Make your Home a Safe Place through these Emergency Preventive Measures

 

Stay home. This is the new directive that we must follow in this challenging time of the pandemic. We are spending 24 hours a day at home where we rest, spend time with family, and work. If this is the case for most of us, it’s only right to keep our homes a safe place. Learn some simple tips below on how to do that.

Have a clean and organized bathroom and kitchen

Do you know that kitchen and bathroom are the most accident-prone areas in the house? Having said that, you have to pay more attention in cleaning these parts of the house. Schedule cleaning at least once a week and thorough cleaning at least once a month.

Keep the areas sanitized and watch out for any liquid on the floor that causes slippage. Keep your bathroom and kitchen organized to prevent objects from falling on the floor which can also cause accidents. A shelf with sufficient space for all your toiletries is a must-have.

You must also make sure that your showerhead, water heater, faucet, sink, and the rest of your bathroom and kitchen plumbing system is in great condition. Rusty plumbing and leaky pipes can cause more hard to your household than you can imagine. Get help from 24 hour home service company that can help you do inspection and repairs when needed.

Waterproof your home electrical system

The first and one of the most important ways of keeping your home safe is by waterproofing the electrical outlets. This is easy to do these days because you can easily buy socket covers online. If you have kids in your house, it’s even more important to do this home waterproofing measure if you have kids and pets at home.

Waterproofing your home electrical systems can give you peace of mind that no hazards are waiting to endanger your loved ones. This will also allow more flexibility for your kids to play inside the house.

Keep your home pest-free

The best way to keep your home safe is by maintaining a clean environment in every room and in every corner. When your home is clean, there’s also less risk for pests to stay in your house. The challenge these days is that both the kids and parents are at home most of the time, which also means more people are contributing to the accumulation of dirt and waste every day.

Unlike in the pre-COVID days when kids were at school most days of the week, in this new normal, they study, play, and rest at home 24/7! It’s difficult to monitor them all the time and before you know it, the milk is spilled inside the kitchen cabinet or some food residue was left inside the drawer for days.

With these new challenges encountered by parents, it’s important to be more proactive in keeping the house clean. If not, pests will just invade the house and the safety of your loved ones will be in danger. Apply these effective pest management solutions at home so you can keep your family safe.

It can really be challenging to follow the three tips above in order to prevent emergencies from happening. However, doing these things and more have never been more important than today. Now that the family spends more of their time at home, you should ensure that they are truly safe at home.

This is a team effort where all the family members should be involved. All the people inside the house must understand that keeping your home safe from accidents is everyone’s concern.

The Risk You Need to Know Before Buying at Online Kitchen Gadgets Store

Online kitchen gadgets store is one of the best solutions to buy the kitchen appliances that you need. You have a wide choice to choose from. Furthermore, mostly, an online store like this also offers many chances to get a discount and save your money. For example, you can use coupon code to get a lower price for your purchase. However, you also need to know the risk of using an online store to buy kitchen gadgets.

Identity Theft

If you choose the wrong online store, there is a chance that you will become the victim of identity theft. The credit card number or other payment method identity you use can be stolen by that website. In the worst case, they will use your credit card for their benefits. In the end, you are the one that needs to pay for the purchase that you never made before.

Wrong Products or Low-Quality Products

You can’t see and check the product directly if you buy it from an online store. You can only use the picture and the specification information, if any, you can find on the online store website. It has a risk that the product you received after you buy it, is different from what you see on the online store. The damage is the common change that happens a lot here. In the worst case, you even get a different product that has a lower value than the price you have paid.

Conclusion

Therefore, it is important to always use and choose the best and trusted online store for buying the kitchen gadget and appliances. Read all the reviews before you visit and use the online store service. It helps you to avoid the problems you might get in the future. So, once you have enough information, you can safely shop at that Online kitchen gadgets store.

What Can I Do With a Cow Hide Rug?

Fun, quirky, and eye-catching, the classic cowhide rug never seems to go out of style. These rugs are used in movie and TV sets, themed restaurants, hotel rooms, amusement parks, antique stores, children’s bedrooms, and more–any place you need a touch of old-fashioned whimsy. Their rustic appearance makes you feel like you’ve stepped into an old farmhouse or a Wild West saloon. Thinking about adding a cowhide rug to your own living space? Here’s a few ways you can use the rug to transform your living area.

Create a Themed Living Room

Something about living rooms makes them the perfect candidate for a rustic-themed area. Maybe it’s because we spend so much time socializing with friends and family there–just like small towns did in the old days. A high-quality cowhide rug is the perfect centerpiece to a room with leather furniture, wood trim, and antlers mounted on the walls. The rug is sure to catch the attention of everyone who walks by–and they’ll be careful not to spill their drinks on it.

Make a Western-Inspired Child’s Bedroom

If your son or daughter loves horses and dreams of being a farmhand, a Western-themed bedroom is the perfect way to bring their dreams to life. And a cowhide rug isn’t just decorative–it’s strong enough to handle everything your rambunctious child throws at it. It’s also fun and charming, and what child wouldn’t love having a “moo cow” as part of their bedroom?

Decorate a Luxurious Living Space

Cowhide rugs might be associated with rustic Americana, but they fit just as easily in a more luxurious space. If you choose a more subdued pattern, your high-quality rug will blend in with modern furniture. Guests will admire the rug’s softness and sturdiness, as well as the fact that it was made from genuine cow hide. You can even hang the rug on the wall for a stunning art piece.

Host a Fun Western-Themed Party

The cowhide rug’s distinct brown-and-white pattern is so fun and iconic that anyone who sees it knows they’re in for a good time. If you’re thinking about hosting a party, consider making the cowhide rug the centerpiece of the celebration. Invite your guests to dress up in their best Western gear, complete with belt buckles and cowboy boots. And once the party is over, keep the rug to display it in your house. It’s the perfect reminder of your rustic-themed celebration–and a wonderful piece of decoration to boot. Click here for more information.

Why Are Window Locks Important? Your Question Answered

While enhancing home security, the first part of the house that comes to mind is the front door. Everyone finds it the most vulnerable part for intruders. Well, this is not always the case.

Intruders have different options and if they cannot access your house through the door, they will try doing it through the windows. They will use the back windows as they do not want to risk using the front door.

What are Window Locks

These are restrictors that are used to secure windows more. They fortify them making it hard for someone to break or open them from outside. There are different types available in the market all designed to enhance security.

Why Use Window Locks to Secure Your Home

There is every reason window locks should be professionally installed. You do not only need to protect your belongings but also lives. With these locks in place, it will be difficult for intruders to access your property.

In a locked position, you are assured that the windows are fully secured. According to statistics, over 50% of break-ins are done through windows and this gives you more reasons to use these locks.

It also gives you peace of mind. Window locks do not give a false sense of security, especially when you have invested in the best ones.

Whether you are away or at home, you know the windows are secured. Once the windows are locked and the locks are in place, it is not possible to reach them from outside.

They give an additional level of protection. Even when you have a strong security system in your home, it is recommended that you add window locks.

Some of The Features to Consider

As you choose window locks, there are different features to check. Some of the most effective are those that are discreet. If there are small children in your home, make sure that they cannot unlock from the inside. It is also crucial that they are of the highest quality possible.

As you ponder whether to install window locks in your home or not, it is important to understand why you should. In some cases, burglaries are never planned but as a result of opportunism. The burglars take chances and if they find easy access whether it is through the door or windows, they take up the chance. Thus, locks are crucial in all aspects regardless of how safe the neighborhood seems to be.

Home Improvements That Are Worth the Money

Home improvements are an excellent investment. If you’re looking to sell your property, they can upscale the value of your home. If you’re hoping to make your house more of a home, they’re the way to go. However, everyone knows that renovations are incredibly expensive. When spending this sort of money, you’ll want to invest in something worthwhile and avoid a false economy. Otherwise, you’ll be kicking yourself when it comes to selling on your house. Therefore, we’ve created a list of home renovations that we think are cost-effective.

Loft Conversions

You probably know at least one person who has done a loft conversion before. That’s because they’re excellent value for money and raise the value of your property significantly. You can turn what was once a two-bedroom house into a three-bedroom house with an additional bathroom. This garners you a much larger price on the housing market. A loft conversion is also worthwhile for someone not planning on selling their home. If you’ve got two double bedrooms and one single bedroom, the latter can be transformed into another double bedroom in the loft, which is ideal for families. This also gives your house a spare room for additional purposes. Loft conversions do need building regulations, however, so be aware of that before finalising anything.

New Roofing

There are all sorts of ways you can improve your house’s roofing, and each one has a multitude of benefits. One example of this is installing a skylight in your roof. Skylights can bring a lot of light into rooms, making them look bigger and brighter, whilst also helping reduce condensation in places like the bathroom. Upgrading your conservatory with new roofing is another great home improvement to make. This makes them more thermally efficient and usable all year round; they won’t be too hot in the summer, nor too cold in the winter. The benefits of this go without saying. Installing new roofing without making any drastic changes to your home is also cost-effective. It can not only improve your house’s appearance but also bolster insulation which saves you lots of money in the long-term. StuartAndMoffatRoofing.co.uk is an  example of a great company that does the above things, all the while being fully insured and guaranteed. It is important that you check for a local company to get the job done correctly.

Garage Conversions

Garage conversions are similar to loft conversations in terms of their benefits, plus they’re less expensive and don’t require fire regulations in their building regulations. Therefore, making a room out of your house’s integral garage is one cost-effective option for home improvements. Especially given the current climate, a new room that can be used as a remote office is a great idea. The downside is if your home doesn’t have parking space anymore, it may look less appealing to buyers.

Those are our recommendations for home improvements that are worth your money. They’re a great way to boost the value of your house – or simply make it a much nicer place to live in.

 

Image: Pixabay

 

Craziest Decor in your home Add-ons

Craziest Decor in Your Home Add-Ons: Unleashing Quirk and Creativity

Home improvement isn’t just about fixing what’s broken or upgrading the essentials; it’s also an opportunity to infuse your living space with your personality and imagination. While classic decor elements have their charm, why not explore the world of crazy and unconventional home add-ons that can truly make your space stand out? From the subtle eccentricity to the downright wild, let’s dive into some of the craziest decor ideas that can transform your home into a one-of-a-kind wonderland.

1. Whimsical Wall Murals: From Dreams to Reality Transforming a wall into an artful masterpiece isn’t new, but how about adorning it with a mural that transports you to another dimension? Imagine a larger-than-life underwater world in your bathroom, a sprawling cosmic scene in your bedroom, or a fantastical forest on your living room wall. Whimsical wall murals add a surreal touch to your home and turn it into a canvas for your imagination.

2. Upside-Down Furniture: Flipping Convention on Its Head Why should furniture always rest on the floor? Upside-down furniture is an eccentric trend that defies gravity and convention. Suspended chairs, hanging tables, and inverted shelves bring a touch of whimsy and playfulness to any room. Plus, they’re great conversation starters!

3. Quirky Lighting Fixtures: Shedding Light on the Unusual Lighting doesn’t have to be boring. Consider replacing traditional chandeliers with unconventional fixtures that double as art pieces. From chandeliers made of bicycle chains to pendant lights resembling glowing clouds, the options are limitless. These lighting choices add personality and a touch of the unexpected to your home.

4. Unconventional Bookshelves: Letting Your Library Stand Out Who says bookshelves have to be standard rectangles against the wall? Opt for unique bookshelf designs that challenge the norms. Floating shelves that appear magically suspended, tree-shaped bookshelves, or bookshelves that double as art installations redefine how you display your literary treasures.

5. Vibrant Statement Rugs: Flooring That Speaks Volumes Rugs are often chosen for their patterns and colors, but how about turning your rug into a statement piece that becomes the centerpiece of the room? Think bold geometric designs, vibrant abstract art, or rugs that mimic the appearance of optical illusions. These rugs create a visual impact that can transform the entire space.

6. Unexpected Indoor Greenery: Surreal Botanicals Houseplants are a staple in home decor, but why not take it to the next level by incorporating surreal botanicals? From cactus-shaped floor lamps to wall-mounted planters that resemble floating gardens, these quirky greenery ideas blur the line between nature and art.

7. Door Decals and Illusions: Doors That Lead to Imagination Turn your ordinary doors into portals to imagination with door decals and illusions. Transform your bedroom door into a bookshelf, your bathroom door into a spaceship hatch, or your closet door into a secret passage. These playful additions make every room a doorway to a world of creativity.

8. Avant-Garde Bathroom Fixtures: Functional Artistry Bathroom fixtures don’t have to be mundane. Faucets that resemble mini waterfalls, sinks that resemble sculptures, and toilets with unexpected designs bring avant-garde artistry to the most functional room in your home. These fixtures redefine the bathroom experience.

9. Upside-Down Gardens: Hanging Green Oases Take your love for plants to new heights—literally—by creating upside-down gardens. Hanging planters with lush greenery suspended from the ceiling add a touch of nature to your home while defying gravity.

10. Optical Illusion Furniture: Bending Reality Furniture that appears to defy the laws of physics is both captivating and crazy. From chairs that seem to float mid-air to tables that bend and twist, optical illusion furniture adds an element of intrigue to your decor.

Embracing the craziest decor ideas in your home add-ons allows you to inject a dose of fun, imagination, and personal expression into your living space. While some might raise an eyebrow, these unconventional touches will undoubtedly make your home a reflection of your unique spirit. After all, home improvement isn’t just about the physical structure; it’s about the experience and emotion that your space evokes. So, go ahead and unleash your wildest decor fantasies—it’s your home, and the only limit is your creativity.

Why You Should Hire an Interior Designer

If you are deciding to move into a new home, or maybe remodel your old one, you may want to consider enlisting the services of an interior designer. There are several reasons why hiring one would significantly work to your advantage. For one thing, work done by professionals is undeniable. You can see that special attention to detail that homeowners may have neglected.

Take a look at the other advantages that hiring an interior designer can offer you.

They know exactly what they are doing

Interior designers have the educational background to give you quality work. They know what their craft is. Interior design London is their field of expertise. This means that they can be trusted to provide the work you expect from them according to your specifications. They can give you sound advice to enhance your interiors even more. They focus on details to ensure that everything is where it should be to make your home more attractive and inviting. It is their name at stake, so expect professional service.

They work while you work

We all know how busy our days can be. Work requires a lot of our time, and personally, working on our interior design can be quite taxing. So while you go about your daily business, it is always a relief to know that someone is taking charge of beautifying your home. This can save you so much time and unburden you from having to think about doing this on your own—less stress on your part at the end of the day.

 

They are imaginative

If you aren’t an interior designer and clueless about designs and colors, your interior designer can fill you in. You may have specific ideas about how your interior should look, but an interior designer opens up various options to improve on what you already have in mind. You may even discover color combinations you never thought possible. They may suggest specific things that you will find quite agreeable to your taste. They know what accessories should be on display. They have creative ideas that you can play around with.

They give you what you want

All of the conversations you have with your interior designer provide them with information about what you expect from them. They want you to see all of your ideas coming to life. They also get a glimpse of your personality, which helps them come up with a picture of how your home should be designed. In the end, your expectations are met along with the other suggestions you accepted from your designer, giving your home a look you wanted and more.

So if you want your home to get a fresh, new appearance or you have just moved into a new place, save yourself a lot of trouble. Deal with the professionals and get yourself an interior designer. You will find that it will be so much easier for you, and you will have a little more time for yourself. Hiring an expert will surely benefit you in many ways.

 

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/furniture-armchair-salon-gift-2603068/

 

Energy Screwdriver: Ideal for Do it yourself Tasks

Energy Screwdriver: Your Ultimate DIY Companion for Home Improvement Projects

In the world of home improvement, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference between a frustrating experience and a successful project. Among the essential tools that every DIY enthusiast should have is the energy screwdriver. This versatile and powerful tool is a game-changer for a wide range of tasks, from simple fixes to more complex projects. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using an energy screwdriver and how it can become your ideal companion for DIY tasks.

What is an Energy Screwdriver? An energy screwdriver, also known as an electric screwdriver, is a handheld tool designed to drive and remove screws with ease. Unlike traditional manual screwdrivers, an energy screwdriver is powered by electricity, which significantly reduces the physical effort required to turn screws. It comes equipped with a motor that rotates the screwdriver bit, allowing you to work more efficiently and complete tasks quickly.

Benefits of Using an Energy Screwdriver:

  1. Efficiency and Speed: One of the most significant advantages of an energy screwdriver is the speed at which you can complete tasks. The motorized rotation of the screwdriver bit makes driving screws faster and more consistent than manual methods.
  2. Less Fatigue: Traditional screwdrivers can cause hand and wrist fatigue, especially when working on larger projects. An energy screwdriver eliminates the need for excessive manual force, reducing strain on your hands and allowing you to work for longer periods without discomfort.
  3. Precision and Control: Energy screwdrivers often come with adjustable speed settings, allowing you to control the torque and rotation speed. This precision ensures that you can choose the right amount of force for different types of screws and materials.
  4. Versatility: Energy screwdrivers come with interchangeable bits, making them suitable for various screw types and sizes. Whether you’re working on wood, metal, or plastic, the right bit can be easily attached to the screwdriver.
  5. Compact and Portable: Modern energy screwdrivers are designed to be lightweight and compact, making them easy to carry around your workspace. Their portability ensures that you can quickly grab the tool whenever a DIY project arises.
  6. Consistency: The consistent rotation provided by the motor ensures that screws are driven straight and evenly. This reduces the risk of stripped screws and minimizes the need for rework.
  7. Versatile Applications: Energy screwdrivers are not limited to DIY tasks around the house. They are also valuable for assembling furniture, installing fixtures, and working on electronics.
  8. Time-Saving: With the rapid rotation of the motor, you can finish projects in less time compared to using manual screwdrivers. This is especially beneficial when dealing with larger projects that involve numerous screws.

Choosing the Right Energy Screwdriver:

When selecting an energy screwdriver, consider factors such as the tool’s power, adjustable settings, battery life, and ergonomics. Look for models with a comfortable grip and a variety of bits to suit your needs.

In conclusion, an energy screwdriver is a must-have tool for any DIY enthusiast or homeowner looking to tackle home improvement tasks with efficiency and precision. Its ability to save time, reduce fatigue, and enhance the overall experience of working on projects makes it an indispensable companion in your toolbox. Whether you’re assembling furniture, hanging shelves, or performing repairs, an energy screwdriver is sure to become your go-to tool for all your DIY endeavors.

A Top List of Hacks for a More Hassle- and Headache-Free Move    

We all have to move from one place to another at one point, whether it’s for a job or a personal situation or other reasons. But moving needn’t be a hassle or headache; in fact, you can make your moving experience less of a chore and more of an exciting endeavour with the right attitude and know-how. Whilst everyone may know may have an idea of how to sort through their items and pack them, not everyone knows that there are a number of hacks that you can take advantage of as well. Hacks are a definite trend nowadays, and if you want to have a more hassle- and headache-free move, it would be wise to know them and make use of them, too. Here, then, is your top list:

  • Contact your utilities as soon as possible. Once you have confirmed that you are moving, it’s best if you prioritise contacting them as soon as you can to inform them of your move. It’s all too easy to get so busy once we start packing and preparing that we forget to call our utility companies until the last minute, so you want to avoid this by sorting it out as soon as you can.
  • If you are planning to seek help from a removals firm, you should settle this as soon as possible as well. Removals firms can be booked way in advance and you never know if any is available for the day of your move. The earlier you get this sorted, the better, and it helps you choose the appropriate one based on reliability and quality rather than as a desperate measure.
  • Know your packing supply needs in advance, as a removals Cheltenham specialist like Andrews Removals & Storage attests. If you don’t want to end up running to the shop to buy extra boxes or extra tape at the last minute, you should know your packing supply needs in advance. It’s better to have more than enough, too, because you never know when you might need that tape or bubble wrap in the future.
  • Eat your food. Some of us are too busy focusing on other moving tasks that we forget to prioritise the food in our refrigerators and pantry, so you can make it easier on yourself by making sure you eat your food stores on the days leading up to moving day. If you don’t want to end up throwing away good food, you should plan a menu; you can even get creative and try to come up with some good recipes.
  • Don’t empty those drawers. Another way to make your move easier and spend less time packing is not to empty your drawers. If you have dressers and there are items in their drawers, just take out the drawers and leave whatever items are in there and then secure the entire drawer with plastic wrap. If your dressers are small enough, you can even wrap the whole dresser in plastic wrap and transport it that way.
  • Use your pots for storing smaller items, particularly items in the kitchen such as spice jars or bottles. You can fill them with small gadgets as well; this will allow you to save a lot of space and free up your time for other things.

 

Image attributed to Pixabay.com 

 

How to Choose the Best Estate Agents in Essex

When you are selling your home you need persistence, luck and the best estate agent you can find. Picking the right agents to deal with your property sale is vital. An excellent estate agent can make the process quicker, easier, and more profitable – especially in a competitive and fast-moving market like Essex. So, you need to know how to choose the best.

Here’s our guide to telling a great Essex estate agent from an average one.

Look for Recommendations

Start by asking around to see if friends and relatives have any recommendations for outstanding Essex estate agents. If someone you know gives an agent a five-star review, take a closer look at their business. But you don’t have to take the first recommendation you find. Check online reviews, too. Ask colleagues if they recommend anyone. The names people give can form your shortlist of Essex estate agents. You probably don’t want to automatically hire the first recommended name without checking whether their experience suits your needs, for example, your property type or home value.

Check the Track Record

Look at the names on your shortlist. See how many years’ experience each one has. How long have they been operating in your area? Do they have a track record of success in selling homes like yours? What is their average sale time? Bear in mind, however, that a fast time may not be the best indicator of success since this can be at the expense of price.

 

Consider the Valuation

Valuing a house in Essex is not a simple task. Be aware that an estate agent that tries to get your business may offer an inflated valuation of your property. This inflated valuation may not be realistic compared to market value. You may, therefore, find it more difficult to sell your house. On the contrary, you don’t have to take the lowest valuation. Just bear in mind that a valuation is not the only factor to consider when making your final decision. Ask the estate agents what they base their valuation on. The best estate agents in Essex are open and honest about their procedures and decision-making processes.

Look From All Angles

There are other factors that make the difference between a great job and a lacklustre service. People looking for houses to buy in Essex are attracted to open, honest, communicative estate agents that know the local area and what buyers are interested in. Look for agents with strong local knowledge. Assess whether the estate agents will be able to keep you in the loop and communicate their work as you go through the selling process. Think about things like marketing strengths and customer service. Fees are also a consideration. Check the estate agent’s website to see how they present their properties for sale. Think like a buyer and work out if the estate agent is making you an attractive offer. And, lastly, chat with the agents personally to see if the relationship is a good fit for your needs and personality.