Safety

7 Tips for Driving Long Distance While Pregnant

It’s perfectly safe to drive your car while pregnant unless your doctor tells you not to. If they say that driving could be risky for you and your baby, listen to their advice and don’t get behind the wheel. It would be safer to let someone else drive you wherever you need or want to.

If you can safely get behind the wheel, you will need to be well-prepared before going on a road trip. There are ways to make your experience more comfortable and enjoyable.

Here are seven tips for driving long distance while pregnant:

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Safety

10 Important Senior Safety Tips to Stay Safe

Life is a journey. You grow older, wiser and continue to enjoy this inevitable journey. As you grow old, you experience many changes during the transition. Your children leave, you retire, and you may have to move into a retirement home. Personal safety becomes more critical as you age due to physical and mental changes.

Coping with all these changes can be difficult, but you have to find a way to deal with them no matter how old you are. It would help if you stay healthy, safe and feel your best at any age. If you are concerned about your health and safety in your old age, consider staying at a reputed retirement home as the facility can offer you companionship, safety and security. These types of homes are equipped with handrails, safe floors and ramps to make life easier. Continue Reading

Home Life, Safety

6 Reasons Why You Need Emergency Locksmith Services

No matter how careful and responsible you think you are, there are times when you end up feeling frustrated. For instance, you didn’t remember to take your keys before shutting your front door and now there’s no way to get inside other than breaking a window. But then you have a broken window on your hands and this is a security issue (you cannot leave your home with an open window can you?) and who wants to climb through their own window? In such cases, you need a locksmith Toronto at Lock-up Services Inc.

If you do an online search, you will find the names and contact details of hundreds of locksmiths.

Not all of them are reliable, but when you have lost your keys, you don’t have time to choose the best. That is the reason why it’s necessary to avoid situations where you will need emergency locksmith services. Some of those situations are:

Lost keys

One of the most common reasons for requiring emergency locksmith services is losing the keys to your house. No matter how careful you are with your keys, it has been found that misplacing keys is a common occurrence that everyone faces at some point. When there is no other way to enter your house, you are required to call for emergency locksmith services.

Photo via Pixabay

Broken keys

When keys break off inside the lock, both the lock and the keys need replacing. This is an emergency situation when the locksmith is needed immediately. Such instances happen when the key is too old or fragile, or when the wrong key is inserted into a lock. To avoid keys breaking inside a lock, only the right keys need to be used with proper care.

Photo via Pixabay

Burglary

This is a dangerous occasion raising questions about the home’s security system. When a break-in happens, the first thing that needs to be done (after calling the police) is change the locks. This is an emergency case that cannot be delayed. Regardless of when the break-in or burglary happens, the locksmith needs to called immediately to have the locks changed.

Photo via Pixabay

Forgotten safe combination

If you have a locked compartment or safe at home that is unlocked only with a password combination, you need to call a locksmith immediately if you forget the combination and are unable to access the safe. Whether you store money in the safe or other valuables, a forgotten combination means either calling a locksmith or breaking the safe open.

Photo via Pixabay

Recoding electronic keypad

When you want to restrict access to your house or establishment, you need to change the code of the electronic keypad lock. In most cases, this can be done only by the locksmith. If you have people entering your establishment with questionable intentions (just watch Den of Thieves or The Dark Knight – there are some bad people out there!), you need to key the recoding done immediately.

Photo via Pixabay

Reprogramming transponder key

When you want to change the access code of the transponder key of your home or vehicle, you need to call a locksmith. If you want to change it because of unauthorized access, you need to do it urgently. Only locksmiths specializing in electronic keys are capable of performing the reprogramming.

Image via Pixabay

While these emergencies may not always arise, it is wise to keep the number of your trusted locksmith handy in case you need urgent locksmith services. That is what you have a smart phone for right?

Home Life, Safety

4 Ways of Preventing Carbon Monoxide Leaks in Home Furnaces

Carbon monoxide (CO) happens to be an odorless gas which is produced when fuel is burning. If you are in an open space, the CO gas won’t be much of a threat, but when you are in an enclosed place, the gas becomes lethal. Proper furnace installation will prevent any chances of CO leaks. Research studies from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) annually more than 400 people in America die from CO exposures that are not fire related. The following are the typical symptoms of CO poisoning:

  • Dizziness
  • A headache
  • Chest pain
  • Confusion
  • Vomiting
  • Body weakness

The most effective way of preventing any carbon monoxide poisoning in your home is by installing the CO detectors in your house. The sensors should be placed on every floor of the house and very high from the ground. Smoke alarm manufacturers have improved the technology by doubling smoke alarms to function also as carbon monoxide detectors.  The CO detectors are very different and vary from one brand to another. Heating companies can also help homeowners in dealing CO leakages.

Never the less, there are some essential precautions that homeowners can take to prevent possible CO leaks in the house.

 

  1. Carrying out frequent furnace inspections by furnace experts

It is recommended that homeowners to organize for furnace inspects at least once in a year, so that to make the stove is still functioning correctly. The inspection period will also provide an excellent opportunity to deal with any possible furnace repairs that might be needed. The furnace experts will check for any possible CO leaks using the CO detection equipment. The two most common issues that bring about Co leakage in a furnace are:

  1. Dirty furnace parts or components: when you have dirty filters, blocked flue vents and any residues in your furnace can cause your furnace to have CO leakage. The solution to this problem is straightforward, frequent cleaning of your furnaces to make sure there are no dirt residues.
  2. A cracked heat exchanger: when using your furnace, usually the CO gas stays in the heat exchanger section until it’s exhausted out of the system. When your heat exchanger has a crack, then the gas will leak into the house. The cracked heat exchanger can be due to wear and tear or age.

With proper and regular maintenance you will have a durable furnace.

  1. Venting the Carbon monoxide gas into your house chimney?

There are some houses where water heaters, clothes dryers, and furnaces, exhaust the carbon monoxide gas into the chimney. This is a very reliable and sensible arrangement if you look at it from the angle of physics. The big challenge with this idea is that the chimney liner isn’t very durable and can’t last forever. The chimney liner can crack like the heat exchanger also monitoring the chimney liner is very difficult, specialized equipment is needed for the chimney liner inspection. The inspection can be done by a furnace expert who is specialized in inspecting furnaces for CO leaks.

  1. Avoiding unintended backdrafting

This is very common, especially when all the appliances in the house are functioning correctly. We do concur that negative pressure sometimes can be useful, but then it has to be handled with plenty of caution. Sometimes, the CO leakage occurs when nearby equipment creates negative pressure on another appliance (like a cloth dryer being used near the gas appliance). The best way to deal with this problem is creating a specific room in the house (with high and low airflow). The permanent solution would be to replace your old furnace with a model that has sealed combustion.

  1. Avoiding the gas fireplaces/ furnaces that are vent free

Each equipment which burns fuel in the house should exhaust all the poisonous gases out of the house.  It’s not recommended to get or use a gas furnace that is vent free because it offers a higher risk of CO leakage in the house.

When using a furnace, it’s always about safety and it is evident that gas furnaces are great. However, you need to make sure the appliance is functioning properly. Still have frequent inspections done on your furnaces by a professional furnace inspection expert.

 

Family, Home Life, Safety

4 Things to Consider When Buying a Driveway Motion Sensor

Although it’s not particularly challenging in deciding to buy a driveway motion sensor to protect your property and your loved ones, it’s more difficult to decide which one to buy, since there are so many to choose from on the market. With the varying models and feature options to choose from, this guide should offer you a helping hand in your decision process.

Budget

1. Take Your Budget into Consideration
For most, spending money on a security system, such as driveway motion sensors isn’t usually an issue. However, some people have a strict budget that they have to adhere to with their purchases, even for security sensors. Although we’re not telling you to settle for the cheapest system on the market, you should consider what you can and can’t afford.

Wires

2. Should You Go Wired or Wireless?
Before you buy a driveway motion sensor, you have to decide whether you want to go wired or wireless. To do this, review your home and see which type of system you would benefit from the most. For example, would you rather have an external wired unit or one that’s located in your home that can send signals to and from?
Usually, wired alarm systems are installed while a house is under constriction, so the wires can be buried under the surface. However, if your home is already built, which is probably is, you can benefit from a wireless system.

Monitor

3. Select the Right Kind of Receiver
After you decide between wired and wireless, you will need to choose the type of monitor you want. First, decide whether you want to be alerted when vehicles approach, humans approach, or both. If you only want to monitor for other vehicles, there are metal detecting probes that can do the trick. This kind of alert system will only produce an alarm when a heavy vehicle approaches. You can also select a motion sensor driveway alert. This will alert you when motion is detected in the driveway, including that of people and animals.

Trusting

4. Purchase From a Trustworthy Seller
No matter what type of product you purchase, make sure you are buying it from a reputable company. Ask friends and family members for recommendations on what to buy and where to buy it from. See if they are pleased with their product and what, if anything, they would have done differently when buying a driveway sensor. Once you settle on a company, ask about any warranties they offer so you can get the best bang for your buck.

With these four factors in mind, you can make sure that you are buying the best driveway motion sensor for your property and your needs from Absolute Automation.

Family, Home Life, Safety

7 Reasons to Hire a Moving Company

If moving feels like an overwhelming task, hiring a professional moving company is the way to go. Here are seven reasons to hire movers.

1. Efficiency

Packing a dorm room can be pretty simple, but if you have a home or apartment, the number of things to bubble wrap and box increase exponentially. Let professionals pack. They can get you from start to finish in one day.

2. Organization

Moving companies are masters of organization. When asking friends and family to help pack, there are always unlabeled boxes and mismatched items thrown together. When working with professionals, everything will be in its place and clearly labeled.

3. Safety

Lifting bulky or heavy objects can be dangerous without adequate help or expertise. A toaster and microwave are easy enough, but it is well worth hiring help to get the fridge, oven, washer, and dryer moved down and up those stairs.

4. Protecting your investment

Many items it are not worth the risk of moving without proper manpower and equipment. If you are lucky, a grand piano may only take a dolly, several people, and creative tilting to get through doors. A grandfather clock’s complicated mechanisms must be disassembled, carefully packed, and reassembled while wearing special gloves.

5. Insurance

Moving companies are required to offer two kinds of insurance for out of state moves. “Released Value Protection” will cover your property at 60 cents per pound and is included in the quote. Of course, anything worth taking with you costs more than 60 cents per pound, so consider “full-value protection.” This will cover your belongings up to their full value at a cost of approximately one percent of that value. You can learn more information at Premiere Van Lines.

6. Trucks

Unless you have a special license, it may not be possible to drive a truck large enough to fit all of your belongings in one go. Better to let long distance movers drive, worry about special licensing, and find routes in areas you are unfamiliar with.

7. Money

Most people who move without professional help do so to save money. Surprisingly, this is not always the case. Most of us don’t have moving equipment like dollies, and large ramps just laying around. In order to make the move in one trip, you would need to rent a truck, and if you have enough stuff, you may need a truck that requires a special license. Throw in packing supplies and the cost keeps adding up. When deciding which option is most cost effective, also factor in the additional stress, time, and increased risks of damages.

Don’t let moving make you crazy. Hire professionals and get it done efficiently and painlessly.

Family, Safety

How to Prepare Your Kids for Their First Overnight Summer camp

If you are like most parents with school-age children, you have been sending your kids to day camps for several summers in a row. These day camps provide your kids with enrichment and socialization throughout the long dog days of summer, and they give parents a much-needed break of several hours or more during the day. You may now be preparing to send your kids to their first overnight summer camp, and you may be wondering how you can prepare them fully for this experience.

Make a Camping List
Whether your child will be camping outdoors in a tent or in a comfortable cabin, you will need to prepare a camping list of everything that he or she will need. The camp counsellor should provide you with a list that you can use as a starting point. However, think about other things, such as a comfort feature your child needs to sleep at night, a flashlight, medication, a cell phone charger and more.

Find a Camping Buddy
Many summer camps have fun adventure sports, summer water sports and other attractions and activities that your child may love. However, nobody wants to be alone at camp. Camping is much more fun when you go with a friend or a group of friends. Consider asking a few of your child’s friends if they are interested in camping on the selected dates. This can dramatically alter and improve your child’s summer camp experience.

Get Your Kids Excited
Some overnight camps may last for a week or longer. If you are nervous about being away from your child for that long, there is a good chance that your child may be just as anxious. Talk about all of the fun adventure sports and activities that your child will get to participate in at camp. When you arrive at camp, give your child ample time to meet the camp counsellor and ensure that he or she is immersed in activities before you leave. Rest assured that experienced counselors know how to keep kids busy and engaged. You may, however, want to give your child a charged cell phone so that he or she can communicate with you through texts and calls as needed.

Sending your kids to overnight camp can be a rite of passage for the kids, and it can give you a wonderful break. During this time, you can take a couple’s vacation or simply enjoy quiet evenings at home without the kids. As soon as you select a camp to send your kids to, you can begin following these steps to prepare your kids for this incredible experience. More valuable information can be found on the Camp White Pine website.

Family, Home Life, Safety

How Automation is Changing the Home Security Industry

The latest generation of automated home security systems are providing home and property owners with access to sophisticated features and a level of convenience that would have been unheard of just a few years ago. From being able to configure home alarm systems remotely to home monitoring systems that allow households to access real-time surveillance and imaging though a smartphone or other mobile device, systems that feature a superior level of automation and integration are able to provide a wide range of home security solutions that no household or property owner can afford to overlook.

Remote Operation and System Configuration

Access to conventional home security systems typically required an operator to be on-site in order to make use of a console or terminal. Remote home monitoring systems make it far easier to adjust settings, maintain observation or address any warnings or alerts that the system may produce. The latest systems provide access to home security solutions that are able to afford homeowners with a more convenient way to monitor their environment and ensure that their belongings, property, and household are able to be kept safe and secure. Home alarm systems that are designed to be accessed and operated remotely are ideal for those who are seeking a way to keep an eye on their property and its surroundings whenever they are away from home.

Mobile Applications Provide Superior Versatility

Use of a mobile app to operate a home security system offers a wide range of potential benefits. Operating home alarm systems from a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device can allow used to arm the system, adjust settings, dismiss false alerts and take prompt action to address a possible security threat. The limitations of more conventional home monitoring systems can lead to no end of problems, issues and concerns that households would be wise to avoid. Home security systems that are designed to be accessed through use of a mobile app offer a more versatile and flexible way to protect against concerns like theft, vandalism and even home intrusion.

Smart-homes and Integrated Security Systems

Sophisticated home security systems are rarely the only resource that households may be using in order to monitor and control their surroundings. Equipment options, such as lighting and climate control systems that are designed to be operated remotely or respond to voice prompts are becoming increasingly popular due to their growing level of sophistication and reduce costs of purchase and installation. Home security resources that are designed to be integrated into systems designed to operate a wide range of fixtures and amenities have a lot to offer homeowners. Integrated home security and home monitoring systems can be a valuable asset for those seeking to create a smart-home.

Safety

How a Locksmith Can Bolster Security on Your Property

Locks and keys are among the most basic yet most important aspects of property security, and almost every property makes use of these features in several locations in the front, sides and rear of buildings for maximum security. If you are like most people, one of the first things you do to secure your home or business is to lock the exterior doors, but you may be wondering if this is sufficient for your security needs. Locksmith companies specialize in all types of door locks, and because of this, they offer many solutions that ultimately may help you to bolster home or business security through locks and keys with exceptional results.

Change Your Locks
Your door locks are only secure when your keys do not fall into the wrong hands. However, in many cases, you may have given a key to another party to grant access to the property previously, but you may no longer want that person to have access. Even if you can get the key back, you do not know if that person made a spare key. In other cases, you may have lost your keys. With this in mind, professional key cutting services can be used to change the locks and to issue new sets of keys. This is often a preferred service when you move into a new home or business, when a roommate moves out or when you terminate an employee.

Upgrade Your Locks
Changing locks may be one of the most common services offered by locksmiths, but you can also upgrade home or business security by upgrading the locks themselves. Some locks are much more difficult for criminals to bypass than others. Through a consultation with a locksmith, you can learn more about different types of deadbolt locks and keyless entry locks that are now being used to protect properties. Some are also installing Keypack lock systems, which are full access control systems.

Install Automated Opening Features
When many people think about an automatic door opener, they think about the commercial doors that are used to facilitate entry into or out of a building by the disabled. While this is one of the more common uses for these features, automated opening features can also be used to bolster security. For example, they can be secured with an access card feature so that the doors will not open unless the individual has an access card.

Locks and keys are a common and necessary part of life, and they are used on residential and commercial buildings alike. When you need to bolster security on your building, you can make changes or upgrades to your locks and keys with incredible and cost-effective results.