Month: August 2012

Stylish Fire Extinguishers

*only in france

Portable fire extinguishers don’t only come in red. The outer casing of fire extinguishers actually have different colors to indicate the type of medium or agent they contain. They were normally; blue for powder, red for water, black for carbon dioxide, cream for foam and green for halon.

Fire extinguishers are a regular in places where fire is common…but it should not be limited to such. It is best to keep one even if you live near a body of water. It is especially convenient in the kitchen which is the most common place where fire accidents start.

To add some zest from the usual plain colored extinguisher, you can opt to have its casing customized. It started in France when a design company got bold and introduced chic-painted extinguishers in colorful, minimalist and eye-catchy designs. Home-owners who value aesthetics will definitely appreciate such.

Designs and casing aside, it is always recommended to keep a portable extinguisher at home. Being ready in any accident  is the best way to go to keep your house away from harm. Here are some of the must-do’s regarding extinguishers.

1. Easily seen. Make sure that your extinguisher can easily be seen. This maybe the reason why casings are plain, to make them standout from the rest of the wall’s color, where they are usually mounted.

2. Read and learn. It is wise to know your gadgets, appliances and other stuff at home, so goes for extinguishers too. They come with instructions and certainly tips on how to use them well. Make sure that you understood these. Doing so would make you well-equipped in using the extinguisher in case a flame starts.

3. Check and recharge. Make sure that your extinguishers are not empty. Companies normally have regular checks for theirs, you should too. It’s quite easy to recharge extinguishers, just make sure that you refill it with the correct agent.

In this hot months, fire accidents are more likely to happen. That’s why it will be good for homeowners to learn more about fire extinguishers found at fire protection online. They have an extensive list of different extinguishers along with necessary information. But while it is of utmost importance to familiarize ourselves with how to put off fire, it is as significant to learn how to not start fire. :)

colorful fire extinguishers
via http://www.fire-design.fr

 

 

Calling-In the Pros When DIY Simply Won’t Do

Home-Painting DIY

Cutting down on costs is one of the primary reasons why people venture on do-it-yourself projects. The success stories of some DIY enthusiasts and the growing number of DIY merchandise and reality shows that make home renovations seem so easy contribute to its popularity and motivate people to try it out. However, one should be careful with choosing DIY projects lest they find themselves spending more than what they bargained for; or worse put themselves and other people in danger. Here are some projects that are best left in the hands of the Pros.

1. Structural work. Major remodeling jobs usually entail tearing down and putting up new structures in the house. Venturing in this type of project armed with just your skills and a DIY manual can be both impractical and dangerous especially if you are not familiar with the building code of your state. An improperly built structure can collapse on your heads even with minimal impact from an external force. You might also end up redoing everything if the structure doesn’t pass the standards of the building inspectors.

2. Electrical Jobs. Wiring installations or repairs are also covered by the building code and some states require professional handling of these jobs. Regardless of the building code, electrical jobs are quite technical. Improper wiring can end up in short circuits, electrocution and fires.

colorful paint
to paint will do

3. Other technical tasks such as repairing appliances and pest control that involve handling harmful chemicals or hazardous materials. DIY instructions on appliance troubleshooting and repair may seem easy to follow but we can never tell what may happen in the middle of the repairs. One misstep in the interpretation of the instructions may lead to accidents or serious injuries. The same goes with handling harmful chemicals, one accidental spill or formulation mistake can cause damages to your health and your property.

4. Work on valuable or irreplaceable items. Rare items, heirlooms and items that have sentimental value can end up badly damaged or destroyed in the hands of an amateur. We only want the best for our prized possession and that includes the care of an expert.

5. Any undertaking that is beyond your skill level. Assess your skills and capabilities before undertaking a project and be honest with yourself. If you don’t know your way around power tools then you may want to leave the major carpentry work to the experts.

DIY projects can greatly help us cut on labor costs and provide us with a sense of accomplishment when the project is finished. However, we should also consider the limitations of our knowledge and skills in taking on such projects. Fiddling with things that you know little of can result to serious consequences. Choose your DIY projects carefully and leave the jobs that truly matter in the hands of the Pros.