RSS Link Follow me Facebook Email

Safety

Survival – Not the TV Show0

The worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life was in 1992.  The damage wreaked upon Homestead, Florida by hurricane David defies description.  To say that the town had been reduced to a third world country would be an understatement.  Open sewerage; families wandering zombie-like through the refuse that was once their homes; gangs of armed thugs roaming desolate streets, blatantly taunting the military forces dispatched to the disaster area. . .

These images are locked in my mind, unconsciously influencing my point-of-view when it comes to certain things.  And one of these things is survival equipment – like the SteriPEN® Sidewinder.

While initially designed for camping, the Sidewinder is a great device to have if you live in an area where drinking water can be compromised by a natural disaster.  A hand-powered, battery-free water purifier, this device utilizes  an ultra-violet system that eliminates waterborne bacteria, viruses and protozoa.

Here it is in action:

The Sidewinder comes with a one-liter Tritan™ BPA-free bottle and a SteriPEN® Pre-Filter (used before treatment if the water contains gunk in it).

Like a fire extinguisher, the SteriPEN® Sidewinder is a device that should be in every household—particularly those located in hurricane, tornado, and earthquake zones.  You will never have to be without potable water for days. 

And for the record: it’s happened to me three times.

by John Barker

Written by editor on November 1, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

Ribbon Stairs0

People in Prague must have quite a good sense of balance.

Why do I say this?  Check out the Ribbon Staircase:

I know I would eat sh*t on those and probably cut myself up pretty bad in the process.

Designed by Petr Hájek, Tomáš Hradečný, and Jan Šépka of HSH Architects, this potential deathtrap is constructed of pairs of adjoining steps made of 10mm thick sheet metal.  They connect to the wall via brackets anchored in the wall.  The design allows for a majority of the pressure to be transmitted to the lower steps, while the upper steps carry very little tension caused by weight.

The Ribbon Staircase won the certificate of Merit in the grand prix of the Czech Society of Architects in 2002.  Umm, I can’t help but notice that it has not gone into mass production.

Could this be because it looks like some sort of trap from a Saw movie combined with a freaky graphic drawn by M.C. Escher.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bazylek/3101339730/sizes/o/in/photostream/

See what I mean?

Regardless, it is unique and quite cool to look at.  I just wouldn’t trust myself on it in the dark of night – or the middle of the day, for that matter.

by John Barker

Written by editor on October 30, 2010 at 11:02 am
Tagged , , , | Comments Off

Brush the Cobwebs from your Furnace Before the Snow Falls0

If you live anywhere north of Miami, October is a spooky furnace season. The Old Farmer’s Almanac lists many first frosts in October,long before Halloween, so don’t wait much longer to tackle  pre-winter furnace maintenance.  If you live in Helena, Montana, the frost date was predicted for September 18th –  a full eight days before even Juneau, Alaska!  If all you did is switch the thermostat to HEAT, you’re already a month late!

http://jronaldlee.com/copyright/

So what does it take to get your furnace ready for the winter heating season? Mostly, it’s a phone call to your HVAC contractor.  But what will they do when they get to your house? 

Here’s a quick checklist:

  • test the electrical system and safety shutoff
  • clean or replace the air filter
  • clean the combustion chamber
  • inspect and clean the flue pipe and chimney
  • clean or replace the oil filter (if an oil furnace)
  • analyze the burner for efficiency, and adjust
  • clean floor vents

More detailed information on these maintenance tasks is available here.

Paying for an annual furnace cleaning and inspection might feel expensive, but it pays off in a number of ways.  First, the more efficiently your furnace operates, the less expensive it will be to run.  Your up front investment will likely pay for itself in reduced monthly heating bills. 

Think, too, about the last time you woke up on a below-freezing day and the furnace wasn’t working.  Do you want to be guy whose teeth are chattering while you wait for the emergency service call (not to mention those fees) or do you want to be the guy who’s cozy and watching the weather channel while the snow falls?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyrusbulsara/

Most importantly, good maintenance of your furnace keeps you and your family safe.  Your family, home, and peace of mind is well-worth an hour’s visit from your HVAC professional – in October!

Written by editor on October 18, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Tagged , , , | Comments Off

Wasps0

 

In looking over some of my previous posts, it has become apparent that I hate bugs.  And wasps are no exception.  I’ve been stung a ridiculous number of times—all from random wasps flying around with no nest in sight.  But when you encounter a wasp’s nest, how do you get rid of it without getting attacked?

There are a few steps you should take before going into battle.

First, it you are allergic to wasps, stop reading right now.  Call in the professionals, then sit back and watch.  No use trying to outwit a wasp who can kill you without even trying. 

Next, choose your weapon.  There are many commercial sprays on the market that will do the trick, though they are toxic not only to the wasps, but also to you and your pets.

If you are so inclined, there are safer ways to combat these little beasts than toxic spays.

  1. Fire:  Build a fire in your grill and place it under the nest.  The resulting smoke will run the wasps out.  This is my favorite method.
  2. Boiling water:  Place a bucket of boiling water beneath the nest.  Using a long stick, knock the nest into the water.  Then use a couple of shorter sticks to break the nest apart.  The wasps will drown and the larvae will be destroyed.  However, this method requires a back-up man with bug spray on hand.  If any wasps escape, they’ll be angry, and your back-up guy will be called to action.  This method is not for the faint of heart. 
  3. Spray adhesive:  Spray tons of this stuff over the exit hole of the nest.   Wasps that are leaving the nest will get stuck, clog the hole, and make it difficult (if not impossible) for returning wasps to enter.  As wasps don’t eat their dead (like bees), this renders the nest useless.

I don’t have to say “Be careful,” do I?

One final tip: when going into battle it is important to wear armor.  In this case, there’s no need to encase yourself in plate mail, but I do suggest wearing multiple layers of clothing so the little buggers can’t sting you. If you end up resorting to poison, you will also be protected by the thick clothing.

Oh, yeah.  Also be ready to run like hell.  These things don’t like being messed with and will come after you.

I wouldn’t recommend the method used by this guy:

 by John Barker

Written by editor on October 16, 2010 at 2:12 am
Tagged , , | Comments Off

Nail Gun Nightmares1

I find it interesting that you don’t need a gun permit to operate a nail gun.  Think about it.  The thing is essentially exactly what the name implies: a gun.  And, like any gun, you need to be careful when using one.

Here’s a great example.  And send the kiddies out of the room for this, as there’s a naughty word near the end of the clip:

Ouch.  I can only hope that was fake.

This next clip shows that even master magicians are not impervious to the dangers inherent when “stupid” and “nail gun” hang out together in the same room:

Again, I hope that was fake.  But I suspect that Chris Angel would have made the nail disappear or levitate or something . . . Not just leave it in his hand with blood squirting out.  Not my idea of a magic trick.

Lastly, we have a great little ad for Major League Baseball on Fox.  This one is what a nail gun would do if I got my hands on it:

Is there a moral to this little exercise?  I suppose there is.  Be careful when using a nail gun.  In the right hands, they are a great tool.  In the wrong hands . . .get a license!

by John Barker

Written by editor on October 9, 2010 at 11:35 am
Tagged , , | Comments (1)

Fire Extinguisher Basics0

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfslim/4606428223/sizes/o/in/photostream/

 

I’ve only had to use a fire extinguisher twice in my life.  The first was at a friend’s house when she inadvertently started a grease fire.  The second was when I was a chef on the railroad—yet another grease fire . . . though not of my making.  In both cases, dinner was ruined.

It’s impossible to stress how important it is to have at least one fire extinguisher in your home.  It should be stored in a highly visible area for easy access in case of an emergency.

But, if you’re aesthetically minded like I am, you know that a fire extinguisher is not the most attractive thing hanging in your kitchen.  I keep mine under the sink, snuggled against the right wall of the cabinet.

Types of fires are classified by a four-letter system (A through D).  Extinguishers are marked according to the chemical elements needed to fight different types of fires:

  • Class A: Utilizes water; this type of extinguisher should be used on wood and paper fires.
  • Class B: This is the one you want in your kitchen; the chemical elements are designed to fight grease/liquid fires.
  • Class C: Fights electrical fires.
  • Class D: For use on flammable metals; let’s hope you never have to use this.  If you have a metal structure on fire, you’re probably in bad trouble.

This little video demonstrates how to use a fire extinguisher:

This is good general knowledge to have as a homeowner.  Let’s hope you never have to use it.  From first-hand experience, I can tell ya that it’s not fun . . .

by John Barker

Written by editor on October 4, 2010 at 11:59 am
Tagged , , | Comments Off

Aging – You and Your House0

By the time you hit your 50s, most people made a few major life investments. Unless you are a boat guy, I think of the big three as car, family and home. Apparently, one of those may need a little TLC.

According to a recent survey by Saga Personal Finance, 34 percent of 50-somethings in the UK are desperately in need of home repairs. Sadly, one in seven can’t afford to spruce things up, opting to let nature take its course.

Naturally, this is a horrible plan, especially when the top problems include issues with the roof, the drainage and gutters. Without proper maintenance, a home loses its value, it may not be safe to live in, and homeowners inadvertantly spend more money on heating and colling bills.   

Insurance provider Saga is using the survey results to promote their lifetime home equity loan program. Andrew Goodsell, Executive Chairman, Saga Group commented:  “People are living longer which means that retirement incomes have to stretch a lot further to keep up with inflation. Many retirees find they need additional cash, whether it is to make every day life easier, fund house repairs, take the trip of a lifetime, or to contribute to care in later life.”

Even with a home equity loan, the DIY route might appear attractive as one way to stretch that money. Another Saga survey says that 42 percent of over-50 Britons have more confidence than ever. More confidence with power tools perhaps? Sounds like another survey could be in the works . . .

by Rachel Cericola

Written by editor on September 23, 2010 at 10:58 am
Tagged , , | Comments Off

Rats 2!0

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ratranch/518170727/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Gah!!!!

That poor woman has no idea what she’s in for.

In yesterday’s post,  we laid down the foundation for why these critters are a hazard for the homeowner.  As a species they carry 70 highly dangerous diseases that are transferred in a variety of ways to humans—through bites, feces, urine, and parasites.

What we haven’t covered is how to get rats out of your house if you are suffering from an infestation.

Arguably, the best thing to do is call in professionals.  While it’s not the FIY way, there are just certain things that are beyond the homeowner’s capabilities.

But if you want to give it a shot . . .

First off, seal off any means of entry—vents, sewer drains, broken screens.  Any hole big enough for a bug to get in is big enough for a rat. 

Then figure out where they love to hang out and party.  Sprinkle  a bit of talcum powder in the suspect areas and should get some clues in the form of footprints. 

You’ll probably also find all sorts of other damage in an area you suspect is frequented by rodents.  They aren’t polite guests.

Peppermint oil is thought by some to be a natural deterrent.  Apparently rats don’t like the refreshing scent.  If you surround your house with shrubs high in alkaloid content (such as wormwood or poppy plants), you may be able to keep the little creatures away.  I’m just not sure how legal that is in the USA.

You can lay down all sorts of traps and such, but rats don’t tend to go near something that is unfamiliar to them.  You can buy commercial traps with various adhesives to restrain the rat until it has a heart attack from struggling to be free.  Or there are the snap-traps that are just plain nasty to clean up (I’ve been there).  Personally, I don’t like any of these methods.

The best deterrent is to not be a slob.  Clean up after yourself.  Don’t have pizza crusts, half-eaten cookies, taco residue, and other garbage strewn around your house.  Rats love this stuff.  And they’ll call their friends, have tons of babies, and spread every nasty disease they carry without even knowing it.

But don’t worry. Not all rats are bad.  The pet variety are not exposed to disease.  Avoid the feral variety,  but when Ratatouille is in the house, get out the popcorn.   

by John Barker

Written by editor on September 19, 2010 at 10:26 am
Tagged , , | Comments Off

Rats!1

 

Egad!  We don’t want that to happen, do we?

If you’ve ever had a rat infestation in your home, you’ll know how troublesome—and potentially dangerous—it can be.  While I’ve never seen rats gnawing through subway train windows, I have seen my share of the little critters.

How can you tell when rats have invaded your home?

Oddly enough, one of the best ways is to find a dead rat.  Where there’s one dead rat, there are gonna be several more live ones.

Other signs include greasy dirt marks along walls and the presence of rat droppings.  And since rats tend to follow the same paths on their wanderings, you may find evidence of “rat runs” in the grass and vegetation outside the home.

Then there’s the chewing.  Rats like gnawing on plastic and wood.  This leaves jagged holes in walls and floorboards.

While there are several types of rats, the two most prolific are the roof rat and the Norway rat.  Roof rats live in the roofs and rafters of houses (hence the name), have tails as long as their bodies, and sport very little body hair; Norway rats live underground and are fat and greasy.  Both carry a wide range of disease and parasites.

In fact, rats can transmit 70 incredibly dangerous diseases, including the bubonic plague and typhus.  These can be transmitted in a variety of ways—including being bitten and exposure to rat urine and feces.

Clearly, you don’t want rats infesting your house.  But if these nasty little guys are already crawling in your walls, how do you get rid of them?

Stay tuned. . . .

by John Barker  

Written by editor on September 18, 2010 at 10:19 am
Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

Things Not to Do With a Fish Tank0

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
Tagged , , , | Comments Off
CHOOSE A CATEGORY BELOW TO FIND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR!
Get our Email Newsletter

Want to receive our email newsletter?

Close

Page optimized by WP Minify WordPress Plugin