Bunk Bed Basics
Bunk beds are a great way to fit two beds into a smaller space, or to maximize the floor space of a shared room. There are now bunk beds available with storage drawers, roll out mattresses and even some that double as desks and workstations. All the additional amenities that bunk beds now offer are certainly something to be considered, but nothing is more important when purchasing a bunk bed than safety. Know what to look for and you will get a great looking bunk bed that serves its purpose. There are certain things an educated consumer should know to look out for, and it also goes without saying that not all bunk beds are created equal.
There are several manufacturers of bunk beds who make quality furniture pieces, and armed with a little knowledge, you can purchase the right bed for your children.
All bunk beds should have rails for the top bunk. Without question, the number one cause of bunk bed related injuries stems from children falling out of the top bunk. A quality bunk bed will never lack rails for a bed so high off the floor. Additionally, parents should always make sure the rails are tight and secure after the bunk bed has been purchased or assembled.
Ladder placement is important.
Ladders will either be on the sides or front of the bed. A good rule of thumb to follow is that bunk beds with four feet or four posts touching the ground should have the ladder in front; meaning on the long side of the bed that usually faces out from the wall (provided the bed is set against a wall). You should only see ladders on the short "ends" of the bunk bed if the bed has a solid foundation on both ends, meaning wood or metal all the way across the end that touches the floor. The reason for this is that front side ladders are at an angle while end ladders are straight up and down. If your child slips on a front sided ladder, which is always angled, he or she will not fall straight down, eliminating the possibility of landing on the bottom bunk rails or getting an appendage caught in the bed.
This can happen with a vertical ladder, which is why they should only be placed on the ends of beds, preferably with "walled" or "semi-walled" ends that go all the way to the floor. This will prevent your child from getting an appendage caught on the bed should he or she fall on a vertical ladder.
Bunk bed construction, as one might imagine, is also very important. Wood has substantially less compression strength than metal, so while wooden bunk beds are certainly fine, be wary of those that don't weigh much more than their metal counterparts. Wood bunk beds are just as good as metal bunk beds, but should weigh considerably more.
Being an educated consumer will allow you to get the bunk bed you want while making sure that your children's safety needs are met.
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The Importance of Electricians
Ever since Benjamin Franklin went outside with his kite during a thunderstorm, electricity has ruled the world. All you have to do to understand this is to remember what it was like the last time your power went out for an evening. Nothing worked. No computer, no refrigerator and more importantly, no TV. Electricity runs everything important in our lives and when it malfunctions, somebody has to fix it, somebody who knows what they're doing, that is.
Electricity has the power to run things when it works smoothly, but, it can also burn things and kill people if misused. Of all the household accidents in this country, home electrical repairs ranks second in accidents right behind falling off ladders - only home electrical repair accidents are more deadly than falling off ladders.
Good electricians are highly trained individuals with a lot of schooling and practical experience behind them. Before you go sticking your hand into a fuse box, or rewiring the house for...
Ladders > The Importance of Electricians
It?s Not Your Father?s Climbing Frame!
When I was growing up, the metal jungle gym in our backyard made ours the most popular play spot in the neighbourhood. Built of tubular steel in bright orange and yellow, it was a honeycombed hexagon that provided days of climbing, swinging and acrobatic fun. These days, the jungle gym is called a climbing frame, and it may be made of wood, metal or plastic, but the fun factor remains the same. If you have young children, a climbing frame in the back yard or garden can offer hours upon hours of fun recreation and activity. Climbing frames come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, and most are customizable with add-ons and accessories.
You can start with a simple ladder type climbing frame and add accessories like platforms, ladders, rope climbers, tents, rope bridges and more. One easy way to classify climbing frames is by materials used. Wooden climbing...
It?s Not Your Father?s Climbing Frame!
Ladders > It?s Not Your Father?s Climbing Frame!
Shopping for a swimming pool
When the summer rolls around and the air heats up, we all dream of having pools in our own backyard. However, before shopping for pools, it is important to be aware of safety issues. Make sure you are willing to take on the responsibility before you buy.
Do you have a lot of kids in your neighborhood? Pools are magnets for children! Be aware that if the pool is on your property, you may be liable for any accident that may occur. For safety reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend installing pools until your children are at least 5 years old. While they are certainly a lot of fun, pools can also be hazardous if the owners don't take proper precautions.
Fences should be placed around pools to prevent accidental falls as well as uninvited guests.
The fences should be at least 4 feet high and gated. Ideally, there should be latches and locks for when the pools are not in use. Ladders from above-ground pools should be removed when...
Shopping for a swimming pool
Ladders > Shopping for a swimming pool
Faux Wood Mini Blinds
Though wood blinds and shutters are the most popular window coverings sold in America, these two products are among the most expensive. Faux wood Blinds offer nature's rich, subtle colors and unique textures at a fraction of the cost of real wood shutters. Moreover, wood does not last long in high moisture areas. Manufacturers have introduced quality alternatives to wood blinds in the form of faux wood blinds.
Faux wood blinds are made of vinyl, vinyl compounds, and a combination of wood and vinyl. The wood look-alikes are either a wood-polymer mix or 100-percent polymer.
Since these use vinyl for at least a portion of their slats they have two inherent advantages to wood blinds: they cost less, and they resist moisture.
All of the faux wood blinds require more ladders than wood blinds. The sturdier the blind, the farther apart the ladders can be placed and therefore will require fewer ladders.
Many interior designers favor faux wood...
Ladders > Faux Wood Mini Blinds
20 Fun Ideas for National Turn Off TV Week
Publishing Guidelines: Feel free to publish the following article in its entirety in your ezine, website, or print newsletter. The resource box must be included with an active link. Please send a courtesy copy of the publication in which the article appears to: deborah@fiveminuteparent.com Word wrap to 60, (214 words)*************************************************20 Fun Ideas for National Turn Off TV WeekBy National Turn Off Your TV Week is April 21-27 this year. Why not take the holiday one step further and turn off the computer as well? Here are 20 fun ways your family can make the most of this celebration.1. Read a book.2.
Write a letter-not an email-to a dear friend.3. Bathe the dog.4. Play a game of Candyland or Chutes and Ladders.5. Paint each other's faces.6. Do cartwheels in the front yard.7.
Camp out in the back yard with a tent, flashlight and lots of munchies.8. Host a garage sale.9. Visit the library for story time.10. Go on a snail-hunting expedition, then...
20 Fun Ideas for National Turn Off TV Week
Ladders > 20 Fun Ideas for National Turn Off TV Week
Pool Ladders
Pool ladders are installed in almost all swimming pools. They are used to climb in and out of the pool. There is a wide collection of ladders available for both in-ground and aboveground pools. They are available in aluminum, white vinyl, structural plastic, resin and stainless steel materials. Color choice does not vary much, since painting them is not viable.
Some of them are lined with anti-skid material to avoid slips and falls. They come with easy assembling techniques and provide a few years warranty. They are available with outdoor equipment suppliers, hardware stores, pool accessories suppliers and on the Internet.
For in ground pools, ladders generally have 2-5 steps going towards the deck. The ladders could have a platform or could just land straight on the deck. The height and shape of the ladder should be compatible to your pool.
Various types of ladders suitable to vinyl liner pools and concrete and fiberglass pools can be found. They need to be...
Pool Ladders
Ladders > Pool Ladders
Plasma Televisions
Now a status symbol among the rich and wealthy, a plasma TV is a high-definition (HDTV) alternative to the standard cathode-ray televisions sold today. It gives viewers sharp images and vibrant colors, particularly when used in conjunction with high-definition broadcasts. A quality plasma TV, however, does not come cheap. Its price ranges from $4,000 to $15,000 plus.
One of the main attractions of a plasma TV is a flat screen, which can be mounted directly on a wall. Manufacturers...
Ladders > Plasma Televisions
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