10 Easy Ways to Save Money & Energy in Your Home

About 2.5 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year. The good news is that many of these incidents can be prevented by using simple child-safety devices on the market today. Any safety device you buy should be sturdy enough to prevent injury to your child, yet easy for you to use. It's important to follow installation instructions carefully.  www.HomeBossInspection.com   In addition, if you have older children in the house, be sure they re-secure safety devices. Remember, too, that no device is completely childproof; determined youngsters have been known to disable them. You can childproof your home for a fraction of what it would cost to have a professional do it. And safety devices are easy to find. You can buy them at hardware stores, baby equipment shops, supermarkets, drug stores, home and linen stores, and through online and mail-order catalogues.    InterNACHI inspectors, too, should know what to tell clients who are concerned about t

Indoor air quality is generally worse than most people believe, but there are things you can do about it.  www.HomeBossInspection.com   Some Quick Facts: Indoor air quality can be worse than that of outdoor air.  Problems can arise from moisture, insects, pets, appliances, radon, materials used in household products and furnishings, smoke, and other sources.  Effects range from minor annoyances to major health risks.  Remedies include ventilation, cleaning, moisture control, inspections, and following manufacturers' directions when using appliances and products. Research has shown that the quality of indoor air can be worse than that of outdoor air. Many homes are built or remodeled more tightly, without regard to the factors that assure fresh and healthy indoor air. Our homes today contain many furnishings, appliances and products that can affect indoor air quality.   Signs of indoor air quality problems include: unusual and noticeable odors;  stale or stu

   Mold Basics   The key to mold control is moisture control.  If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly  and  fix the water problem.  It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Why is mold growing in my home?   Molds are part of the natural environment.  Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves and dead trees.  But indoors, mold growth should be avoided.  Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air.  Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet.  There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.   Can mold cause health problems?   Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing.  Molds have the potential to cause health

With barbeque season already here, homeowners should heed the following safety precautions in order to keep their families and property safe. Propane grills  present an enormous fire hazard, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is aware of more than 500 fires that result annually from their misuse or malfunction. The following precautions are recommended specifically when using propane grills: Store propane tanks outdoors and never near the grill or any other heat source. In addition, never store or transport them in your car’s trunk.  Make sure to completely turn off the gas after you have finished, or when you are changing the tank. Even a small gas leak can cause a deadly explosion.   Check for damage to a tank before refilling it, and only buy propane from reputable suppliers.  Never use a propane barbecue grill on a terrace, balcony or roof, as this is dangerous and illegal.  No more than two 20-pound propane tanks are allowed on the property of a one- or two-f