1. Outlet covers.

The first place to start is your outlets. They are right at infant/toddler level and electrocution is devastating. You can simply cap outlets to prevent children from sticking their fingers inside. There are also plug protectors available that will prevent children from unplugging a device and getting hurt.

2. Installing cabinet locks.

While it may not be feasible to remove all dangerous cleaning products, medicine and other dangerous items from your home, it is easy enough to install cabinet locks. We highly recommend these for any home with children and they can easily divert a disaster.

3. Sharp edges.

If you have tables, counters, or anything with a sharp edge, it is vital to either replace them, or purchase end covers that will provide a softer surface. Kids fall, especially when they are learning to walk, and a sharp edge may cause a head trauma. In a pinch, foam tape on these corners will work wonders.

4. Child safety gates.

These are very important, especially for children that are able to crawl or just starting to walk. They should be placed in doorways to rooms where children should not enter, and at the top and bottom of stairs. We highly recommend adding one to kitchens since this is an area where injuries frequently occur.

5. Securing decks.

Your deck may look safe to you, but imagine if you are only a few feet tall. Could you get your head stuck between the railings, or worse, fall through? Purchase sturdy lattice that can be nailed in or consider adding a steel mesh around these areas to prevent these accidents from occurring.

6. Curtain and Blind cords.

Every year, thousands of children die as a result of improperly secured curtain and blind cords. It is absolutely vital to make sure that they cannot reach these cords. Remove them from reach and secure them so that there is not enough cord for a child to play with.

There are also a few other considerations to think about. One accident that is unfortunately highly common is a problem with countertop fryers. If they are placed to close to an edge, or a cord is hanging down, it is all too easy for a child to pull it down on themselves. By taking steps to avoid a tragedy, you can rest assured that your children are protected.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-09-25 05:32:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Dealing with Mildew in Your Home As the warmer months approach, many of us have to deal with the ugly problem of mildew. From bathrooms, to kitchens to basically anywhere where there is water, mildew can be a health risk and it is incredibly unsightly and in many cases, very smelly. However, there are a few......
• Basic Tools – A Home Repair Guide Anyone who has had to hire someone to perform a simple home repair for them knows that it’s just not worth it. Repair services charge a lot to fix even the most basic problems, and if you have a major issue then it’s that much worse. Many people have been......
• Home Repair Almanac By Edward Lipinski Regular maintenance is vital for any homeowner, especially if you want to reduce your chances for having a major problem down the road. But for first time homeowners, or even homeowners that have been down the road before, it’s tough to know when to schedule all of those little maintenance......
• Extra Storage Space in the Home If there is one problem that just about everyone has, it is the issue of having too much stuff—and not enough room in which to store it.  Ask nearly any homeowner and she will likely tell you that her home does not have enough storage space.  Regardless of how large......
• Gutted! By Lawrence LaRose If you’re thinking about buying an old house to restore, stop right now and buy this book. It is the absolute epitome of what you should not do, and it may even make you change your mind. Anyone interested in home improvement horror stories will love this book, and there......

• Curtain Rods Curtain Rods & Hardware Window Treatments Home Store
• Extension Cords Electrical Solar Home Improvement
• Dimmers Switches Outlets Electrical Solar Home Improvement
• Outlets Receptacles Switches Outlets Electrical Solar Home Improvement
• Shower Curtain Hooks Bath Home Store

- The three things that a thief evaluates and that will turn him away are time, light and noise. The first thing a burglar does when evaluating a home to be burgled is to look at the outside of the home and identify the security features and deficiencies. A sign indicating an installed alarm system indicates that a home is protected, likely with sirens and lights, items the robber fears. Other features to have may include motion activated flood lamps, hiding places near points of entry, and any other spots where a burglar might exploit a weakness. Here is area which can benefit from spot lamps, since light is an enemy of the burglar.

- The locks on the doors and windows. Items that are visible, such as large deadbolts, bars, grates, and the such will not only deter criminals but also act to slow entry into your home should they attempt it. Making the bushes underneath windows the variety with thorns is also an excellent deterrent, since the burglar has to reverse the procedure to leave. These tips can be expanded into other kinds categorized by time. The more time the burglar needs to try and break in and retreat, the less likely he will risk entry into the home.

- The third area of home security is the area of noise. Door chimes, window chimes, alarm systems, any thing that will cause a great deal of noise to be generated will deter the burglar. A dog in the back yard, or a sound recording of a dog, will work as a deterrent as well. The burglar will scope the front, and then the back, since it is frequently the case that homeowners will lock the front but not the back. If there is a threat of an animal in the back yard, the thief will likely move on.

Those are the three ways to setup your home to deter thieves. Lights to illuminate the thief that wishes to stay in the shadows, noise to make the presence of the thief well known, and time wasting items to deter the thief and make him or her ultimately decide that the home is not worth it. These three areas will prevent over 90 percent of break-ins to your home. Those who are determined to break in will find ways to counter anything you might have utilized to deter the thief. Such determined individuals will break in no matter what. The tips described here will ensure that the rest will fail at breaking in, or decide not to try.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2009-01-12 05:25:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Is Wreckovating Worth It? If you are considering changing your home, it is important to decide if “wreck-o-vating” or the process of completely tearing apart a room and redoing it entirely is worth the effort. There are many opponents to wreckovating, but in some cases, this style of renovating may be necessary. Here is......
• Budget Fixes For Your House Fixing up the home is a task all of us have on our lists, but they never get done due to high costs for materials and labor. Home improvements do not have to blow the budget, however, and by doing it yourself, you can save even more. Here are seven......
• Childproofing your Workshop Your home workshop is unfortunately one of the more dangerous places that children can venture. Many workshops contain sharp tools, sharp objects, tiny items that can be easily picked up and ingested and many other dangers. However, there are a number of simple and safe ways that you can childproof......
• If I Had a Hammer: More Than 100 Easy Fixes and Weekend Projects by Andrea Ridout Andrea Ridout is a very well known expert on home repair who instructs millions on her radio show, Ask Andrea. She’s now distilled all of that wonderful knowledge into a home repair book that literally covers everything you could ever do to your house on your own, from A to......
• Landscaping 101 Landscaping can be done by anyone, but the results will depend on the amount of time, planning and your ability to carry out your goals. If you feel more comfortable paying for professional landscaping services, by all means use that route. However, there is nothing like the feeling that comes......

• Security Systems Home Security Home Improvement
• Security Keypads Home Security Home Improvement
• Light Bulbs Lamps, Lighting & Ceiling Fans Home Store
• Windows, Sashes, Locks Architectural Garden Antiques
• Entry Sets Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement

1. Clean thoroughly. Any good landlord will make sure that the apartment or house you're renting is thoroughly clean before you move in. But if you clean it yourself you remove that lingering doubt that maybe it wasn't cleaned thoroughly. And it will smell like your cleaning products, which will make it smell like your old home so it's more familiar right away.
2. Call an exterminator for an inspection and treatment if necessary for things like mice and roaches. Even if you don't see anything now, that doesn't mean it's not there. It won't feel much like home if you wake to discover you have roommates you didn't expect.
3. Change the locks. Even if you trust your landlord, you don't know if all the keys to your new home have been turned in over the years. You'll immediately feel more secure.
4. Pay attention to the bathroom. If there's a trash can, toss it and get a new one. Look for hair build up in the tub and sink drains and remove it now. And change the toilet seat to a brand new one.
5. Be sure you have plenty of extension cords in case the outlets aren't in great places. You don't want to feel frustrated by your inability to reach them.
6. Spent a few hours really looking around the area, into all the nooks and crannies, so you can discover anything left behind now rather than later and just get more familiar with your new home.
7. Pay special attention to the fridge. Clean and disinfect it to remove any traces of the last tenant.

Photo Credits: Patrick Q

• How to Update Bathroom Cabinetry Whether you have only a little bathroom cabinetry or a large vanity and other cabinets throughout the room, updating the cabinetry can refresh your bathroom in the absence of a total remodel. Bathroom cabinets can start looking worn prematurely, usually much faster than kitchen cabinets, because of all the moisture......
• Choosing & Erecting a Pent Shed Selecting a pent shed is easy when you know what you're looking for, but to others it can be quite an adventure! First I would recommend researching what size pent shed you're looking for and what you can accommodate; then focus on how money to spend.  The least expensive pent......
• The Best Home Improvements for Home Value Home improvement is a field that is relatively widespread in nature as there are a number of different ideas for you to choose from when it comes to choosing the best home improvements for your space. During the summer months, many people put thought into remodeling and improving their home,......
• Learn How to Repair a Flooded Home After a flood, it may seem as if your home and your possessions are beyond hope, but many of those belongings can likely be repaired. With the right process, you can clean up, dry out, rebuild and reoccupy your home much sooner than you may have previously imagined. First and......
• How Home Improvement Software Can Help You Out If you are interested in home improvement these days, you also need to be interested in what the modern world can do for you as far as home improvement is concerned.  There is no type of handyman in today’s world that does not use the conveniences of modern technology to......

• Clean Romance Audio Books
• Maxwell House Coffee, Tea Advertising Collectibles
• Case Agriculture Advertising Collectibles
• Extension Cords Electrical Solar Home Improvement
• Clean Romance Books

• a screwdriver
• hammer
• chisel
• sandpaper
• drill
• in some cases, some adhesive.

Let's get started! First, you'll need to remove the old lock system. If it's corroded, this can be pretty tough. If you can't get it to come out of the door, try some WD40 to loosen it up. You may have to crank on those screws, but make sure that you don't strip the heads or you'll have a terrible time trying to get the lock out. Completely remove the lock mechanism and the plate that goes over the jamb.

Now, you're going to need to measure the receptacle for the lock in your door jamb. If you're using a similar lock, there shouldn't be a problem in getting the tongue of the lock to fit into your door jamb. However, in some cases, you may need to widen the area. If the size difference is minimal, sandpaper will usually work to help create a better fit. If there is a big difference, slowly and carefully use your hammer and chisel to widen the area gradually. Don't get too carried away or you'll damage your door.

Once you're sure that the tongue of your new lock will fit into the door jamb, you're ready to get started. Separate the new lock into two pieces and insert the locking side first. Your door should already be sized to accept it. If not, you'll need to change the shape of the hole with either sandpaper or a special saw. If you're not comfortable with wood work, you'll need to get someone else to widen this hole for you.

Attach the locking side to the door, making sure that it will line up perfectly with the second half before finishing. Now, get the second half of the lock and put it on the outside of the door. Place the two sides together and finish attaching them. Most new locks will come with instructions on how to accomplish this, so make sure you save them.

After this is done, you can install the new jamb plate and test the lock. It's best to do this from the inside so you don't get locked out if something goes wrong. We recommend fully testing the lock and the keys before you install it to cut down on any problems. It's well worth the extra effort and you'll keep from getting locked out. Although most prepackaged lock sets should be perfectly calibrated, there is always a chance that something might be a little off. Test it beforehand and you'll have smooth sailing all the way. Make a copy of the key to put in a safe place and go relax - you just installed a new lock successfully!

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-18 16:56:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Replacing Your Smoke Alarms If you have an older home, or if you aren’t quite sure how old your smoke alarms are, it’s a good time to think about replacing them. Even if you have regularly replaced your batteries in your smoke alarms, they may become less effective as they get older. Some of......
• Guide to Wallpaper Borders This is a quick, no nonsense kind of guide dedicated to all things wallpaper border. If you want to know how to install the right wallpaper border for your space, keep reading! Wallpaper Borders Using wallpaper borders is something that can change the way a room looks completely. Wallpaper borders......
• Kitchen Remodeling Basics Remodeling your kitchen can dramatically increase the value of your home. Whether you are trying to sell your home or you just want it to look nicer, there are a lot of options you can use when remodeling your kitchen. Before you get started, you're going to want to come......
• Door Installation Instructions for Knocked-Down Pre-Hung Doors Doors are something in our homes that we often take for granted. On the surface they are fairly simple, but as with most things in the home they’re a lot more difficult to deal with when you’re doing it yourself. Below you’ll find some door installation instructions to help you......
• Upgrade to a Spa Bathtub A spa bathtub can add some value to your home as well as make bath time a luxurious retreat from the cares of the day. Spas use tubs with jets because the benefits of this type of treatment are well known. Just a hot bath can relax you and make......

• Knobs Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement
• Doors Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement
• Keyless Locks Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement
• Levers Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement
• Hinges Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement

2 - Now you want to check the backset for your knob or dead bolt. This is going to be measured from the door's latch to the door knob or dead bolt's center. Most measurements are either going to be 2 and 3/8 inches or 6 cm, or they are going to be 2 and ¾ inches or 6.5 cm. The bolt or the latch in many of the newer lock sets will be adjustable for both of these measurements, but you need to take care before leaving the store that you have the right backset so that you do not have to return to the store for replacement parts.

3 - Now you should remove the old knob or dead bolt by removing the screws securing the pieces together. These screws are found within the inside half of the knob. Once they have been removed you can simply pull the halves away from the door. Make sure that the door is not allowed to be closed; otherwise you may have difficulties reopening it without the use of a butter knife or a screw driver.

4 - Now you should remove the latch or the throw bolt by removing the screws on the edge of the door securing the piece in place. If your new lock is the same brand as the old, you may be able to use the old latch or throw bolt, but not always. It is generally better not to replace these parts if you can help it because removing the screws can weaken their hold in the door over time.

5 - Now the installation process is simply the reverse of the removal process. Most door knobs and dead bolts come with installation instructions that you can consult if you are unsure about a specific step. Otherwise, the process is essentially quite straight forward and involves assembling the two halves of the door knob or dead bolt just as you pulled the two previous halves apart. As mentioned earlier, if you can keep the same latch or throw bolt as before, do so, as this guarantees a stronger door lock in general.

Photo Credits: YuvalH

Originally posted 2009-07-20 05:30:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Changing Out your Shower Head Sometimes it becomes necessary for you to replace your existing shower head with a brand new one. There are several different available models when it comes to shower heads, some of which have special massage settings and rain settings that contribute to a much more pleasurable experience in the shower.......
• Fixing a Leaky Faucet At best, a leaking faucet is more than capable of being annoying. At worst, a leaking faucet is capable of being extremely wasteful. The sound of water as it continuously drips into a sink can be completely maddening over time. Luckily, the fix required for repairing a leaky faucet is......
• Replacing Your Smoke Alarms If you have an older home, or if you aren’t quite sure how old your smoke alarms are, it’s a good time to think about replacing them. Even if you have regularly replaced your batteries in your smoke alarms, they may become less effective as they get older. Some of......
• Features of Circular Saws Here are some of the features that you should be aware of when it comes to circular saws: Electric Brakes - This is one of the features that you should be looking for when purchasing a circular saw, no questions asked. Electric brakes are capable of stopping the motor in......
• How to Find Wall Studs Whether you’re hanging a picture or thinking about adding a door, finding hidden wall studs is no easy task. There is of course the method of thumping on the wall, but this is not very accurate and there is a lot of room for error. If you’re dealing with a......

• Keyed Locks Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement
• Keyless Locks Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement