It’s the MOST wonderful time of the year… as the song goes. And while there is a lot to be said about city streets sparkling with holiday lights, drifting snowflakes, country landscapes with glittering bare-branched trees against a sterling sky, and fence posts topped with marshmallow crowns; it’s also the time of year that we shiver against indoor drafts, and wrestle with our desire to go out and watch Christmas parades and town tree light-ups, and our equally strong desire to remain warm.

So are there some winning winter tips for keeping warm when the frost is on the pumpkins?

Slick Tricks for Keeping Warm Outdoors

If you’d really like to head downtown for that townsquare tree light-up, but the flurries are flying, there are some great tips for staying toasty while you enjoy outdoor activities.

First, keep your core cozy. Having a warm core body temperature is key in staying warm during outdoor winter activities. When your mom told you to wear layers and zip up your coat, she knew what she was talking about.

Today’s outdoor experts tell us that wearing a moisture-wicking undershirt is a huge step toward staying warm outdoors. A moisture-wicking shirt not only supplies that critical underlayer, but it also lessens the possibility that sweat will make you damp, which is your worst enemy while out in cold weather. 

By concentrating on core warmth, your hands and feet will also stay warm. How does that work? Because during very cold temperatures, your body will send more blood to your center to warm your vital internal organs when necessary, leaving less warming circulation in your extremities. By keeping your center warm, the blood flow will remain to warm your hands and feet.

Another great core cozying trick for extended outdoor activities is to use a heat wrap, such as ThermaCare wraps for sore backs. These require no power source and last for up to six hours. You simply open it, wrap it around your middle, and velcro it closed. It supplies a long-lasting boost of steady warmth around your middle that can be your secret weapon when out sledding with the kids. Also, automatic hand warmers in your gloves or pockets are amazing hand hacks for staying warm outdoors in the winter.

Be sure to be well hydrated by drinking plenty of water (or hot cocoa) before going outdoors. Being well-hydrated helps to boost your circulation, which also boosts your internal body temperature.

Hats and mittens are also essential in very cold weather. (Again, mother knows best.) Mittens keep hands warmer than gloves. Or you can just keep a mug of hot cocoa in your hands at all times!

Hints and Hacks for Staying Warm Indoors (Without Having to Tap Into Your Holiday Shopping Fund)

It isn’t only outdoors where you feel the chill in the winter months. Things definitely cool off indoors as well. Keeping your home log-cabin-cozy in the winter begins with having your heating system checked in the early fall. Don’t wait …

Broken windows can be a safety concern and lead to further damage to your home, due to drafts and water leaks. You can reduce your chances of having a broken window by addressing the most likely causes.

Accidents

An errant line drive from a child’s baseball bat is one of the first things many people think of when it comes to accidents that could leave them needing glass replacement dallas tx. You can reduce your chances of this type of accident by ensuring any children playing near your windows are supervised and instructed how to play safely around windows. Falling objects is another common culprit. You can reduce these incidents by not placing easily knocked over household furnishings or lawn equipment near windows. Finally, passing cars and lawnmowers sometimes throw rocks that can break windows. Installing fencing can help with rocks from nearby streets and carefully inspecting your lawn and removing rocks can help with the mowers.

Weather

Hail and falling icicles can cause impact damage that sometimes breaks windows. Removing any icicles hanging from your roof can reduce the chances of this type of damage. Windstorms sometimes knock down limbs or trees, which can lead to broken windows. Removing dead limbs and rotting trees and keeping trees trimmed away from your house can help prevent windstorm damage.

Age

The average lifespan of a new window is 15-20 years. Wooden frames expand and shrink with changing weather conditions, which puts pressure on the glass and leads to deterioration. Extreme temperatures can also deteriorate windows over time. Replacing older windows before they have a chance to break is probably the best way to avoid broken windows due to age.

Accidents, weather and deterioration can all lead to broken windows. However, if you take steps to prevent these common causes of broken windows, you can reduce the chances of experience a broken window.…

If you want to bring your front yard to a whole new level and impress your neighbors, you do not have to do an entire renovation to achieve this. With these easy tips, you will be able to have a yard that you enjoy.

Build a Seating Area

There is nothing like sitting on your porch and enjoying the scenery, no matter what the season. You can enjoy a porch swing with your whole family by building one that is customized to your needs, or even just put some nice deck furniture to accentuate your home’s color scheme. Offering guests somewhere to sit, or even a place for you to relax during your downtime, will vastly improve your home and make it more inviting overall.

Install a New Fence

A fence can be a great option if you want a border around your property, or you simply seek more privacy. Depending on the look you want and your budget, you should choose a fencing material that will best fit your home. For instance, if you live in Columbus, Ohio, simple do an internet search for “wood fence columbus ohio” to find fencing companies in your area.

Plant Year Round Greenery

You do not need to plant an entirely new garden area every year to have beautiful plant life. There are many flowers that will grow every spring or summer that you only have to plant once, and will simply go dormant during the winter. Some of the most popular options are pansies, coneflowers, and evergreen trees. This way, your yard will burst into bloom when the weather gets warmer, and you will only have to water your plants, rather than tilling and replanting every spring.

With these updates, you are sure to have a front yard that you will be proud of.…

Air coolers are air conditioners that are more expensive than fans, but cheaper than air conditioners. If the air conditioner uses Freon as “power” to cool the room, the water cooler uses “fuel” in the form of water to cool the room. In Indonesia, the popularity of the air cooler is still inferior to the air conditioner and fan. If you want to find out more about how to use the correct air cooler along with maintenance tips, consider the following explanation from me. If you want to buy the Best Air Cooler at an affordable price and with good quality, you can buy it at Vankool

How to use the air cooler as a fan

Air cooler has two functions, namely as a fan or as an air conditioner such as an air conditioner. These two functions have different ways of operating. Well, so that you are not confused, here’s how to use the air cooler as a fan:

• Connect the air cooler to the electrical connection if your air cooler uses electric power, not using batteries. Press the Power (On / Off) button on your air cooler.
• Adjust the speed of the air cooler fan with the button “Speed” or “Fan Speed.”
• Also, we can determine the direction of the wind by pressing the “Swing” or “Wind Direction.”
• “Timer” button to determine when your air cooler will automatically turn off and the “Mode” or “Option” button to determine the fan mode selected.

If you do not fill the water tank and press the “Cooling” or “Cooler” button, the air cooler will operate as a normal fan. Even so, the air exhaled by the air cooler with fan mode is cool enough.

How to use the air cooler as a room cooler

When someone buys an air cooler, of course, he wants an air conditioner that is the same as an air conditioner. This time, it will guide how to use the air cooler as the same air conditioner as the air conditioner.

But beforehand, make sure you have frozen the ice pack given when you buy an air cooler. Ice packs must be frozen to optimize the performance of the air cooler. If you have ice packs in the refrigerator or freezer, follow the steps on how to use the air cooler below:

Make sure the water cooler is off. First, unplug the air cooler (if you are using an air cooler that does not have a battery).

Open the drawer at the bottom of the water cooler because there is a water tank as fuel for the water cooler.

Fill the tank with clean water to the specified limit. Then put one ice pack into the water tank.

Reinsert the bottom drawer of the water cooler slowly so that the water inside does not spill. Connect the water cooler to the mains, press the power button (On / Off) and proceed by pressing the “Cooling” or “Cooling” button. Your water cooler will work blowing cold air like …

Whether you’re thinking about selling in the near future, trying to turn a new house into a welcoming home or just in need of a new look, there are plenty of ways to change up the appearance of your home, both inside and out. Here are some tips on how to approach the project.

Start with a Vision

It seems obvious, but it’s worth repeating: before you actually make any changes, start by deciding what you’re going for. Consider the current state of the space: what the room is used for, the available space within and how to use it, the feeling it invokes, whether anything is obviously missing or unnecessary, etc. Figure out the scope of the project and set a budget to match.

Combine Form and Function

A home should look and feel appealing to live in, on top of meeting the needs of you, your family and your guests. These don’t have to be separate purposes, though. Choose furniture and accessories that are comfortable while also fulfilling a room’s function, from gorgeous lamps and lighting to functional fine art that doubles as architectural elements.

Small Changes Have Big Impact

You don’t have to completely rework an interior space to change how it looks and feels. There are plenty of smaller adjustments you can make that still have a significant effect on the surrounding room. Rearrange furniture to open up space, replace lighting to accent the room’s colors, hang up portraits and put interesting knickknacks on display or give outdated fixtures a second chance with a new finish.

Take Your Time

Naturally, you don’t want to put off the project, but you don’t have to rush through it and make snap decisions just to get it over with. If you end up unsatisfied because you felt pressured to make changes as soon as possible, it’ll cost even more time and money to change things again. Take the time to explore options, experiment with layouts and seek out inspiration.…

Recent reports on climate change have many people wondering how they can make a positive impact on the environment. One option that has been proven to benefit the environment is switching to solar energy.

The Science Behind Solar Energy

Light from the sun creates an electric charge in the solar panel. Solar panels have been designed to direct that charge of electricity into buildings to power anything using electricity. How much of the electricity demand solar panels can meet depends on how much electricity is being used and the scale of solar panels installed. More information about how many solar panels you need to meet electricity demands can be found by searching for solar panels where you work or live. For example, you could search for solar panels New Jersey if you want information for your home or business in New Jersey.

Carbon Reduction

Using clean energy sources, such as solar energy, has a positive impact on the environment. Using solar decreases the amount of greenhouse gases released into the air. This is true even when you account for the manufacturing process of solar panels.

Financial Benefits of Solar Energy

It costs around $2,000 each year to use about 10,000 kilowatts of electricity, which is what the average household in the U.S. uses each year. That amount increases when it comes to businesses, which often have larger electricity needs. In the long-term, solar panels can save you money even if the upfront costs to purchase and install them are large.

There are options to lease solar panels if purchasing them isn’t possible. Leasing has benefits, such as paying a flat-rate fee that makes monthly budgeting predictable, making solar panels accessible if you can’t afford the upfront purchase, and reducing your carbon footprint.

Switching to a clean energy option can benefit your wallet, give you a clean conscious in how your electricity is being sourced, and help your neighbors next door by keeping the air cleaner and the temperatures normal. Clean energy sources are worth exploring.…

Getting ready to move can be stressful and overwhelming. You may not know where to begin, which may cause you to put things off until the last minute. Starting early and taking it one step at a time can help relieve a lot of that stress though. Here are a few tips to get you ready for your next move.

Clean

If you’re having an open house, your real estate agent has likely told you that the house needs to be cleaned. You’ll also need to make sure it is scrubbed down before you hand the keys over to the next owners. This usually isn’t just a regular cleaning but needs to go a lot deeper. This can be difficult to do yourself, so you may want to find a company that offers residential cleaning Olney MD.

Downsize

Moving is a great time to get rid of the clutter that has built up in your house over the years. Downsizing what you own can help make your move less stressful even if you aren’t moving to a smaller place. There is no need to take stuff that you don’t use anymore. Create piles of items to give away, throw away and keep in the weeks leading up to your move.

Pack

Don’t procrastinate when it comes to packing. Start a few weeks before the move with the rooms that you don’t use as often. Leave dishes and other stuff that you actually need until the week of. Label each box and carefully wrap up breakable items. Be sure to write fragile on any box that needs to be handled with care.

It can be beneficial to create a schedule for the month leading up to a move. Set aside specific time to get your packing and cleaning done each day. This will allow you to have your most stress free move yet.…

 When designing a restaurant, you need to pay attention to your furniture. Every part of your restaurant needs to tell the same story. There are many things to consider when choosing your restaurant furniture. The following are some of the most important things to keep in mind.

1. Your Furniture Should Match Your Menu

Think about your menu when picking your restaurant furniture. Is it fancy, trendy, or minimalistic? If they don’t match, you may be telling contradicting stories. 

2. Durability

Think about the durability of your furniture before purchasing it. Restaurant tables and chairs must be designed to withstand prolonged use. While you may be tempted to go for cheap furniture, it is more expensive in the long-run. Find furniture that is built for professional use. 

3. Comfort and Functionality

Think about the experience of your customers as you pick your furniture. Nothing should take precedence over comfort and functionality. Ensure that your customers can get to and from their seats comfortably. If your restaurant promotes long meals, your seating should be comfortable. 

4. Think about the Theme

Think about the theme of your restaurant when choosing your furniture. The theme will determine the style and scope of your furniture. If your restaurant has high bars and stools, you should consider using long tables and bench seating. 

If you are designing a small space with low ceilings, consider using low-set round tables and tub armchair variations. 

If your restaurant will have outdoor dining, think about buying furniture that can withstand outdoor elements. Choose furniture that can resist warping, rusting, and warping. 

5. Making Things Easier for You

Think about the future needs of your restaurant. If you will need to store your chairs at some point, consider buying foldable chairs. If you are going for upholstered chairs, the upholstery should be easy to clean. 

6. Cushion Material

Whether you are choosing chairs or booths for your restaurant, you must think about the cushion material. If your restaurant is big on family dining, use material that is resistant to spills. Vinyl is one of the easiest materials to clean. Your tables should be made with easy to clean materials. Laminate materials are a lot better than wood. Think about having high chairs for children. 

7. Table Sizes

The size of your tables has a significant impact on the atmosphere of your restaurant. If most of your clients are individuals or small groups, use small tables that seat a maximum of four people. If you hope to attract large groups, consider using large tables. If your customers are mixed, buy a lot of small tables that you can easily place side by side. 

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing your restaurant furniture is your customers’ needs. Ensure that your furniture is designed for commercial use. If you buy furniture that is designed for use at home, it won’t last long. Working with a design team such as Dawnvale makes it easy to get the right furniture for your needs. 

 …

The integrity of the water supply system inside a structure is one of the crucial considerations in a fire prevention plan for commercial buildings. It’s why a hydrostatic test pump needs to be utilized during initial construction and then periodically afterward to assess the fire protection system.

The hydrostatic test pump delivers pressurized water into a new fire protection system to confirm that the piping was installed correctly and that the fire department connection (FDC) can handle the stress of water being introduced at high pressures. Subsequent exams will identify vulnerabilities caused by damage or corrosion, with particular attention paid to standpipes.

The widely accepted standard of the National Fire Protection Agency requires running a hydrostatic test pump through a new system at 200 psi for two hours. Gauges are monitored to confirm the pressure stays within a narrow range.

Why Hydrostatic Testing?

Hydrostatic pressure testing is generally preferable to air tests for reasons of safety. Over-pressurization of a plumbing system can cause damage, including potentially shattering PVC piping.

Same Principle Applies to Other Systems

Hydrostatic pump applications in industry go beyond water systems. The pumps can also handle hydraulic fluids and oils contained in production systems. Their nature requires relatively little work to develop a high pressure,

Residential Applications Exist as Well

Hydrostatic testing is also done for sprinkler systems in new home construction, with pressure standards considerably lower than commercial buildings. The gas-powered or electric test pumps are sometimes also used by buyers of existing homes during the inspection process to assess the water lines.

The process in home testing begins with accessing the sewer clean-out to plug the sewer exit under the home before filling the drainage system with water up to slab level. A drop in the water level during an assessment of approximately 15 minutes is indicative of a leak in the system that could be a warning sign of costly problems in the foundation.

…

As a small business owner in California, you want to keep everything inside of your space safe. No matter what type of business you run, safety is a top concern. This includes fire safety. A fire could prove detrimental to your business. It also risks the lives of your employees and your customers or clients. Here are a few tips on how to protect your small business from a fire.

Assess Your Fire Risk

Your first step is to assess the fire risk for your business. You can find information regarding fire safety codes for businesses from the National Fire Protection Agency. You can find current laws and regulations, which can help you to ensure that your business is operating within fire safety guidelines. You can also have your business assessed by a local fire marshal.

Install Fire Safety Equipment

Even with proper prevention, a fire can still happen. You should have the appropriate fire suppression equipment installed. Install a fire sprinkler system. You should also have a regular fire suppression system inspection california. Make sure that your business also has working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. These should be inspected regularly as well.

Create an Emergency Plan

You should create an emergency plan. Make sure that your employees know what to do in the event of a fire and create an evacuation route. Conduct routine fire drills. Be sure to post evacuation routes clearly within your building. Be sure that you also keep a fully stocked first aid kit. The kit should include bandages, burn spray, a flashlight, and some bottled water. While you want to prepare to avoid injuries, it is also a good idea to be prepared if one occurs.

A fire can be devastating to your small business. Taking steps to be prepared can help to minimize the damage, protecting your business, you, and your employees from serious harm.…