Change your high performance filter at the start of every season to help the family breathe easier. (Family Features) — Children often come into closer contact with their environment than adults. They put their fingers in their mouths, crawl on the floor, and touch, taste and breathe things without knowing if they are harmful. Because their organs and respiratory, immune and neurological systems are still developing, children can be more sensitive to harmful substances such as certain chemicals, particles and allergens, … [Read more...] about Keeping the home healthier for children
Home Improvement
Illuminate Your Home Theater With Easy Lighting Tweaks
Dimmed lighting is ideal for movie nights with the family. (NewsUSA) — The term "home theater" used to mean a small room designated for the enjoyment of watching movies. Then gigantic flat screens and HD technology came along, and the video game industry upped the ante with Xbox, PlayStation and Wii products that appealed to every age group. With so many different uses, the home theater has morphed into an auxiliary family room. How can one room be made flexible enough to suit all of the activities performed there? Easy! … [Read more...] about Illuminate Your Home Theater With Easy Lighting Tweaks
Mobile islands: not just for kitchens anymore
DEARBORN — Mobile islands — originally intended to increase storage and countertop space in kitchens — have found use in almost all rooms in the house nowadays. A mobile island consists of one or more cabinets with accessible storage and work counter set on casters. Made in all shapes and sizes, in contemporary or traditional designs, mobile islands have become convenient not only for kitchens, but dining rooms as a buffet area, laundry rooms, home offices, family rooms, patios and garages. Finished on all sides, a unit can be … [Read more...] about Mobile islands: not just for kitchens anymore
Freshen your look and home this spring
(Family Features) — With the cold lifting and new spring collections hitting the shelves, it’s the perfect time to change up your home and wardrobe with fresh new styles that reflect the joyful mood and bright colors of spring. Glade has partnered with style expert Giuliana Rancic to help women transform their look and surroundings for the new season. Together they are sharing what’s in this season and introducing two new limited edition home fragrances — Bring on the Blossoms and Sparkle of Spring. As an entertainment … [Read more...] about Freshen your look and home this spring
Giuliana Rancic and the two accessories she can’t live without
Giuliana Rancic is an entertainment journalist, television personality, producer and author. As the co-host of E! News alongside Ryan Seacrest and E!'s “Fashion Police” alongside Joan Rivers, Giuliana is always at the forefront of fashion and pop culture. Born in Naples, Italy, Giuliana and her family moved to the United States when she was a little girl. Her love affair with television journalism began before she could even speak English — she learned the language by watching TV. She attended the University of Maryland, where she … [Read more...] about Giuliana Rancic and the two accessories she can’t live without
Blackout shades proven to help you sleep soundly
Specialized window shades can block out the light as well as save on energy bills. NewsUSA — Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through the night? The importance of a good night's sleep is well known. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adequate sleep has been associated with a better mood, better health and better job performance. It's important to address factors that might interfere with a good night's sleep. Light is one of these factors. The body responds to light as a cue to stay awake, so … [Read more...] about Blackout shades proven to help you sleep soundly
Female Fix-It-Yourself Revolution
Solve Five Common Household Problems (Family Features) - From pink screwdrivers and mini toolboxes to a surge of female-targeted home improvement sites and guidebooks, the fix-it-yourself revolution has come for women in the U.S. More empowered females are taking on household problems themselves instead of spending the money to hire a plumber, electrician or contractor. In fact, a recent study by the Medelia Monitor showed that more than 60 percent of women are more likely to tackle the work on their own. The majority of these … [Read more...] about Female Fix-It-Yourself Revolution
Termite Trouble
(Family Features) - Springtime showers aren't the only thing warmer weather brings. It can also trigger termite swarms-and the presence of winged termites can be a bad sign for homeowners. Termites can enter a home through cracks as thin as a few sheets of paper and devour enough wood and wood products to do serious damage. Even though they are smaller than a grain of rice, termites cause more than $5 billion in damage to homes all across the United States, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). To make … [Read more...] about Termite Trouble
Get your house ready for summer
From yard work and pest control to cleaning and taking care of home systems, there’s a lot that goes into maintaining a house. Everything Home offers practical tips and expert know-how to help anyone take good care of their home. Family Features — The dog days of summer can really put the heat on electricity bills and put even the best air conditioning systems to the test. “The Department of Energy says that almost 45 percent of a homeowner’s utility costs come from heating and cooling the house. Fortunately, there are some … [Read more...] about Get your house ready for summer
Coordinating home décor inside and out
Many Americans now treat outdoor spaces as extensions of the rooms in their homes. NewsUSA — Coordinating décor throughout the home is well known to homeowners. Everyone aspires to a home that flows seamlessly from one room to another, integrated in look and feel by paint colors, flooring and window treatments. A relatively new aspect of coordinated home décor is evolving today. Homeowners are being encouraged to coordinate their sense of style from inside the home to outdoor living areas. As the size and … [Read more...] about Coordinating home décor inside and out