The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1359118
S-4 Home and Garden Wednesday, April 7, 2021 The Press-Dispatch FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS SEPTIC TANK PUMPING & INSTALLATION TRENCHING and DRAINS • DIRT and ROCK HAULING • SITE PREP and CLEARING RENT FOR THE WEEKEND,WEEK OR MONTHLY PORTA-POTTY FREE ESTIMATES 812-582-2646 Contact Kyle Hathaway at The value of the right lighting in a home is undeniable. Lighting can in- stantly transform a room and create the ambiance homeowners are look- ing to establish. Though it might be mostly seen as a way to create mood inside a home, lighting also can do much for lawns and gardens. Backyards have come a long way over the last several decades. Once reserved as play areas for children and stomping grounds for the fam- ily dog, backyards have become oa- ses for homeowners and their fami- lies. Outdoor living areas are wildly popular, and no such area is complete without exterior lighting. In fact, a recent report from the National Asso- ciation of Home Builders found that 85 percent of home buyers want ex- terior lighting, making it the second most desired outdoor feature (patios topped that list). Exterior lighting can have a dra- matic effect on landscaping, and es- timates from the online financial re- source Kiplinger.com suggest such lighting is inexpensive, with instal- lation averaging roughly $ 67 per fix- ture. When installing exterior lighting around their landscapes, homeown- ers can keep various tips in mind to create a relaxing, awe-inspiring mood on their properties at night. Consider uplights Uplights are installed in the ground and direct light up at a tree, focusing on its trunk or canopy. This creates a dramatic effect that makes it possible to enjoy majestic trees at night just like you might when spend- ing time in the yard during the day. Focus on trees Many homeowners already have exterior lighting lining their walk- ways and patios, but focusing on trees can create an entirely differ- ent look. Though it's possible to in- stall exterior tree lighting on your own, landscaping professionals with lighting experience know which fix- tures will pair most effectively with the trees around your property and how to arrange them for maximum effect. Opt for warm light Warm white light creates an invit- ing feel around the property. The ex- terior lighting experts at Utah Lights acknowledge that choice of lighting is up to homeowners but also note that, in situations with lower levels of ambient light, such as in exterior lights around a property, people typ- ically prefer warmer light. That's be- cause warm light tends to be easier on the eyes and directs attention to the features of the landscape, which is many homeowners' goal when in- stalling exterior lighting in their yards. Utilize a timer. Modern exterior lighting timers make it easier than ever to control the lights outside a home. Many such timers even adjust for the changing seasons and the shifting hours of daylight. That means homeowners shouldn't have to tinker with the tim- er once it's set. Exterior lighting can add signif- icant appeal to a property without breaking the bank. ambiance Add exterior lighting for Prevent the hazard of overloaded electrical circuits A home is a safe haven for its res- idents. No matter what's going on at school or the office, many people know they can relax in comfort and safety when they arrive home at the end of a day. Safety at home is something that can be taken for granted until it's too late. The National Fire Protection As- sociation notes that each year more than 47,000 home fires in the United States are caused by electrical fail- ure or malfunction. Overloaded electrical circuits are a frequent culprit in residential fires. Fortunately, overloaded circuits are preventable. According to the Elec- trical Safety Foundation Internation- al, the following are some potential indicators that circuits are overload- ed. • Flickering, blinking or dimming lights • Frequently tripped circuit break- ers or blown fuses • Warm or discolored wall plates • Cracking, sizzling or buzzing from receptacles • Burning odor coming from re- ceptacles or wall switches • Mild shock or tingle from appli- ances, receptacles or switches. Learning to recognize the signs of overloaded circuits is an important step in making homes safe, as the NFPA notes that home fires contrib- ute to hundreds of deaths and more than 1,500 injuries each year. Such fires also hit homeowners in their pocketbooks, causing an estimated $1.4 billion in property damage an- nually. Prevention is another key compo- nent when safeguarding a home and its residents from fires sparked by electrical failures of malfunctions. The ESFI offers the following tips to prevent electrical overloads. • Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for applianc- es. • All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall recepta- cle outlet. Only one heat-producing appliance should be plugged into a receptacle outlet at any given time. • Consider adding new outlets to your home. Heavy reliance on exten- sion cords indicates that your home does not have enough outlets. Bring in a qualified electrician to inspect your home to determine if more out- lets are necessary. • Recognize that power strips on- ly add additional outlets; they do not change the amount of power being received from the outlet. Fires sparked by electrical circuit overload pose a significant threat. Thankfully, such fires are prevent- able. Learn more at www.esfi.org. More than 47,000 home fires in the USA each year. National Fire Protection Association