Home Burglary - 9 Tips to Preventing a Home Break-In

<div id="article-body"> <div id="article-content"> My neighbors recently returned home one evening to find that their home had been burglarized. This had never happened in our neighborhood before. Although it was still daylight no one had seen anyone around their home during the previous two hours while they had been out shopping. The thieves made off with a handgun, a laptop computer, jewelry, and even a television set. They had used a crowbar to get into the house. It turns out that this is happening more frequently than ever before across the United States. The police arrived soon after and told all of us in the neighborhood that we needed to make some changes. Here are the tips that they gave us:<br /><br />1. Get to know your neighbors. Exchange names, phone numbers, and other information that makes your neighborhood become closer as friends and neighbors. Consider starting a Neighborhood Watch group on your street.<br /><br />2. Leave a light on or use a timer for your lights if you will be away for a full day or longer.<br /><br />3. Have the post office hold your mail and put your newspapers on vacation hold while you are away. As an alternative, ask one of your neighbors to bring in your mail and newspapers and keep them for you until you return.<br /><br />4. Consider installing a security system. These systems are more common now and fairly inexpensive to put in. The companies usually require you to sign a two year agreement.<br /><br />5. Walk on your street regularly. Get to know which cars belong with a particular house. Meet neighbors that you have never talked to before.<br /><br />6. Write down the license plate numbers and descriptions of strange vehicles and their occupants. Make a note of the day and time the vehicle was parked on your street.<br /><br />7. Do not discuss private details with anyone who comes to your door trying to sell something or wanting information. Tell them to leave their card or other contact information on your front steps or porch and do not open the door until long after they have gone.<br /><br />8. Do not leave mail in your mail box to be picked up later. Take it to the post office or hand it personally to the carrier.<br /><br />9. Watch out for your neighbors. If you see someone or something that doesn't seem right take a closer look.<br /><br />If all of us take the time to get to know each other better and help each other we can help the police to protect our neighborhoods. We can all feel more safe and secure if we follow these tips and become good neighbors.<br /> </div><div id="article-resource"> <br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Connie Ragen Green is a Real Estate Broker and State Certified Residential Appraiser in California and has bought and sold over 100 properties since 1983. Visit her at <a href="http://www.buyrealestateforprofit.com/" target="_new">http://www.BuyRealEstateforProfit.com</a> for more information about buying and selling real estate.</span><br /> </div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Connie_Ragen_Green">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Ragen_Green</a></span> <br /> </div><div style="overflow: hidden;"><br /> Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/521964</div>

Home Burglary - 9 Tips to Preventing a Home Break-In

My neighbors recently returned home one evening to find that their home had been burglarized. This had never happened in our neighb...

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Enhance Your Home Design Style With Blinds And Shades

Selecting a window treatment for your home or business can be one of the most challenging aspects of interior design. The trick is choosing treatments that meet your need with both simplicity and style. Blinds and shades are versatile window coverings that offer many advantages. They allow you to dress windows for a clean, uncluttered look while controlling for the ideal amount of light and privacy.<br/><br/>Blinds and shades can also be used to accentuate and enhance different design styles. Although there are no right or wrong ways to use these classic window treatments, here are some design considerations that will help you achieve functionality while maintaining a cohesive décor style in any room.<br/><br/>For living room or common areas: These are high-traffic areas that often serve as design focal points, so it's worth investing in beautiful and functional window treatments. For a clean or elegant look, wooden or faux wood blinds in a dark finish imbue a space with timeless sophistication. Lighter finishes can provide a more modern or rustic appearance, depending on your overall decor. Common areas are also a good place to install blended window treatments. Roman or roller shades can be paired with drapes for a sleek, stylish and modern display. In this example, shades provide a second layer of color, pattern and texture that can add a pop of color and visual interest to a window treatment. Hang drapes above the window to frame shades and add additional height to the room.<br/><br/>For the kitchen: The kitchen is the heart of any home, and as such it's important to choose window coverings that create a pleasant ambiance and block harsh outdoor light when needed. For look that can be alternately modern or vintage, use Roman shades to put the finishing design touch on your kitchen decor. Today's selection of fabric patterns - ranging from pretty and playful to sumptuous and elegant - offers myriad design options. You can even embellish neutral-colored shades with trim or contrast binding to accent kitchen decor. Faux wood blinds also work well in kitchen areas. They instantly add a touch of warmth and help create an inviting atmosphere and they’re easy to wipe and dust, which makes them a good option for this busy part of the home.<br/><br/>For the bedroom: Create a private sanctuary with Venetian blinds, which come in a variety of colors, textures and materials. These classic window-covering features slatted, overlapping horizontal blinds that can be adjusted to meet your need for light and privacy. Wooden blinds offer polish, and depending on the grain, can accommodate traditional, country and rustic décor styles. Aluminum blinds, on the other hand, can imbue your bedroom with a contemporary or minimalist look and are easy on the budget.<br/><br/>For the bathroom: Humid conditions require high quality window treatments that can withstand constant exposure to moisture. A good choice for the bathroom is faux wood blinds, which are made from durable composite plastics that don't sacrifice sophistication or style. Vinyl blinds, which are available in many colors and patterns, are also very durable and well suited to bathroom décor.

Enhance Your Home Design Style With Blinds And Shades

Selecting a window treatment for your home or business can be one of the most challenging aspects of interior design. The trick is choosing ...

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Business Fire Alarm Inspections

<div id="article-body"> <div id="article-content"> Fire alarm inspections are required of businesses and commercial structures, such as hotels, offices, restaurants, and retail stores. In most cases, a local fire department performs fire safety inspections, however in some cases, security and fire alarm companies are qualified to carry out such inspections.<br /><br />Some of the primary areas and components that inspectors check include:<br /><ul><li>smoke and alarm systems in good working condition</li><li>easily accessible exits with visible signage</li><li>properly functioning windows and doors</li><li>fire extinguishers in good working order</li><li>appropriately covered electrical boxes and switches</li><li>visible address on the outside of the building</li></ul>Before a Fire Alarm Inspection<br /><br />Before you undergo a fire inspection, be sure that the address of the building is clearly visible from the street. You will also want to ensure that all exits are clear of obstacles like merchandise and storage. The exit signs are an important element to the inspection, so look to see that these signs are properly lit. Take the time to replace any broken or damaged cover plates on electric units or on exit signage. Avoid using door stops around fire exit doors, for this may hinder the ability to escape the premises. If there are automatically closing doors in the building, check to see that they're in good working order. Lastly, you'll want to address the amount of clearance between electrical panels and circuit breakers. Make sure that there is at least 30 inches of clearance between panels and breakers, and if panels are hidden, include a sign to indicate where they are located.<br /><br />Fire Safety Violations<br /><br />If a business or commercial entity is in violation of fire codes, the inspector will issue a report that requires correction of the violation(s). In addition, the business will be required to pay any fines associated with the violation. If the violation is severe and potentially life threatening, the correction may be required within a 24 hours time period. Other less severe violations may be allowed up to 30 to 40 days to fix. In most cases, fire inspections will typically result in preventable violations that business owners can address on their own. Fire inspections are not always scheduled with proper notice, so be sure to assess the building and ensure its compliance on a consistent basis.<br /><br />Home Fire Inspections<br /><br />Home fire inspections, although very important, often times go overlooked by most homeowners. In fact, over 75% of deaths from fire-related incidents occur in a home. For this reason, there's a high level of concern for proper residential fire safety amongst both families and local fire departments. There are ways to prevent domestic fires by conducting your own home fire inspection. Some of the areas you'll want to address include checking the condition smoke alarms, electrical cords, vents, and chimneys. Additionally, you'll also want to assess how appliances are being used around outlets as well as other potential hazards that could start a fire. Your local fire department should have guidelines to help pinpoint areas of risk throughout the home.<br /><br />The Advantages of Fire Inspections<br /><br />Many business owners find fire safety and alarm inspections to be a burden and a hassle. However, these individuals should take into consideration that almost 80 percent of all small businesses that encounter a large fire fail to re-open in the future, according to All Business. Investing in fire safety inspections on a regular basis can result in greater customer and employee confidence, lower insurance premiums, minimized physical and financial risks, and a better resale value on the building.<br /> </div><div id="article-resource"> <br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Whether for the home of business, fire safety must never go overlooked. To learn more about fire alarm inspections and how to be best prepared, visit <a href="http://www.seicosecurity.com/" target="_new">Seico Security</a>, a trusted company for <a href="http://www.seicosecurity.com/fire-alarm-inspections-company-services.html" target="_new">fire alarm inspections in Peoria, IL</a>.</span><br /> </div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Tafelsky">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Tafelsky</a></span> <br /> </div><div style="overflow: hidden;"><br /> Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7205527</div>

Business Fire Alarm Inspections

Fire alarm inspections are required of businesses and commercial structures, such as hotels, offices, restaurants, and retail stores...

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Home Security Tips from Consumer Reports

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mz222fF7w5w" width="400"></iframe></div><br />Summer vacation season is a prime time for break-ins. But Consumer Reports shows how you can really beef up security inexpensively.

Home Security Tips from Consumer Reports

Summer vacation season is a prime time for break-ins. But Consumer Reports shows how you can really beef up security inexpensively.

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Weekend DIY Project - Build a Small Chicken Coop

<div id="article-content"> <p>Whether you have a large flock of chickens or plan to keep only a few birds, it is always best to build them a chicken house. Even if you decide to keep only a few birds, you will still have to build a small chicken coop. The coop will provide shelter to your birds and keep them safe from predators. Building a small chicken house can be a do-it-yourself project for the weekend.</p><p>Chickens need 3-5 square feet of space each. If they get too crowded, they could easily get sick. Determine how big your chicken house should be, based on the number of birds you are going to raise. Decide on the design of your coop and make a drawing of the plan. You can also look for a simple chicken coop design on the internet.</p><p>Go over the plan and make sure it is easy enough to follow and has all the necessary elements that a chicken pen should have. Even if you are only planning to build a small chicken coop, there are essential elements that must be present.</p><p>Make sure your chicken house design includes a nesting area with boxes. Four to five birds can share one box. Provide a roosting pole where the birds can perch while they sleep. You should be able to clean out the coop easily, and it should also be easy to collect the eggs.</p><p>Assemble all the materials you need to make the chicken coop before you start building. Visit secondhand shops and see if they have materials that you can use for your coop. Make sure your materials are sturdy enough to keep predators out.</p><p>Don't forget to have all the tools you will need to build the chicken pen at hand. By having all your materials and tools ready, you will be able to finish your work quickly. A small chicken coop is something you can build over the weekend and is a very cheap alternative to buying a pre-made hen house.</p> </div>

Weekend DIY Project - Build a Small Chicken Coop

Whether you have a large flock of chickens or plan to keep only a few birds, it is always best to build them a chicken house. Even if y...

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Vacation Time? Home Security Tips

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/38yIXxYeKvs" width="400"></iframe></div><br />What you need to do to make sure your home is secure if you're going on vacation

Vacation Time? Home Security Tips

What you need to do to make sure your home is secure if you're going on vacation

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Budget Bedroom Updates

Fortunately, there are a ton of home accessories and decor ideas that can help you update your bedroom space on a budget.<br/><br/>Hand-Me-Downs and Antique Furnitures<br/><br/>One of the quickest and easiest ways to update a bedroom is through repainting or refinishing existing furnitures. A fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference on worn dressers or tired nightstands.<br/><br/>If any of your bedroom furnitures have knobs, consider replacing the knobs with newer, more stylish knobs. Combining new knobs with a fresh coat of paint can make your old furnitures feel like brand new pieces, for a mere fraction of the cost of replacing those same pieces with new furnitures.<br/><br/>Update Your Wall Decor<br/><br/>Even if you don’t have the budget to go out and purchase all new wall decor pieces, consider rearranging the existing pieces you have. Simply rearranging the frames can give the room a fresh new look.<br/><br/>Another option you could consider is repainting the frames to help clean them up. Repainting the frames, even if you don’t rearrange them, can help breath new life into old, dull pieces.<br/><br/>Invest in New Light<br/><br/>Whether it be a new set of table lamps, new lamp shades or perhaps a new large scale oval mirror, consider incorporating new light into your space. Natural light can be reflected through mirrors, while artificial light is always a plus for creating a mood, especially in the evening hours.<br/><br/>Fresh Linens<br/><br/>The truth is, bed linens are expensive, especially if you have a queen or king sized bed. Therefore, it’s important to space out your bed linen purchases periodically so that way you don’t blow your entire budget all at once. Of course, investing in a new set of sheets or a few cute throw pillows for your bed can help spruce up a bedroom’s decor.<br/><br/>When it comes to updating the bedroom space, remember that there are a number of home accessories and decor items that you can incorporate into the space for relatively cheap. Keep your eye out for sales, clearance items and other bargain shopping scores to help update your space on a limited budget.

Budget Bedroom Updates

Fortunately, there are a ton of home accessories and decor ideas that can help you update your bedroom space on a budget. Hand-Me-Downs and ...

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