Author: oi_admin

These quick tips from the National Safety Council are geared to keep you safe in and around your bathroom.

1. 1. Use non-slip bathmats or appliques in the shower.
   2. Prevent trips by purchasing an adhesive, non-slip rug mat.
   3. Make the entrance to the shower or bathtub easily accessible with a bath step or a walk-in tub.
   4. Install grab bars by the toilet to assist in safely getting up and down.
   5. Plug in nightlights in and around the bathroom.
   6. Switch to liquid soap or soap-on-a-rope to avoid reaching and bending over.
   7. Add a hand-held shower nozzle.
   8. Make sure the shower door swings outward in case of a fall.

For more hsome maintenance tips and ideas, read our March 2016 edition of ePostNotes, ePostNotes.

Make these minor changes to save energy and money.

• Add weather stripping to doors and windows.
• Wrap your electric hot water heater with a blanket.
• Properly setting your programmable thermostat may reduce heating and cooling costs by at least 10%.
• A clean furnace filter will help your heating system work better, use less energy and last longer.
• A heavy duty outdoor timer will automatically turn your seasonal lights on and off.

Read more helpful tips in our March 2016 edition of ePostNotes.

The relaxing experience one gets at a quality hotel or resort is designed right into the rooms to make a stay as rewarding as possible. For those who like the feeling of being in a five-star hotel room and would like to re-create that experience in their own homes, here are a few simple tips.

Your bedroom is the room in your house you spend the most time in every day. You’ll love having a peaceful oasis to retreat to at the end of the day and wake up to each morning.

Bedrooms should not multitask. Banish all furniture beside the bed, a chair, nightstands and a dresser. No exercise equipment, desks, computers, sewing tables, etc.

Insulate for sound. Fabric or paper wall coverings and carpets help. Double-paned or triple-paned glass windows will minimize outside sounds.

Control the lighting for sleep and romance. Dimmable lamps create a warm, romantic environment. Layered window treatments give you options for both privacy and light.

Reduce clutter and make your bed every day. Seeing the tops of the nightstands and dressers makes the bedroom feel clean, and a well-made bed looks luxurious and inviting.

Give yourself some luxurious touches. Place a special robe or pair of cozy slippers at your bedside.

With the cost and hassle of replacing central heat, a lot of people are investing in space heaters.

Whole-Room vs. Personal Heater: Select the Right One.

An electric space heater that is too large for an area will consume lots of energy and lead to higher utility bills. Buying a portable heater rated for a small space and expecting it to cover a large area will make it work harder to heat the space.

Tip-Over Protection - A heater with a tip-over or tilt-over switch will automatically shut off if tipped over for any reason.

Pick the Right Place - Install at least 3 feet away from furniture, window treatments, bedding, clothing, rugs, and other combustibles.

Directly Plug into an Outlet - Sufficient power capacity is required. An extension cord increases the chance of overheating.

Regularly Inspect and Maintain Your Purchase - Frequently clean and maintain the heater to ensure safety. Wipe down the heater to reduce the amount of dust and allergens that may be dispersed.

Shut Off and Unplug - When leaving an area, disconnect the portable space heater or buy one with an automatic programmable timer.

Keep Heaters Away From Water - Refrain from running a heater in a bathroom or a humid basement. Moreover, do not touch the heater if you are wet or have wet hands, as this increases the risk of electrical shock.