A Child-Proof Home

 

Dear Homeowner,

 

            Lots of perils that can injure children are lurking in our homes. Here are some tips to help make your home safer.

 

• Put safety stops on all cabinet doors and drawers. Knobs should be too large for children to swallow.

 

• Store chemicals, cleaners, medicines and liquor in upper cabinets — locked and out of sight.

 

• Provide safe storage for sharp objects such as knives and scissors.

 

• Cover sharp corners on counters, tables and hearths.

 

• Place all electrical outlets, especially those near water, on a ground fault circuit interrupter (it instantly shuts off electricity if there’s any leakage of current).

 

• Keep cords for draperies and mini-blinds out of reach.

 

• Buy hardware that limits how far windows can be opened.

 

• Set water temperature at no more than 120˚.

 

• Install hardware on the bathroom door that can be unlocked from either side.

 

• Install windows and mirrors with protective film that prevents shards from flying when broken.

 

For more home and family information, call Val Ogletree at Real Living Sugar Pine Realty (209) 559-5725

 

 

Prospector

Fans Circulate Savings

 

 

Dear Homeowner,

 

Ceiling fans do more than just add a decorative touch to your home. They can also subtract from the bottom line of your energy bills.

 

• In summer, a cool breeze generated by a fan can save on air-conditioning costs. In winter, most fan blades can be reversed to circulate down warm air that would otherwise be trapped at ceiling level. This will help you feel warmer and allow you to turn the heat down.

 

• Ceiling fans usually have either a direct-drive motor or a friction drive motor. Direct-drive motors have fewer moving parts, run more quietly and are more efficient than friction-drive motors —unfortunately they are also more expensive.

 

• Most fans have one to three speeds. Running a fan at its slowest speed is still effective at circulating the air — without whipping up a breeze.

 

• Pull-chain or wall switches control the operation and speed of most fans. Some models also have a switch that reverses the direction of the blades. When the blades are reversed, air flows up toward the ceiling and down the walls, eliminating drafts.

 

• A fan with a 36- or 38-inch blade span is adequate for a room measuring 10x10 feet or less. Larger rooms may require fans as large as 54 inches in diameter.

 

• Most fans hang down between 12 and 24 inches from the ceiling. For physical safety and psychological comfort, be sure the blade of the fan is at least seven feet above the floor.

 

 

For more energy-saving tips, or other home improvement suggestions, call Val Ogletree at Real Living Sugar Pine Realty (209)586-3242.