building and apartment’s security measures. The following sections discuss typical apartment building security features. Apartment-Corridor Doors
Your apartment door should have a good deadbolt lock. One feature to look for is lock throw — the length the locking bolt protrudes from the door into the surrounding door frame when placed in the full lock position. Test this by locking the door while it is open — a good deadbolt lock protrudes 35 mm (1 1⁄2 in.) or more when fully extended. A strong deadbolt lock also has a jimmy-proof strike plate (the part of the lock assembly mounted in the door frame to receive the bolt). The strike plate should be secured to the door framing by screws at least 50–75 mm (2–3 in.) long. This ensures the strike plate is fastened to the structure of the wall and not just the door frame.
Locks only work if you use them. Remember to lock your apartment even when you step out for a moment to check the mail. In fact, it is a good safety habit to keep the door locked at all times — even while you are in the apartment. Chain-type locks, which are easy to break, offer very little resistance to forced entry.
Install a door viewer (peephole) in your entrance door, if you do not already have one. If you have children, consider installing a peephole at their level. Balcony Doors
Intrusion is not just a ground floor or corridor door threat. Always lock balcony doors when you are away from home. Equip balcony doors with the same type of deadbolt locks recommended for corridor doors. There is special hardware to secure sliding balcony doors but a simple, effective, inexpensive solution is a sturdy piece of wood in the door’s track to prevent the sliding door from opening. Make sure the sliding part of the door can’t be lifted from its track.
Items on the balcony are also vulnerable to theft. If thieves see valuables on a balcony — such as bicycles — they will climb a ladder to steal them. Conceal and secure items you cannot store inside. Lock bicycles. Windows
Make sure all windows close fully, that the locking hardware is in good condition and that it is easy to lock the window when you shut it. Ensure that a thief cannot lift a horizontal window out of its track. Even on upper floors, a thief can get into your apartment through an open window overlooking a balcony. Storage Room
If you have a separate locker or storage room, store items out of reach and up off the floor. Cover them. Often, locker walls are chain-link fencing or wood slats. This means anyone can see what is in your locker and that your belongings are exposed to spills or floods. Also, ensure that door hinges and screws of the locking system are covered when the access door is locked. This will prevent a thief from getting into the locker by unscrewing the hasp or hinges. Building Entry System
The front door entry system of most apartment buildings allows a resident to remotely let guests into the building. These systems are only effective if the front door locking system functions and intruders cannot take advantage of an open door to enter the building.
When you activate the front door entry system, make sure you know who is asking to come in and remind them to close the door behind them. If you have young children or children visit often, ensure they know how to correctly operate the remote entry system. Would-be intruders will sometimes buzz different apartments until someone lets them in. Always be sure that you know the person before you let them into the apartment building. If you are unsure, notify the building management of the entry request so they can handle it. Elevator Security
Look and see who is in the elevator before entering. If you feel uncomfortable, do not enter the elevator, wait for the next one.
Stand beside the control panel in the elevator and know how to use the emergency alarm button.
If a suspicious person enters the elevator, leave before the door closes.
Parking Garage Security
If possible, use the parking garage during periods of high use when others are around.
Watch for suspicious persons as you enter the parking garage. Drive back out if you are concerned.
Park near exit doors or the elevator foyer, if possible.
Park in well-lit areas.
Walk in the centre of the garage.
Ask building management to install security cameras and alarm stations if the garage has a history of theft or security problems.
Building Security
Tell your building management if you have problems with closing or locking windows and doors. Report burned-out and broken lights in common areas, such as corridors, stairwells, garbage rooms, laundry areas, parking garages and outdoor areas. If your building is equipped with security cameras or alarm stations, make sure you know where they are and how to use them in emergencies. Report any suspicious or unfamiliar people loitering inside or outside the building to the building management. Neighbourhood Security
The safety of your neighbourhood has an effect on your building’s security. To find out if your building and neighbourhood are safe, contact your local police department at its non-emergency number. Many police departments have web sites with information about criminal incidents. Police departments will review your building’s security. Get involved with a neighbourhood watch-type program or start one yourself — it is good protection and helps builds a sense of community. Sometimes, if conditions warrant, it may be necessary to hire a security company. Security Responsibility
The landlord or the condominium corporation (often through a property manager) is usually responsible for building security. Typically this involves:
ensuring that security systems meet or exceed security requirements for apartment buildings, such as deadbolt locks on doors, good lighting and window locks;
ensuring that security systems provide reasonable protection for all residents — in their apartments and in common areas, such as parking garages and elevators;
conducting regular inspections to spot and fix security problems, such as broken locks or burned-out exterior lights, and asking residents to submit security concerns or suggestions as part of continuing maintenance;
dealing with complaints about dangerous situations, suspicious activities or broken security items.
Personal Security
Personal security is largely a matter of continuing awareness of your surroundings, and reducing risks. As you approach your building, if something does not “feel” right, do not enter; go to another entrance or exit or get help from the building management or the police. If possible, schedule your arrivals and departures with other residents. Park your car in well-lit areas as close as possible to building entrances.
Do not leave messages on your phone saying you are away or on vacation. Tell a trustworthy neighbour when you plan to be away and ask the neighbour to pick up mail and flyers. Cancel newspaper subscriptions and consider using lights (energy efficient compact fluorescents are best as they consume the least electricity) and a radio on timers to make it look, and sound, as if someone is at home. Do not put a note on your door saying you are away. Cover the window in your mailbox (if there is one) to avoid drawing attention to an accumulation of mail.
Police, insurance companies and private security professionals can advise you or your landlord on ways to make your apartment building more secure.
You can do your part to keep the apartment building secure:
Report any security concerns or problems to the building manager or landlord.
Do not disable security features. Safety latches on windows keep intruders out — and children in.
Do not prop exit doors open. These doors are designed to stay closed for security and fire safety.
Do not hold the door for a stranger to enter. Be wary of strangers who linger around the front door and dash to hold the door open after it has been unlocked.
Do not give your apartment keys or pass cards to strangers or tell strangers the access codes to the building.
Tell building management and security personnel when you are planning to have work done on your apartment. Do not let anyone in to work in your apartment unless you, the landlord or the building manager has previously arranged for the work. Be wary of “security personnel” who knock unannounced.
If you live near the ground and you like to open your windows, make sure the windows do not open wide enough to let someone through. Use a window safety device (see “Preventing Falls from Windows and Balconies.”) You can also restrict a window opening with a removable nail or by placing a shortened broomstick in the track. Modifying the window itself, however, may void its warranty.
If you or a family member has a disability, ensure that security features, such as locks on windows and doors, peepholes and security cameras, accommodate your needs.
How Safe is Your Apartment?
Safe and secure living is more than just locks and security features. Fire, falls and everyday household items and activities can affect your safety. Be aware and prepared and you can significantly reduce the safety risks in both your apartment and your building. Preventing Falls from Windows and Balconies
Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and death among children. Children are often tempted to climb up to apartment windows and balcony guardrails to get a better view. In such instances, a fall can happen in a matter of seconds. Never leave children unattended on a balcony or near an open window.
Many municipalities require apartment windows to have mechanical safety devices to prevent them from opening more than 10 cm (4 in.). These safety devices protect children. If you remove or disable them, you can endanger the life of a child who lives with you or visits your apartment. Make sure that your windows have mechanical safety devices and that they work properly. Window screens are not strong enough to prevent falls by even the smallest child. Preventing Falls Checklist
Ensure all windows more than 2 m (6 ft.) above the ground have safety devices.
Make sure everyone in your apartment (including children) knows that window screens cannot prevent a fall.
Keep cribs, beds, chairs and any furniture a child can climb away from all windows.
Lock doors to balconies with a childproof lock.
Keep chairs and anything else a child can climb away from balcony railings.
Do not store items children can move and climb on balconies.
Always supervise a child on a balcony. Never leave a child unattended on a balcony — even for a moment.
Preventing Falls Elsewhere:
Windows and balconies are not the only fall hazards in an apartment building. Poorly lit stairwells, slippery or uneven entry steps, slippery lobby floors, clutter on apartment floors and wet bathroom floors are also falling hazards, especially for older people. To prevent falls in your apartment:
Keep your floors free of clutter and clean up spills immediately.
Don’t use throw rugs or scatter rugs on hard surfaces. If you have them, use a slip-resistant underlay. Use night lights in hallways, particularly between the bedroom and bathroom.
In the bathroom, use non-slip mats in and beside the tub and, if needed, install grab bars and use a bath stool or bench.
Use a proper stepstool or short ladder to reach upper cabinets, change light bulbs and so on. The stepstool should have a handle and rubber-tipped feet to prevent slipping.
Store heavy items on lower shelves and often-used items within easy arm’s reach to reduce the need to use a stepstool.
Repair damaged floor surfaces (bent vinyl tile, torn or wrinkled carpet) to prevent tripping.
In the common areas of your apartment building, be aware of:
floor coverings that become slippery when wet, such as marble floors in lobbies;
poorly lit stairwells and entrances. Stairs and entranceways should be well lit from above with a light switch at the top and bottom of the steps or an automatic switch;
steep, winding, slippery or non-uniform steps in entrances and stairwells. The steps should have a consistent rise and tread depth with clearly defined edges;
missing or loose handrails on stairs. All stairs should have a securely attached handrail in good repair — preferably one on each side of the stairway;
tripping hazards, such as cracks in sidewalks, damaged floor tiles or worn spots in hallway carpets;
ice, snow and debris at entrances and on sidewalks.
If you notice hazards or unsafe conditions in or around your building, tell your building manager or landlord.
Combustion Safety
Some apartments have natural-gas furnaces, hot water tanks and fireplaces. Some even have wood-burning appliances. These appliances burn fuel to produce heat. The burning produces dangerous gases that must be vented outdoors — usually through a chimney or a side wall vent that looks like a plastic pipe or metal duct. If the combustion gases are not vented properly, it creates a serious health hazard in your apartment.
To prevent problems from fuel-fired appliances in your unit:
ensure the appliances and venting systems are serviced annually;
never place items on or around fuel-fired appliances if the items could disrupt air flow to or around the appliance;
never block outdoor air ducts that provide combustion air to the appliances;
operate the exhaust hood over a gas-fired stove range when you cook;
never fully or partially obstruct chimneys or vents on the outside walls of your apartment;
report any problems with your appliances to the building management (if you rent) or to a contractor (if you own the condominium and the equipment);
report buildups of ice, bird nests or other blockages on outside vents.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, tasteless, colourless, toxic gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. CO can escape into the living space of your apartment from a damaged or improperly functioning gas-fired furnace, fireplace or any other combustion appliance. If you live above or beside a parking garage, CO may be able to enter your apartment. Install a CO detector in your apartment if you have any combustion appliances in your unit or live above or beside a parking garage. Small amounts of CO may be produced by gas ranges — ensure that you operate the rangehood or open a window when the stove is in use.
Printer cartridges are expensive and made of environmentally-unfriendly plastic. So far, the best alternative has been to refill empty cartridges or buy recycled ones, but designer Hoyoung Lee came up with a radically different idea: use pencil stubs as “ink” for a printer that also uses old erasers to get rid of mistakes. It’s called the Pencil Printer, and it’s an impractical – if very attractive looking design.
The designer proposes feeding small pencil stubs (sans metal bits or erasers) into a small hole in the printer. The printer then grinds and burns the pencil bits, making them into ink. We can’t quite figure out why a printer would need an eraser – unless you would feed already-printed papers back into the printer after discovering mistakes.
According to the designer, this revolutionary printer would save trees. For people who use pencils often enough to have stubs lying all over (artists, for example), this may even be a perfect solution for clearing up the clutter around the home or office. Of course, you probably couldn’t count on those graphite-printed papers to be legible forever, but you’d be recycling them as soon as you’re done anyway, right?
Tile and metal roofs are two of the most popular options available in roofing today. Both options are versatile and durable, and both possess distinct environmental benefits.
Durability
Metal roofs are durable, resistant to dents and fireproof. Tile roofs are strong as well, with concrete and clay tile roofs holding up better under extreme weather conditions than slate tiles.
Appearance
Tile roof coloration resembles the color of the source material, whether it is clay or slate, but can be painted. Metal roofs can be designed to match almost any style.
Installation
Metal roofs are more difficult to install than tile roofs because of their complex designs, but because they are produced in sheets or sections and are quicker to install.
Environment
Metal roofs reflect sunlight, which reduces the home's need for energy output and helps the environment. Tile roofs help the environment as well by creating good air flow for the home.
Cost
High-quality metal roofs are typically more expensive than tile roofs. Both metal and tile roofs can increase home values and reduce utility bills.
A minimalist furniture by Melisa Indra, the Occo Seat Design is both convenient and won't take up too much space.
It's a combination of the modern design and the traditional Asian way of seating. The Occo consists of four circular shaped padded seating piled together on a shaft and a table top to form a composite piece as seen on the pictures. The padded seats can be removed from the shaft of the composite piece and shared with others. The sturdy table top can be used with the seats to complete the whole set.
It's a perfect piece of furniture for those that do not have enough space in their homes.
These amazing photos are of the Skypark that was built atop the Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore. It would appear that there is something there for everyone, young or old. It is an amazing structure that truly lives up to its name. It is a park in the sky.
To join the contest, consumers have to purchase a five-litre can of any of Dulux's eco-friendly paints, on which a sticker is attached with a simple question and contest code. Participants will then need to submit their answer along with the contest code via SMS. At the end of the contest period, 11 winners will be shortlisted to compete in an exciting finale to vie for the Grand Prize. Also, five first prize winners will win a Panasonic 42” HD Plasma TV each, and five second prize winners will each win a Panasonic Twin Door 395L Inverter Fridge.
Ten rotating leaves slide to conceal and reveal this storage-and-work area with a simple spin of the knob. When closed, this looks like some kind of dark meta-cabinet. When opened, the light wooden interior, playfully-rounded drawer and colorful granite counter-top are made to animate the room.
By composing this system of soft curves, this Splinter Works ‘Dime Kitchen’ unit makes for a relatively unassuming addition to an existing kitchen space – something you will not bump your elbows on while navigating your now-more-crowded, compact cooking area.
Creative Stools
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