Whenever you work with power tools, it is very important that you use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE is used as a collective term for devices that you wear to protect yourself from injury. This could be earplugs, safety glasses, gloves, boots or similar items.



​So what do you need to think of when using these? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Use the correct PPE for the job. Sometimes you might need several different pieces of PPE in conjunction to make sure you are safe.
• Use them correctly. For example, earplugs are only efficient when they are properly inserted in your ear.
• Don’t take them off until the work is done. Most PPE is inconvenient and sometimes also uncomfortable. It might be tempting to take them off just to get the job done quicker, but many times, that is when injuries happen.
• Make sure that your PPE is of good quality. Sometimes, getting the cheapest PPE you can find is going to leave you with PPE that doesn’t do the job properly, or worse, that can make it more likely for you to get injured. It should fit well and if there is a standard in place for that type of PPE, it should be certified.

Many people talk about finding renewable energy sources these days.  This could be something you are thinking about, especially if you are about to build your own home.  There are a few options to choose from but one of the most common is solar energy.  But, how can you know if it is a good choice for you?  Some questions to ask yourself are: Does solar energy create any kind of environmental impact? Will it save me money? And, is it costly to install?  Let’s briefly consider these points.

Solar panels are a very good option environmentally as they use the sun as their energy source, which means they are not depleting much needed energy sources on the earth.  They do not create any noise pollution because they require no moving parts to operate.  However, the manufacturing of solar paneling does have some impact environmentally, as does many other options.

Are solar panels expensive to run?  While you will find the installation of solar panels to be expensive, the long-term savings will make up for it.  Some people are even able to make money by selling the surplus energy they generate back to the power company.  They can do this with the use of net metering.

Although we have only briefly covered these points, its clear to see that there are many advantages to using solar energy.  This might not be the best option for everyone though, so take the time to research solar energy and whether this will work for you.

​When might it be time to replace your roof? This depends on the age and type of material used, but since it is a major investment, it is wise to have your roof inspected to ascertain the state it is in, and how likely you are to have a large expense in the future. The decision you might need to make is whether to replace it or repair it.

This decision should not be taken lightly. Even though it might be tempting to just get a quick and easy fix and patch your roof where it is needed, the yearly repair bills might add up to a greater cost over a longer period than it would cost to re-roof. Additionally, when repairs fail or aren’t done properly, damage can occur to the underlying structure.

With a proper inspection in conjunction with an estimate from a trusted roofing company, you can make an informed decision.

Landscaping around a home is usually designed to be both pleasing to the eye and a relaxing space to be surrounded by but, could it be more than that?  Can it be designed in such a way that it also helps with the home’s energy costs? How is that possible you may ask? Well, this is done by landscape shading.  Landscape shading is where trees and shrubs are positioned in specific locations so that they provide shade to areas of the home that see the most sun.  This is a method that has been shown to reduce a home’s indoor temperatures by as much as 9 degrees.  
 
To make a success of landscape shading it needs to be planned out extremely well.  Its important that trees are planted in just the right place so that they cast shade on the home at the time it is required most.  Another factor to have in mind is the type of trees you use.  You will get more shade the denser the tree.  You will also want to consider if you wish to benefit from the sun’s warmth on the home during the winter months, if so, make sure you select deciduous trees which will provide full shade during summer but lose their leaves during winter. 
 
You may also want to think about the rate that trees grow, if you are looking for quick results, why not choose vines instead? You can grow them to wrap around a fence or trellis positioned in the area you would like shade.  Shrubs are a good option for areas like pathways or driveways.  
 
So, as we can see, the smart use of landscape design can not only look beautiful but can also work for you by helping to cut down on the home’s energy costs.

The home should be a safe place of relaxation but, sad to say, many injuries are reported each year from accidents that take place within the home. Tip-over accidents are one danger present in a home, with children being most at risk. Let’s look at some of the causes of this and ways to prevent it.
 
Most new furniture items come with safe assembly guidelines and must adhere to strict safety standards, however, if the consumer does not follow these guidelines, the item they purchase could become very unsafe. For example, if you purchase a bookshelf or dresser, etc. it should be fixed to a wall using straps or L brackets. This will ensure that the item cannot tip over easily and cause injury.
 
In general, if a child sees something it wants, it will go to great lengths to obtain it. This might involve climbing on furniture items to do so. While it’s good to keep items you don’t want a child to have out of reach, it’s also a good idea to keep them out of sight to eliminate the temptation.
 
When shopping around for furniture, choose pieces that are sturdy with a wider base, this will minimize their risk of tipping. Store heavy items in lower drawers and shelving which will also increase their sturdiness.
 
One household item that can easily tip over is the television. If it’s not attached to a wall, keep the television on a low-lying stand or unit and make sure all electrical cables are well out of the way of children.
 
These are just some of the safety measures you can take to keep your home safe.

​As our aging loved ones get older they need extra care, but do not necessarily want the upheaval of moving from their residence.  This is described as ‘aging in place’. This term refers to the desire of aging ones and their families to adjust their current residence to cater to their growing needs. While there are many ways to help them with these needs, making appliances more convenient to use may be a good place to start.
Here are some tips;

• Location of microwave oven should be in an easy to reach location.  On the counter top or above the oven may be a convenient location.
  
• Place the refrigerator and freezer side by side and not on top of each other.  This will eliminate unnecessary reaching or crouching.
  
• Side swing ovens are much easier than an oven door that opens towards the floor. Alternatively, an oven mounted on the wall may also make it easier to reach.
  
• Stoves that are electric and have level burners will help the user to transfer items without difficulty. Also, controls that are easy to read and located on the front can draw the heat away from the user.
  
• Front loading Washers and dryers make it much easier than top loading ones.
  

These are just some ideas to help our aging loved ones ‘age in place’ and make it easier while they use their appliances.

​So many children (and maybe adults) love having a trampoline in their own back yard. Trampolines can be a lot of fun and good exercise, but can also be extremely dangerous and cause injuries if not used safely
Keep this in mind:

• In order to stay as safe as possible when using a trampoline, always supervise children. Make sure that there is not more than one person on it at a time.
• While a trampoline may seem like a bouncy, soft landing, the fact is that trying gymnastic maneuvers that only trained gymnasts should attempt may result in neck and head injury and even paralysis. Please don’t attempt this.
• We’ve all seen and maybe even been amused by those You Tube videos of people jumping off roofs and other high objects to land on a trampoline. What we don’t always see however, is the injuries that result from this. Don’t allow anyone to try this on your trampoline.
• Keep the trampoline in a well lit area so that you can clearly see where you are jumping.
• Take all the safety precautions you can to ensure your trampoline is safe to use. These things include installing a safety net around the trampoline, making sure there is sufficient padding around the springs and framework and placing the trampoline on a soft surface such as wood chips.

We want you all to enjoy the fun you can have with a trampoline, but please remember to stay safe.