Clean Filters Make Safe Stoves

Your stove's vent hood is there for every cooking adventure, but doesn't get much credit. Show your appreciation by keeping it in tip-top shape.  Clean standard filters with a degreasing solution, followed by warm, soapy water, or put it on the top rack of your dishwasher.  In units that use activated charcoal filters, replace those filters on a regular basis.

Hemcrete®: Carbon Negative Hemp Walls

Buildings account for thirty-eight percent of the CO2 emissions in the U.S., according to the U.S. Green Building Council, and demand for carbon neutral and/or zero footprint buildings is at an all-time high. Now there is a new building material that is not just carbon neutral, but is actually carbon negative. Developed by U.K.-based Lhoist Group, Tradical® Hemcrete® is a bio-composite, thermal walling material made from hemp, lime and water. What makes it carbon negative? There is more CO2 locked-up in the process of growing and harvesting of the hemp than is released in the production of the lime binder. Of course the equation is more complicated than that, but Hemcrete® is still an amazing new technology that could change the building industry.

Good looking, environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable, Hemcrete® is as versatile as it is sustainable. It can be used in a mind-boggling array of applications from roof insulation to wall construction to flooring. Hemcrete® is waterproof, fireproof, insulates well, does not rot [when used above ground] and is completely recyclable. In fact, the manufacturers say that demolished Hemcrete® walls can actually be used as fertilizer!
Available for years in the U.K., Hemcrete® is only now finding its way into North America. The species of hemp used to manufacture Hemcrete® is illegal to grow in the U.S., making Hemcrete® an expensive option for U.S. builders for now. As pressure for more sustainable building materials grows, lawmakers are certain to revisit this and other similarly restrictive statutes, particularly if there is money to be made. And judging from the success of Hemcrete® in Europe and elsewhere, there is plenty to be made; it is so profitable overseas that Hemp Technologies, one of the biggest manufacturers of hemp products in the UK, is actively recruiting as many new growers as it can.

Read more: Hemcrete®: Carbon Negative Hemp Walls | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World

Cleaning Decks with Laundry Detergent

Is your wood deck looking winter worn? Laundry detergent can be used for more than just colors or whites. Here is a great outdoor use for your laundry detergent. As the weather gets warmer, you may want to clean all traces of winter from your wood deck. Powdered laundry detergent and hot water is usually enough to spruce up your winter worn deck. This mixture acts as an abrasive and a cleanser. To eliminate mildew from your wood deck, use a 10 percent bleach solution. Use a power washer for extra cleaning power, and finish with a thorough rinse for a bright summer deck.

Swing Set Safety Tips

·                          Ensure the swing set is erected at least 6 feet away from any building or fences.   Position the swing set in a shaded area, so that surfaces won't get too hot to the touch.  Use sand or pea gravel, or a rubberized surface under the swing set, as these materials absorb the impact of a fall much better than dirt or grass.  Make sure toddler swing sets are at least 2 feet above ground so kids can't use it on their own

Refrigerator Seal Dollar Bill Test

You can save cold hard cash on your utility bills by actually putting a dollar bill in your refrigerator.  It's essential that your refrigerator door seal is tight.  Leaky doors waste lots of energy over the course of the year.  To test the door, close it over a dollar bill.  If the bill pulls out easily, you may need to adjust the latch or replace the seal to save some cold hard cash.

Cold Water Cash

To save money while washing clothes, try using cold water instead of hot water. Improved detergents and modern technology mean you need a lot less hot water for your laundry, and instead can use cold water.  Replace your old washing machine with a new energy efficient model and you can use cold water to save cold hard cash while washing your clothes.

Get Leg Up On Ladder Safety

 

This common household accident causes more that 150,000 emergency room visits each year and is one of the most common causes of falls.   Worn or improperly used ladders cause hundreds of thousands of serious injuries each year.  To stay safe, make sure your ladder has slip-resistant rungs and feet.  Inspect it for cracked uprights, split rungs or loose rivets.  When using an extension ladder, make sure the bottom is pulled away from the wall by at least one quarter of the height you need to work at (refer to the illustration above for proper setup)  and never stand on the top rung of any type of ladder.

Tip for your next paint project...

You think you’re ready to tackle that paint job – but do you have a rubber band?  You’ll need one.  Here’s why.  Stretch a heavy-duty rubber band across the top of the paint can, anchoring it at the handles.  When you wipe a paint-loaded brush across it, excess paint will land in the can rather than in the lip.  You’ll not only save paint, but re-sealing the lid will also be much easier. 

Season for Fires…

Winter months most common for fires

January is the peak month for residential fires.  When heating systems kick on, residential fires peak.  Not so surprisingly, February and December follow close behind as peak months for residential fires, but keep in mind that fire safety is important all year long.  If your furnace has not been inspected lately now is the time.  Practice fire drills and check potential danger areas at least every 3 months, and always remember to test the batteries in your smoke detectors. Taking these precautions can drastically lower the risk of a residential fire occurring in your home.