5 tips for creating fall curb appeal

 Soon, all things pumpkin spice will be here, including the home visitors that bring them. In preparation of the door bell ringing, create a little spice of your own with some seasonal curb appeal. You don’t have to limit yourself to pumpkins and hay bales — below are tips and projects for sprucing up your home’s view from the curb this season.

Front door, first impressions
Your front door is one of the first things people notice about your home. Give your door a fresh face with a coat of paint in a bold fall color to draw the eye to this focal point of your home.
Another project is to replace the door entirely. Consider options with decorative glass accents, and stunning sidelights (windows on either side of the door) to add more natural light while maintaining a sense of style and privacy. Plus, as temperatures start to drop, Energy Star -qualified entry doors, like those from Pella, will help maintain your home’s energy efficiency. For entry door inspiration check out Pinterest, your resident showroom or your local home improvement store.

Accessorize with new hardware
Replace your front door hardware for a quick, easy facelift. Choose hardware finishes that compliment light fixtures, mailbox and house numbers for a polished, cohesive look. You’ll be delightfully surprised what a difference new hardware can make in creating an updated look to your home.

Refresh exterior body and trim colors
For a dramatic change, repaint your home’s exterior. It’s bold and can make your home stand out from other homes on the block. Not up for the bold change? To make an impact with a smaller change, add new trim colors. When updating trim, choose color schemes that match your home’s primary exterior color, or complement it with a fresh twist.

Create points of interest with plants
You don’t have to stop enjoying beautiful plants and flowers simply because summer is over. Add pops of color by arranging pots filled with hearty fall flowers like mums, sedum or asters around your front door, or on a porch or deck. Incorporate planters or container gardens of varied sizes, shapes and colors to add visual interest.

Accent with lighting
As summer light fades into shorter, darker days, add exterior accent lighting to the front of your home. Illuminate a walking path with ground-insert solar lights. Or consider solar spotlights to bring out landscaping or to shine on your updated front door. Install matching light fixtures outside your front door, garage door or patio door to provide well-lit entrances that are stylish and inviting to neighbors and guests.

For more curb appeal inspiration, follow Pella on Pinterest and Houzz and visit Pella.com to connect with your local Pella representative for ideas on how to transform the look and comfort of your home inside and out.

Sixth Annual "National Clean Out Your Garage Day" Slated for Saturday, Sept. 6

New Survey Underscores Need for Safe, Effective and Versatile Storage Options

AURORA, Ill. -- From tools and stools to trunks and junk, it seems that the garage is home to just about everything these days – except the car. In fact, for the vast majority of Americans (nine out of 10*), the garage is much more likely to be serving double-duty as a workshop, tool shed or recreational area, according to a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. adults.* This multi-purpose situation often results in a hodgepodge of disorganized items ranging from gardening tools, old furniture and sports equipment to bikes, half-empty paint cans, and even moldy magazines. In sum, enough stuff to trip over, ding your auto, and fall from the rafters.

Making matters worse is that 70 percent of Americans use the garage to store potentially dangerous equipment such as saws and power tools, while nearly 60 percent store flammable liquids, such as oil, gasoline, propane and kerosene, as well as other dangerous chemicals, including pesticides and other lawn care products in their garage space.* Considering that only 27 percent of Americans report* feeling confident that their garage is "very organized," many garages aren't just cluttered and inconvenient – they're also a potential safety threat.

To help educate Americans about the importance of garage safety and organization, The Lehigh Group, maker of Crawford®-branded garage and home workshop organization products, declared "National Clean Out Your Garage Day." This annual observance, now in its sixth year, will be recognized across the country on Saturday, Sept. 6.

"We established 'National Clean Out Your Garage Day' to occur on the first weekend after Labor Day, a time when much of America moves from summer to fall, and items such as bikes, outdoor toys, sports and camping gear, lawnmowers and garden tools are put away for the season," said Deborah Hanson, director of external affairs for The Lehigh Group. "This is a great time to take stock of the safety of your garage, and to de-clutter and re-organize as needed to make this space safer and more functional."

According to the survey, the garage is the most disorganized area or room of the home by a wide margin, and 42 percent of Americans admit to either having never cleaned their garage or to only cleaning it once a year or less. However, the task need not be overwhelming or expensive. In fact, the addition of just a few shelves and other organization products can easily add functionality, safety, and peace of mind.

The experts at Lehigh offer these basic guidelines:

Sort the MessSeparate items into categories such as auto supplies, lawn and garden tools, holiday decorations, and sports equipment. Then, pitch, donate or sell items you don't use. Before organizing and storing, take a multipurpose push broom to sweep the garage floor, or wash down the floor with a water hose.

Zone It OutAfter deciding what stays, separate the garage into zones for storing each category of items, and then identify the most appropriate storage method.

Go VerticalOne great storage strategy is to use the vertical plane to keep the floor free of clutter. Garages provide ample wall and ceiling space that can easily be used for vertical storage through use of hanging shelves, pegboards, storing rails and overhead systems. For example, Crawford® brand has specially designed wall hooks that will hold a leaf blower and its power cord in place, and secure other equipment like wheelbarrows, rakes and shovels. Additionally available are the Crawford® 5' Adjustable Storage System and theCrawford® 3' Sliding Grip Clamp Organizer, both built for strength designed to easily hold more than 25 pounds of equipment. Flexible mesh storage products that hang on the wall are particularly suited to accommodate awkward items, from pet toys and work gloves to tennis balls.

Be an Organized SportEstablish a solid game plan to organize the typical plethora of sports gear as well as the family's fleet of bikes. Crawford® brand offers a wide range of products to help, such as grip clamps for bats, and complete sports organization systems to accommodate hockey sticks, balls, helmets and more. For bicycles, cost-effective screw-in hooks and flip-up bike hangers, along with pulleys, are ideal ways to keep bikes off the ground and out of the way while they're not in use.

Securely Store Hazardous ItemsPlace toxic materials such as paint, paint thinner, weed and bug killers, fertilizer and gasoline in high cabinets or lockable tool chests to keep out of the reach of children. Use well-supported shelves to store cleaning solutions and vehicle fluids. Be sure to secure tools and wrap up extension cords via tool hangers. 

"One final critical tip: Always remember to follow all manufacturer instructions regarding weight limits when using wall hooks, rails and shelving," said Hanson.

Three Home Improvement Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend

LOS ANGELES -- Three-day weekends are a perfect time to revisit the home improvement checklist. Many homeowners agree – more than one in five undertake some sort of home improvement project on the Labor Day weekend.

It's a great time to trade in a TV remote for a paintbrush, and try one of these easy DIY home improvement projects this Labor Dayweekend. Dunn-Edwards Paints has dozens of how-to paint videos to help them tackle a DIY project like a pro.

1. Paint your front door Easy 1/2-day project Pick a vibrant shade and have the boldest door on the block in less than a day. Switching up colors can reenergize an entryway, making walking into a home a whole new experience. Since the door isn't competing with interior decor elements, there's no need to switch up furniture, lighting or accent pieces to complete this project. Watch this video on how to paint a front door from Dunn-Edwards.

2. Paint an accent wall Easy 1/2-day project Labor Day marks the end of summer, so switch it up for fall and redress a room with a new accent wall. An accent wall is an easy way to perk up a space, adding personality to a room next to monotone walls. Plus, shifting colors can inspire a whole new list of home decor ideas! Here's a video introduction to choosing wall paint colors from Dunn-Edwards.

3. Paint a wood gate Easy 1/2-day project The sun's out, there's a fresh batch of lemonade and guests are streaming in through the backyard gate for an outdoor Labor Dayparty. Don't tarnish summer memories with a shabby wood gate – freshen up with a new coat of paint. Depending on how worn the gate is, the wood can be painted, dry and ready for the weekend within a few hours. Watch this video tutorial on painting a wood gate from Dunn-Edwards.

A helpful tip: purchase all paint and supplies before Labor Day week to avoid long lines and get an early start on projects at the beginning of the three-day weekend

Tips For Picking the Right Real Estate Agent

Water Damage and its Health Risks

Many people do not realize that there are a number of health risks that are involved with the issues of water damage. This article will help address a few of the major health risks.

BALTIMORE -- Flood and water damage are one of the worst things that can occur in your property. Not only are you often forced by these circumstances to relocate, but also many of your possessions may be lost to the issues in flooding. One of the main concerns is the after effects on an individual's health which needs to be taken into first and foremost. Also, you need to find an emergency restoration company to get the work done quickly and efficiently.

Water borne micrograms are prevalent in many cases in the water that has flooded an area of your home.  When there is standing water in an immediate area there is a great chance that microorganisms might be present. Examples of this may include mold, bacteria, and viruses, which are often left behind by the flood waters. The main concern is the allergic reaction that may be brought on by the various organisms that are remaining afterwards. What type of hazards could be posed by these organisms?

Examples of diseases and health symptoms that are effected by water damage include the following. These could include infectious diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and influenza which are highly transferrable through the water. Other health risk concerns may include asthmatic severity intensification, which may include wheezing, coughing, and a higher chance of catching a disease. All of these factors are causes for water damage needing to be done in a timely and efficient manner.

Often people think that they can deal with the water damage weeks after the event that caused the issue in the first place could be resolved. However, it is advisable that you handle this damage immediately, because you might be able to salvage the items that were saturated with water, and will not be lost permanently. However, after three to five days without any resolution these could be considered permanent losses.

A water damage cleanup company can stop this from becoming a far more severe issue. One the primary things that need to be looked at is they are IICRC certified in handling this problem. If you have water damage restoration questions  please call a firm and they will be willing help you solve your water damage problems. 

Realtor.com® Finds 67 Percent of Consumers Plan Home Improvements in the Next Six Months

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationally, 67 percent of consumers plan home renovations within the next six months, according to the latest realtor.com® Home Improvement Survey. Realtor.com®, operated by Move, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOVE), is the leader in providing consumers the most accurate U.S. residential for-sale listings online*.

More than 1,500 visitors to realtor.com® from May 19-29, 2014, responded to the survey. Over two-thirds of respondents plan to renovate an area of their homes immediately, and 20 percent of those surveyed plan to list their homes for sale before the end of 2014.

Similar to last year, the most common budget range for home improvements is between $2,001 and $5,000. Eighteen percent of those planning to renovate before the end of the year expect to spend between $10,000 and $20,000. Home owners are most likely to spend that money remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, backyards or patios. The top reasons for the remodeling are greater enjoyment of the home and improved appearance, according to the survey.

"With 32 percent of consumers planning to spend money on improving the look and feel of their homes, home buyers should think about purchasing homes that require renovations," said Barbara O'Connor, Move's chief marketing officer. "By considering these kinds of homes, buyers open themselves up to more affordable options and the ability to renovate their homes to fit their specific needs and tastes."

Most popular reasons for planned home improvements:

• 32% - To improve the aesthetics and/or enjoyment of the home;          
• 22% - In preparation for putting house on the market;              
• 19% - Recently purchased a home needing renovations; and
• 11% - To improve the value of the home.

Most popular areas of the home to improve:

• 61% - Kitchen;
• 59% - Bathroom(s);    
• 33% - Backyard/patio; and
• 32% - Exterior of the home.

Range of home improvement budgets for the next six months:

• 22% - $2,001 - $5,000;
• 19% - $5,001 - $10,000;
• 18% - $10,001 - $20,000; and
• 14% - $20,001 - $50,000. 

Range of home improvement budgets in 2013:

• 20% - $2,001- $5,000;                                                                      
• 13% - Up to $500;
• 11% - $501 - $1,000; and
• 11% - $1,001 - $2,000.

When do they plan to sell their home?

• 37% - Not any time in the foreseeable future;
• 20% - 0 - 6 months;                                                   
• 19% - 1 - 3 years; and
• 10% - 4 - 6 years.

Ages of survey respondents:

• 28% - 45 – 54;
• 26% - 55 – 64;
• 19% - 35 – 44; and
• 13% - 22 – 34.

Geographic location:

• 25% - Southeast;
• 22% - Midwest;
• 22% - Northeast;
• 17% - West; and
• 13% - Southwest.

Income ranges:

• 20% - $100,001 – $200,000;
• 17% - $70,001 – $100,000; and        
• 13% - $50,001 – $70,000.     

10 tips to stay safe around electricity

JUNO BEACH, Fla., June 10, 2014  -- Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is raising awareness about electrical safety during National Safety Month, which occurs every June. The utility is encouraging its customers to avoid household fires and electrocution by following its top 10 safety tips.

"While electricity powers our lives and connects people, it also can be dangerous," said Manny Miranda, vice president, Power Delivery for FPL. "At FPL, safety is a cornerstone of our commitment to our customers, employees and the communities we serve. We urge customers to stay safe around electrical equipment to avoid tragic and sometimes fatal occurrences."

According to The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Electrical Safety Foundation, each year electrical-related incidents result in more than 41,000 residential fires, claim about 370 lives and cause more than 1,400 injuries. These incidents also cause more than $680 million in property damage annually.

FPL encourages its customers to take the following precautions to stay safe:

Indoors:

1. Inspect your system - Have a licensed electrician inspect your home's electrical system to ensure that it's running properly and meets current electrical codes. Flickering lights, sparks, non-functioning outlets and tripping circuits may indicate a problem.

2. Check cords - Replace or throw away electrical items that have frayed or cracked electric cords.

3. Keep electrical items away from water - Install ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFIs) on outlets near water sources and never use electrical appliances or tools close to water or with wet hands.

4. Plug-in one high-wattage appliance at a time - Plug only one high-wattage appliance - such as a coffee maker, toaster, iron, space heater, etc. - into an outlet at a time to avoid overloading it.

5. Only put electrical plugs into outlets - Teach children to never stick fingers or objects into electrical outlets or appliances with openings such as toasters. Cover or cap outlets you are not using to protect children.

6. Before wiring, turn it off - Turn off the power at the breaker before working on electrical devices or wiring.  

Outdoors:

7. Stay away from power lines - Keep yourself and anything you are touching more than 10 feet away from neighborhood power lines and at least 35 feet from larger high-voltage lines. This includes ladders, tools to pick fruit or trim trees, kites, metallic balloons and flying toys.

8. Report fallen power lines - Stay away from a power line that has fallen and anything it may be touching. Call 911 and FPL at 1-800-4OUTAGE (800-468-8243) immediately to report it.

9. Call 811 before digging - Call at least two full business days before doing any digging to have underground utilities marked. It's free and it's required by law.

10. Check before using tools outdoors - Are the electrical appliances and tools marked for outdoor use? Make sure they are and avoid using them close to water or in the rain.

"Electrical safety in the home begins with adhering to safe practices and making sure everyone in the household, especially children, have a basic understanding of electrical safety principles. Hiring a qualified, licensed electrician to perform any electrical work in your house is the best way to avoid serious, preventable electrical accidents and to protect your family and home," said Charles Kelly, director of industry human resource issues for Edison Electric Institute. 

Additional information, including tools for parents and teachers to educate children about how to stay safe around electricity, is available at FPL.com/safety. 

Florida Power & Light CompanyFlorida Power & Light Company is the largest rate-regulated electric utility in Florida and serves the third-largest number of customers of any electric utility in the United States. FPL serves approximately 4.7 million customer accounts and is a leading Florida employer with approximately 8,900 employees as of year-end 2013. FPL's typical 1,000-kWh residential bill is the lowest among reporting electric utilities in Florida as of year-end 2013, and based on data available in July 2013, is about 28 percent below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and one of the leading energy efficiency programs among utilities nationwide. FPL delivered better than 99.98 percent service reliability as of year-end 2013. FPL has earned the national ServiceOne Award for outstanding customer service for an unprecedented 10 consecutive years. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. 

SOURCE Florida Power & Light Company

Add "Curb Appeal" and Value to The Home During National Home Improvement Month in May

AMBLER, Pa., -- According to professional contractor Mark Clement, National Home Improvement Month in May is the ideal time to make improvements to the exterior of your home. By upgrading your home's curb appeal, you increase the value of your house and make a positive impact on visitors.

"According to Remodeling magazine's 2014 Cost vs. Value* study, home improvement projects involving curb appeal have very strong return on investment numbers for homeowners," says Clement, co-host of MyFixitUpLife home improvement radio show. "Their research shows that in a mid-range priced home, up to 67.8 percent of the cost of a roof replacement can be recouped when selling a home.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140501/82838

"For the replacement of a fiberglass entry door the cost recouped is up to 70.8 percent and homeowners can expect to regain up to a whopping 78.8 percent of the cost of replacing older windows with vinyl replacement windows. These numbers show that curb appeal improvements add value to the home overall and can be considered extremely smart investments for homeowners."

Clement points out that homeowners should start each May with a "top-down" evaluation of their home's exterior products. "Begin by checking out the appearance and functionality of your roof, siding, windows, trim and doors," says Clement. "Look for products that are worn out, need repair or re-painting, or simply should be replaced. Tackling these projects in May means you'll have more time to enjoy the results and a carefree summer."

Clement recommends the following checklist for National Home Improvement Month to make sure your home is in top condition:

1. Check the roof. Using either a ladder or binoculars from across the street, look for problem areas, such as missing or broken shingles, along with roofing tiles that may be "flapping" in the wind. These are all indications that a new roof may be in your future. If that's the case, research the benefits of polymer shake and slate roofing tiles. These impact- and fire-resistant tiles come in a wide variety of colors. Some roofing tiles, like those from DaVinci Roofscapes® that Clement chose for his home, are sustainable and recyclable. They also have a 50-year limited warranty.

2. Clean and assess the home's siding. Environmentally-friendly detergents, scrubbing and/or pressure-washing all work well for many homes to remove dirt and algae that can grow on siding. Never pressure-wash trim pieces, doors, windows or screens. The extreme high pressure could crack or destroy the caulking around the units. Check for changes in the exterior from the previous year and be alert to buckling, rotting, peeling paint or insect damage that may need to be fixed.

3. Check on the gutters. Each year homeowners should check to make sure their gutters are clean, unclogged, securely attached to the home and remain sloped for proper drainage. Plus, make sure the water running off the roof doesn't cause damage to the building structure, landscaping or property below the roof.

4. Evaluate the windows. If you find that the windows in your home don't operate easily, there's air leaking in or out of the units, or there's condensation between the glass panes, it may be time to seriously consider replacement windows.

Vinyl framed windows have the highest growth rate in the country due to their energy-efficiency, aesthetic appeal and durability. Some of the best have fusion-welded corners and multi-chambered construction. Plus, maintenance hassles are so low you'll forget the horrors of rotting frames, scraping and repainting that come with wood windows. For his renovation project, Clement selected vinyl home windows from Simonton Windows. The award-winning company impressed him with its strong product warranty, 65+ year history, selection of exterior frame color options and return-on-investment with their ENERGY STAR® qualified windows. 

5. Spend time with your doors. If you can see light around a door from the inside, your door is hard to close or lock, or the door itself is warped, it's time to consider a new door. Even if you can't see light, air may be moving through gaps in the weather stripping at a surprising rate.

Think about the weather conditions that your home's doors face along with your energy bills. If either run to the extreme, consider replacing an inefficient entryway with a high-performance fiberglass door. Clement added a Therma-Tru® fiberglass door to his home with a decorative glass doorlite to update the curb appeal of his home while gaining energy-efficiency savings.

6. Look at your home's accessory features. Spend time with your shutters, trim and louvers to see if they're rotting. Check the bottoms and tops of columns and near the joints in crown and other mouldings for water spots, decay or peeling paint to see if they're deteriorating in any way. They may also be suffering from termites, insect infestations or warping. When it's time to replace these items, low-maintenance polyurethane or PVC products from Fypon are an attractive and durable choice. The lightweight pieces are easy to install and add instant curb appeal to your home.

Study Confirms Skylights Contribute To Home Energy Savings

Skylights Admit Twice As Much Daylight Per Square Foot Of Glass As Vertical Windows

FORT MILL, S.C.-- Earth Day is a perfect time for homeowners looking for a green method to bring more natural light and passive ventilation into homes to consider solar powered fresh air skylights.  Homes that utilize skylights, in combination with vertical windows, to provide adequate levels of daylight tend to be more energy efficient, according to a study commissioned by VELUX America.

An in-depth discussion of the study is found at http://tinyurl.com/admhwh4 while a more consumer-oriented site illustrating skylight features and benefits is at www.whyskylights.com.

"A Study of the Energy Impacts of Residential Skylights in Different Climates," prepared by Group14 Engineering, used computer models based on a one-story, open plan, single-family home modeled under code-compliant conditions of California's Title 24 regulations.  The baseline-modeled home has a maximum 20 percent window-to-floor area (with no skylights) with windows evenly distributed on all facades to achieve an average daylight factor of five percent.

Researchers added skylights and adjusted the amount and configuration of vertical windows to test how the model would perform in different climate zones, while giving the living space sufficient daylight.  The study explored the effects of these configurations on the utility bills generated by the model homes in Los Angeles and Napa, California, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Minneapolis, Orlando and Seattle, using their specific code requirements.

It found that by providing daylight via skylights, the total glazing area could be reduced, on average, from a maximum 20 percent of floor area to 12 percent of floor area while achieving the same baseline average of daylight factor target of five percent.  In the best-case scenario, the total glazing area was reduced from 20 percent to as low as eight percent.

This was found to reduce annual heating and cooling energy use and costs in all but two of the 108 models with skylights the group analyzed.  For simplicity, lighting savings, shading efficiencies, and increased natural ventilation attributable to skylights were not evaluated.  Further studies are underway to quantify these additional efficiency contributions.

"While we have always known the intangible benefits of adding daylighting from above to homes, this study provides empirical evidence that natural light from skylights can contribute to the home's overall energy efficiency," said Stephan Moyon, direct of sales for VELUX America.  "Skylights admit twice as much daylight per square foot of glass as vertical windows," Moyon says.  "This provides a rational explanation as to why adding skylights can help reduce glazing while maintaining the daylight factor."

Quick Tip for First Time Home Sellers

Room-by-Room Remodeling Tips to Increase a Home's Value

CHICAGO, -- HomeFinder.com, a leading digital real estate site, compiled the top kitchen, bathroom, living room and backyard remodeling tips to increase a home's value and help homeowners make the most out of their renovation budgets. It is important that homeowners understand how renovation relates to home valuation, whether it is updating a newly purchased home, or remodeling to get a house ready to sell.

Below are four home remodeling tips; the full list of tips can be accessed here: http://blog.homefinder.com/2014/03/25/room-by-room-remodeling-tips-to-increase-home-value/

1.) Maximize space in the kitchen: Homeowners can gain space during a renovation by extending cabinets up to the ceiling, or turning an awkward unused space into a food prep corner.

2.) Develop a bathroom design plan: The layout and functionality of a new bathroom should be determined by who will be using it the most.

• Kids bathroom: A double sink will help mornings and bedtime go faster, a pullout stepstool built in to the vanity so little ones can reach the sink, and no-slip tile to avoid any bath time slips.
• Master ensuite: Add a spa-like quality to a master bath with a heated marble floor (the small space will keep the cost down), a walk-in shower, and plenty of natural light.
• Guest bath: Incorporate extra shelving so guests have a place to store items without feeling intrusive. Built-in shower shelves and a vessel sink will allow for more under vanity storage space.

3.) Update living room windows: Energy-efficient windows will lower energy bills and will update a home's appearance. Impact-resistant windows are great for neighborhoods with active kids or areas prone to severe weather. These windows can help protect against damage and reduce home insurance premiums.

4.) Revamp a backyard barbeque: An outdoor kitchen will add value to a home and allow a host to cook, while enjoying the outdoor weather with friends and family. Outdoor-specific appliances (stainless steel sink, outdoor refrigerator, and cement or stainless steel counter) won't rust during rain or snow and adding a bar area will cut down on trips inside the house.

Parents Urged to Check Their Window Coverings

NEW YORK  -- The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is reminding parents and caregivers of the potential dangers posed by window cords, and is urging them to only use cordless window covering products in homes with young children. Owners and renters alike should replace all corded window coverings in their homes with today's safer products.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), corded window coverings are one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes, with infants and children dying each year from accidentally strangling in window cords. Some of these incidents involve older products that are still in use and do not have the safety devices or designs instituted in the past decade.  

"Parents who replace their window coverings with the cordless products available can feel more confident about their child's safety," explains WCSC Executive Director Peter Rush. 

To maximize window cord safety when young children are present, consumers are urged to follow these safety guidelines:

• Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children. Replace corded blinds, shades and draperies with today's safer products.
• If you cannot install newer products, order a free window cord retrofit kit from www.windowcoverings.org. The installation of the retrofit kit is not intended to be a substitute for installing cordless products in homes with young children.
• Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
• Ensure that all window cords are out of sight and reach, and that they are inaccessible to young children.

For more information on window cord safety in the home, visit www.windowcoverings.org. Connect with WCSC on Facebook and Twitterfor more home safety ideas, and to help pass safety on.

Explaining the Home Inspection

Win a $70,000 Backyard Makover

Is your backyard just run of the mill and nothing special? Not quite the oasis you would like? Are you NOT currently living your backyard dream?

Then enter the Dream Backyard Makeover Contest for a chance to win a $70,000 backyard makeover. You can get the backyard of your dreams courtesy of Archadeck Outdoor Living, North America's largest builder of outdoor living spaces, (www.archadeck.com); Belgard Hardscapes, North America's leading manufacturer of hardscape paver products, (www.belgard.biz); and TimberTech, a leading manufacturer of composite decking and railing materials (www.timbertech.com). To enter, homeowners should visit www.dreambackyardmakeover.com and submit a photo along with a 200 word description of why their backyard is the most deserving.

The Dream Backyard Makeover contest begins February 1, 2013 and runs through April 22, 2013 via Facebook. The grand prize is a complete backyard transformation from Archadeck, Belgard Hardscapes and TimberTech. Second and third place prizes will be the renovation of an existing deck or patio, courtesy of Archadeck, and the installation of an outdoor lighting system provided by Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, respectively. Two finalists will be selected at the end of February, March and April, and their entries will be posted on Facebook. On April 23, voting will open for one week so that Archadeck Facebook fans may voice their opinions on the most deserving backyard. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and Facebook fan votes, and winners will be announced in May 2013.

"While many backyards are in need of renovation, we're looking for that special backyard that really stands out for one reason or the other," said Rob Haslip , vice president of Archadeck. "Whether a homeowner wants to create a soothing sanctuary for two or an entertainment area for family and friends, our team will provide the upscale outdoor design that makes their dream come true, utilizing beautiful paver products from Belgard Hardscapes and gorgeous composite decking materials from TimberTech."

Archadeck, established in 1980, has built more than 100,000 projects across the country and is recognized as the largest deck and porch builder in North America. The company's design expertise includes outdoor living rooms, fire features, porches, pergolas, sunrooms and patios — all featuring the latest trends in outdoor leisure enjoyment and functionality.

For full Archadeck Dream Backyard Makeover contest rules, visit: www.dreambackyardmakeover.com.
PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1zkY3)

Survey Reveals Millions of American Homeowners Are Unaware of Fire Safety Basics

With results from a recent survey indicating that a staggering number of Americans don't know the basics of home fire safety, Kidde, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Help the Good Guys today introduced "Be a Hero, Save a Hero," a fire safety campaign focused on educating homeowners to reduce the risk that firefighters face every time they respond to a house fire call. Kidde is the leading manufacturer of residential fire safety products and a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of respondents to a nationwide survey by Kelton could not correctly describe where to install smoke alarms in the home, while 43 percent admitted they don't know how often to replace smoke alarms. These knowledge gaps may place millions of families at risk of not escaping a home fire.

The "Be a Hero, Save a Hero" pledge urges consumers to reduce the risk that firefighters face by pledging to ensure their home has enough up-to-date and working fire safety equipment and to have and practice a home fire escape plan.

For each person who takes the pledge, Kidde will make a donation to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Help the Good Guys, two organizations dedicated to helping the families of injured and fallen firefighters. Kidde will donate up to $10,000 to each organization.

In conjunction with the 46th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, Kidde also has teamed up with Bucky Covington, former American Idol contestant and rising country music star, to encourage consumers to take the pledge. Covington is the spokesperson for and an active supporter of Help the Good Guys.

"Firefighters put their lives on the line every time they answer a call, and the risk increases if they have to enter a burning home to rescue those inside," said Chris Rovenstine, vice president, marketing and sales, Kidde. "By working with the CMA and our non-profit partners, we are able to reach an extensive audience to share the 'Be a Hero, Save a Hero' pledge. We have no doubt this collaboration will help save the lives of families and firefighters across the nation."

The announcement took place at Nashville Fire Station #9. In addition to unveiling the pledge and public service announcement campaign, Kidde donated 500 of its new Worry-Free Smoke Alarms to the Nashville Fire Fighters Union Local 140 for installation in homes throughout the community. The Worry-Free alarms, powered by 10-year, sealed-in lithium batteries, offer continuous protection for a decade and never require a new battery.

"The sooner an alarm is heard after an emergency arises, the more time there is to respond. By taking the simple online pledge, consumers will know the steps to help be fire safe and significantly increase the chance that they will have enough time to escape their house should a fire occur. With everyone out of the house, it decreases the chance a firefighter would be injured or killed trying to save a life," said Chief Ronald Siarnicki, executive director, National Fallen Fighters Foundation. "National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics show that two-thirds of all home fire deaths occur in homes with either no smoke alarm or no working alarm, and the primary reasons smoke alarms fail to operate are dead or missing batteries."

Consumers can visit www.AlarmPledge.com to affirm their commitment to home fire safety by taking the "Be a Hero, Save a Hero" pledge. Participants can generate a donation by sharing their commitment via Facebook and Twitter, choosing to "Like" Kidde on Facebook, or by entering for the chance to win a six-day/five-night trip for two to the 2013 CMA Music Festival.

The referenced survey was conducted by Kelton on behalf of Kidde. Survey results are available at www.worryfreealarm.com.

PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1rzBJ)

Five Tips to Rodent-Proof Your Home

As the cool temperatures start to settle in for the next few months, Orkin advises homeowners to pest-proof their homes, garages and sheds now, because fall is when most insect and rodent pests seek shelter for the winter months.


"With temperatures recently dropping into the 40s, rodents and other pests tend to move inside structures this time of year to find a warm place to overwinter and breed," said Jim Warneke, Orkin's Southeast division technical services director.

A pregnant female mouse can produce an average of eight pups in a litter, and a rat, seven pups on average, and there are typically four to five litters per year. Their gestation period is about a month, so before you know it, one mouse can turn into a major problem for homeowners.

Mice can fit through an opening the size of a dime, so it is important to fix any cracks in and under siding, doors and windows. In addition to warmth, rodents enter homes looking for food and water. They prefer cereals and grains, but will eat just about anything.

As you prepare your home for winter, Orkin recommends the five following tips:
Make sure all holes, gaps and cracks larger than 1/4 of an inch are sealed.

• Replace door sweeps and make sure doors and windows close tightly. 
• Clean out gutters and install gutter guards to prevent leaves and debris from accumulating. 
• Store firewood as far from the home as possible.
•  Trim branches, plants and bushes that hang over the home.

PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1rKKj)

I have two cats, no mice, lizards and no bunnies. Coincidence? I think not!

Top 3 Places to Install Bathroom Grab Bars to Help Prevent Falls

Making a home safe for aging seniors is a key to enhancing mobility and ensuring independent living. For seniors, typically, the bathroom is the area posing the most risks for falls. Everyday tasks can become difficult, especially when combined with slippery floors, poor balance, decreased vision, and lack of strength. Fortunately, installing safety grab bars in strategic areas can make it easier to safely maneuver around the bathroom.

Grab bars provide extra support for seniors through unique anchoring systems that can support up to 500 pounds of pressure, depending on the manufacturer. Rest assured, however, decor does not have to be sacrificed for safety. Many grab bars available today, like Grabcessories™ by Lifetime Products, are designed to seamlessly integrate as actual bathroom decor while providing the convenience of safety accessories.

When installing safety grab bars, look for places where they are most likely to lose balance by raising, lowering, or standing on one foot. 

Tub/Shower - Install grab bars at a lower level to help bathers with raising and lowering. A grab bar at waist level or slightly higher is ideal to help with stepping in and out of the tub, as well as to hold for extra balance while washing and shampooing when showering. To eliminate clutter, install a bar up higher and a Grabcessories Tub/Shower Valve Ring at the lower level. 

Toilet - Install a grab bar on the wall near the toilet for support when raising and lowering. For a more decorative look, consider designated toilet paper holders specifically designed to double as safety bars. 

Towel racks - A common habit for seniors is to hold a towel rack while drying off or bending to pick up clothes. Regular towel racks aren't designed to support the weight of someone leaning on them and will loosen over time and eventually detach from the wall which could lead to serious injury. Install safety towel bars and/or towel shelves which are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors to fit your bathroom space to provide necessary support.

Safety grab bars can be both functional and beautiful. Most importantly, they will help prevent and greatly reduce falls in the bathroom giving caregivers, family members, and users peace of mind.

PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1n8y1)