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Modern Chemicals: Precaution Is In Order

Kelli — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:09:43 +0000

Modern chemicals do many good things for us. But some also do harm — to us, wildlife or the environment. With U.S. industries now using some 75,000 chemicals, and as we discover more about their downsides, public demand for greater precaution is growing. The dramatic increase in organic food sales in the last two decades is one sign of this growing public concern.

In 2002, the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit watchdog, released the results of a “body burden” study that found 167 chemicals present in the blood and urine of nine volunteers. Then in 2005, the group reported the results of its tests of 10 newborn babies, in whom it found 287 chemicals present.

How to Test Your Home for Chinese Drywall

Kelli — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:56:55 +0000

Does your home contain contaminated Chinese Drywall? This testing advice from the New York Times can help a homeowner determine if he or she is one of the thousands in over 30 states with the poisonous plasterboard.

Some ways to tell if you have Chinese Drywall in your home:

– Sulfuric smell. (Also a sign that you have descended into the less-favorable Afterworld. It’s best to inspect for fire, brimstone and the tortured souls of the eternally damned to eliminate this possibility)

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Home Invaders

Kelli — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:48:25 +0000

WE LIKE NATURE on certain terms — as in, the less of it inside the house, the better. So perhaps you can understand what compelled C.W. Roseburr to smoke a family of raccoons out of his house in Kansas City, Mo., last May. Seems Roseburr had a long-running feud with the animals, which had taken residence in his eaves.

Potshots from his BB gun did no good, so Roseburr decided to frighten the adult raccoon by using a long stick tied at the end with a rag. Soaked in kerosene. Lit with a match. “I set the raccoon on fire,” Roseburr told reporters. “He’s the one that set the house on fire.” Firefighters called to the scene quickly extinguished the blaze, but not before it caused $25,000 in damage.

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A Buyer’s Guide to Non-Toxic Paints & Coatings

Kelli — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:19:57 +0000

Hazardous ingredients are among the least expensive and most widely used in the paint & coatings industry, perpetuating a legacy of environmental damage for generations to come. Many paints and stains are petroleum-based, with toxic additives that are designed for a narrow benefit, such as killing mildew.

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Electric Heaters – Use Them Wisely

Kelli — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:22:58 +0000

Electric heaters are the most popular way to warm rooms not only in United States, but across the globe. People use electric heaters to warm their homes and offices because they are convenient and efficient; all you need to do is plug it into an electric outlet and it will start providing you instant warmth. The ample varieties in design as well as capacities offer plenty of options to a buyer. However if they are not used correctly, they may be unsafe and not efficient. Here are a few tips on how to use electric heaters wisely.

Don’t leave an electric heater unattended while in use. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, electric heaters account for 40% of the deaths and 30% of the injuries each year in the United States that are heating related. Even with safety features, electric heaters may catch fire if used for long hours without supervision, or something near heater may catch fire after long exposure to the heat.

Use only as directed. Place the electric heater on a level, flat surface. Use the heater on a tabletop, only if the manufacturer permits it. If you place it on furniture, it could fall and be damaged or cause fire or injury. Do not use electric heater in a damp or wet area unless designed for use in bathrooms or the outdoors.

Keep children and pets away from an electric heater. Children may put their hand on a hot electric heater and can burn themselves. Pets could knock the unit over or could also be injured.

Use it when you need it. Electric heaters take less time to warm an area, so when you don’t need it on, turn it off. Some electric heaters include a thermostat that maintains the temperature you set. By keeping this tip in mind, you will not only save on electric bills but will also save energy.

Get it inspected by an expert regularly. This ensures that all electricity points are working correctly and helps prevent any injuries or fires. Get the electric heater repaired if there is a problem.

These suggestions will not only help you use electric heaters safely but will also reduce the costs on your electric bill.

Chimney Maintenance

Kelli — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:16:35 +0000

When the cold nights are too much to handle, a woodstove or fireplace is a great investment. But don’t forget to keep your chimney well maintained, or your heating system will be much less efficient–even hazerdous. This section is dedicated to the maintenance of chimneys and will give you all the information you need about flues and water damage.

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Humidifier Maintenance Tips for Winter Season

Kelli — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:52:21 +0000

Home humidifiers are used more in the winter as humidity decreases. The home’s exterior is on a seasonal maintenance checklist. Heaters and humidifiers should be too.

A bit of background on how a humidifier works will be helpful. Anyone with a swamp cooler probably already understands the concept. The purpose of this appliance is to add a controlled amount of moisture, or humidity, to the home’s living space. Read more…

17 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Rent

Kelli — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:46:11 +0000

From the wacky to the practical, renting instead of buying can save you serious money, as well as benefit the environment.

1. Tools
In these tough economic times many people are looking for ways to shave expenses off their budgets. One tried-and-true method is to rent instead of buy. Environmentalists have long pointed out that we can also significantly reduce our impact on the planet if we borrow the things we only need occasionally.

16 more things…

Safe Drinking Water: Testing Your Water

Kelli — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:13:14 +0000

Even if your water is purified by your water company, by the time it comes through your faucet, it may have accumulated bacteria and lead from the pipes through which it is carried.

Some cities, like Boston, still have lead pipes in service lines. Some PVC pipes made before 1977 may leach vinyl chloride, a carcinogen, into water as well, as was discovered in Troy, Kansas in 1998. Within your own home, you may have lead pipes or pipes soldered with lead.

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7 Steps to Better Air Quality in Your Baby’s Nursery

Kelli — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:29:39 +0000

Preparing for a new baby can be a busy yet motivating time. Between the type of paint you use to the way you wash their bedding, there are many things to think about when it comes to making it the best environment it can be for you and your baby. The goal is to create a healthy atmosphere for the baby by improving the indoor air quality. Breathing quality air isn’t just important for baby, it’s important for everyone who lives in the home.

Here are a few pointers for indoor air quality in a nursery and beyond. Read more…