Tag Archives: safety

Feb22

Tend To The Following To Breathe Better In Your Home

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Tend To The Following To Breathe Better In Your Home

If you’ve ever had to think about what areas in your home could be damaging to your health, your first thought might be the pantry or refrigerator – the places where we keep our sweet treats and unhealthy snacks. However, there are some arguably more unhealthy areas in our homes that are a bigger cause for concern. Neglect in the following four examples all has the potential to cause breathing problems to develop over time so it is important to know what they are and how you can minimize the problem:

The Insulation:

Typically, we won’t spot insulation problems since, thanks to our heaters, they don’t really impact the temperature of our homes too much. However, bad insulation can mean paying over the odds energy bills to make up for the fact that without heat, we’d be freezing cold. But high energy bills are the least of our worries. Using heating systems all of the time can mean overheating the interiors of our homes which can cause a whole host of issues due to dry air and can impact our hair, sinuses, and skin.

Our AC Systems:

We rely so much on our AC systems for heat and air to keep our temperatures regulated throughout the year. But did you know that they can actually be making us sick? Not cool. When they break, you’re going to want to call a 24 hour AC repair place to get you back on track as having a broken, malfunctioning, or dirty AC system can make you sick. You might suffer from breathing issues, bad skin, headaches, and fatigue frequently. If this is the case, you should get your AC system checked out before symptoms get worse. You can look into a professional team like those at Platinum Air Heating & Cooling or a similar business in your local area to assess and repair the situation. Once the experts fix the problem, you will certainly be breathing easier.

Air Pollution in the Home:

The air inside your home isn’t clean.

‘But I dust and clean every day!’ you might be saying, however, in spite of this, there are still tiny particles making the air dirty floating around even if you live far away from polluted cities. Cooking smoke, cleaning products, and indoor stuffiness can impact on the cleanliness of the home. Use certain indoor plants and air purifiers to help to eliminate the issue and to improve the quality of the air in the home.

Clutter:

Having excess clutter can be a nightmare for our mental health as we struggle with the ample extra time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highly cluttered spaces not only gather dust but can also attract pests and bugs who will have plenty of places to hide. Both of these instances can be dangerous to your respiratory health.

There are many things that you could be doing to improve your quality of life in the home and the quality of the air seems like a perfect place to start, doesn’t it?

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb22

Whole Lotta Nothing

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Whole Lotta Nothing

Hi everyone!! Valentine’s Day has come and past and, now, I am eagerly awaiting the warm weather and (hopefully) lack of snow that comes with the spring time. It is exciting to think of the possibilities that come with spring amidst the COVID-19 pandemic because warmer weather means the opportunity to social distance with friends outside. Unfortunately, we are not quite there yet as Ohio has been getting hit with a fair amount of snow, which means a few more months of a whole lotta nothing.

Johnny and I will have been hunkered down for an entire year on March 19th and we will continue doing so until it’s considered safe. However, I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t getting a little impatient waiting for it! The excitement of the holiday season has been long gone and, while it has been nice hibernating, it will be even nicer to enjoy the sunshine and see people in person (while following all safety regulations) as opposed to on the screen of my laptop.

Despite having a whole lotta nothing going on, I still feel insanely lucky because boring is good right now. Being tucked safely into the apartment with Johnny watching our shows, listening to music, or playing games is the best thing that we can both be doing for ourselves and loved ones and I am proud of our dedication for the past year. The pandemic is a scary thing but knowing that we are both doing everything we can to protect people is really comforting to me.

If the cabin fever is starting to kick in more intensely for you in your lock down lifestyle, I get it completely. But, in a few short weeks, the sun will be shining and being outdoors with friends will be possible and I encourage all of you to keep holding on until then! Being able to say that you’re doing a whole lotta nothing during a pandemic is something to be grateful for, no matter how boring it is. Sink into the couch, start that new series on Netflix, and let the countdown till spring and better times begin!

What is your lock down lifestyle like? What are you looking forward to come spring? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb19

Don’t Wait To Tend To These Problems At Home

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Don’t Wait To Tend To These Problems At Home

When you’re a home owner, there are some problems that can arise that will require an immediate response as the longer you wait, the more expensive the solutions are going to be. Not to mention that some of these issues have the potential to be dangerous to yourself and family. If you are experiencing any of the following problems, don’t hesitate to call in the experts to help get your house functioning to its best ability again:

Appliance Repair:

A functional house means having appliances that are all working properly, which is why it is so important to address any issues as soon as you notice them. Waiting to call your local experts or Appliance Repair Oakville can result in a lot of annoyances and additional expenses like endless trips to the laundromat, having to order take out, and throwing food in the refrigerator away. Take note every time you use your appliances for any strange noises, odors, or delays so you can get a repair service in before it develops into a bigger issue.

Pest Problems:

A pest infestation is not only extremely damaging to your indoor or outdoor property but is a health hazard to your family. If you are dealing with a constant occurrence of creepy crawlies or critters, then it is definitely time to call in a local pest specialist. Infestations can get out of hand so quickly and are a surefire way to lower your curb appeal, which is going to make it much more difficult to sell when the time comes.

Leaky Roof:

A leak in your roof is another problem that requires immediate attention. Not only is it hazardous to your health, as mold will often develop if left untreated, but it has the potential to cause fires or injury if it collapses. As you can see, one small leak can turn into an expensive and dangerous home disaster.

Security Issues:

Nothing is more important than the safety of your family and any malfunctions with your security system as well as windows that could be opened easily and flimsy doors should never be put on the back burner. You should always feel well protected in your house and dealing with any potential security issues quickly will help restore your piece of mind.

Left untreated, the four problems above will not only have extremely expensive solutions but could compromise the health and safety of your family. Enlist the help of your local experts if you are currently dealing with any of the scenarios we discussed.

Featured Image By: PhotoMIX Company from Pexels

Feb18

Don’t Forget The Following When Cleaning Up At Work

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Don’t Forget The Following When Cleaning Up At Work

With the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all gotten in touch with our inner neat freak and that isn’t a bad thing at all. Our houses have all been cleaned and sanitized top to bottom and if you are not working from home, the same level of care when it comes to keeping your house clean should apply to your work place. Most people typically spend forty plus hours at work per week and it is important that they are safe during that time from injuries or illnesses that can come from an improperly cleaned space. Always keep the following in mind when you are completing your chore check list at work:

Check For Spills:

In a warehouse setting, spills that haven’t been cleaned up can be really dangerous for employees. Be sure to do a once over of your work space both before your shift and after to check for any spills that could cause you to fall and hurt yourself. Your company might even want to consider concrete polishing to keep the work floors nice and clean.

Clean Commonly Used Surfaces:

Can you imagine how many times per day the light switches, door knobs, or coffee pot is being touched at work by other employees? It’s probably even more than the already high number you have in your head! A great thing for employees to get in the habit of is sanitizing a commonly used surface after you are done using it so that it is safe for the next employee to get the door or pour their morning coffee. Commonly used surfaces that aren’t properly sanitized are a breeding ground for germs. Don’t forget the faucets and paper towel dispenser in the bathroom, too!

Helpful Hints:

There are a lot of great options out there for contact free access to hand sanitizer, paper towels, faucets, and hand soap with automatic dispensers and one less thing that employees have to touch is one less thing to clean! As mentioned before, can you imagine how many times those types of surfaces are touched per day? And, more often than not, by hands that need to be cleaned if the dispensers are in the bathroom! And, hopefully, gloves are being provided by your work place because, although they are annoying to wear, they will definitely help to slow the spread of germs.

Doing your share to help keep your work place clean will make it a safer environment for you and your coworkers as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

 

Feb17

Keeping Pests Out Of Your Property

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Keeping Pests Out Of Your Property

With all of the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing anyone wants to be dealing with is pests, too. Especially considering we are all at home so much now! A pest free home is a safe and healthy home and you want to do all you can to prevent infestations as they can get out of hand really quickly. Give your home an inspection with a fine toothed comb to locate any problematic areas which give pests access into your house. Don’t forget to take a look at the following areas:

Doors:

If any of the doors leading into your home are warped from the weather or have gaps in them, then you are, essentially, leaving your door wide open to pests. These will need replaced immediately and it might be a good idea to invest in fiberglass doors as they are very durable and won’t warp. Until you can get new doors installed, be sure to close off any gaps with towels for a makeshift pest barrier in the meantime.

Holes In Screens:

Imagine opening up your windows on a summer’s day with a nice breeze only to find that bugs are being let in. Ugh! Inspecting the screens for both your windows and doors for holes is essential because insects big and small will easily be able to make their way into your home once they are opened. You might think that the small holes aren’t worth purchasing a new screen over but that is where you are wrong. The holes can not only be chewed through but the weather can open them up even more, creating an even bigger problem. No one wants to be swatting flies away when they’re trying to eat dinner!

Holes & Cracks In Walls:

When inspecting your home, the most important thing you can do is look closely at both the interior and exterior of your home for holes and cracks that will need patching up. Pests can make their way through tiny gaps in your front or garage doors and anything like that on your walls or roof is no exception. We are still in the midst of winter, too, and pests will see these weak spots as a welcome invitation to get warm now or cool off in the summer.

Don’t forget to look at your yard for any signs of animal boroughs, which you might have to call in the exterminator for. Speaking of the experts, it is always best to call them in if you are dealing with an infestation than try to do it yourself because you don’t want any pest problems to keep occurring. The best thing you can do is work on preventative measures on your property to keep them from happening in the first place!

Feb12

Why Online Pharmacies Are Essential During The Pandemic

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Why Online Pharmacies Are Essential During The Pandemic

Unfortunately, 2020 was the year of the COVID-19 outbreak. The virus, also known as Coronavirus, which is highly contagious and causes a whole host of health problems, is spreading fast all around the world and needs to be contained as soon as possible. From respiratory problems to joint pain, no one wants to catch COVID-19. To avoid catching the virus, many individuals and families are staying at home and minimizing their time outside. Of course, this is great, however there are still occasions when someone may need to venture out and buy some essential items. One of those essential trips may be to the pharmacy. However, that trip can be avoided thanks to the rise of the online pharmacy. Here’s why:

Pharmacies are often filled with poorly people. There are people who need to pick up prescriptions for illnesses and those who need to seek medical advice from the pharmacist. Although these people may not look like they have COVID-19, they could be asymptomatic, meaning they’re carriers of the virus without even knowing it. Someone who is asymptomatic may head to a pharmacy to pick up some plasters for a cut and pick up five or six boxes of plasters looking for the ones they would prefer. Without realizing, they have potentially contaminated those plaster boxes with respiratory droplets which could then infect someone else. Heading to a site like www.pharmacyonline.com.au and ordering essentials online can completely eradicate the possibility of catching COVID-19 whilst waiting in line to collect a prescription or make a purchase.

Another reason you can use an online pharmacy like Greenhill Pharmacy is if you are actually feeling under the weather yourself. This also applies to any illness, not just the virus going around. If you’re feeling poorly or perhaps your household has come down with the flu or a bug, do not go to a pharmacy. As previously stated, the pharmacy is often filled with sick people and going into a pharmacy knowing you’re ill could make their conditions worse or introduce them to viruses their body hasn’t come into contact with before. Plus, if you’re feeling poorly, you’re probably feeling too weak to stand in line either, making the online service a more practical solution.

If you have small children, especially infants, an online pharmacy like University Compounding Pharmacy in New Hampshire can be a lifesaver at times. Imagine, it’s late in the evening and you suddenly realize you have run out of formula. That’s not ideal! With an online pharmacy you can order your formula from the comfort of your own home without having to worry about waking a baby and taking them to the store. Not to mention, pharmacies are not open 24 hours a day, so you’d often have to wait until the pharmacy opens anyway. Ordering online and opting for next day delivery is a great way to keep on top of baby supplies without having to leave the house. Plus, babies are vulnerable when it comes to viruses and bugs so ordering online is a great way to keep them out of harm’s way.

Finally, even if you do venture out of the house to buy essentials, it’s not guaranteed that the pharmacy or store you visit will have everything you need. Whereas, if you were to browse an online pharmacy, you would be able to buy anything you need from the comfort of your bed or couch. From vitamins and minerals to make up and perfumes, you can purchase a whole range of products. Some of which haven’t been restocked in stores as shipping and distribution has been disrupted due to the virus. You could even discover new products online too as a physical pharmacy can only sell so many product ranges. For example, learning about Houck Pharmacy and their wellness products could introduce you to supplements that vary from supporting gut health to increasing your intake of fish oil and omegas. Caring for yourself has never been easier with the help of an excellent pharmacy.

It’s important to stay safe during this pandemic and shopping for essentials online rather than heading to a store is certainly one way to look after yourself and others.

Jan27

At Home Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

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At Home Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

Hi! Valentine’s Day is, hands down, the most romantic day of the year for couples and if we weren’t in the midst of a pandemic, then I’m sure all of the restaurants and cocktail bars would be jam packed full of love birds celebrating. V-Day is going to be different this year, as staying at home is the best option for everyone right now. But, that doesn’t mean that you still can’t have a romantic evening in! Try the following for a fun and totally safe Valentine’s Day from home:

Clear the floor:

If you and your SO love to dance, then clear out a big section of floor space to create your own at home dance floor. Make a playlist with all of your favorite songs and a few ballads, of course, and dance the night away. Don’t forget to light some candles and dim the lights for an even more romantic atmosphere!

Cocktail hour:

On Valentine’s Days past, you and your partner might have enjoyed a cocktail hour at your favorite local bar. So bring the bar home! Get all of the fixings for both of your go to drinks and play bartender for each other. And don’t forget some light snacks so it doesn’t all go straight to your head! Pop on a rom com while you sip your drinks and it will be even better than being at the movie theater!

Plant some flowers:

Who needs a bouquet when you can plant some potted flowers for your house together? Pick out a packet of seeds, a beautiful terracotta pot, and soil and get your hands dirty. Watching your flowers grow together will be a sweet reminder of how your own love blossomed and you will be able to enjoy them for much longer than a bouquet that will wither within the week.

Should you not have a green thumb, a flower delivery is sure to make your partner’s day. Companies like Daily Blooms delivering flowers throughout QLD (or a similar business in your local area) will bring a stunning bouquet straight to your door. You can have it customized with your significant other’s favorite flowers and a pretty vase to display in your home. Once the bouquet begins to wither, you could even press the flowers as a keepsake of your Valentine’s Day together. 

Sweet treats:

If you and your partner both have a sweet tooth, then try your hands at making and decorating some delicious desserts. From cookies and chocolates to cake, cupcakes, cake pops, and chocolate covered fruit, you will have plenty of options to pick from. Or, if you want to make a day of it, you can bake a little bit of everything! So sweet and so fun too. 🙂

Dinner dress up:

After you’re done preparing dinner or waiting for your take out to arrive, head to your closet and you can both style an outfit for each other to wear during the meal. This will be really fun if you two have an eye for fashion and you will each get to see what your partner thinks you look best in. And, yes, sweat pants and pajamas are both viable options!

In my opinion, creating your own special memories at home seems even more intimate and romantic than a dinner out. Who needs a traditional Valentine’s Day, anyways? ❤

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? What is your favorite V-Day memory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan26

Enjoying A Taste Of Travel While Stuck At Home

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Enjoying A Taste Of Travel While Stuck At Home

Most of us haven’t seen much beyond our own four walls since last March; and keeping ourselves occupied at home can be a real challenge after all this time. If you are itching to travel the world once more and explore your favorite destinations, consider trying some of these simple ways to get a taste of travel even when you are stuck at home in lock down:

Change your TV screen:

One super simple way to bring a taste of the tropics to your home is to change the screensaver on your TV or go into YouTube and search tropical beaches. If you have a large TV mounted on the wall; you can change the background to a beautiful scene and then have a family night with food and drink while feeling like you are somewhere else.

Have a themed game night:

Game nights are the best way to pass the time during lock down – and today we want to show you how to make your game night travel themed. You can buy a jigsaw puzzle of Washington, a monopoly board of a far off land, and consider a quiz that is travel themed. Bring all of your favorite destinations into your home through games and activities and enjoy time with your family this weekend.

Make some exotic cocktails:

If you long to be able to drink a Pina Colada on the beach once more; you can still make this happen at home. Bring a taste of your favorite holiday back home by making tropical cocktails this weekend. There are so many fun combinations to try and you can even create your own signature drink!

Enjoy cooking different cuisines:

Cooking different cuisines can be a brilliant way to transport your taste buds across the world and make you feel like you are back in that Greek restaurant or street cart in Thailand once more. Consider your favorite dishes from holidays in the past and find recipes for them online. Cook these dishes at home and enjoy taking your taste buds on a journey across the world for a little while. You can even decorate the table and the house to suit your theme and have a little dinner party with your family.

“Travel” on a virtual tour:

One great way to enjoy travel without traveling is to join a virtual tour of a city or landscape that you love. A lot of places are offering virtual tours at the moment instead of real visitors and it will allow you to immerse yourself in another place. Many museums and zoos are also offering this service and it will allow you to have some virtual days out with your family while tucked safely away at home.

Use these ideas to take yourself on a getaway this weekend – all from the comfort of your home!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jan26

Need A New Hobby? Try The Following!

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Need A New Hobby? Try The Following!

Hey! Hobbies, hobbies, hobbies. That’s all you hear about when people talk pandemic and, as it has been almost a year since the start of this craziness, you might have exhausted all of the options of things to keep you occupied. Believe you me, I feel it completely and have felt like I’ve been stuck in a never ending loop of work, video games, Netflix, and bed. It can be hard to break that cycle but maybe these ideas below will help inspire all of us to keep on trying new things, despite all of the boredom blues. Let’s get to it:

Library Programs:

If your local libraries are anything like the ones in Ohio, then the events calendar on their website should be full of virtual programs that you can enjoy. There are events for every age group to participate in from story time for children to concerts from local talent and craft nights on Zoom. Take a look at your library’s website, see what sparks your interest, and sign up. The best part? If you don’t like it, all you need to do is close out of the Zoom call!

Make Some Money:

I used to be a huge fan of garage sale style apps like LetGo and they can be a great tool when you are doing a big home clean out. Start your spring cleaning early and see if you have anything that you’d like to try your hand at selling. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as they say, and you could put your earnings towards a vacation fund when it is safer to travel. Plus: Clean house. It’s a total win/win.

Check Out Local Specialty Shops:

In my neck of the woods, there are plenty of small businesses that you can support and a lot of them have programs offered online. Perhaps your local game shop has an online Dungeons & Dragons community? Or maybe the craft store offers online tutorials on completing an art project from their employees. Not only will you help support their business but it will be a great way to meet new people and possibly develop a brand new hobby.

Fresh Spins On Old Favorites:

There is nothing wrong with sticking with the same old if it’s what you enjoy but how about putting a spin on it? Love pampering yourself in your free time? Try your hand at making your own soaps or lotion. Handy in the kitchen? Open your cook book to a random page and whip up something you never tried before. Book worm? Start your own book club with your friends over Zoom! Incorporating some new things into a hobby that is already your favorite will keep things exciting and you can become skilled in all areas of your craft.

We still have a long way to go before things go back to “normal”, which means we are going to be confined to our homes for a bit longer. Try the ideas above and, before you know it, nicer weather will be here and seeing friends safely outdoors will be possible! 😀

How do you spend your time in lock down? What is something new that you’d like to try? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan25

Virtual Game Night: Planning The Ultimate Night In

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Virtual Game Night: Planning The Ultimate Night In

Right now, with the state of the world and the pandemic that continues to rage around us, it’s not possible to see our friends and family as much as we might like. Life is complicated, things are complex, and it’s difficult to spend as much time with those we care about the most, which can leave you craving social interaction in a normal way. Enter Zoom, FaceTime, and every other video chat app that’s taken the world by storm.

These video chatting apps have made virtual get togethers with friends and loved ones doable, and have meant that while we cannot be physically close, we can still spend time with those who mean the most to us, which is amazing. If you’re getting bored of virtual quizzes, then perhaps you might like to plan a virtual game night for you and a group of your friends. The great thing about virtual game nights is that they’re fairly easy to organize and can be a lot of fun for everyone involved.

Wondering what it takes to plan the perfect virtual game night? Below are a few tips and ideas for how you can get started:

Do your research:

A great way to make planning a virtual games night a little easier is to take the time to do your research to make your night a success. You don’t want your event to be stale or boring so that everyone has a great time from start to finish. Resources like Pinterest have lots of ideas available, so it might be worth taking the time to have a browse of those for inspiration as well as finding out everyone’s favorite games to possibly incorporate.

Additional research can include shortcuts in race games, special codes like the grief runeword in d2r to improve items, and bonus maps and characters in fighting games. You can prepare this and send it off to your friends to study up on – perfect if you and your crew have a competitive streak going!

Send out kits to everyone:

Don’t just rely on technology to make your game night amazing, get creative with the games that you play. Yes, utilizing resources like Jackbox TV which can be played via smartphones is a great idea, as there are various digital games to choose from, but it’s always fun to try something different. If you plan on organizing a more traditional game, make sure to send out kits along with dice from skullsplitterdice.com for everyone to use during the evening. Make the kits fun and exciting; you could even opt to theme them if you’re having a themed games night, such as a murder mystery event. The more creative you can be, the better.

Incorporate drinks and snacks:

Don’t forget to incorporate drinks and snacks into your games night, just like you would have on a face-to-face hang out. Send off snack packs to all of your guests and if you really want to go all out, incorporate the ingredients to a signature cocktail for everyone to enjoy.

Seeing your friends and family over the computer screen is not the same as real life but it’s sure better than not seeing them at all! A weekly or monthly virtual game night will be the perfect way to keep in touch until it’s safer to meet in person.

Featured Image By: Pixabay