Ten tips for living more sustainably in 2010
January 1, 2010 by admin
Filed under Home Maintenance Tips
Ten tips for living more sustainably in 2010
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Act now to prevent costly ice damage later
November 25, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Maintenance Tips
Ice dams may not be something the average homeowner Read more
Gas Ranges Recalled
November 25, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Maintenance Tips
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office Read more
Replacing household products can keep you safe
October 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Maintenance Tips
Replacing household products can keep you safe
(ARA) – While people take all manner of precautions to ensure the safety and health of their families, some household products may need more attention and maintenance to keep loved ones and the home environment as safe as possible. A recent study shows that many Americans are unknowingly at risk of illness, injury or worse due to living with and using products that have not been properly maintained or replaced.
“Most of us have trained ourselves to pay attention to expiration dates on food,” says Meri-K Appy, president of the nonprofit Home Safety Council. ”But, how many of us are thinking about the lifespan of the products we count on and live with every day? It’s easy to take for granted our smoke alarms and our pillows, or even our toothbrushes. But the truth is, if you neglect replacing these and other products, you could be putting yourself at risk.”
Following is a list of time-sensitive products that require regular replacement to maintain peak performance:
Smoke alarms – These potentially lifesaving devices have lives of their own and expire after about 10 years or 87,000 hours of service. Yet, a new study conducted by First Alert, a leading manufacturer of home safety products, recently uncovered that nearly a quarter of Americans (23 percent) have either never replaced the smoke alarms in their homes or have not done so in more than six years. Unprotected, these homes and their occupants are in danger of becoming among the 900 lives lost each year in U.S. home fires due to non-working smoke alarms as reported by the National Fire Protection Association.
“It is imperative that smoke alarms be properly maintained to ensure their effectiveness,” warns Tom Russo, president of Jarden Branded Consumables, Safety and Security. “Alarms should be tested every month and batteries replaced every six months for maximum security. If the alarms in your home are approaching the 10-year mark, or if you can’t recall when they were installed, be safe and replace them immediately.”
Carbon monoxide alarms – According to the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide intake is the No. 1 cause of accidental poisoning in the U.S. Still, an alarming 25 percent of American homes are not equipped with any CO alarms and another 23 percent have CO alarms that have never been replaced, according to the recent First Alert study. The NFPA recommends installing CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. To ensure peak performance, replace batteries twice a year and check alarms monthly using the “test” function. When properly maintained, a CO alarm has a life of approximately five years, after which time it should be replaced with a new unit.
“Carbon monoxide is an especially dangerous threat because it attacks without warning and can be deadly,” says Russo. “The value of CO alarms is so critical that more and more states and municipalities are passing laws that require homes to have CO alarms to protect residents from this silent killer.”
Other products that require regular replacement include:
Fire extinguishers – Like their alarm counterparts, fire extinguishers need to be regularly checked to ensure that the pressure is at the recommended level and all parts are operable and not damaged. If an extinguisher is damaged in any way or needs to be recharged, it is best to replace the unit completely, advises the U.S. Fire Administration. Disposable models, like Tundra Fire Extinguishing Spray, come with expiration dates that inform owners when the unit should be replaced. Additionally, Tundra comes in a compact, familiar spray can design that is easy to operate and store.
Furnace filters – Not only do clean furnace filters help save on energy costs, but they also reduce the risk of fire. Just as full dryer screens can cause fires, so can dirty or clogged filters in the furnace. When replacing an old filter, note that many available products are disposable. But there are other products – such as electrostatic filters – that can be washed and reused time and again, generating even more savings if used and cared for properly.
Kitchen sponges – WebMD cites that kitchen sponges are the No. 1 source of germs in the entire house. They achieve this rank because of their moist, micro-crevices which make great homes for germs to linger in. Many experts recommend replacing kitchen sponges once a week, and at the very least twice a month.
Toothbrushes – The American Dental Association recommends replacing toothbrushes every three to four months or sooner if bristles begin to fray. Researchers have found that toothbrushes can hold microorganisms from mouths and the environment that can cause oral and systemic infections.
Mascara – According to Consumer Reports, mascara should be replaced every three months because it is likely to begin growing bacteria after that time. It also should be replaced if it begins to smell, is discolored or is used around the time of an eye infection.
Additionally, consumers are advised to replace pillows, medication, hair brushes and sunscreen on a regular basis. Check product packaging for expiration dates and replacement guidelines.
For more information and a complete home safety checklist, go to http://www.firstalert.com/safety_checklist.php. For more home safety tips, visit http://www.mysafehome.org.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Preparing your home for winter? Don’t miss 4 important steps
September 14, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Maintenance Tips
Preparing your home for winter? Don’t miss 4 important steps
As you button up your home for winter, you should take four important steps to ensure you save energy, money and stay toasty all season long.
Insulate
When the temperature drops, we often grab a blanket to help stay warm. Adding insulation to your home is like wrapping it in a warm blanket. Insulating areas such as attics, basements and crawlspaces can make your home more comfortable and lower your energy bills.
To get the biggest bang for your buck, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, add insulation to your attic. If your insulation is at or below the floor joists, you likely need to add more – 12 to 24 inches, depending on where you live.
Seal your windows
Even if windows are sealed with weather stripping, cold air can still enter through gaps. Use silicone caulk to seal air leaks or place shrink-wrap film over drafty windows to help reduce energy loss.
You can locate drafts on windy days by slowly moving a burning candle near the window. Whenever the flame moves or smoke blows, you’ve got an air leak that needs to be sealed.
Have your furnace inspected and clean your HVAC system
As you close up your home for the cold season, the contaminates that are in your air ducts and furnace recirculate through your home over and over throughout the entire winter. Your HVAC system can collect everything from mold, fungi and bacteria to tiny dust particles and allergens that can cause irritation to everyone in the house. In fact, according to the EPA, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.
“Having your HVAC system inspected and cleaned can extend the life of your furnace and can even make it run considerably more efficiently, saving the homeowner money on their monthly heating and cooling bills” says Aaron Marshbanks, board member at NADCA – The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance & Restoration Association. “Having your system cleaned can also increase air flow which often times translates into increased comfort for occupants in the home.”
Change filters regularly
Once you have a clean HVAC system, it’s crucial to change your furnace filters regularly. Filters are designed to remove the dust and debris from the air flowing into your home. When the filter is dirty, the furnace has to work harder to pull air through the clogged filter and your utility bills will be higher. Change your furnace filter once a month to keep your system running at peak performance.
For more information on how to winterize your home, visit NADCA.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Snuggling up to a stove this winter?
September 14, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Maintenance Tips
Snuggling up to a stove this winter?
ARA) – As the mercury drops and days get shorter, you may be snuggling up to a wood-burning stove to keep your tootsies toasty. With today’s economy, alternative heat sources may become more popular as penny-pinchers try to minimize gas and electric bills.
While wood-burning and pellet stoves can be quaint and efficient, they can also be dangerous. To avoid injuries and damaged property, ask yourself these four questions, posed by QBE Regional Insurance Senior Vice President Charles Valinotti. He’s seen many dangerous stove set-ups and the devastation that can result.
1. Was it installed by a professional?
Installing a stove isn’t a do-it-yourself job. Work with a professional. If the stove was installed before you moved in, it’s worth having it inspected. One tip-off is if it has more than two connector pipes, it’s probably been tampered with, Valinotti warns.
Also, take the same precautions with your outdoor wood-burning stove or one in your garage or outbuilding as you would with one that’s inside your home. A stove in your shed could cause as much damage as the one in your living room.
2. What’s above, under and around your stove?
Don’t find out after it’s too late – like one Oregon homeowner did. He woke in the night to put another log in his stove – but didn’t close the door all the way. As he snoozed on the couch, the kindling shifted and a log rolled out, igniting his carpet. While the man luckily escaped unharmed, his home was destroyed.
Make sure your floor is covered with non-combustible material all around your stove in case a log accidentally escapes. Similarly, keep all decorations and clutter away from the stove, so that a puff of ash or an errant spark doesn’t set your magazine collection or lace doily aflame.
3. When was your stove last cleaned and by whom?
Your answer should be: It was cleaned within the last year by a professional.
“We ask this question of our General Casualty and Unigard policyholders, and I can’t tell you how often they say it’s been ages since the last cleaning or – just as bad – that they clean it themselves,” says Valinotti.
He explains that you can sweep and tidy up your stove and the surrounding area, but a professional chimney sweep should clean it annually. Only professionals can spot and fix creosote buildup and hairline fractures, which are a major fire hazard and liability risk.
4. How do you dispose of your ashes?
An elderly woman in Washington recently swept ashes from her wood-burning stove into a plastic bucket and put it on her deck. Still smoldering, the ashes destroyed her home and belongings, totaling more than $400,000 in damage.
Make sure ashes are cooled, dampened with water and stored in a metal container with metal lid. “Never put ashes near or inside a paper bag, carton, box or anything combustible. I know it sounds obvious, but we see these very sad accidents more often than you would believe,” Valinotti says.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Goodman Manufacturing Co. Announce Changes to 1998 Recall
August 26, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Maintenance Tips
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
——————————————————————————–
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2009
Release #09-323 Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 394-8084
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC, Goodman Manufacturing Co. Announce Changes to 1998 Recall Program to Replace Dangerous Home Heating Vent Pipes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The CPSC and Goodman Manufacturing Company, of Houston, TX, are urging consumers who have not yet responded to the previously-announced 1998 recall to do so immediately. After October 1, 2009, the remedy consumers receive will change to be identical to modifications recently announced for a related recall.
The recall included about 10,000 Plexvent and Ultravent HTPV pipe systems attached to certain Goodman mid-efficiency furnaces manufactured from October 1988 to July 1994 (models GUP, GDP, GUPS, GDPS, GUPI, GDPI, GUPX, GDPX, GMP and GMPV for the following brands manufactured by Goodman: Janitrol, GMC, Hamilton Electric, Franklin, Liberty and Sears/Kenmore). The HTPV pipe used for these vents could be susceptible to corrosion, cracking and joint separation, which could result in the release of carbon monoxide (CO) into living areas, posing a danger to consumers. Goodman did not manufacture the HTPV pipe.
The following table describes the different remedies available to consumers with qualifying furnaces that use the two leading brands of HTPV pipe – Plexvent and Ultravent.
Plexvent owners Ultravent owners
Valid claims initiated on or before October 1, 2009, with remediation completed and required documentation submitted by January 1, 2010. Will receive
a new, professionally-installed venting system free of charge
or
a new, high-efficiency Goodman furnace and suitable vent for the manufacturer’s price (of just the furnace), with no charge for labor, associated materials or dealer markup.
Valid claims initiated after October 1, 2009 A rebate up to $400 toward either an HTPV replacement system, or a new, high-efficiency furnace from Goodman that does not require HTPV. A rebate up to $250 toward either an HTPV replacement system, or a new, high-efficiency furnace from Goodman that does not require HTPV.
Consumers who register after October 1, 2009 and who choose to repair their systems will be responsible for up-front payment of parts, labor and permits, and will be responsible for arranging to have the work performed.
Consumers should determine whether they have a recalled HTPV pipe system by checking the vent pipes attached to their natural gas furnace. Vent pipes subject to this recall can be identified as follows:
the vent pipes are plastic;
the vent pipes are colored gray or black;
“Plexvent,” “Plexvent II” or “Ultravent” is stamped on the vent pipe or printed on stickers placed on pieces used to connect the vent pipes; and
the vent pipes are located on furnaces and the pipes go through the sidewalls of structures.
Other plastic vent pipes, such as white PVC, are not included in the recall.
Owners of Goodman furnaces that are vented with HTPV pipe should immediately call Goodman at (800) 394-8084 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. CPSC reminds all consumers to have fuel-burning appliances professionally inspected each year to check for cracks or separations in the vents that could allow CO to leak into the home. In addition, CPSC recommends that every home should have at least one CO alarm.
CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx
—
Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.
How does a GFCI outlet work?
August 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Maintenance Tips
That outlet is called a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). It’s there to protect people from electrical shock, so it is completely different from a fuse.
The question on appliance plugs talks about fuses. The idea behind a fuse is to protect a house from an electrical fire. If the hot wire were to accidentally touch the neutral wire for some reason (say, because a mouse chews through the insulation, or someone drives a nail through the wire while hanging a picture, or the vacuum cleaner sucks up an outlet cord and cuts it), an incredible amount of current will flow through the circuit and start heating it up like one of the coils in a toaster. The fuse heats up faster than the wire and burns out before the wire can start a fire.
A GFCI is much more subtle. When you look at a normal 120-volt outlet in the United States, there are two vertical slots and then a round hole centered below them. The left slot is slightly larger than the right. The left slot is called “neutral,” the right slot is called “hot” and the hole below them is called “ground.” If an appliance is working properly, all electricity that the appliance uses will flow from hot to neutral. A GFCI monitors the amount of current flowing from hot to neutral. If there is any imbalance, it trips the circuit. It is able to sense a mismatch as small as 4 or 5 milliamps, and it can react as quickly as one-thirtieth of a second.
So let’s say you are outside with your power drill and it is raining. You are standing on the ground, and since the drill is wet there is a path from the hot wire inside the drill through you to ground (see How Power Distribution Grids Work for details on grounding). If electricity flows from hot to ground through you, it could be fatal. The GFCI can sense the current flowing through you because not all of the current is flowing from hot to neutral as it expects — some of it is flowing through you to ground. As soon as the GFCI senses that, it trips the circuit and cuts off the electricity.
“How does a GFCI outlet work?.” 01 April 2000. HowStuffWorks.com. 03 August 2009.
Composite Decks Recalled by Louisiana-Pacific
May 16, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Maintenance Tips
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
——————————————————————————–
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2009
Release #09-217 Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 325-1184
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Composite Decks Recalled by Louisiana-Pacific; Decks Can Deteriorate and Break, Posing Fall Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Composite Decks
Units: About 48 million linear feet (decks vary in size)
Manufacturer: Louisiana-Pacific (LP) Corp., of Nashville, Tenn.
Hazard: The recalled decking can prematurely deteriorate and unexpectedly break. Consumers can fall through broken decking and suffer serious injuries.
Incidents/Injuries: LP has received 37 reports of composite decks breaking, resulting in 14 injuries, including a broken wrist, sprained ankle, minor lacerations and bruises.
Description: The recall includes outdoor deck board and railings sold under the brand names LP WeatherBest®, ABTCo., and Veranda®. They are composite products that look similar to natural wood and were sold in various colors including Tuscan Walnut/Chestnut, Driftwood Grey/Greystone, Pacific Cedar and Western Redwood. Veranda decking products were manufactured by multiple firms; only products manufactured by LP are included in this recall.
Sold at: The Home Depot (Veranda® brand) and building product dealers (LP WeatherBest® and ABTCo. brands) nationwide from January 2005 to August 2008 for between $1.50 and $2.25 per linear foot.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers with the recalled decking should immediately contact LP for a free inspection. If the decking is affected by premature deterioration, LP will arrange for a free replacement.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact LP toll-free at (888) 325-1184 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.deckingnotice.com
Botanika Candles Recalled Due to Fire Hazard
May 13, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Maintenance Tips
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
——————————————————————————–
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2009
Release #09-215 Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 872-0228
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Lumetique Recalls Botanika Candles Due to Fire Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: DayNa Decker 16 ounce Botanika Candles
Units: About 7,000
Manufacturer: Southern California Candle Co. Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif.
Distributor: Lumetique Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif.
Hazard: The glass can break during use, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received ten reports of the glass breaking during use, two of which resulted in fires causing property damage to household items and carpet. One consumer reported a cut on her foot when the glass broke and another consumer reported a wax burn from blowing out the candle.
Description: The recalled candles were sold under the DayNa Decker “Botanika” brand in 16 ounce green glass vessels, 4 inches wide by 5 inches high. Botanika candles in the smaller 3 ounce and 6 ounce sizes are not included in the recall. The words “DayNa Decker” and “Bacara,” “Bardou,” “Clementine,” “Indigo,” “Leila,” “Manzanita,” “Sierra,” “Violetta,” “Yasmin” or “Zelia” appear on the bottom of the glass vessel.
Sold by: Resorts, spas, gift shops and specialty stores nationwide from March 2008 through April 2009 for about $76.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the candle and contact Lumetique to receive a full credit toward the purchase of DayNa Decker brand products.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lumetique toll-free at (888) 872-0228 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.daynadecker.com
Candle
