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 blinds because they are easy to clean, an advantage in a kitchen, and they don't warp, fade or crack, a great advantage in a room with high humidity such as a bathroom.

Faux wood blinds control light and privacy as effectively as wood blinds, yet they're made of polymer which makes them sturdy, resistant to moisture, easy to clean and impervious to warping, cracking or peeling. They're also energy efficient, to keep your home warmer in winter, cooler in summer..

"Heidi," "Treasure Island," the "Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder - the reason you remember them is that they're classics, well written and as exciting for today's generation of young people as they were when you were growing up. Children love to be read to, so consider these wonderful classics as a chance to snuggle up with the kids or grandkids as you read to them. Don't forget to reminisce about your childhood while you're interacting with them, reading, playing games, or watching them play; this times are a great opportunity to begin to pass along the family stories that are so much a part of daily life.

Unplugging your children or grandchildren from the TV, the DVD player, and the Game Boy will be doing them a big favor. Getting them involved with toys, games and books that will stimulate their minds and their hearts will pay off for them for years to come..

In summer, trees lose leaves from heavy storms and high winds. In early fall, you should remove leaves that have fallen early to keep your gutters flowing freely. At the end of fall or early winter, you want to make sure everything has been properly cleared from the gutter system to help prevent ice dams or buildup of ice in your gutters. The extra weight of frozen water in your gutters can easily cause them to pull away from the fascia and in many cases, fall off the house. Improper gutter maintenance will lead to clogged or damaged gutters and can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your homes foundation, exterior trim and basements.

To clean your gutters properly, rent a sturdy ladder and get your a neighbor to give you a hand. Ladders can be rented from most local rental centers for as little as $40.00 a day. When using ladders, make sure you stay away from power lines, trees and windows. It's a good idea to use a ladder stabilizer to make sure the ladder doesn't crush your gutters or slip while your doing the cleaning. Ladder stabilizers can be purchased at most hardware stores for about $30.00.

Remember your safety is more important than clean gutters, so make sure you get someone to help you. Thousands of people die each year from falls and electrocution while working on ladders. If you have gutter screens or gutter guards, make sure that they aren't damaged or clogged with leaves and branches. They won't help protect the gutters if the water can't get into them properly and the water may just flow over them making them useless, even if the gutters are clean! Carefully lift the guards to avoid damaging them and remove any leaves or debris under them and then reinstall them properly. You should run water over them to make sure they are working properly.

Check your downspouts to see if they have screens at the top and clear them as well. If necessary, use a hose to clear any heavily clogged downspouts and make sure you replace any damaged gutter or downspout screens. While cleaning your gutters, inspect them to make sure the fasteners are properly secured. This can usually be done with a hammer, or in some cases a screwdriver. You may find that over time, the spikes that hold the aluminum to the fascia board have loosened.

Either drive the loose spikes back into place, or replace them with longer ones for improved support. When gutters are loose, the pitch is changed and the water will overflow at low areas. Since you have help from your neighbor, this is also the perfect time to inspect your roof for missing shingles, cracked vent pipe gaskets or bare nails. Make sure you return the favor and help him or her on their house when you're done.If you have any questions about gutter maintenance, gutter guard systems or to hire a professional to clean the gutters on your home, contact Henry's Housework at 301-353-9287. For more information about gutter cleaning, guard systems or our other services, see our website at www.henryshousework.com.

We also offer a newsletter through our website with maintenance tips, reminders and discounts on our services each month.Henry BockmanPresident, Henry's Housework Inc.Online at www.Henryshousework.comEmail Henry@Henryshousework.comOffice 301 353-9287.

The angled ladders are generally safer, but take up more floor space.

In addition to loft bunk beds, futon bunk beds are convenient because they have the dual functionality of serving as a couch. As such, futon bunk beds represent the ultimate in space savings. They allow you to have two beds and a couch all within just a few square feet of floor space.

Loft beds are a viable alternative to traditional beds and other bunk beds. These beds can be purchased both online and offline and many options are available with regards to styles and colors. The beds are typically available in both wood and metal construction..

Some Topics included:* OSHA Act/General Duty Clause* Inspections, Citations, and Penalties* Emergency Plans and Life Safety* Occupational Health/Environmental Controls* Hazardous Materials* Means of Egress and Fire Protection* Electrical* Fall Protection* Walking and Working Surfaces* Stairways and Ladders* Confined Space Policies* Material Handling* Welding, Cutting, & BrazingThe cost for this course is $150 for two participants, or $99 for one participant. For more information or to register call: 520 568-0285 or 602 418-1677, visit our website at www.safetyonsitetraining.com, or email e-mail protected from spam bots.

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 release the snails in a cool, moist, shady spot.11. Look through and organize family photos.12.

Start a seasonal family photo scrapbook.13. Read the Sunday comics together.14. Make a CD wall mirror with free internet CDs that arrive in the mail.15. Bake cookies.16. Have a living room picnic.17.

Challenge your brother or sister to a staring contest.18. Play a game of I-Spy.19. Go for a walk around the block.20. Make and fly paper airplanes.However you decide to entertain yourself and your family, remember the most important thing: No television!.

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 power, you have to know a lot about electrical power ? the way it moves, how it does what it does, the math and physics behind it and a lot of other things. Everybody feels like a bit of an electrician simply by changing that blown fuse or plugging things in just right or wiring up that complicated TV/VCR/DVD/stereo entertainment center you've just bought. You wire it up, plug it in and somehow it all works without any sparks or problems and you feel like you could have been an electrician if you'd really wanted to.

Wrong. There is a world of difference between plugging things in and being an electrician.

To begin with the body of mathematics behind electrical work is impressive. Electricity is measured in volts and is a function of voltage, current and resistance - all factors with a complex mathematical relationship. There are laws, not the building codes set in place by municipal governments to insure the safety of houses and commercial buildings, but mathematical laws proven with chalkboards of bizarre looking figures that prove how electricity will function under different circumstances.

And there are unions. In fact the Electrical Workers Union (EWU) is one of the strongest unions in America protecting the integrity of the profession from scammers and schemers..

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 not in use.

All pools should be equipped with life preservers. Swimmers should always have a buddy, regardless of age; children in particular should not swim without adult supervision. Too many drownings occur in pools every year, and many of these could have been easily prevented.

Many of these accidents occur in family-owned pools.

Another thing to think about before shopping for pools is the amount of time that goes into owning them. Pools need to be well maintained. They should be cleaned regularly, and checked for pH levels. Chemicals such as chlorine need to be stored in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas out of the sun, and they should be locked up when not in use. Covers should be kept on pools during long periods of non-use.

This not only keeps swimmers out but also helps keep the pools clean.

Owners who follow simple safety guidelines can enjoy their pools without having to worry too much about catastrophes. Just remember that accidents can happen to anybody, and letting down your guard for just a moment may be long enough for that one tragedy to occur. With a responsible attitude and awareness, pools can be enjoyable for everyone.
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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 frames are generally more expensive than either plastic or metal framed climbers. Made of pressure-treated lumber, they use galvanized screws for fastening and often include enclosures, platforms and rope climbing ladders. Wooden climbing frames can last a lifetime if properly cared for, and be used by generation after generation of children.

Popular additions to wooden climbing frames are canopies, swings, rope climbers and platforms. Perhaps you recall the swing sets of your childhood - tubular metal in bright colors with swings and a slide, and perhaps a glider. Todays metal climbing frames are the next generation. The product of increased safety awareness and health studies, they're designed with fun AND safety in mind. They often include horizontal ladders for climbing and swinging, slides, and bars for more intricate feats of balance and swinging.

They're the closest to the old monkey bars and jungle gyms that we all grew up with. Made popular by such manufacturers as Playskool and Little Tikes, plastic climbing frames are made of high impact, sturdy plastic that can withstand weather and rugged use. Bright colors, rounded corners and clever designs make plastic climbing frames the perfect choice for toddlers and small children. Generally closer to the ground, it often features holes and tunnels for crawling and climbing, broad-based support for safety and slides with rounded rails to prevent tumbles.Finally, there are hybrids - metal frames with wooden structures or plastic components like crawling tunnels and climbing walls. These are most often found in public playgrounds, but there are some available to build in your backyard.

They may be based on a metal frame with a wooden structure or canvas tent, or have a plastic crawling/climbing tube up to a wooden platform. Considerations when buying a climbing frame for your back yard or garden include the age of the children, the amount of use it will get, aesthetic considerations and safety features. A well-constructed climbing frame, whatever the material, is one of the best investments you can make for your family's recreation needs..

It often eliminates the expense of the helper. This is doubly important because often shop personnel have to be assigned to help me reach high areas. The laser measuring device means I dont have to bother my customers maintenance department and more importantly keeps me safe on the ground rather than climbing around on ladders and catwalks.The Hilti was the least expensive model in Canada but it is of high quality. It is extremely rugged and dependable. There are more expensive models like the Leica Disto, which have many more features but I dont think the features would get used due to the inconvenience of fiddling with buttons and features in a dirty industrial environment.

I think the more expensive units might be more prone to damage. However if you need wireless connectivity from your laptop to your laser measurer, or extensive data logging features. Perhaps you would find the more expensive models very helpful.One feature that is useful is the ability to store dimensions. The PD-30 only stores the last 3 measurements. I think the ability to store 10 measurements or more would be better.

Its not a huge issue though. Even if the unit remembers the dimension, you still have to note down where the dimension was taken, and note taking can be a big pain in a dirty industrial environment.If you are considering a laser distance measuring device purchase I would reccomend the Hilti PD-30. There are several companies with many more models to choose from. I have shown some of them on my website. Please check them out if this interests you.I have used a Hilti PD-30 laser distance measure for about six months now and at first the idea of spending hundreds of dollars on a fancy electronic measuring tape seemed crazy.

But I have come to depend on this little electronic wonder.My business involves architectural and structural drafting. I often have to take measurements in the field. Before, if I wanted to measure something high, I would have to climb up and have a helper hold the end of the tape. Or I might have to climb up on platform and ladders on which I was not familiar and expose myself to a risk of a serious fall.The laser measurer lets you do almost all your measuring from the ground. It often eliminates the expense of the helper.

This is doubly important because often shop personnel have to be assigned to help me reach high areas. The laser measuring device means I dont have to bother my customers maintenance department and more importantly keeps me safe on the ground rather than climbing around on ladders and catwalks.The Hilti was the least expensive model in Canada but it is of high quality. It is extremely rugged and dependable. There are more expensive models like the Leica Disto, which have many more features but I dont think the features would get used due to the inconvenience of fiddling with buttons and features in a dirty industrial environment. I think the more expensive units might be more prone to damage.

However if you need wireless connectivity from your laptop to your laser measurer, or extensive data logging features. Perhaps you would find the more expensive models very helpful.One feature that is useful is the ability to store dimensions. The PD-30 only stores the last 3 measurements. I think the ability to store 10 measurements or more would be better. Its not a huge issue though.

Even if the unit remembers the dimension, you still have to note down where the dimension was taken, and note taking can be a big pain in a dirty industrial environment.If you are considering a laser distance measuring device purchase I would reccomend the Hilti PD-30. There are several companies with many more models to choose from. I have shown some of them on my website link below. Please check them out if this interests you..