The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/964179
D-18 Spring Home and Garden Wednesday, April 11, 2018 The Press-Dispatch 11526 Hwy. 231, Loogootee 812-295-5959 arvinlandscapingmaterials.com HOURS: April-May: Mon-Sat 7a.m.-5p.m. June-March: Mon-Fri 7a.m.-5p.m. | Sat 7a.m.-Noon 24 VARIETIES OF NATURAL COLOR DECORATIVE ROCK 9 VARIETIES OF MULCHES A RV I N L A N D S C A P I N G M A T E R I A L S DRY TOPSOIL GARDEN SOIL Mixture of topsoil, compost, turkey litter, ag lime HUNTER PAVING & CONSTRUCTION • FREE ESTIMATES • SAME QUALITY SERVICE Call Kurt Schurz ( 812 ) 309-2833 We're here for your... Chip & Seal • Paving • Seal Coating & Striping Needs K & S HOME IMPROVEMENTS 812-354-4771 Quality Work • Affordable Prices Check us out on the web at kandshomeimprovements.com NOW ACCEPTING Turning your ideas into reality! Since 1943 • Satisfied Customers Are Our Best Advertising SIEMERS GLASS CO. INC. WE REPAIR OR REPLACE: Shower Glass • Door & Window Glass Mirrors • Screens • Home • Automotive ASK US ABOUT AWNINGS, TOO! Made to Order • Free Quotes The glass replacement specialists! HOURS: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 902 NEWTON ST., JASPER (812) 634-6500 1251 E. BROADWAY, PRINCETON (812) 386-1100 or 1-800-793-1676 We Specialize In Insurance Work • Mobile Service Available • Pickup and Delivery WE INSTALL NEW GLASS SHOWER DOORS AND PANELS HOME RENOVATION Avoid electrical mishaps around the house Accidents around the home happen. Some are minor and easily brushed off, while others can lead to serious injury or financial peril. Many accidents, even those that are rel- atively minor, can be prevented. Such is often the case with electrical accidents, which may be more common than many people think. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, resulting in rough- ly 500 deaths and more than $1 billion in property damage. Homeowners who want to do all they can to reduce the likelihood of electrical mis- haps at home can employ various strate- gies. • Be mindful of cords and plugs: Cords and plugs can be found throughout the typical home. While few people may perceive cords and plugs as threats, they can serve as catalysts for accident and/or injury. Cords and plugs should always be kept clear of heat and water sources, and cords should not be placed in areas where they can pose any tripping hazards. Even if residents grow accustomed to cord loca- tions and know to maneuver around them, guests won't be as familiar. When pulling plugs from outlets, always pull the plug, and not the cord, to reduce injury risk. • Periodically take inventory of elec- trical appliances and components: Some electrical appliances age well, while others may not. Periodic inspections of ap- pliances and their components, such as their cords, can reveal wear and tear that can lead to fires or injuries. Replace any items that pose a threat and stop using these items immediately. • Avoid DIY electrical work: Many homeowners are handy with hammers and other tools, but professionals are bet- ter trusted to perform electrical work on a home. The risk of accident or injury when working with wiring and other electrical components is simply too great for un- trained homeowners to do on their own. • Unplug appliances before flipping a fuse: Fuses blow from time to time. Some may be knocked out by especially power- ful storms, while others may blow because they're overloaded. Regardless of why fus- es blow, homeowners should turn off appli- ances on blown fuses before flipping those fuses back on. Leaving appliances running when flipping a fuse can increase the risk of fire or accident. Turn off appliances, un- plug them and then turn them back on one by one after the fuse has been flipped. • Be especially cautious if any- one smells gas: Gas leaks are often de- tected by the aroma of the gas in the air. When such leaks are detected, homeown- ers should not touch or turn any electri- cal switches. Doing so may create a spark that can react with the gas in the air, lead- ing to fire. If a gas leak is detected, go out- side and contact a local emergency service. Many home electrical mishaps can be prevented if homeowners exercise caution and hire certified electrical contractors to handle wiring and other electrical tasks around their homes. Minimize dust while renovating Even though dust is ever-present both in- side and outside of a home, when renova- tions are in full swing, dusty conditions are often exacerbated. Whether a home is new or old, numerous substances can be stirred up when removing walls, refinishing floors, removing tile, or expanding living spaces. These include silica from drywall, lead, as- bestos, paint particles, and even waste from bugs or rodents. Homeowners who want to remodel with minimal construction debris floating through the air — both for health purposes and general cleanliness — may find these proactive steps helpful. • Prepare dust-containment plans. If a contractor is involved, it is often his or her responsibility to minimize dust. Do-it-your- selfers must make dust containment a pri- ority. Protecting the floor and keeping the dust confined only to work areas can be achieved with plastic sheeting and other barriers. • Designate an entrance and exit. The experts at This Old House say it is best to choose one doorway as the only means in and out of a work area. Ideally, this door- way should lead to the outdoors. All other doorways should be sealed on both sides. • Remove extraneous items. It's best to remove clutter from the room, includ- ing any furniture that can be taken out of the space. This helps items from becoming dirty and hazardous particles from settling into nooks and crannies. • Close vents and registers. If forced air systems are part of the home, it's best to divert air away from the work area. Block vents and intake registers so that dust does not clog the system or transfer to other rooms. • Cut items outside. Design advice site Houzz says that some power tools have vacuum extractors to suck up dust at the point of contact, removing 90 percent of dust where it is generated. For those who do not have access to these tools, cutting and sanding can be done outdoors to keep dust outside. • Open a window. If weather permits, an open window can provide ventilation. An- other idea is to create an air vacuum in the work area. Picking a window at the far end of the work area and mounting a window fan blowing outward can suck dust out and away from other areas of the house. • Clean up daily. By keeping on top of dust, including sweeping and vacuuming the work area frequently, dust will not ac- cumulate and migrate elsewhere. Dust is a common side effect of home ren- ovation projects, but it can be minimized. Five ways to create ambiance (StatePoint) If your home interiors lack charm, don't worry. These five simple ad- ditions and updates can add ambiance and character to your home. USE BOLD COLORS Colors have the power to create specif- ic moods. To ensure a welcoming atmo- sphere, make sure you select shades wise- ly. The science behind color psychology can help you choose paint, upholstery and more. Warm colors like red, orange and yellow make people feel more cozy and in- timate. Cooler colors like grey and green are better for invoking calm, and are used to make a room feel more spacious. ADD A TOUCH OF SOFTNESS Use plush, cozy materials, such as dec- orative pillows and throws to create invit- ing places to sit. Soften hard surfaces like wooden or tile floors with area rugs. Add some warmth to hallways and narrow foy- ers with runners. BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO SPACES Indoor plants can give life to an other- wise stagnant living area. For those not blessed with a green thumb, consider ar- tificial plants. High-quality options can look very realistic and will save you time on care and maintenance. Or, for variety, add a simple vase to the kitchen table and brighten up the room with a new bouquet of fresh cut flowers each week. MAKE MUSIC A piano brings a level of elegance to any room, but you don't have to overspend to get a beautiful sound or visual. New dig- ital pianos reproduce the subtle nuances of the world's finest grand pianos at vari- ous price points. For example, the Celvia- no Grand Hybrid Piano from Casio has the technology to produce an authentic grand piano experience, but doesn't take up as much space or cost as much. Plus, since it's digital, you won't have to worry about maintenance and tuning. MOOD LIGHTING From candles to unique fixtures to bright open windows, the type of lighting used to illuminate a room sets its tone. Choose curtains and candles for cozy, ro- mantic nights. Draw them open in the day for bright, sun-lit spaces. Install interest- ing fixtures as a focal point in empty hall- ways and in living spaces.