Archives for July 2016

Security is the number one priority of any home. If you don’t feel 100% secure in your own home, you could find that your stress levels increase and you stay awake worrying all night. Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can easily increase the security of your property. Here are some useful tips and tricks to make your home a lot securer.

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Install New Doors

Many old doors aren’t as secure as you may think. Especially wooden doors. These can be easily kicked in by an intruder. If you have had the same doors in your home for a few years, it could be worth upgrading to newer ones. These modern doors will have much more effective lock systems as well. You should also think about installing security screens. To find out more about these, take a look at sites like security screens by rockingham glass.

Get Some CCTV

The best way to prevent a burglary is to deter any potential intruders. The best way to do this is to install some CCTV cameras onto the outside of your property. Once a burglar notices the cameras, he will be put off from trying to enter your home. If he still does break in, you will, hopefully, have caught his face on camera. This should be given to the police as evidence. CCTV can be expensive, but it is possible to buy fake cameras at low prices. Burglars won’t be able to tell they don’t work, so will still be deterred from entering your home.

Get A Dog

Dogs are another great way to deter burglars. You should get a breed of dog that will bark if it hears anyone walking around your property. As soon as the burglar hears the barking, they will run away. If you have the space, leave your dog outside in a kennel so that it is visible to anyone passing your home. If you don’t have the space for a dog, you just need to buy some ‘beware of the dog’ signs. If you stick these on your front garden gate, you will still be scaring off potential thieves.

Add Lights

Lighting up the outside of your house will also make burglars wary about trying to get into your home. This is because they won’t be able to sneak in. The neighbors will be able to easily spot them walking up to your home. Lights can also attract your attention if someone tries to enter your house while you are home. Buy a porch light that will turn on if it senses movement. You will then know that someone or something is moving outside. Hopefully, the light will have scared the burglar, and they won’t try to enter your home again!

Don’t Hide A Spare Key

Many families hide a spare key under their doormat or a flowerpot. However, burglars can easily find these and let themselves into your home. So instead of inviting burglars into your house, you should leave your spare key with a neighbor.

If your home has a basement, you should think yourself lucky. A basement is a fantastic resource to have, as it provides you and your family with a potential extra space. The chances are that right now your basement is simply being used as somewhere to dump all yours’ and your family’s old and unwanted items. If this is the case, don’t worry because you’re not alone. The majority of homeowners with basements use them simply for storage purposes. However, your basement has the potential to be so much more than that – it could be a fantastic extra space for you and your family.

Like the idea of transforming your basement to make it more than a storage space? Want some extra living space for your family? Here’s what you need to do:

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Get some ideas and inspiration

The first step that you need to take is getting some ideas and inspiration. This is important as if you’re not sure what you want to do with the space, it can give you the chance to work this out. Research basement renovations to see what other people have done with their basements. This should give you lots of fantastic tips and ideas.

If there’s a room your family is in need of, maybe a games room for the kids, a guest bedroom, or an extra bathroom, consider turning the basement into that. Look online for ideas for making the most of the space. As well as for suggestions of color schemes and design ideas. The more ideas and inspiration you get, the better. As this will allow you to create the most amazing space for you and your family.

Make a plan

Once you’ve got some ideas and inspiration, the next step is to make a plan. This should detail what exactly it is that you want to do with the space, as well as how you’ll go about it. From the color scheme that you want to incorporate to the features that you plan on installing, every last thing should be noted down on your plan.

Creating a plan for your basement will make the renovation process much easier and less stressful. So it’s something that’s worth doing. You need to think about who you’ll need to do the renovation, is it just a builder and decorator or will you also need a plumber and electrician? This is something that it’s important to ask yourself so that you are aware of what help you need to hire. As well as how far your money will go. Of course, you could go DIY, but this would most likely make the project longer and more time-consuming, which is why it can be best to use a professional.

Have a clear out to get rid of any junk

Before you start your project, you need to take the time to have a clear out and get rid of any junk that’s been stored in your basement. Spend a weekend going through the space, clearing out any items that you no longer want or need. Anything that you do want to keep, find a new home for. Perhaps you could section off an area of your basement to use for storage still? That way, you’ll get your extra family space but will still have some storage, should you need it. Or, another option could be to use a self-storage facility to store anything that you no longer have the space for.

If you’re lucky enough to have a basement in your home, make the most of it. There are so many things that you can do with the space; it’s a shame to waste it and use it simply for storage. Plus, by investing in your basement and transforming it into a usable space, you will add value to your home.

Making your home family friendly is important whether you have a family or you’re planning on starting one. Some homes just aren’t practical for family life as soon as you move in, for various reasons. If you want to be sure that your home is perfect for your family, the following 8 tips will help you:

Child and Pet Proof Everywhere

If you have children or pets, making sure everything is safe for them should be your first port of call. There are a ton of things you can do to ensure this, so make a list and work through it. You may want to do things like cover up your wires and protect the corners of tables and surfaces. It’s a good idea to get down to their level and see what they can see. This will give you a better idea of what you need to do!

Reinforce The Doors and Windows

Reinforce the doors and windows to make sure there will be no escaping or falling out of them accidentally. It’s scary the amount of children who have accidents from falling out of windows. Make sure nothing like this happens to you by reinforcing yours.

Create Lots of Storage Space

A family needs lots of storage space. As your kids grow, they need more space. Plus, you accumulate lots of things over the years. Create as much storage space as you can by decluttering and finding ways to incorporate smart space. For example, you could put storage under the bed or sofa.

Create A Nice Garden

All families need a nice garden. There are lots of things you can do to make yours better, from planting colorful flowers to getting rid of debris. Take your time. Maybe you could add a water feature to make it more tranquil, but be sure the family is safe around it if they are young. You might even want to plant things like vegetables for educational purposes. Maybe even invite wildlife in!

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Make Sure It’s Practical

Your home must be practical if it’s going to be suitable for your family. Does it fit your lifestyle? Is it big enough? Is the layout good enough? Consider all of these things to make sure your family can live happily and comfortably together. Sites like therenovationcompany.com.au can give you more advice on things like this.

Focus On Security

Having a secure home is essential for making sure everybody is safe with peace of mind. You can install alarms and cameras if you feel this will make your home safer for your loved ones. You can find more tips like this here http://www.webmd.com/women/home-health-and-safety-9/protecting-your-home-from-break-ins. it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Make The Decor Exciting

Make the decor exciting for everybody. Give them a say in their own rooms. Use nice bright colors and bold patterns. Make sure you have a lot of fun with it and make it stimulating for them!

Have A Designated Play Area

A designated play area can be smart move if you want to avoid messing up other areas of your home. Maybe designate a room to your kids, even if it’s just a corner that they can get as messy as they like!

When you have your perfect family home, you will want to look after it and care for it as much as you can. Having a home is an investment. You want to make sure that you get a good return on that investment. But most of all, having a home means just that. You have somewhere to live; that will keep you and your family safe. You will want to take precautions to make sure that your home is kept safe. There is nothing worse than feeling that you have an unsafe home. So here are some ways that you can make your home a safer place to be.

Keep the House Clean

One thing that can be unhealthy and unsafe for the family is if there are pests or rodents in the home. So one way to avoid the chance of getting them is by keeping an orderly and clean home. Pests like to eat scrap food and crumbs. So keeping floors swept and carpet clean is a great way for you to reduce the chances of getting any unwanted guests. If you find that you do get some visitors, then there are things that you can do. There are all different types of rat traps available, so there will be one that is suitable for your family and children’s ages.

Install Light Timers

One great way to deter burglars is by having lights that come on at different times throughout the day or evening. If someone is watching the house, they will expect to see lights come on at night. So if you’re away, this won’t happen. So installing light switch timers will turn the lights on when you aren’t there. Light switch timers are inexpensive but are a great way to keep your home safe.

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Get Help From Friends and Neighbors

If you have close friends or family, it is a great idea to get them to help protect your home too. Having them or neighbors keep an eye on things when you are out of town is a great help. If you were to go away over winter, ask them to walk up to your home a few times a day. If there happens to be snowfall, footprints in the snow will lead to a safer home. If there are no footprints, people will get the idea that no one is home. It is good to have neighbors and friends take in parcels for you or bring in mail. If the mailbox looks full, or there are parcels outside, people will see that you aren’t home.

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Check Alarms Regularly

One of the best ways to keep your home safe is by having a fire alarm, burglar alarm and a carbon monoxide monitor. None of these things are any good if they stop working. So it is a good idea to check them in the test mode regularly. Then you know they are doing their job and will keep your family home, and the family inside, safe.

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One of the best things about having your own home is being able to fill it with whatever you want. There are so many ways of approaching this that it is impossible to list them all. The fact is, there are as many perspectives on this issue as there are homeowners. If you are curious about how best to fill your home, then you have come to the right place. In this post, we will be looking at some of the most exciting and most fun gadgets that you can buy for around the house. Whether you are looking to make the most of your kitchen, or just get some help with the cleaning. Whatever it is, we have you covered. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best gadgets for the home in 2016.

Digital Thermostat

Comfort is a key priority for anyone who wants their home to be as nice as possible. That much goes without saying. However, something which is often considered a real luxury is being able to easily regulate the temperature. This, of course, is not the latest technology. Yet, it is still one of the most commonly desired gadgets for the home. If you are keen to get your hands on a thermostat, then you will want to make sure that you choose wisely. It is a good idea to get hold of a digital one, one of the latest models, as these are considerably more effective. With the latest digital thermostats, you can be sure of an immediate control of the temperature throughout the home. This is something which nobody can deny the sheer brilliance of. If you are keen to have more control over the comfort in your house, then you’ve got to start here.

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Air Purifier

Now on to something a little different, something which you might not have considered before. If you are keen for your home to be as futuristic as you can get it, then this one is for you. A decent air purifier does a great job of cleaning out any toxins which might be in the air. Not only can you really notice the difference, but it makes for a healthier home for everyone. If you have a family, then you might be interested in just about anything that promises a healthier atmosphere. With air purifiers, you have a highly effective way of keeping the home as sterile as possible. That’s great news if you have kids running around all day.

Breakfast Maker

A lot of people, of course, really enjoy making their own breakfast. But that is not to say that everyone does. The truth is, some people would much rather have a machine do the hard part for them. Well, that is where the breakfast maker comes in. This gadget really does do what it says on the box. With the breakfast maker, you have one machine to create all the various parts of a full cooked breakfast. This is a real favourite for those who have a little trouble getting go first thing in the morning. Regardless, it could make a great housewarming present for just about anyone you know.

Moving house isn’t always plain sailing. You’re bound to come across a few curve balls during the process. Make your life simpler and get all the checks done by following these quick tips.

The house you are leaving

When it’s time to have your old property, there can be a mix of emotions. You made be sad to leave, but happy to move on all at the same time. But no matter how emotional you feel, don’t neglect the final check that you need to do.

Check inside the house.

Go through your kitchen cupboards and draws one last time, to make sure that you haven’t left anything important in there. The same applies to your attic. You’d be surprised how many people leave valuable items up there because out of sight means out of mind.

White goods

If you are leaving your white goods, remember to check that you have left the manuals for the next owners. Otherwise, they may end up being baffled by how to work them. Its also important that you check that your gas and electric provider know your moving out date. You don’t want to end up paying for the new owner’s lights and heating.

Leave a forwarding address

Also, you need to make sure that all your friends and family have your new address and phone number. You can do this by sending change of address cards before you move. This allows your nearest and dearest to send you housewarming gifts to your new address. It’s also important that you let your bank and any other important services know your post your new address.

The house you are moving into

When you first arrive at your new home, it can be tempting to start unpacking straight away. But the best thing to do is to make a cup of coffee and run through some checks before you start to unpack your stuff.

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Check under the house

Grab a flashlight and check under the house. Makes sure there is nothing under there that will cause any future problems like a burst pipe or a deceased animal that will start to smell.

Check the hot water

The next things you need to do is to turn the hot water and central heating on. Even in the height of summer! You can have it down low, but you need check that it works. If it doesn’t, get any central heating repairs done as soon after you move in as possible, to avoid leaks and burst pipes.

Check the garden

You also need to check the garden. Pay special attention to the fences. You need to make sure that all your fences are intact before you let your pets roam around in the yard on their own.

Check your bathroom

Another useful thing to check before you unpack is the bathrooms. Make sure that all the taps and showerheads are in working order and that the water pressure is high enough. It’s also a splendid time to check that they are cleaned to your own personal standard. As you haven’t unpacked yet, there is as there will be nothing to get in the way of a really deep and thorough clean.