Tips for Preventing Damaging House Fires

A house fire, no matter what size it may be, is one of most homeowners’ worst nightmares. The damage that even a small fire can cause can add up quickly when it comes to repair costs. While we can’t control everything in regards to keeping our homes safe from fire, there are some things we do have control over. In this article, we’ll give you a few tips for preventing damaging house fires so you can sleep a little easier knowing your home is a little bit safer.

Regularly Inspect Fire Detection

Fast reaction times can mean the difference between a small problem and a huge disaster. That’s why any and all fire detection equipment must be in good condition and ready to go. You should change the batteries in your smoke detector regularly and inspect any home sprinkler system you might have.

Keep Tabs on Heating Sources

Anything in your home that generates heat could start a fire. You should always check on your heater’s filters before you plan to use it as these can catch fire if they are too dirty. Heat sources, such as radiators and space heaters, need to have nothing flammable near them that could catch fire from the radiating heat.

Be Careful With Appliances

Appliances such as your stove, oven, and dryer all pose a risk when it comes to fire. You should never leave your stove or oven unattended for long periods of time. Fires can start, and run out of control, in the blink of an eye, so you always need to be ready. Make sure you always clean out your dryer’s lint catcher before every load of laundry. That lint can easily catch fire if you let it build up.

Watch Cord Placement

Even the most insulated cords you can buy may still run hot, especially if they are in use for excessively long periods of time. A good tip for preventing house fires is to never put anything flammable close to a cord or power outlet. You also want to inspect cords that move a lot, as you don’t want to continue using a cord that has begun to fray.

Always Have Fire Extinguishers

This pointer should go without saying, but many homeowners don’t own fire extinguishers even though they can be lifesavers. You should instruct everyone in your home about where the fire extinguishers are and how to use them, should the need arise. A fire extinguisher could mean the difference between a momentary flame and an outright house fire.

Guest Post - What You Should Know About Growing Plants Indoors

An indoor garden is a fantastic addition to your interior décor, even as much as creating and maintaining one takes a lot of time, finances, and effort. But, as a nature enthusiast, nothing should stop you from bringing that natural look into your house. Besides decorating your house, indoor plants provide a range of health benefits, particularly their mood-boosting abilities. 

It’s important to understand the native habitat of your indoor plant to give the best chance of having healthy pleasant plants. This includes knowing the right potting soil, amount of humidity, the amount of light and the right nutrients.  But even with less knowledge of your houseplant specification, you can still get started with these 5 guidelines: 

1.    Light

Before you even think of the plant you want you should consider the lighting in your room, office or apartment. Varied plants need varied light intensity. Some can be fine with dull light but there those that can languish due to lack of direct light. Note that plants depend on light to make their food. You may need to invest in modern, high-quality grow lights to help the plants easily convert water, carbon dioxide, and nutrients into sugar.  Luckily enough, there are companies that specialize in creating artificial lights that do well with almost every type of indoor plants. Without sufficient light energy, your plants will be doing more of bud growth and less of leaves growth, with some leaves falling off. That leaves the plants starved and unhealthy. 

2.    Water

Water is a basic need in a plant's life. It acts as transportation media by drawing nutrients from the soil. With a balance in the water, the plant becomes nourished and physically strong enough to support its upper weight. Water also aids in cooling the plants through transpiration. 

Note that even the succulent plants and cacti need water for growth, but you need to be careful not to over-water. Overwatering kills more plants than any other cause. Frequent watering is only necessary when the weather is warm and sunny. The plants might not even need a drop of water during cold and cloudy seasons. 

Pro tip: It’s imperative that you avoid chemically treated water since it contains salts that could harm your plants.

3.    Air and ventilation

Plants constantly need carbon dioxide for the purposes of photosynthesis. Proper air circulation also aids transpiration, reduces chances of fungal infections and rot, and strengthens plant stems. And because poor air circulation in most homes is a major cause of houseplant deaths, you need to keep your plants near windows and other openings not only to expose them to light but also to fresh air. The use of fans can also promote free circulation of air in your home. While at it, avoid placing your houseplant in room corners and damp spots.

4.    Soil and nutrients

Having the right choice of soil for your houseplant is an important consideration. The right soil should be free from pests, fungi or even mold. Plants such as cactus and rosemary, for example, prefer coarse well-drained soil while seedlings prefer light, moisture-retentive soil. Houseplants need soil for a variety of reasons including root protection, keeping your plants physically upright, providing a medium of nutrients, and aids in carrying water to plant roots.

Even though most houseplants get most of their nutrients from the soil, they require to be supplemented with fertilizers. They are potted, after all, meaning that the soil nutrients are limited.  Fertilizers aid plants in developing a strong root system. However, don’t make the mistake of giving your plants excess fertilizer (or inadequate). Ensure that you enquire from a professional the right amount of fertilizer for your type of plant. 

5.    Temperature and humidity

Most plants usually experience temperature fluctuations in their natural habitats. In your house, they will have constant temperatures which are beneficial for them. The indoor air is devoid of moist thus its necessary to put rocks and pebbles in the plant pot and fill with water. You can also opt to run a humidifier or vaporizer but most importantly ensure the bottom of your pot is not in water.

Conclusion

As you prepare to bring in your first houseplants, you might want to do some of your homework well and prepare the home to become a favorable plant-growing environment. You will need to add a few décor pieces or even do away with some. You will probably make a lot of mistakes in the early stages, but this should not discourage you.

Author Bio: Lena Linetti is an architect based in San Francisco.

Guest Post - How to Keep Your House Clean and Organized if You Hate Cleaning

We partnered with a home cleaning company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

A clutter-free house is definitely everyone’s dream. However, the process of cleaning and maintaining an organized place is hard to keep.

Living in a messy home causes unnecessary stress and constantly reminds us of tasks undone. At the same time, it may cause allergy to or worsen one’s respiratory illness.

Having said that, keeping a tidy home remains a struggle to some. But what if we tell you that a big clean is not always the answer? 

Yes, you can still keep your house neat, no matter how much you hate cleaning, and here’s how:

Set a timer

After having a long and tiring day at work or at school, surely the last thing you wanted to do is spend more time cleaning the house. You can also learn more here.

Sometimes, you just end up lounging on the sofa and get yourself some takeaway for dinner ‒ and that’s okay. Some people are also feeling the same way.  

Therefore, make it a point that you keep the practice of tidying up short and meaningful too.

How? By setting a timer. Allot ten or fifteen minutes max every day to do some decluttering. Just so you don’t get overwhelmed with the process itself.

For example, find a spot that you decide on keeping organized at all times. Your kitchen counter, perhaps.

Set your timer for ten minutes and do all the tidying up you can do within that time. Wash the dirty dishes, clear your rubbish bin, wipe the counter and so on. Once the timer beeps, you’ll be surprised how much you’ve done without even realizing it.

Have fun while cleaning

Be creative when you clean and don’t forget to have fun. 

Put on your favorite music when you wash the dishes or dance while you vacuum the floor. Make the clean up a family bonding activity to encourage the kids to take part too.

And then make a nice snack after as a reward. Cleaning up is already tiring as it is, so make it fun as much as you can. 

Keep the cleaning supplies nearby

Cleaning materials are usually kept in those awkward corners, difficult to see and even access. And this is one of the reasons why, the drive to clean up is often pushed back for days or worse, even weeks. 

The idea then is to designate a specific part in your kitchen, perhaps, where all the cleaning materials are kept and can be accessed in one go. This way, it is easier to find them all, and with regular practice, cleaning becomes more natural and effortless for you.

Have a spare basket around 

There are times that small things cannot find their specific place at home. Hence, you end up tossing them on top of the dining table, and then closets get untidy, and kitchen counters get crowded. 

Having a spare basket or container around does the trick. This nitty-gritty stuff somehow finds a temporary home before you finally decide where they should go.

Put them under your bathroom sink, beside the front door, or maybe under your center table. Things such as unused glasses, mittens, scarves, hair ties, and the like are then not found to be scattered around the house.

Reduce your things at home

If you dislike cleaning that much, then you should know how to keep things simple at home.

Spend a day or two evaluating the things you can find at home. Segregate the things that you need, can be thrown out, and can be donated.

Let’s take your closet for example. If there are clothes that you’ve not worn nor seen in the past six months, chances are they do not serve their purpose anymore. Maybe a new owner is already needed at this point.

Moving on to your kitchen, you found this bulky coffee maker that you bought on sale a year ago but only used once. Rather than let it take so much space, why not sell it for some extra cash on the side? 

Living as a minimalist is sometimes difficult to comprehend. It is overwhelming for some and quite impossible for others. However, when done strategically, it is actually the other way around.

So stop hoarding things and live with what only you need. Less stuff to organize and shorter cleaning time too.

Get someone else to do it

Sometimes, with a lot of things on your plate and running a busy schedule too, keeping your home organized can really be a challenge. This explains why we tell our clients at Maid Sailors Maid Service NYC that getting someone else to do the cleaning for you is not utterly a bad idea. 

Professional home cleaners provide easy online booking processes either online, by phone, or simply sending a text message, which ultimately caters to everyone else’s busy schedule.

Their services range from organizing things to deep cleaning options based on what the customers’ requirement. Maybe, book a service every six months and do the easy cleaning weekly. That combo can already do so much.

Keeping a house clean and tidy does not have to take up a big chunk of your precious time. Remember to take things slow and do not put unnecessary pressure on yourself too. Start off with the simplest task and be consistent. After all, it takes 21 days to turn an action into a habit. Next thing you know, you’re on your way to a clean and clutter-free home.

About the Author - Jacky Xu is the Chief Operating Officer for MaidSailors.com, an Airbnb cleaning service provider in New York. Maid Sailors provide a wide range of cost-effective, yet high-quality cleaning services that are sure to delight their customers.

Guest Post - 10 Reasons Why LED Lighting is Best for Home Décor

We partnered with a lighting company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

The first impression you have upon entering someone’s house is very much affected by the lighting. With perfect lighting fixtures, you can make your living space attractive and elegant. When it comes to home décor, LED lights certainly top the list of modern lighting methods. 

LEDs or light-emitting diodes were first produced in 1968 and are semiconductor light source. They are commonly used as indicator lamps in many devices but are increasingly used for other purposes as well. Here are 10 reasons why you should choose LED lighting for home décor. 

Versatility 

LEDs are showing up everywhere from bathrooms in homes to cupboards to shelves in the kitchen. People are choosing LEDs over the traditional incandescent lights. Around the house, LED lights can be used as accent details for cove lighting or for highlighting a certain décor or architecture feature. With their flexibility, they are easy to install or wrap around any flat, curved, or sculptural object in your house. 

Reduces Bills

Since electricity consumption forms the bulk of the running cost of light fixtures, an energy-efficient option like LED lights can help you save a good deal of money in the long run. With an estimated energy efficiency of 80-90% compared to conventional light bulbs, LEDs significantly reduce energy consumption and thus help save money by lowering electricity bills. 

A good quality LED lasts around 10 times longer than its incandescent counterpart. This results in a significant drop in replacement & maintenance cost. Moreover, subsidized or free lights offered under the government programs can cut the replacements cost to an iota.  

Choice of Colors

LED lights provide you with various color choices from blue to white to purple. They can emit light of a certain color without using color filters. These varying options are perfect for decorative lighting for special events. To ensure that the lights will remain in good condition, you must get products with Energy Star labels. 

Variety

There is a vast variety of LED lights available. The types vary by sizes, shapes, costs, and other features. Initially, they used to cost hundreds of dollars, but nowadays, these lights are being made with more features at cheaper prices. This variety makes it effortless to use them in calculators or as huge lamps on the top of the building. 

Environmentally-Friendly

Unlike incandescent lights, LED lights are an efficient way to save the environment. Incandescent lights consume large amounts of energy, converting it into wasted heat. Usually, these bulbs get used up quickly and end up in landfills. LED lights are less likely to get burned and need replacement. As fewer bulbs are consumed on a massive scale, making them an environmentally-friendly option. 

Energy Efficiency 

The biggest advantage of LED lights is energy efficiency. The incandescent bulbs consume large amounts of energy, which adds up significantly to overall usage. Switching to fluorescent and LED lights is a smart move. Where fluorescent lights are efficient, LED varieties are even more so and can reduce your bills. A regular light bulb uses six watts of power, while an LED bulb consumes less than one watt. 

Reliability

Since their inception, LED lights have grown very popular until today. They are reliable due to the long, average lifespan that can last for several decades. LED devices are found everywhere from calculators to car headlights to televisions. The widespread use of LED lighting further proves its reliability. Nearly all modern electronics are made with LED fixtures included. 

Flexibility

Most LED lights are designed for flexibility. Their flexibility trait makes them easy to attach and stay secured for years. They can be used in any space, indoors as well outdoors. They come with solid waterproof casing, which is a reason why most people prefer using them for Christmas lights. Some are made as strips, ropes, and nets to wrap around things. People attach these flexible lights to walls, floors, and other surfaces. 

Longevity 

It is no news that lighting is a crucial element of home décor. Besides, no one likes to change light bulbs too often and therefore the lifespan matters. LED bulbs can last tens of thousands of hours as compared to incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. To achieve efficiency and longevity, the reliability offered by LED bulbs is unmatched. 

Industrial Use

LED lights are widely used in various industries including health care, education, and agriculture. You can find LED lights installed in ceilings above classrooms and in advanced whiteboards. In the lieu of sunlight, agriculturists and horticulturists use LED lights to grow plants. In everyday science, people use lamps for fiber optics and microscopy. In almost every industry, people need very strong and bright lights in order to focus on objects and analyze the finest details. 

 Author Bio: Pawan Ranta writes about energy efficiency and sustainable development and likes hiking and learning about how people in the Himalayas live in harmony with nature.