A special publication of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
Christmas spirit
At
HOME
Tips on how to easily decorate your home for the holiday
Holiday lights
Think safety ďŹ rst when stringing Christmas lights
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Saturday, December 3, 2016 Messenger-Inquirer
Table of Contents LETTER from the
EDITOR It’s finally the Christmas season! Out with pumpkins and mums and in with Christmas trees and Santa Claus. But with the holiday season, comes lots of house work. Hanging holiday lights, hosting family and friends and making sure everything is clean and picture perfect for the big day. In this edition of At Home, you will find tips on how to protect your pipes during the cold winter nights, how to be safe when stringing holiday lights and a DIY craft to add some glitter to your holiday parties. You will also find ways to keep your house clean and tidy and how to keep it warm during the cold months. If you are working on a winter home renovation project I’d love to hear from you! If you would like your story told, please contact me at mrichardson@ messenger-inquirer.com or 270691-7233. — Meghann Richardson Special Publications Editor
SAFETY FIRST pages 6-7
HOLIDAY DIYS
PROTECTING PIPES
page 9
page 8
on the cover
Simple ways to create festive and welcoming displays for the holiday season | PAGES 4-5
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Saturday, December 3, 2016 Messenger-Inquirer
How to ...
avoid the discomfort of a DRAFTY HOUSE For those who live in older homes, the transition to colder weather can be extra disheartening, as the vision of expensive heating bills, chilly rooms and drafty windows dance in their heads. However, it’s easy to change the outlook from cold to cozy with a few simple DIY solutions. The most effective way to improve the comfort level in your home is to properly insulate. Insulation can be inadequate in older homes. Over time, it can settle and compact, creating gaps. Topping up attic insulation will help keep the warm air in, reducing heating bills and preventing stress on
your furnace. For easy installation, homeowners and professionals alike recommend a stone wool batt insulation product called Roxul Comfortbatt. For attics, aim for an r-value of R-50 or a depth of 16 inches. A little preparation can go a long way to keep the cold at bay. Seal out drafts by replacing worn weatherstripping and caulking along windows, doors, baseboards, and trim. For other ways to beat the cold, consider inexpensive window insulation kits along with thicker drapes, and don’t forget to reverse ceiling fans to push warm air back down.
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simple Ways to dress up your home
for the holidays
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Saturday, December 3, 2016 Messenger-Inquirer
The holiday season is rife with traditions that focus on fun and family. One such testament to the festive spirit of the holiday season is the many homes and businesses decorated with the lights and colors that have become synonymous with the season. Decorating for the holiday season can be time-consuming. While decking the halls may not consume as much time as holiday shopping and wrapping presents, according to data from a 2013 American Time Use Survey, interior and exterior decorating for the holidays may consume anywhere from 2.5 to 3 hours per session. Holiday decorating includes things as simple as setting up a menorah or as complex as stringing lights on the exterior of a home. Though elaborate displays can take hours to erect, or hang the wreaths on a home’s main time-crunched holiday celebrants can still create festive, welcoming displays. entrance. Celebrants who want to go a less traditional route can hang wreaths made of holly, citrus fruits, ribbons, or HANG HOLIDAY WREATHS any other greenery instead of the more Holiday enthusiasts without much customary evergreen wreaths. time to decorate can invest in a couple of holiday wreaths, which can be DECORATE WITH ORNAMENTS dressed up as much or as little as Ornaments are not exclusive to celebrants prefer. If you do not have the time to string lights on the house, wrap Christmas trees. Fill a vase or bowl them around wreaths hung in windows with metallic ornaments and place it in
The scent will be inviting and things instantly will look more festive.
USE THROWS AND DECORATIVE PILLOWS
Change the look of a room with holiday-colored decor if you do not want to clutter the space with knickknacks. A red and green blanket draped over the sofa can give off a comforting holiday vibe.
FOCUS ON THE FRONT DOOR AND ENTRYWAY
Celebrants who do not have the time to decorate their entire homes can create a warm, inviting space by decorating their front doors and entryways. Place greenery, bows, tinsel, lights, and winter-inspired accessories by the front door so friends a prominent location, such as a busy and family visiting for the season catch hallway or the foyer of your home. the holiday spirit the moment they walk Hang ornaments on clear filament from through the door. the mantle or within the main window of the house, where they can reflect PLACE LED CANDLES IN WINDOWS tree lights and add sparkle. Rather than contending with twinkle lights and electric cords, homeowners BRING IN MORE GREENERY can employ battery-operated faux Drape evergreen boughs on candles to create a homey appeal in staircase handrailings or on the mantle, windows and hallways throughout their or use greenery to frame doorways. homes.
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HOLIDAY LIGHTING SAFETY
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Saturday, December 3, 2016 Messenger-Inquirer
Holiday decorations help make a special time of year even more memorable. Whether you’re hanging mistletoe above a doorway or decking the halls, safety must be a priority when decorating a home for the holidays. Accidents can happen no matter what type of holiday decorating you’re doing, but stringing holiday lights around your home may be especially dangerous. Keep the following safety tips in mind so this season of celebration starts off safe and sound.
the lights.
MAKE SURE LIGHTS DO NOT POSE A SAFETY HAZARD INSIDE
Some people string holiday lights indoors as well. Lights might be hung on Christmas trees or along hallways. Such lights and the cords connecting them to power sources should never pose safety hazards, so make sure they are not lying on the floor. Staple lights to the wall and never place them beneath furniture or rugs. Lights can overheat when placed beneath rugs, and lights that are not properly secured to a wall can pose certain dangers, including being potential tripping hazards.
NEVER WORK ALONE
Never go it alone when stringing holiday lights. Make sure someone is there to hold the ladder steady as you climb up and down. Partnering up when stringing holiday lights allows decorators to use both of their hands to climb up ladders instead of using one of their hands to carry lights. Once they reach a point where it’s safe to hang lights, they can then have a helper hand them the lights. If possible, work in groups of three so someone can hold the ladder steady at all times.
INSPECT LIGHTS BEFORE HANGING THEM
Lights are not built to last forever,
and over time holiday lights can suffer damage that has the potential to be dangerous. Wires can fray, and sockets can crack or break. Inspect lights and wires before hanging them, replacing any that pose a hazard. When replacing bulbs, be sure to replace them with bulbs of equal wattage.
USE AN EXTENSION CORD OF ADEQUATE LENGTH
Exterior holiday lights are often plugged into extension cords that
extend to a shed or garage. Do not connect several extension cords to power holiday lights; instead, use just a single cord that’s lengthy enough to reach the outlet. Connecting extension cords is a fire hazard. In addition, make sure the amperage of the decorations matches the amperage rating of the extension cord, which can be found on the product label or possibly on the manufacturer’s website. Make sure the extension cord is not plugged into the power source while you are hanging
HANG THE CORRECT LIGHTS
When stringing lights, make sure you hang lights designated as exterior lights on the exterior of your home and those designated as interior lights inside your home. Hanging lights in the wrong places poses a fire hazard and creates additional safety concerns, so adhere to manufacturer instructions when stringing lights. Safety should reign supreme when stringing holiday lights around the house.
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PROTECT THE PIPES
avoid costly damage With the folloWing tips
Freezing pipes are a concern for homeowners who live in cold climates. When temperatures dip below freezing, the risk that pipes will freeze rises. Should a pipe burst, the damage that results can be extensive and costly. Any pipe can freeze, but those that are directly exposed to the cold are the most vulnerable. These include pipes that feed outdoor hoses, swimming pool supply lines, pipes in unheated indoor rooms (i.e., basements or garages), and any pipes that run close to the outdoors through uninsulated walls. Water expands as it freezes, and that expansion can place pressure on whatever is trying to contain it — including pipes. To avoid serious damage, homeowners need to prepare for the arrival of colder weather and be smart
about how they protect pipes.
OPEN CABINET DOORS
By keeping the doors open to spaces DRAIN POOLS AND WATER that may not be heated or insulated as SPRINKLER SUPPLY LINES well as other areas of the home is an Drain water before freezing quick and easy way to help ensure pipes temperatures arrive, and don’t forget to do not freeze. Consider wrapping these drain outdoor garden hoses and store pipes with an insulating material as well, them inside after watering season has such as heat tape or pipe sleeves. come and gone.
CLOSE INDOOR WATER VALVES THAT FEED OUTDOOR SPIGOTS/BIBS
Open the spigot outside to allow water to drain out. Keep the outside valve open so that any water that has accumulated will continue to drain and expand outward without damaging the pipe. An insulated bib dome also can help prevent frozen pipes.
MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT THERMOSTAT TEMPERATURE
Ensure the temperature inside your home does not drop below 55 F; otherwise, problems can arise. Use a programmable thermostat to keep the house comfortable even when you are not home. Individuals who are traveling should set the thermostat so that it will keep the home at the recommended temperature to avoid frozen pipes.
OPEN ONE FAUCET
When it is very cold outside, particularly at night, let water slowly drip from one faucet to prevent freezing. Choose the sink that is furthest from where water enters the house so water is flowing through all of the pipes to reach that faucet.
INCREASE INSULATION
Use insulating foam to seal any drafts where pipes enter the house from the outdoors. Frozen pipes cannot always be avoided. Therefore, it is important that everyone in the household knows how to shut off the main water valve in the event a pipe bursts. This can prevent expensive damage to a home.
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Saturday, December 3, 2016 Messenger-Inquirer
HOLIDAY DIYS
Gift Toppers
CRAFTING TIME: 1-2 HOURS SUPPLIES AND TOOLS:
Inflate balloons using helium tank and tie with ribbon. Pour glitter onto paper plate. Spray adhesive on bottom third of the balloon and roll sticky part in glitter until it is completely covered. Tap balloon to remove excess glitter.
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Clear latex balloons Balloon Time Helium Tank Ribbon Chunky glitter Paper plate Spray adhesive
Use paper trimmer to cut two 3-by-6-inch pieces of cardstock. Fold each piece of cardstock accordion style then fold in half to form fan. Adhere two pieces together to create rosette, and secure at center with twine. Using label maker punch, cut simple label. After punching tag, punch hang hole using hole punch at front of tool. Glue rosette to top of gift box and attach simple label with twine. WOODEN BANNER GIFT TOPPER Use the punch for thick materials to cut banner pieces from wood veneer. Tie thick piece of ribbon around gift box, and adhere wooden banner pieces to top. Apply alphabet stickers to banner pieces to spell a festive word or gift recipient’s name. Wrap twine around ribbon and banner to complete.
Me
Glitter-dipped balloons
12-in paper trimmer w/ aluminum cut rail Cardstock Adhesive Twine Fiskars Label/Simple Double Tag Maker with Built-in Eyelet Setter Fiskars Banner Thick Materials Shape Punch Wood veneer Ribbon Alphabet stickers Fiskars Banner/Artisan Double Tag Maker with Built-in Eyelet Setter 8-in scissors Rosette Gift Topper
BOW GIFT TOPPER Cut two simple labels out of cardstock using label punch and four banners out of cardstock using banner punch. Gently roll two simple labels in half, avoiding putting a crease in cardstock. Use scissors to trim flat end to match angled end. Align simple label on top of two banner labels, and trim flat end of banners to match angle of simple label. Adhere trimmed banner shapes to untrimmed banner shapes. Check that untrimmed banners extend beyond end of trimmed banners. Curl up points by wrapping cardstock around scissor blades or a pencil. Adhere two ends of simple labels together and glue to banner pieces to create bow loops. Use paper trimmer to cut small piece of cardstock for bow center. Gently roll in half and adhere. Adhere bow sections together and attach to top of gift box.
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CRAFTING TIME: 1-2 HOURS SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER SUPPLIES AND TOOLS:
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Easy home cleaning solutions Saturday, December 3, 2016 Messenger-Inquirer
BY BPT
Juggling parenting duties and work obligations, not to mention household chores, is a lot for one person to take on and yet, moms like you do this every single day. So often you get caught up in all the busyness, you forget to set aside time to relax or just have some fun. Fortunately, there are ways to streamline cleaning duties, so you don’t have to spend every spare moment scrubbing the floor and tackling clutter. Follow these five easy cleaning solutions to efficiently maintain your beautiful home and open up more time to do the things you love.
the future. When getting rid of junk, start in the area that contains the bulk of your possessions, such as the bedroom or hallway closets. Tackling the problem head-on and getting the worst part over with first will motivate you to complete the project.
STRESS LESS ABOUT STAINS WITH A CONVENIENT CARPET CLEANER
When you have kids and/or pets, stains are just a part of life. That doesn’t mean, however, you have to let stains interfere with your schedule. A quality carpet cleaning solution, such as the STAINMASTER Carpet Care line, will lift away tough stains and ground-in dirt so they don’t PURGE, PURGE, PURGE take away from your home’s style. While getting rid of broken STAINMASTER Carpet Care products appliances and barely worn clothes begin cleaning on contact to remove initially takes some time, the results even the most stubborn stains, and are well worth it. After removing each cleaning solution provides an barely-used belongings, you’ll have less invisible shield to repel dirt to protect stuff to store, which prevents clutter against re-soiling. Problems with from piling up and causing stress in carpet odor? STAINMASTER Pet Stain
Remover also removes odor and leaves behind a light, fresh scent.
ADD A MUD TRAY IN THE ENTRYWAY
Every time you mop the entryway floor, it seems to be dirty again in just a couple days. Winter and spring are especially hard on your floors, as kids and pets often track in mud, water and snow. To keep your floors clean, and reduce the need for mopping, set up a mud tray to store dirty boots and shoes. Mud trays are often made of tough plastic, which means they are easy to hose off and keep clean. Plus, you can find stylish designs that fit in well with your welcoming home.
you’ll be overwhelmed by the clothes scattered on the floor and the dishes covering the kitchen counter, and you’ll be forced to spend a good hour or two putting belongings away. To avoid belongings from piling up, get in the habit of putting items away when you’re done with them. It might seem like a hassle at first, but this small change in your daily to-do list will have a big impact on your weekly cleaning routine.
USE EXTRA WALL SPACE FOR STORAGE
If lack of storage space is constantly causing clutter, take advantage of bare wall space to install shelves or hang belongings, like coffee cups or hats. ALWAYS PUT BELONGINGS BACK This simple trick can enhance your home’s style and maximize storage IN THEIR DESIGNATED SPOT without taking up floor space. It’s easy to finish eating and say to Don’t spend more time cleaning yourself “I’ll put these dishes in the dishwasher later,” or, maybe you put off than you have to — new habits and a few superior products are all you need putting laundry away when you’re in to streamline your routine and open up a rush. But in a few days, small clutter more time for fun. can turn into a big mess. Pretty soon,
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CONVENIENCE
of
TECHNOLOGY
the three surprising home elements that you can automate BY BPT
Just a decade or two ago, home automation was still something of a novelty. Some homeowners might have had programmable thermostats in their homes, but many probably hadn’t thought of automating things like window coverings. Moreover, they likely viewed any home automation they did have as a convenience. Today, home automation is becoming an essential efficiency-enhancing element in many homes. Right now, just fewer than six percent of American households have automated homes, but within four years that percentage is expected to triple to nearly 19 percent, according to data compiled by Statista.com. What’s driving more people to automate their homes? A report by iControl networks found security, cost savings and eco-friendly energy efficiency are what people find most exciting about home automation. Heating and cooling, lighting and security systems are among the most common elements automated in homes, but they’re far from the only ones that can save you money and make your home more efficient. Here are three surprising things you can automate in your home to further improve efficiency, boost energy savings and lower energy costs:
WINDOW COVERINGS
Shades, drapes, blinds, and awnings can all help control the amount of heat and light that enter your home. Selecting window coverings to block out light and heat in summer, and admit light in winter, can help your home’s heating and cooling systems work more efficiently. However, the effectiveness of window coverings hinges on opening and closing them at the right time — something you may forget to do, or not be home to do. Automating and powering window coverings can help automatically maximize their effectiveness. Depending on the climate where you live, automating window coverings could yield energy savings of 11-20 percent, according to a study commissioned by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Somfy’s motorized solutions easily integrate with any home automation system, regardless of brand or technology, and offer many options for controlling window coverings. Select from a wide variety of hand-held remotes, sensors, wall switches, and the myLink app that allows you to control your motorized window coverings from mobile devices.
DOOR LOCKS
If you’ve ever been locked out of your house or had a guest arrive at your home when you were out,
you probably wished there was some way to unlock your front door without a key — and from miles away. Smart locks allow you to do both those things and more. You can replace or supplement an existing lock by installing a smart lock, and you won’t need a professional locksmith to do it. If you can install a regular lock and operate a smartphone, you have the expertise you need to add and use a smart lock. In addition to allowing you to lock and unlock your door without a key, smart locks also allow you to operate the lock remotely from an app on your phone. You can also receive alerts when the door has been unlocked — a great way to track the comings and goings of latchkey kids. Many allow you to generate a single-use digital key that you can email to guests or service providers who may need to enter your home when you’re not there. Smart locks can also be paired with most popular home automation systems.
SMART APPLIANCES
Many appliance makers are offering smart, connected appliances with the big draw being their “wow factor.” However, some of the features of these appliances do hold the potential to improve a home’s efficiency and energy savings. For example, a refrigerator that tracks groceries and lets you know when you’re about to run out of an important item could help you better plan your shopping trips. Fewer car trips conserves gas and reduces greenhouse emissions. Cooking is another area where automation can relieve some of the energy waste caused by human error. Smart ovens and cooktops can sense when to turn themselves off in case you forget to do it — reducing energy waste and fire risks. More homeowners are discovering the convenience, security and efficiency advantages of home automation. Technology is helping make American homes more livable and enjoyable.
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