HOME DISASTER PREVENTION AND SAFETY TIPS

Home Disaster Prevention and Safety Tips…
Protect yourself and your family from common home hazards reducing the risks inside and around your home.
Understanding and Preventing Potential Problems will make a great difference and is the key to preventing most home accidents and disasters. However, there is more that you can do to prevent something dangerous from happening in your house.

Hello again everyone, Chris Town here, owner of town construction and development in Seattle.

As a Seattle area home builder, I am asked many questions through the years about home protection and home safety.
Before I start though I strongly suggest that the very first thing any homeowner, renter, or car owner must do is get a fire extinguisher and learn how to use it. I know you have thought about it and then said to yourself “well maybe later, things will be fine for now I’m sure, and aren’t they so expensive? PLEASE JUST GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER! Your family, pets, friends, and belongings will thank you.

One of my favorite home safety tips is Anti-Slip Tape (Rug Grippers) for Small to medium size throw Rugs.
I can’t tell you how many times I have stepped on any of my throw rugs and they slipped from under me.
Anti-Slip Tape for Small Rugs offers non-slip strength that keeps your rugs and mats from bunching up or sliding across the floor on tile, marble, laminate, wood, carpet, and other flooring surfaces. It releases quickly when lifted up allowing you to easily reposition your rugs.

Turn off the water supply before going on vacation or away for more than two days…Turn off the water at the main shut off!
Water damage from undetected plumbing leaks will quickly ruin ceilings, floors, and walls, leading to repair bills in the thousands. This is especially true if you’re away on vacation. Yes, such a leak is unlikely, but insurance companies report hundreds of these incidents every year. Put splash pans under washers and water heaters to catch leaks! For about $20, you can buy special pans at home centers and appliance dealers that catch slow leaks and mild overflows.

Install grab bars by the toilet and tub.
These grab bars small and larger sizes are not just for older people. What is your first thought when finishing soaking in your tub and getting ready to lift yourself out of the tub? I hope I don’t slip and fall! For a few bucks, it’s worth having the extra piece of mine and saving you and family members from serious falls. The hard surfaces of the bathroom can make falling even more dangerous. Having properly installed grab bars around the toilet and tub provide needed support and balance.

Home Fire tips
In 2018, there were more than 363,000 fires in US homes, causing everything from mild smoke damage to total devastation, including the loss of 3,655 lives.2 Even candles or an unattended iron can lead to accidental fires in your home, but there is a lot you can do to prevent a home fire from getting out of hand.

Install fire alarms
 Install fire alarms on all levels of your home, and please check and change the batteries at least annually for better fire safety. Consider investing in a smart smoke detector like Google Nest Protect† (about $119*).
This alarm uses Wi-Fi to provide real-time updates. And you can access remote monitoring right on your smartphone or another mobile device.
If you don’t want a mobile app on your smoke alarm, consider getting a non-connected model like the Kidde Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm with Voice Warning (about $35*).
(some info courtesy of safe wise)

Avoid fire hazards during the winter months!
Homeowners and renters may not realize it, but according to the U.S. Fire Administration, more home fires occur during the winter than in any other season. Heating equipment is often involved, so people should be careful with space heaters and both real and fake fireplaces. Only plug one heating device into an outlet at a time and make sure other objects are at least 3 feet away from it on all sides.
(some info courtesy of cover hound)

 Enhance Home Door Security
We all know you can spend thousands of dollars on home security for sure, but sometimes with just a VERY SMALL bit of cash can make a big difference.
Statistics show that nearly 66% of rentals and 34% of home burglars entering through the front door and 22% of home burglars using the back door. Therefore, to secure the front door (back door) is one of the most important parts of home safety. Just take a few hours out of your week to research the different door security items available for your specific situation. A few hours of your time can save you months of misery and paranoia.

Just a few more suggestions!
–Install photosensitive porch or entryway lighting that will come on at dusk and turn off at dawn. A light-switch timer can also be installed on interior switches for exterior porch or post lights.
–Put night-lights in the bathroom and in hallways leading from the bedroom to the bathroom and kitchen.
–Install better fire/smoke alarms on all levels of your home, and check and change the batteries at least annually for better fire safety. Consider investing in a SMART smoke detector.

All solutions for home living have some advantages and disadvantages…
“There are no perfect solutions out there, only the ones that are perfect for you.”

Chris Town

QUICK HOME REPAIR, REMEDIES AND MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR HOME OWNERS

 

Quick Home Repair, Remedies, and Maintenance Tips For Home Owners
Some of the easiest home repairs are simple tricks that can solve a problem in a matter of a few minutes.
Keeping your home properly maintained will not only save you money by increasing the longevity of your appliances and existing structures, but it will also help you become more energy-efficient and save money on your utility bills.
(Some info courtesy of “the delite and money crashers”)

Hi Everybody, I’m Chris Town owner of Town Construction and Development here again with some cool home ideas and solutions for you. Some ideas you probably know about already and some you may not be aware of. But if you can save some time, save a buck or two like me, and avoid using harmful chemicals, is it worth it, yes?

Ant and Fly Killer:
One of my own inventions I have been using that is environmentally friendly, cost virtually nothing, and safe around young kids and pets. Use white vinegar, dish soap, 20 drops of lemongrass essential oil, and a clean spray bottle.
1: One cup white vinegar
2: 1/2 cup dish soap
3: 20 drops of lemongrass essential oil (Special good for disabling flies)

Use Common Household Ingredients To Unclog A Drain:
1: A slow-draining sink, bathtub, or shower is frustrating. Not only do you have to wait for the water to drain, but you’re left with a residue to clean up. Who wants that?
If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals to unclog your drain — or don’t have any on hand — you can follow the following DIY remedy: First, boil water and pour it down the drain. Then, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain (some DIYers recommend mixing in a 1/4 cup of salt) followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then flush again with hot water from the tap.
2: Take three Alka-seltzer tablets and drop them into the drain with a cup of white vinegar. Let the two components work its magic for fifteen minutes then add boiling water to the clogged drain and the drain will rid itself of clogged up hair, grease, and any other creepy things that found its way in there.


Use Cooking Spray To Fix A Squeaky Door Or Cabinet:
If you don’t have a can of WD-40 handy, no need to fret. Cooking spray will also work wonders on those squeaky doors or cabinets. Spray just a little on the hinges, and you should be squeak-free in no time.

Paint Screws With Clear Nail Polish To Prevent Them From Coming Loose:
It’s amazing what a thin coat of nail polish can do! By painting a screw with nail polish, which acts like glue, it is more likely to stay in place.

Use Crayons To Fill In Nail Holes:
Choose a crayon that closely matches the color of the wall you’re repairing. With firm pressure, rub the crayon over the nail hole.

Unscrew A Broken Lightbulb With A Potato:
Have you ever broken a light bulb while it’s still in the socket? If so, you know how frustrating it can be to remove it. But, you can use a potato to get it out without cutting your fingers.
Cut the potato in half, push the soft side into the broken bulb and turn it counterclockwise until the broken glass is embedded into the potato. Don’t forget to turn off the power and put on protective gloves before you attempt this hack!

Give Your Shower Head A White Vinegar “Bath”:
Remove mineral deposits and other grime from your shower head by simply soaking it overnight in white vinegar.

Leaky Faucets:
The main cause of leaky faucets is worn out washers. The washers inside of the faucet handles are rubber and tend to wear out quickly. Replace them by turning off the main water supply, unscrewing the leaky handle that controls the flow of water to the spout, removing the old washer, and dropping in the new one.

Refrigerator doors:
The main component of your refrigerator that should get your attention is the door seals. Keeping your door seals tight will reduce the amount of energy it takes to keep your food cool or frozen, but will also keep your refrigerator working efficiently, preventing premature wear on internal parts.
To test the door seals, close the door on a dollar bill and attempt to pull it out with the door closed. If you cannot easily pull the dollar bill out from the door, your seals are in good shape. However, if the bill slides out without much resistance, it’s time to replace the seals. You can purchase new seals from any home repair outlet store.

Drafty Windows:
Drafty windows are a major culprit of high energy bills in the summer and winter months. Periodically check the condition of the caulk line that holds your windows in place. If the caulk appears to be dry, cracked, or otherwise weathered, remove the old caulk with a box cutter or other sharp knife and run a new bead of caulk along the seam.

For added utility bill savings, you can further insulate your window by applying an insulating window film over the glass. These methods cost much less than the price of replacing your windows and implementing green energy technologies in your home. I like the idea of using “bubble wrap”, you know that stuff for wrapping objects for shipping. I use it for my basement windows and areas kinda unseen by any Guests. It helps keep the heat in your home and absorbs the sunlight as well.

All solutions for home -living have some advantages and disadvantages…
“There are no perfect solutions out there, only the ones that are perfect for you.”

Hi Everybody, I’m Chris Town owner of Town Construction and Development here again with some cool home ideas and solutions for you. Some ideas you probably know about already and some you may not be aware of. But if you can save some time, save a buck or two like me, and avoid using harmful chemicals, is it worth it, yes?