The number one issue to keep an eye on is safety, especially for those confined to a wheelchair. First issue to consider is living conditions. The bedroom needs to be on the first floor with easy access to the bathroom and home, and a easy way out of the home in case of an emergency. Each and every room of the home which should be accessible has to be able accommodate the wheel chair turning a full 360 degrees. Doorways have to be at least 36 inches in width, along with hallways needing to be 4.5 to 5 feet wide. It would be beneficial to have a minimum number of hallways which need to be traversed. This set of requirements will ensure that the mobility of your loved ones is not compromised while providing a safe environment.

Of all of the rooms that need attention in the home, the bathroom tops the list. This is where the most mobility and assistance is required, but this is where it is the most embarrassing to require assistance from others. It is for this reason that the bathroom should be designed for providing as much independence as possible. The biggest expense with the biggest impact is to provide a tub with a sealed door, which when opened allows entry by just walking. These wash tubs provide grip handles for easy support, allowing for unassisted entry and exit from the tub. These tubs also provide a bit of safety in that the door allows a quick release of the bath water to avoid drowning. You can also add grip handles above and next to the toilet for easier access. You can also try and find a sink at a lower level with mirror, to prevent your guest from needing to try and prop themselves up.

Around the home, it is very helpful to lower tables and keeping handy items at the lower, more accessible height. Items such as telephones, refrigerator handles, drawers of silverware, etc. should be accessible to someone in a wheel chair. Make sure also that there are ramps where the are stairs on the way into your home and within your home. All of these steps are designed to make sure that your home is safe and accessible to a guest. Other common sense items should also be addressed, but if any involve the space about your wheelchair bound guest, then be sure that he or she is comfortable.

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Originally posted 2009-01-13 05:30:47. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Home Improvement Tips for Your Home When it comes to home improvement tips, it is important to keep in mind that the beauty of your home is absolutely in the eye of the beholder. A home is generally going to reflect the personality behind the residents. There is a very important role in home improvement that......
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- 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.

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

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Plumbing Issues - If you detect a strong sewage smell coming from any fixture, it may be indicating that the trap in your waste pipe leading away from said fixture has gone bad in some way. You should pour water down into the drain to see if the smell is going to go away. If the smell does not go away on its own, then you are probably dealing with additional problems and calling a plumber is going to be the best course of action at this point.

If you are dealing with a flood that is in progress, then the best way to minimize the resulting damage is to consider the following do's and don'ts for plumbing floods:

• Do shut the main water valve off if the flood is occurring as a result of a break in a pipe.
• Do shut off the electricity within the flooded area, but only if you can do this without touching any water.
• Do wear rubber work boots and gloves if the leak has been contaminated by sewage or if it is in a drain line.
• Do disinfect the area once it has been properly cleaned and allowed to dry fully.
• Do not wade through standing water if the water has come into contact with any electrical outlets or appliances, as the water may be charged electrically and capable of causing harm.
• Do not run a gas powered water pump within your home because it can create fumes.

Propane, Oil and Natural Gas - If you are dealing with propane and natural gas appliances in your home and are not sure where a gas smell is coming from, knowing how to distinguish is vital. Sniff around. Is the smell stronger below the level of your nose, or above the level of your nose? Natural gas is a lighter type of gas and so it tends to spread out well throughout the air. On the other hand, propane is a heavier gas and as a result it tends to settle down lower near the floor.

A faint gas odor is a likely signal that a pilot light has gone out on an appliance. Relighting your valve means turning the control valve to "off" and then to "pilot". Release gas for the pilot light by depressing the handle or the red button depending on the model of your appliance. Light it with a match, keeping the handle or the button depressed for a minute. Release it after at least 60 seconds and turn the control to "On".

Photo Credits: damian m

Originally posted 2009-08-27 03:37:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Electricity - If the floor is damp or if wiring has become damp, then touching the main switch box is going to be dangerous for you to do. At this point what you need to do is to contact your power company and have them switch the power off for you. When you are turning electricity off, most fuse boxes and most circuit breaker boxes are going to have switches or levers that you can simply flip them into an off position. It is important that you know how to switch the power off, as well as when it is safer not to do it yourself.

Electric Shocks - You should never attempt to touch someone who has been shocked if they are still touching the source that the shock came from. The current can flow right through them and into you if you are not careful. Instead, you need to find a wooden object, such as a broom handle for example, that you can use in order to dislodge said victim from the electricity source. You should dislodge them first, and then call for help. Make sure that you never use an item containing metal to dislodge the victim because this will make things worse by re-igniting the electrical current.

Natural Gas - If you think that you smell gas, you need to open up all the windows and then immediately shut off the main valve for the gas. You should not turn on or off any electrical switches or electronic devices, nor should you light any flames or use your phone. You should leave your house immediately, going to a neighbor's home to report the natural gas leak. If you use LP gas, then you need to stay out of your basement completely because LP gas is much heavier than air and therefore is going to sink into the lower areas of the home. If you can, you should go to the shut off for your natural gas and turn the dial or lever on your meter intake pipe to turn off the gas yourself.

This is just part one in a two part series on these most common household emergencies and how you should be dealing with them. We have just talked about natural gas, electricity and electric shocks. In part two we are going to touch on plumbing issues, propane, oil and a little more about natural gas. Stay tuned.

Photo Credits: ax2groin

Originally posted 2009-08-26 03:32:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1. Ban the kids and/or family.

Kids and home improvement projects rarely mix. Create a zone where they cannot enter and enforce it. Too many heartbreaking accidents occur as a result of failing to enforce these guidelines. Be strict - it's better than reaping the consequences. Family members may need to keep away too, especially if they are the type that cause mini-disasters wherever they go.

2. Remove all flammable objects.

If you're working with a torch or anything that involves flame, you will need to remove all flammable objects from the area. This includes rags soaked with flammable chemicals, dry materials, paper towels or basically anything that could catch fire. It's a lot better to be safe than sorry! Remove any chemicals that are flammable before you turn on that torch.

3. Always make sure you have enough air flow.

Solvents and paints can be dangerous when used in close spaces. Never, ever work in an area that does not have a window or some source of ventilation. If necessary, put an exhaust fan in the room so that the fumes are not going right to your brain. It's no fun working when you're destroying your brain with harmful chemicals.

4. Check all equipment before turning it on.

Cords get frayed, wires get crossed and tools age. Check all cords and wires before you plug them in. If you're working in an area that has standing water or actually any water, make sure that you are using the proper electrical equipment that will trip the breaker if the tool comes into contact with water.

5. Always, always turn off the power before attempting any repair.

It is so easy to make excuses and take shortcuts when it comes to turning off the power. Yes, it's inconvenient to trot down and flip the breaker. It's a lot more inconvenient to get fried. Accidents are called accidents because they happen without any warning. Too many people are electrocuted every year simply because they were lazy and didn't turn off the power. Always triple check that whatever you are fixing is not connected to a live source of power.

6. Protect your eyes.

Again, this is an area where a lot of us skimp. Goggles are annoying and they get in the way, but they are absolutely necessary. You'll feel a lot less inconvenienced if you can avoid having a shard of glass in your eye. Remember, you only get two eyes - protect them! This includes work that involves any flying particles, dust or sparks.

7. Be smart.

Most accidents are preventable. Take the time to do things the right away and don't cut corners. It could save a life!

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-23 05:44:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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