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Safety

Things Not to Do With a Fish Tank

Fish tanks are a beautiful and cost-effective way to brighten up a home.  But—if you’re stupid enough—they can get pretty darned expensive thanks to water damage.

Take this kid, for example:

 

Okay—that was an honest accident.  I suspect the kid will be more careful next time he’s flexing his massive guns around glass objects.

But this next video . . .well, some people are just stupid on purpose.  Best guide the kiddies out of the room for this one—it ends with a naughty word.  And if you’re in PETA, avoid this video altogether.

The results were predictable, though I thought for sure those fish were goners.  I like being wrong about things like that.

Then you have the random factor that is a cat.  As I write this, my 25-pound furry buddy (Buster) is trying to squeeze behind the entertainment center – and, like an octopus, he is somehow compressing his body to the thickness of a sheet of paper.  In other words, he’s succeeding.  And in a minute or two I’m gonna have to get up and pull his fat ass out because he’ll get stuck.  He’s done this before.

But I digress.  This next video shows you why I currently don’t have a fish tank:

That could have ended a lot worse.  If a cat the size of mine did that, there would be glass, water, and fish all over the floor.

I guess there’s a little lesson in here somewhere.  Buy a fish tank.  Enjoy its beauty.  But, unless you have flood insurance, don’t go swingin’ heavy stuff around it, blowing it up, or allowing your cat a preview of the night’s menu.

by John Barker

Written by editor on September 3, 2010 at 10:26 am
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Bucket Buddy

I’m notoriously clumsy. In fact, this is me in the emergency room on July 4:

I traded in all of the fun and fireworks for 16 stitches in the noggin after face planting into the corner of a kitchen cabinet -  and all before my second beer.

That’s why things like the Bucket Buddy  from Quirky make me happy.

 

 

The Bucket Buddy is one of those ideas that is so simple it makes sense. Essentially, you get an extra hand to help you deal with pouring a full bucket of liquid.  A heavy-duty nylon strap and a metal buckle attaches to the bottom of your bucket.  A hook connects to the rim, securing the strap just beneath the lid.  Ready to pour?   Grip and lift, as they say over at Quirky.  

Check it out:

See?  Told ya it made sense.  Less stress on your back, less spilled water . . . and no gushing gashes. 

by John Barker

Written by editor on July 26, 2010 at 11:14 am
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Stuck in Muck

I enjoy gardening, though my pleasure comes almost exclusively from my love of food.  Sure, flowers are pretty—but you can’t eat most of them.  I grow various herbs, such as rosemary, basil, and green onion.

But, as we all know, gardening can be hard work—especially in my neck of the woods (Florida) where it can be be ridiculously hot.  So comfort is an important issue when digging holes for plants.

I usually just wear flip-flops—which is a big safety no-no when dealing with sharp instruments like shovels.  Plus my feet get all dirty and wet.  That’s why I plan on getting a pair of these at my first opportunity:

 

These are the Daily Garden Shoes from MuckBoots.

Designed to be 100 percent waterproof, these garden shoes are not only durable, but stylish as well. I’m the type who’d wear them out for dinner – and ignore the odd looks.   

They’re built of a natural rubber upper over an insulated shell.  The inside bottoms are lined with a moisture-control lining.  The exterior is dirt-resistant and easy to clean.

Prices hover around the $50 range.

What do you think - rubber shoes or flip flops?  What do you wear in the garden?  On your feet, that is. 

by John Barker

Written by editor on July 8, 2010 at 10:38 am
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Like Oil and Water

My girlfriend and I were flicking through the channels one night recently and stumbled on Myth Busters.  We watch it on occasion, envying those guys for having one of the best jobs on the planet (though I’d love Anthony Bourdain’s jet-setting-eating-all-over-the-world-and-being-cool-and-snarky-at-the-same-time job even more.)

The Myth Busters blow stuff up.  A lot.  I would be surprised if anythings exists which they haven’t vaporized in a fiery conflagration.

But I have to give the Myth Busters props for scaring the sh*t out of me the other night with a demonstration of exactly how volatile oil and water can be.  Not something Bourdain’s show would even approach.

Those of us who cook know that putting out a grease fire with water is a big “no-no.”   This video clip will convince any skeptics and remind anyone who’s orgotten to have either a big basket of flour (because flour sucks up the grease/oil) or a fire extinguisher near your stovetop.

These guys prove (at the 4:45 mark) that a 20+ foot tall flame can come from a pan of boiling oil and 8 ounces of water:


I strongly urge all home cooks (well, pretty much ALL cooks) to watch this whole series of videos. 

Go here and here for other fire safety tips from your good friends at Fix It Yourself.  

by John Barker

Written by editor on July 6, 2010 at 4:09 pm
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Escape

With July 4th around the corner, I start thinking about fire.  I like fire when it’s for roasting marshmallows or when it’s a mile up in the sky and colorful.  But fire in the house.  Not pretty.   When there’s fire in the house, the only thing to do is get out.  

There are several variations of home fire escape ladders on the market.  Many of them consist of rope or metal ladders attached to grappling hooks.  Some are made up of telescoping extensions.  And some, such as the Escape Ladder designed by Nora Flood, fold out of cases.

Winner of the 2009 International Housewares Association (IHA) Student Design Competition, the Escape Ladder is inspired by Ms. Flood’s mother’s fear of house fires.  Her efforts gained her a $2,400 prize as well as an all expense paid trip to the IHA show.

What makes her design so unique?

It has to do with weight, size, and the manner in which it attaches to the window frame.  The Escape is light, making it easy to carry.  It folds into a compact size for easy storage.  But most importantly, it attaches over the window frame—not the windowsill.

Window frames are of different sizes, and the Escape can be adjusted to fit whatever frame size the user encounters when escaping from a residential inferno.

As of this writing, Nora Flood’s Escape Ladder had yet to find a manufacturer.  But we hope that it will, because we here at Fix-It-Yourself are huge fans of home safety!  Read more here about how to avoid home fires.

by John Barker

Written by editor on July 2, 2010 at 10:46 am
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Construction Robots

Why pay a person to do a robot’s job?

In Tokyo, Japan construction sites utilize human-like robots to wave traffic and pedestrians away from potential danger.

Is it me, or is that thing just plain creepy?

There are various permutations of the robot flagman, including this more cartoony version:

Cute, yeah?   He looks far less imposing than the first example - more like a kid’s robot instead of a sex toy dressed up for construction duty.

Then there’s the crazy “holographic” flagman:

In this case, it’s easy to see why they don’t use a real guy.  He would be exhausted after just a few minutes of frantically waving that flag around.

Though I’m not in favor of taking jobs away from flesh-and-blood human beings, I have to admit that I like the idea of an automated flagman.  Not only does it tirelessly warn people of the potential hazards of a construction zone, but it also alleviates any danger to a live worker.

I wish the construction site that ripped up my van had one of these things.  It would have saved me a ton of trouble – and the company a ton of money.

by John Barker

Written by editor on June 24, 2010 at 9:03 am
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Home Service Offering Water Service

A company called Home Service is offering a product called Water Service. Sounds pretty straight up, eh?

According to the Home Service website, the company is in the business of emergency repairs. Now they are extending that offer to the water line at your house.

In case you didn’t know, YOU are responsible for the line that typically starts at the curb and brings fresh water into your home.  In other words, if soil changes, if the line is old, or if C.H.U.D.s. are out in full force – it’s on your dime. However, Home Service can take care of that hassle, as well as the hassle of the expense of unexpected repairs.

Swimming pools, Kitchens, Council flats and Karma by fabbio.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabiovenni/1070549536/

“Emergencies do happen and unfortunately, there’s very little someone can do to prepare for them,” says Jonathan King, Home Service CEO. “Rather than having to scramble and pay thousands of dollars in the midst of a home emergency, Home Service takes care of the legwork from start to finish.”

Until now, Home Service partnered with homeowners exclusively via utility companies. Now select areas (Connecticut, Oklahoma, Colorado, South Carolina, Arizona, Michigan, Illinois, and Missouri) can contact them directly and cut out the middleman. They will start offering the Water Service Line Protection Plan via a direct-mail campaign. Sign up, pay a low monthly fee, and you’ll have access to  24-hour emergency services.

by Rachel Cericola

Written by editor on June 17, 2010 at 10:40 am
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Grip and Switch

Most remodeling jobs (particularly the kitchen, I’ve found), require messing around with the wiring.  Electric outlets are never where you really want them to be, and so you’ll find yourself running wires and mounting new sockets and such – which can be dangerous business. 

That’s why when I see little gadgets like the PlugGrip and the SwitchGrip, I want to pass along the info.

The PlugGrip has a safety handle that gives you leverage to push against stiff electrical wires.  If you’ve ever replaced an outlet, you’ll know what a huge benefit it is to not only get the wires out of the way, but also make it easier to screw the outlet into the wall.  The PlugGrip also has an indicator light to warn you if any of your wiring is “hot.”

The SwitchGrip works in a similar manner as an aid for installing light switches (15, 20, or 30 amp, single pole, or 3-way).  In this case, a buzzer accompanies the warning light.  That should get your attention!

The SwitchGrip also contains a wire stripper and bender, making it quite a nifty wiring multi-tool.

I wish I’d had a couple of these when working on my kitchen a few years back.  Pushing back wires and holding the outlets steady while juggling a screwdriver just plain sucks.  These little gadgets would’ve come in handy.

by John Barker

Written by editor on June 13, 2010 at 11:57 am
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5 Ways to Avoid Home Fires

DIYers  love tools, decor, and other home improvement trappings. However, in the frenzy, many often forget the best accessory of all: a smoke detector.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home fires account for 92 percent of fire deaths that occur in structures. That’s almost 3,000 deaths each year. Aside from fatalities, those fires can cause a whole lot of damage.

The NFPA says that the leading causes of home fires revolve around cooking equipment. Of course, there are other causes, too.  But don’t worry – preventing fires in your home is a lot about common sense and paying attention.  Here are 5 easy tips from NFPA: 

1)      Smoke alarm accessories are available for people who are hard of hearing. They activate from the sound of traditional smoke alarms and produce a complex low frequency alarm signal, more effective at waking those with mild to severe hearing loss.

2)      Keep anything that can burn, such as paper, bedding, or furniture, at least three feet away from heating equipment and have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around stoves, open fires, and space heaters.

3)      If you smoke, smoke outside using a deep, sturdy ashtray. Remember to make sure butts and ashes are out, and dousing water or sand on them is the best way to do that.

4)      Install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Larger homes may need more alarms, for better coverage.

5)      Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.

 Of course, there are tons of other easy things you can do to keep your home fire-free. Check out the NFPA’s website for more tips and other information.

 by Rachel Cericola

Written by editor on June 1, 2010 at 5:10 pm
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