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Ever walk into a room and trip over something on the floor while tracing the wall with you fingertips looking for the switch? If your like most people today, this has happened to you more than once. Not only do we all struggle with those illusive light switches, but out of reach ceiling fans can be a pain to switch settings or turn on and off as well. There are many different solutions to these problems and a few handy household electrical gadgets that can make life so much easier.

Lighted or glowing switch plates and switches can make the locating those troublesome switches much less of a bother. Plates can glow by utilization of phosphorescent coatings that absorb light during the day and glow with a pale light in the dark that is easily seen. The switches themselves can be treated with the same phosphorescent coating. Although in many cases the switch itself is equipped with a bulb that automatically turns on when the switch is turned to the off position. This light stands out distinctly in the dark and makes finding the light switch more convenient.

For less obvious solutions to the run away light-switch problem, many people have turned to the use of remotes. These remotes can come in many forms and perform many handy functions. The simplest is a key fob remote, which can turn on your lights inside from a distance of up to 50 ft away and around corners in many cases. This gives a little added security by being able to actually turn on the lights inside the house from the outside. Other types of remotes can be set for more than one light or set of lights. These tend to take on the more traditional appearance of a remote and can vary in size. For example, a universal lighting and component remote can change the settings of your fan, turn on specific lights, and turn down the volume on your home electronics.

Before considering a particular remote for your home consider first, your particular needs. It can be frustrating to have a highly technical remote that would be able to control lighting, home entertainment components, open garage doors, and engage security systems if all that was needed as a simple remote to turn on the lights inside the house while carrying an armload of groceries to the kitchen. Likewise it can be discouraging to have a remote that performs only part of what you may need it to do.

Once you have an idea of what you may be in need of, consider your current lighting and component arrangement. While many lights will work wonderfully with a remote, many may not. Consult your electrician about any additional equipment that may be needed for the best suited remote set up. It may be necessary too, for you to invest in more than one remote. If there are multiple family members or more than one major entry point of your house, a second remote could be a very good idea.

In times of tightened economies, such as we are now experiencing, our budgets get smaller and our projects get put on hold or downsized. Sometimes, however, we are faced with a situation that demands our attention and become full fledged remodeling projects. But how to afford them becomes a real trouble for many of us. There are ways of keeping a project within budget and of controlling cost over runs.

Be sure to have more than one estimate done on your project before moving forward. No one person or company will be the end all, be all of remodeling projects. Besides, you must be comfortable and confident in their skills if this is going to be a successful working relationship. Write your questions down and be sure to ask all of them. There is no silly question and having all your concerns addressed up front and honestly is the best way to proceed. It will also be noted by the builder that you will be involved in this project and honesty begets honesty.

Once you have decided on who is going to be doing the work, consider how much you will want to be involved in the actual labor and installation. You may have quite a few skills to draw upon. Any work you are able and willing to do yourself will help drive the costs down on your project. Keep in mind though, that this may affect the schedule of your project. Be sure that if you are providing some of your own labor in the project that you will be working within the projected time frame set up with your builder. This will help to avoid problems that may arise in the future.

The materials used in your remodeling project are a large part of the overall cost. Be sure to research your final selections carefully. Speak with your suppliers and your builder about options for economical and ecological options available to you. Your order may be placed in tandem with others in order to make use of bulk rates or reduced shipping costs. On line dealers are often very cost effective, but careful attention must be paid to the dimensions. Local dealers too, are an effective way of keeping costs down and quality up. They also help support the local economy in your area.

Plan out your floor plans carefully and make the most efficient use of all areas and surfaces. Often a less expensive answer can be found in modifying a floor plan or product selection. You may find that you like the look of one brand of cabinets, but they wont’ work with your floor plan without expensive modifications and extra time. By looking at alternatives you may be surprised to find a simpler, more cost effective way of accomplishing the very effect you were looking for through another manufacturer.

Above all, take the time to carefully reflect upon the parameters of the projects and your needs. A well planned decision rarely leads to expensive alterations or repairs in the future. Speak often with your builder about the project as it moves forward. This way you will be sure to be informed of potential issues before they become real problems. Above all else, do not commit yourself to physically working on the project unless you are able to work within the time constrains and posses the skills necessary to complete the task you have set yourself to. Taking on to much can lead to higher costs and many headaches. Careful planning can head much of this off and keep your project well within your original budget.

Home security is more than surveillance and expensive security systems. Home security starts with a safe home. And just what is a safe home you may ask. A safe home is one that is well prepared in case of an emergency and has adequate preventative measures taken. These include escape routes, emergency back ups, proper exterior and storage area lighting, door and window locks where appropriate. This can also mean integrated systems for programmed lights, water and home systems. It is a matter of the needs and desires of the household.

In determining what your home may need to become safer take the time to access your current escape routes. The front door may not be enough. Basement window can be utilized for egress windows and escape ladders can be installed. Ladders are also a good idea for bedrooms above the first floor. Check your windows, if they are large enough for a person to fit through and can be opened functional locks should be installed. Inspect your doors as well. Check for ease of opening and closing. Be sure the locks are in good and working order. Look over the jambs to spot any potential weakened areas that may not hold up to an attempted forced entry. These are the basic home safety practices.

If your home has met all your expectations for the recommendations above, consider the next level of home security. Fire, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are very important especially when small children are around. Be sure you have fire extinguishers in the kitchen and furnace room. Teach everyone in your home how to use one. Emergency lighting in case of a power outage is always a good idea. These could be lamps, candles, flashlights or small press lights. So long as you can see, it doesn’t matter what the form is. A land line or cell phone is also important in the event of an emergency during a power outage. Cordless phones can be rendered useless without a constant power source. Land lines and cell phone work interdependently of plugged in power and will remain relatively unaffected.

The next level of home security moves into a more integrated home security. This includes in home monitors, monitored security systems, alarms the notify the authorities in the case of a larger emergency like break ins, and automated home systems.

Home monitors can include a set or cameras installed in and around the home and wired into a monitoring station within the home. This works well for seeing who is coming up to the house or watching your children play in the yard while you are inside. Some monitoring systems are completely independent and others can be set to work with and be displayed on your computer. It is best to speak with your provider about options and what would be most effective for you and your family.

Monitored security systems are install in much the same way a home monitor is installed. It also come with a service that is paid for, where a security agency is hired to monitor your system and call you in case of an emergency or notify the authorities. A security agency may or may not be employed to watch over your fire and burglar alarms. These may also be set to simply sound off in the home, or hooked directly into your phone lines to ring into the local emergency system 911 line.

The last and oftentimes most advanced option for home security are automated home systems. This can be as simple as putting a time on your lights when you are away, or as elaborate as a computer controlling everything from lights to furnace functions. Manifold and monitoring stations can be installed in your home. Your water for both the lawn and your home can be adjusted as well. The automated systems can be linked in with your paid security service for an all inclusive monitoring system. It is just a matter of how mush your household needs in the way of protection and security. There are many options available to you, speak with your provider and installer for what options may be most effective for you and your needs.

With everyone furiously googling for information on today’s hot topic, I figured I would put together a few places people can look to get the best information possible about the Swine Flu outbreak that has hit Mexico and parts of the United States. This information isn’t from me, as I am not a doctor, but it is information that I have gathered from reputable sites. I have also included the links to the information so the sources can be checked out.

What is it?

From the Centers For Disease Control: Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

Why do Humans Get it?

Since the flu is a virus, it can be spread from pigs to humans. Obviously, this starts out with those people in direct contact with effected pigs, but since it is very contageous, it can spread quickly from person to person. It cannot be spread through eating pork products, even if the source pig was infected. Usually it is spread from an infected person sneezing or coughing, or touching a surface that someone else touches and then touches their own nose or mouth.

Where has it been found?

So far, in the United States, cases have been confirmed in California, Texas, Ohio, Kansas, and New York. In NYC alone, there have been 28 cases confirmed. There have been no deaths attributed to the virus in the United States, but nearly 150 deaths in Mexico have been blamed on the virus.

Getting more information:

From the World Health Organization

Bloomberg.com

Wall Street Journal

Summertime is coming and while the kids are itching to get out of school for those glorious few weeks, their parents’ relaxing daydreams of changing seasons and warm weather are starting to turn into feelings of doom and gloom. Everyone is feeling the pinch of tighter budgets and smaller amounts of extra money; so many families are scrapping summer vacation plans and are starting to prepare their offspring for the long summer of nothing to do. Maybe you can’t take that trip to Europe this year, or that cruise to Hawaii, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a fun away from home, and you won’t have to sell your house to afford it. Here are two destinations you can plan that won’t break the bank.
Washington, DC – The District of Columbia isn’t for everyone, but for those families with kids that love to learn and experience history, this is one of the best and inexpensive destinations there is. Hotels in the area (and in safe locations) can be found for below $100 a night and nearly all of the most popular sites are free and open to the public. You can spend a day getting lost in the Smithsonian, and kids are very impressed with the sheer size of the monuments and buildings around the city.
State Parks – When I was a kid, my family went on a lot of camping trips. We would ‘rough it’ in the site closest to the bathhouse and would make sure there was an outlet so we could plug in our radio or television set. Camp site rentals are very cheap, and you can get tents on sale from most national retail chains. You can even rent equipment from stores like REI if you have one in your area. A word of caution: the most popular parks (like the ones next to the ocean) fill up very fast, so you should plan now to get a good space.
If you have other places you like to go, feel free to comment!

Written by Ben Hirsch