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Refresh your home with natural stone tiles – 3 ideas for your kitchen, bathroom and entryway

If you are thinking of refurbishing your house then it is time to consider using natural stone tiles for your project. Natural stone comes in many forms and shades and its quality and durability are beyond doubt. Some of the most popular stones that you can use for your walls, floors or simply as highlights around your home are marble, granite, travertine, limestone and slate. Make sure to check the properties of the different material and advice the seller what you need the tiles for, so that you can choose the most appropriate ones. Keep in mind that natural stone is porous and can absorb water, so it always have to be sealed once installed no matter if used indoors or outside and resealed regularly – might be every year or once in a 3-4 years. Otherwise, natural stone tiles are a synonym of longevity and will serve you for a lifetime if properly maintained. Therefore, they are a good material to use in any renovation or construction project and below you can find just 3 of the numerous possible application of this type of tiles.

 

Style up your kitchen

Quite often the kitchen is viewed as the focal point of any home and therefore it is a good idea to refurbish it and make it more comfortable and easier to use. Installing the proper appliances is priority number one, of course, but when we are talking just for refreshing the space and changing its atmosphere a new floor or counter top or the combination of both can do its magic. Choosing marble or granite tiles for your new kitchen top is surely a good idea. The stone is visually attractive material, not difficult to clean and maintain and very durable. Use mild dishwasher detergent or soap stone and warm water to clean it, wipe any juice or wine spills as soon as possible and place coasters or mats under hot dishes and the counter will look as new. Natural stone tiles are also a good solution for the kitchen floor, especially if you want a more rustic atmosphere install riven slate or gold/yellow granite tiles to get the desired effect. If you have a bigger budget for your renovation then go ahead and change both the kitchen tops and the floors with stone tiles and enjoy their longevity.

 

Dress your bathroom in stone

The bathroom is your retreat after a long day at work or running domestic chores. Give yourself the feeling of a luxury spa treatment by using natural stone bathroom tiles. Marble is probably one of the most popular stones to be used in bathrooms, however travertine, limestone and granite are also a very good choice. You can opt for polish tiles on your walls if you want more shine and brightness and a modern look or choose honed or antiqued stone for the luxury that is reminiscent of Roman times. Natural stone tiles are an excellent solution both for bathrooms with showers and with bathtubs and can be combined with any material – glass, other stone, wood, concrete, ceramic tiles, to achieve the look you are searching for.

Improve your entryway

The entryway of your home is the area that is subjected to the highest traffic and gets easily dirty from muddy shoes, wet raincoats or umbrellas, etc. Therefore you need it covered with a material that can withstand all that wear and tear while being easily cleaned and maintained. Natural stone is the best solution for the entryway. It will not only take all the use and debris it is subjected to but also give your house an unique atmosphere. Flagstone or slate tiles are quite a good suggestion for this area and will surely last for many years to come. It is also a good idea to use a doormat so that anyone entering the house can clean some of the sand and debris they carry out from outside.

No matter what kind of floor, wall or bathroom tiles made of natural stone you use, you will surely be happy for making the investment. Stone tiles can be your partner for life when maintained properly and the qualities they have and atmosphere they bring will help you enjoy your home even more.

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4 Top Rooms to Renovate During Winter

Bidvine-kitchen_renovation_in_London

During the winter when the cold winds are blowing snow around, the last thing you want to do is consider renovating the outside of your home. Instead, the best things to focus on during winter are indoor home renovations.

One of the best ways to do this is by focusing on one of the rooms in your home that could do with an update. To help you narrow down which room to focus on we’ve gathered a list of 4 top rooms to renovate during the winter. So without further ado let’s jump right in!

1. Kitchen

Bidvine-kitchen_renovation_in_London
https://pixabay.com/en/kitchen-furniture-house-cook-1224845/

Your kitchen is the primary location of food preparation in your life. A messy and outdated kitchen can even deter you from cooking. Yet, a clean and updated kitchen will inspire and encourage you to cook which is healthier and cheaper than eating out.

There are two ways to approach a kitchen renovation. If you haven’t renovated in quite some time, then a full renovation may be in order. A full kitchen renovation can involve updating everything including your kitchen appliances, flooring, countertops, and backsplash.

Alternatively, a partial kitchen renovation will focus on updating just a few aspects. For instance, you may choose to just update the appliances. Then again, maybe you recently updated your appliances and the kitchen now needs a new coat of paint.

No matter whether you are renovating the entire kitchen or just adding a few key updates, if you live in the area, checking Bidvine for kitchen renovation in London will allow you to compare bids.

 

2. Bathroom

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https://pixabay.com/en/bathroom-window-space-tub-1872193/

The bathroom is one of the rooms that you use most in the house. It is where you brush your teeth in the morning and evening, and go to refresh yourself. An outdated bathroom can make your morning routine less than ideal. Plus, if you have guests over it is always nice to be able to show off a freshly updated bathroom.

Aside from the aesthetic benefits of renovating your bathroom, there are practical benefits too. A bathroom which is properly ventilated, has a coat of fresh paint, new bathroom tiles and an updated backsplash is less likely to harbour mould growth.

During your renovation, you could even install an energy efficient toilet. The more energy efficient appliances you use in your home the lower the cost of your utilities will be, not to mention you will help the environment.

 

3. Bedroom

Bidvine-home_renovation-bedroom
https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-bed-pillow-on-white-bed-comforter-in-brown-room-26139/

Another good option for renovating during the winter is to renovate your bedroom. Some top ways to renovate your bedroom include, updating the flooring, and adding a fresh coat of paint.

When you are choosing paint colours for your bedroom make sure to choose soothing tones which will help you fall asleep. Too many bright colours can inhibit your ability to sleep properly at night.

Once you have added a fresh coat of paint or updated your flooring or bedroom windows, consider incorporating some new decor into your renovation. A small area rug can make your room feel comfortable and cosy. A new set of sheets or comforter which matches the colour of your walls can even add a sleek update.

 

4. Living Room

Bidvine
http://epicantus.tumblr.com/post/96910206438/photo-by-daria-epicantus-its-free-to-use#96910206438

The living room is where you go to relax, especially in the winter when you spend more time inside than outside. Just imagine how nice it would be to be able to relax at the end of your work day in a newly renovated living room.

When choosing your flooring, for your living room renovation, both hardwood and carpet are good options. Hardwood can create a polished and sleek atmosphere while carpet will add a sense of cosiness.

Then, when it comes to deciding on the paint colour scheme you also have a few options. You could opt for something warm and cosy like a dark red or brown. Alternatively, you could choose something more classic like a white, or beige. If you already have a set colour scheme for the rest of your home, then simply choose a colour from the same palette.

 

Wrapping it Up

No matter whether you choose to renovate your bathroom, kitchen, bedroom or living room you are sure to brighten up your home with these updates. Not to mention that coming home to a freshly renovated room in your home will make those cold winter days so much cosier. If you’re not sure where to start, why not check out Bidvine.com, the fastest way to find and hire local professionals in the UK. Once you have the right home improvement professionals on your side, they will be able to advise about how to proceed.

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Early Warning Signs of Cancer

Cancer Family

Cancer is a serious disorder that can become extremely dangerous if left untreated. Knowing and detecting the early warning signs can lead you to get treatment earlier and actually save your life. Keep in mind that the early stages of cancer do not always present obvious symptoms, but signs and symptoms will get more obvious as the disease progresses.

 

General Early Symptoms

Some general early signs of cancer include unusual weight loss or gain, a change in appetite, nausea or vomiting, skin changes, pain in various parts of the body, a fever, or feeling tired all of the time or more often than usual.

 

Early Symptoms of Specific Types of Cancers

Hematology oncology is the study of cancer of the blood. Early signs of hematologic cancers are often very similar to symptoms of the flu. These symptoms can include a high fever, an aching feeling in the joints or bones, as well as chills, breaking out in sweat during the night, easy bruising or frequent bleeding, and headaches. Additionally, you might experience anemia, swelling of the lymph nodes, pain in the stomach, or an increase in the amount of infections you are being diagnosed with. Some types of cancers of the blood include leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

 

Lung cancer is another common form of cancer that may present early symptoms and changes to the body you can detect. Some of these symptoms include an extremely persistent cough, chest pain, coughing up blood or finding blood in your phlegm or mucus, shortness of breath that can also include wheezing, and swelling in the facial area. Additionally, lung cancer patients may also experience headaches in the early stages of this disease.

 

Why is early detection important?

Detecting and diagnosing cancer in the early stages can be very beneficial for your prognosis and treatment. The more cancer progresses and the farther it spreads throughout the body makes it more difficult to send into remission. In the simplest terms, early diagnosis increases your chances of recovery and survival. For example, when it comes to lung cancer, almost 70 percent of patients are likely to live for at least a year after the initial diagnosis if it was caught in the earliest stages of the disease, compared to only 14 percent of those who were diagnosed at the later stages.

 

Revolutionizing Early Detection

New technology is being developed that could assist in the early detection of cancer. This is exciting news for the medical community and the entire population, in general! This new technology, known as “liquid biopsies”, would allow doctors to detect early stages of cancer just by drawing your blood. Cancer mutations are evident in tiny fragments of DNA in a patient’s blood. These tests are now being used in cancer clinics all over the world.

 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or just have questions, it is important to speak with your medical provider immediately.

 

This guest post is courtesy of Teton Oncology, practicing cancer treatment in Idaho Falls, ID with the latest techniques and a state of the art clinic to ensure the best care for patients.

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Genius Storage Solutions for Your Home Office

home-office-storage

home-office-storage

Your home office is your central hub for work to get done and for you to escape from the hustle and bustle of the office life. If you are simply running out of room in your home office, but you do not want your items to spill into your home, you should look for cheap storage options around you. While storing your items does help keep your home free from clutter, you also need to think about some storage solution for inside of your home office as well. These cheap storage options are wonderful for any home office space.

 

  1. Go Wireless

Cords are the bane of our existence. Okay, maybe they are not that bad, but they are quite the hassle. In fact, cords from your computer, phone, and other office equipment get in the way and you may even trip over them from time to time. To help yourself get organized in your office, think about going wireless. Then, you would not have to worry about these things at all. Or you could get a media cabinet and place all of your equipment inside of it and you would not even have to worry about the cords hanging out.

 

  1. Get a File Cabinet

If you do not have a file cabinet inside of your office, wait, what? Yes, it is quite unheard of and you should start looking for one now. Papers and paperwork can eat up a lot of space, especially if you leave them lying around all over the place. Once you have a filing cabinet, you can place the papers within it and keep them not only organized, but also concealed.

 

  1. Use Your Wall Space

Wall space is just that – extra SPACE. You should utilize as much of your wall space as you can. If you are unsure of how to, think about floating bookcases, floating shelves, or even additional cabinets that can hang on the wall. You do not want to sacrifice your comfort simply to leave your walls bare. Who likes bare walls anyways? No one.

Don’t be afraid to add some additional shelving at the least. Trust us, you will find that simply placing additional books and décor on these shelves will free up more room on your desk.

 

  1. No Junk Allowed

We all have junk hidden somewhere in our office whether you work in an office building or your home. If you want to keep your office organized and have additional storage space within your home office, you need to make a policy and stick to it. That policy is – NO junk drawers allowed. If you keep your drawers free from junk, you will have more space to place all of your work-related items and you won’t have to worry about space.

 

If you find that you still do not have enough room in your home office, consider renting a small storage unit to provide you with some extra room for your items.

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How to Choose the Right Yogurt Maker

Freshly made yogurt has ample amount of beneficial bacteria to kill harmful viruses. The same benefits can’t be obtained from yogurt that has been sitting on the shelves catching dust! It’s suggested that you go for freshly made yogurt than commercial yogurt.

The health benefits are also reduced in store-bought yogurt due to its lower bacteria level. Commercial yogurt is fermented for a short duration using thickening agents. This technique makes them look as if they were fermented for a long duration. Doctors suggest using freshly made yogurt that’s fermented at least for 24 hours.

Making your own yogurt can save you a lot of money. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about the numerous chemical additives used to increase the shelf life and taste of your yogurt. It’s a win-win for both value for money and your health. The two types of yogurt culture base for a familiar taste and consistency are thermophilic and mesophilic culture. Warm temperature is the main requisite of a thermophilic culture, while mesophilic culture can be obtained at room temperature.

The two cultures in the making of a yogurt

The store-bought yogurt is usually made with thermophilic culture. It reduces the growth of unwanted bacteria as a result of warm temperature. Thermophilic culture’s ability to grow faster is an added advantage over the mesophilic culture.

A temperature between 105 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for the development of thermophilic cultures. Mesophilic yogurt cultures, on the other hand, are formed at room temperature. The typical room temperature required for its formation ranges from 70 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. It takes twice as longer than thermophilic yogurt.

If you want a thick-textured yogurt or Greek-style yogurt, thermophilic starters might be the preferred option. You’ll be pleased with mesophilic cultures if you want to have runny yogurt that’s easy to prepare. Depending on your need you can choose either of the cultures. Rest assured, you’ll have a quality yogurt free from unwanted ingredients at a minimal cost. You’ll have the freedom to choose your favorite flavors and fruits.

The initial yogurt-making process can be performed with standard kitchen equipment. The fermentation stage is the tricky part of the yogurt preparation because it requires controlled heat for long durations. An electric yogurt maker comes to your rescue, since you can avoid the guesswork and leave the rest to the yogurt maker!

 

A review of the different yogurt makers can also be of great help. The below guide can help you choose your yogurt makers:

 

Design and the capacity of your yogurt maker

Capacity and the ease of maintenance are factors to watch out for while considering the design of your yogurt maker. If you plan to produce a large quantity of homemade yogurt, don’t overlook the commercial yogurt makers which are designed for bulk production. There are yogurt makers with small jars to accommodate multiple flavors. It’s suggested that you consider your preferences and shop accordingly.

 

A yogurt maker’s temperature control and pricing

Controlled temperature and fermentation time required are important while purchasing your yogurt maker. Live bacterial cultures can survive only within certain temperature ranges. Once the temperature is beyond the threshold, the yogurt becomes thick and tastes sharp. Precise timing and meticulous temperature levels in a controlled environment decide the quality of your homemade yogurt. Consider the temperature and timing options available in all the contending yogurt makers before purchasing your yogurt maker.

Some of the budget-priced yogurt makers provide a stable and controlled temperature and a preferred environment for fermentation. The mid-range yogurt makers provide improved timing features and a water bath, which is not the case with budget-priced models. Furthermore, you must transfer the finished product to a cold storage unit.

The high-end yogurt makers provide masterful temperature controls. You needn’t transfer the finished product to a cold storage; the self-contained refrigeration in high-end yogurt maker enables it to be fully automatic.

Review the best available yogurt makers to help you choose the right yogurt maker. You can either compromise with the limited features for a lesser price, or go for a high-end product with additional automatic features.

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Should There be a Minimum Age on Cosmetic Procedures?

plastic-surgery

Cosmetic surgery has been continuously on the uptrend for a number of years now, especially with the growth of celebrity culture and glamour models which is now even found online. Today’s beauty standards have changed to seek perfection. The obsession and desire to look perfect has never been so prominent, particularly in younger people who are easily influenced by the media.

 

With new procedures constantly emerging, they appear to be designed to bury the question of potential dangers and potential risk factors, these procedures do not follow the same methods as the traditional ‘knife’ approach, which essentially give an overall view of being a friendlier non-risk approach.

 

 

What are the current risks?

A badly administered filler can cause nasty side-effects, including risk of injecting into facial blood vessels, facial ulcers and even blindness. What’s more is that currently, the UK cosmetic filler industry isn’t regulated.

 

Over the recent months there has been a dramatic increase in problems after cosmetic procedures, specifically in younger people. Surprisingly the heavy increase also feeds back to the new methods that young people are having undergone. Is extremely concerning especially when most cosmetic surgery or procedures cannot be easily reversed.

 

Regulations (Lack of).

In the UK there are currently a lot of grey area’s when it comes to the regulations. The standards are more of a ‘guideline’ to follow.

 

Today, anybody in the UK over the age of 18 can have surgery, and if you are under the age of 18 parental consent is required. Whilst it is rare that anyone under the age of 18 would undergo a cosmetic procedure, it’s very concerning that there isn’t an age limit.

 

Another concern is the lack of understanding of the side effects and complications. Over 17 per cent of people that undergo cosmetic procedures believe that the side-effects weren’t fully explained.

 

Whilst changes are currently being put into place to ensure that offers cannot be giving to patients to sway them into procedures, all other points below are left unquestioned.

 

The side-effects.

­­­­A recent poll also shows that up to 65 per cent of people regret cosmetic surgery. Not only can these procedures cause physical damage including nerve damage and organ damage, but they can also have a detrimental effect on mental health. A recent survey has shown that almost 13 per cent of people that feel less confident after a cosmetic procedure and this results in them looking for cosmetic surgery compensation.

 

Should there be a minimum age?

Typically, a good surgeon will turn an 18-year-old away who’s wanting botox – but an unethical one may not. There is a perception that having treatment at an earlier age will help ward off aging in the future. Ironically, having treatment at an earlier age can make the patient look older.

 

Without doubt, any cosmetic procedure can bring on unwanted, permeant and irreversible problems. With the decision of making such a life changing life-changing event, and with 65% of people regretting having cosmetic surgery later in life, a question must be asked; Should there be a minimum age?

 

Please let us know what you think in the comments below:

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Is Air Duct Cleaning Really Necessary?

 

It is very easy to scare the average homeowner when it comes to their HVAC systems. Not only is the system a highly sophisticated and complicated device, far beyond the capability of most DIY handymen, but the ductwork in your home is virtually invisible. If someone comes along and tells you that it is in need of a cleaning, you may be inclined to immediately believe them, because you can’t see for yourself and prove them wrong.

 

The truth is, there are definitely some times when duct cleaning is advised and necessary, but there are also many companies out there trying to scare you into accepting substandard service for no good reason.

 

To help you make sense of what air duct cleaning is, and when you do and don’t need it, here is an easy-to-follow breakdown.

 

Immediate Cleaning Is Recommended If…

 

  • You Can See Buildup – The vents in your home will get dusty, just like everything else in your home will get dusty if left alone long enough. However, the dust should easily wipe away. If that is not the case, of if you can see dust and debris piling up behind the vents, there may be a problem in your ductwork. Air duct cleaning services can perform a complete inspection and cleaning to address the problem
  • You Recently Renovated Your Home – The filters on your HVAC system can handle regular household dust, but the material kicked up during a home renovation is a taller order. As a safety precaution, especially if you live in an older home where lead paint or asbestos may be present, it is recommended that you have your air ducts and HVAC system thoroughly cleaned after home renovations.
  • Someone in Your Home Has Respiratory Sensitivities – Some indoor allergies can be quite severe, as can asthma. If someone in your home is suffering frequent respiratory distress, there may be a problem in your ductwork. An inspection and cleaning is recommended to remove harmful allergens and irritants.
  • Mold Was Found In Your Home – Mold can be extremely hazardous to your health, and also very difficult to get rid of. As part of a professional and thorough a mold removal, be sure to get your HVAC system and air ducts thoroughly cleaned.

 

  • Animals Chewed Into Your System – One mouse can do an awful lot of damage, and a family of mice living in your air ducts is that much worse. Some animals can carry diseases that are harmful to humans, and animals nesting in your air ducts could be spreading them throughout your home. Immediate cleaning is recommended upon the discovery of animal problems.

 

Cleaning is NOT Required If…

 

  • The Tech Can’t Show You The Problem – Before beginning any cleaning service, the tech who visits your home should be able to show you why a cleaning is necessary. This is usually done either with a scope, or by removing the vents so that you can clearly see the problem for yourself.
  • Substandard Equipment Is Brought on Site – Duct cleaning companies are certified to safely remove dust and debris. Doing this improperly, or with substandard equipment can lead to bigger problems.
  • The Company Rep Keeps Trying to Upsell You – You may get sales pitches about special sprays or sealants, “whole house specials,” or other vague promises of doing a better job than they would otherwise do. Air duct cleaning should be thorough and professional no matter what. If someone keeps trying to upsell you, all they’re really promising is to take more money.

 

Before signing on for an air duct cleaning, always ask for recommendations, and read online reviews to make sure that you are dealing with a reputable company. Good work always speaks for itself.

 

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Know How to Find the Right Property to Invest In

Property-Investment

A property is still one of the most sought after investments at present. Whether it is to put a roof over your head or for profits when you decide to buy one for reselling purposes, purchasing a property involves a lot of money, thus, requiring a lot of thought and research before diving in head first.

 

The Internet and social media open up a huge variety of properties to choose from. Now, just by sitting at home, you can check options available for you. You get to review the area, its pros and cons, and all the possible incentives you could get by purchasing it. Less hassle, less time wasted, more productive.

 

The downside however, is that, the more choices you have, the more confusing it gets. Since this is one of the major decisions you’ll make in your lifetime, it is worth finding the best property to invest in.

 

Quality of the Property

The first thing you should ask yourself when buying a property is, “Why is it for sale?” This is the starting point and the crucial part that could shoot down the possible success of your investment. This is where thorough research is needed, among others.

 

It is a must to know why the property is for sale in the first place. If it is a house, conduct a background check, research on the history and components of the house. Is it for sale due to some unrepairable flaws? Compute all the needed repairs for the house and weigh if the benefits outweigh the cost.

 

Price is often an indicator of quality when it comes to a property. A property being sold at an extremely low price could be a red light that something is wrong with it. Find time to explore all aspects of the building. Extended parts of the main building, for instance, garages and barns if any, are often overlooked because the focus is usually on the main part of the building. Check on the garage door and its components, for instance. If in doubt, call the experts in the area for assistance. Some offer free check-ups for such.

 

Neighborhood

One of the important aspects in investing in a property is the location of the property. Is it a good neighborhood? Is it near schools, supermarkets and other amenities? Is it the area promising?

 

A property which is located near malls, gyms, public transportation, parks, and other attractions are often an invitation to investors. Having a property in the area could mean possible investment growth as well as double, if not triple value for your property in the long run. Be on a lookout for neighborhood that could be a hot spot for criminal dealings and activities. This automatically reduces the value of your investment. As such, it is important to survey the neighborhood before investing in it.

 

Potential of the Property

What are you planning to do with your property? For one, you could choose to develop it to be just a shelter for you and your family or serve as a bnb or a small inn for travelers.

 

Choose the right builder for your property, a good decorator, people well-known on the field. Stick to your budget but do not scrimp on the quality of materials. There are materials that are relatively cheaper where the quality is not compromised. Explore all possible extension of the house, from the landscape to the garage. Integrate modern design that makes an impression on the house like remote access on the garage or sensor lighting system that increases the security as well.

 

Job Availability

In choosing to find the right property to invest in, it is important to check on the availability of jobs in the area. Your property will not be patronized if it is located in an area where jobs are scarce. No one wants to drive many miles every single day just to get into their respective jobs as this would incur an additional cost to their daily spending,

 

A property that is within a stone’s throw away of busy and flourishing streets would mean low vacancy rate and high property value.

 

Property Taxes

If you are planning to rent out your property, you should be well aware first of the property tax you are facing. Taxes do not have fix rates and it differs in different places. In investing, you should be informed of the amount you are going to exhaust on tax. The tax you pay for your property should not exceed the profit you gain for using your estate as either a rent out or a commercial space.

 

In investing, there is a great need to explore all corners before throwing your money in it. The future success of the property lies on thorough research and wise calculation of moves – things an investor should not overlook.

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Moving With Kids: How to Make it Easier

 

moving-with-kids

Most adults could already tell you that moving is very stressful. The packing, the logistics, the work arrangements – it all piles up both before and after moving day itself. However, in all the runaround, it is sometimes easy to overlook how difficult moving might be for your kids.

 

Here is a list of a few things you can do to help make your moving process easier and less intimidating for the little ones in your life.

 

Have a Family Meeting

If you have not yet broken the news about the move, it is probably best to do it at a time when the entire family is present, and in a relaxed atmosphere. You can do this at the dinner table, in the living room, or anywhere else that you are prepared to listen to what the kids have to say.

 

Go for a New Home Visit

If possible, bring the kids to see your new home. This can often happen during a walk-through or inspection. Make sure that you allow plenty of time, as kids generally want to do some serious exploring of their new digs.

 

If you are moving a long distance, and are therefore not able to make an additional visit, show the kids as many pictures or video walk-throughs as you can. The more they see their new house ahead of time, the more comfortable they will be.

packing-up-for-local-movers

Come Up With a Room Plan

Once the idea of a new home begins sinking in, the first thing kids want to know is usually “which one is my room?” Involve your kids in planning out their new rooms. As you pack up the kids belongings for the local movers, make a big show of writing your child’s name on the boxes. This helps build excitement about their brand-new room, as they plan it out.

 

Host a Going Away Party

Kids love routine and structure, and nothing shakes up either one quite like moving away. One of the sturdiest foundations of any child’s life are the people surrounding them, so leaving good friends and neighbors behind can be very tough for the little ones.

 

Host a going away party so that your kids can see the special people in their life one more time before setting out on their new adventure. The party does not have to be a huge or fancy affair, it just has to include the people your children will miss the most. During the party, make plans to stay in touch. Get Skype names or mailing addresses, and write them down on lists so that your kids can bring them to the new place, and can reach out any time there feeling a bit homesick

 

Arrange for Some Time Off (But Not Too Much!)

Depending on how big an undertaking moving day will be, it may be appropriate to schedule some time off from school for your little ones. It is not unreasonable to think that kids may need an extra day to get used to the house, before they then go off and get use to a brand-new school as well.

 

However, routine is best for kids. Taking a small breather is a great idea, but getting them into their new school so that they can begin meeting new friends is also a priority

 

As your family becomes explorers in your new town, you might find that your kids are warming up to their surroundings quicker than you thought. The best thing to do is to help kids feel included in this huge event.

 

Author Bio

Author-Niv-OrlianNiv Orlian is an online marketer and the Co-Founder of DO Online Marketing, a Chicago based company that helps local businesses such as Golan’s Moving & Storage, acquire, manage, and retain local customers online

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Christmas Tree Safety Tips for Preventing Fires and Minimizing Allergies

Tree

Every year Christmas tree fires injure more than 2,500 people in America, according to the United States Fire Administration. Even when they’re seemingly safe in a cozy and beautifully decorated living room, Christmas trees can trigger serious allergies to mold.

 

But this doesn’t have to be the case. No one should have to be Mr. Scrooge during the holidays. Christmas trees are beautiful and potent and bring warm cozy feelings.

 

With instructions on how to safely place a Christmas tree and what precautions to take, readers and parents can rest assured knowing the tree won’t pose harm to their children. Additionally, people who have allergies but still want to decorate a tree can abide by the following helpful tips to prevent or minimize allergy symptoms.

 

According to the USFA, two out of five home decor fires are started by candles and one of every 31 Christmas tree fires results in death. Many of these tragic results can be prevented in the future, however.

 

First, understand that natural trees need water to live. Thus, when they’re brought in a home, it’s important to maintain water levels at the base. When trees dry, they are more likely to catch fire. Keeping this in mind:

  • Try to purchase a fresh, well-maintained tree that isn’t close to death. Check for branch strength and a vibrant green color.
  • Cut the base of the tree at a 45-degree angle for longer lifespan.

Check to see where Christmas trees are grown because typically locally-grown trees are the freshest.

 

Second, remember to keep heat sources away from the tree. The USFA recommends a safe proximity of at least three feet.

 

Third, check the condition of your Christmas tree lights. Old strands that have frayed or split wires are more likely to cause fire and pose serious danger.

 

Fourth, the USFA recommends keeping candles at least one foot away from potentially flammable items. Try to find a stable holder for the candles to avoid spillage. If possible, use battery-operated candles. These candles have long lifespans and are much safer.

 

Fifth, ensure your fire alarm is functioning properly before bringing the Christmas tree in doors.

 

Sixth, do not keep the tree in the house longer than necessary. Putting up and taking down the tree at proper times is important because the longer the tree stands, the drier it becomes. Not only does this lead to increased flammability, as mentioned above, but it can also lead to a flare-up in allergy symptoms.

 

To prevent allergies, be sure to brush off the tree to remove dust. Then, rinse the tree off outside and allow it to air-dry before bringing inside. Trees can carry mold and disease that may not be fatal but could certainly pose health risks to those with sensitive allergies.

 

Abiding by these tips will lead to a healthier and safer holiday season. It’s important to note, however, that there are always unexpected dangers that can occur. Practice caution when deciding where to place the tree (hopefully not near the fireplace!), and keep track of any allergy symptoms that seem more severe than normal.