Purchasing new home appliances?

Stick to the ABCs

(NC) Purchasing new home appliances can be a daunting task, whether you’re replacing an appliance or home electronic that no longer works or upgrading as part of a renovation. To help simplify the process and ensure there are no surprises, take the A-B-C approach.

A: Always do your research

There are several factors to consider when purchasing home appliances. If you’re in the market for a new home appliance, you’re likely asking yourself: Does the price fit within my budget? Do the features and functions meet my needs? How quickly can I get it installed?

It’s also important to consider a company’s warranty program when making a purchase decision as it can save you money on unexpected repairs. When researching appliances and electronics, look for those that have extended war- ranties and out-of-warranty programs provided directly by the manufacturer.

B: Beware of bargains

If the price is too good to be true, it likely is. While the price may be a major consideration when purchasing a new home appliance – and trusted brands are often on sale – beware of appliances priced significantly lower than similar items within the same category. You’ll likely end up paying for it in the long term.

C: Consider the customer care

In addition to warranties and out-ofwarranty programs, it’s also important to consider a brand’s customer care or service. Look for brands that offer customer service that goes beyond a toll-free number. For example, proactive customer care on the LG ThinQ app automatically sends you alerts and reports based on your appliance’s usage data to help you stay on top of how your appliances are performing.

3 things that diminish your home’s indoor air quality

(NC) A healthy home is more than a cozy vibe or clean floors. Even though you can’t see it, the quality of indoor air can make a big difference to your health and comfort at home – especially since Canadians are said to spend 90 per cent of our time inside.

Here are three potential indoor air quality issues and what you can do about them:

Radon

Radon occurs from the breakdown of radioactive minerals deep in the ground. As it disperses in the air, it’s not a problem outside the home. But inside buildings it can accumulate to high levels that will damage your lungs over a long period of time. In fact, it’s one of the leading causes of lung cancer in non-smokers. Get a test kit or hire a professional to test the radon levels in your home and take action if they are too high.

Volatile organic compounds

These chemicals can cause headaches, breathing problems, eye irritation and other issues. Stovetop cooking, paint fumes and some composite wood products like flooring or furniture may expose you to VOCs. Aerosol or plug-in air fresheners may use VOCs to mask odours, and wood or gas burning appliances can create them without proper venting. Reduce exposure by improving ventilation whenever possible, es- pecially when cooking, painting, using chemical products, and so on. Be sure to opt for low VOC-products for your home whenever possible too.

Dust

Dust can occur in any area of the home and can irritate your eyes, nose and throat as well as trigger allergic reactions and worsen health conditions like asthma. To prevent the buildup of dust or dander from humans and pets, clean hard surfaces with a wet cloth or mop regularly. A dry cloth will only spread it around. Also vacuum carpets, curtains and other soft furnishings frequently. Make sure to clean your vacuum filter according to instructions to get the best performance.

While the mechanical ventilation in your home is a key part of healthy indoor air quality, the first line of defence is to minimize the contamination at the sources above.

More information on how to create a healthy indoor environment is available from Health Canada canada.ca/ healthy-home.

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the 20th annual Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards hosted in Abbotsford. As a past award recipient, congratulations all those who’ve helped in organizing this milestone event, as it’s evolved into a beloved tradition for the Fraser Valley. I’ve attended at least more than half r of these events and always left feeling very inspired. It was an honour for me to serve a a judge once again and review such inspiring nominees. What this event has successfully proven, by celebrating this milestone, is sharing outstanding stories and recognizing recipients as a healthy step towards our building a complete community. Yet, much work still remains.

“I’m always amazed and proud to hear of the dedication, truth, strength, love and passion for our communities