One of the simplest joys of summer time is gathering around a fire pit in the backyard with friends and family. Before you light it up, keep these safety tips in mind to avoid a catastrophe: 

Keep an eye on wind conditions. 

Check your local weather forecast to see if the day is more windy than usual. Wind can make it hard to light the fire and sparks could blow around to surrounding brush and structures, which is definitely a fire hazard. Look at the direction of the wind as well and make sure you sit on the upwind side of the pit to stay away from smoke. This is where a portable fire pit comes in handy as you’re able to move it to a more convenient spot if needed depending on the weather. 

Build the fire in the open.

Never light your fire pit underneath a building overhang or under trees. Keep the area around the pit clear of any debris from yard waste and other flammable materials. If sparks were to blow out and ignite surroundings, you’re in for an emergency. 

Avoid burning construction lumber. 

No worries if you want to use the sawed off branches from a damaged tree in your backyard, but always avoid construction materials such as plywood or pressure-treated boards and posts. These materials have chemical resins and other substances that will release toxic fumes when burned. Instead, use seasoned hardwood kindling and logs specifically made for fires. 

Be prepared to extinguish flames. 

The glow and warmth of a fire can bring comfort and joy, but it can also be a destructive force in an instant. If you’ve taken the necessary steps to avoid wayward winds and clear the space where your pit will be, you’re unlikely to encounter any serious issues. However, always keep a fire extinguisher nearby and/or a fire blanket if there is a need. If there are children around, teach them the “stop, drop and roll” method to be prepared for the worst. 

Avoid placing chairs too close to the fire. 

During s’mores season, you may be tempted to inch a little too close to the flames and potentially risk damage or injury. Keep all chairs at a safe distance and use extra-long skewers if needed to roast your marshmallows. 

Never leave a fire pit unattended when in use. 

Be sure the fire is extinguished completely before heading back inside for the night. Even the tiniest spark leftover could pose a threat to your safety and your home. Make sure all sides of the wood you’re using have stopped burning completely before going inside. 

Keep your friends, family, and pets safe by practicing fire safety year-round when using your fire pit. Once you’ve taken the necessary precautions, kick back and relax for a glowing evening!

As summer starts to wind down and everyone prepares for the back-to-school madness, there are important home maintenance items to remember that will keep your home in the best condition possible. Give these areas some special attention before early fall activities occupy your time. 

• Clean the gutters. As the weather heads into fall, you’ll want to remove leaves and debris to prevent damage to the home. Summer thunderstorms can clog them with debris and lead to costly repairs, so avoid the problem before it begins. If you don’t have a ladder tall enough to reach the gutters or heights aren’t your thing, call a professional to help out. 
• Change your HVAC filters. This should ideally be done monthly, but if summertime has kept you busy, here’s your reminder! This will keep the unit running efficiently and ensure that the air works the way it’s supposed to. 
• If you have a basement, check it for cracks or leaks. If issues arise, be sure to repair them immediately to avoid water damage to the home. 
• Check the weatherstripping on all outside doors. Keeping them properly sealed and insulated is an important factor in avoiding drafts as the weather starts to cool down. 
• Clean your outdoor garbage bins. While it isn’t the most pleasant job, it’s necessary to prevent rodents and insects from taking over your property. Hose them off quickly while you are taking care of the lawn or washing your car one day. 
• Inspect and clean any patio or deck areas you may have outside. They tend to get extra use during the summer, so restore them back to good shape before the weather cools down. It may be beneficial to apply a sealant to outside wood to prevent weather damage. 
• Clean and store any pool or water toys. As the swimming days come to a close, dry off any water equipment and safely store it in the garage or attic to be ready for next summer. 

All of these tasks are important to pay attention to and it is best to complete them before temperatures start to drop. Make sure your home is ready for cooler weather both inside and outside by following these tips.

High humidity is typically not enjoyable, especially in the south with warm weather. When it’s infiltrating your home, things can feel downright miserable. To ease the discomfort of unruly humidity levels in your home, get the indoor air quality back to where it needs to be. The ideal range for humidity in the home should be 30-50%. Not only is excessive moisture uncomfortable, but it could damage the home with mold growth and wood rot as well as condensation inside of the walls. You may also experience respiratory problems and sleep interruptions. 

Do you need to reduce the humidity levels in your home? Here’s how: 

Use the Air Conditioner

The HVAC system helps to naturally reduce humidity indoors by bringing in cooler air while taking away the warmer, humid air. Be sure to keep the air conditioner tuned up and perform regular maintenance, such as filter changes. 

Utilize Exhaust and Ventilation Fans

If you’re cooking a big meal on a hot stove or taking a long shower, turn on the fans in those areas. Keep them on for a while after you’re done for extra assistance in reducing the humidity. 

Take Cooler Showers

Humid air is a given with hot showers- while they are widely loved, they definitely contribute to high humidity in the home. You don’t need to switch all the way to an ice bath, but try to lower the temperature a few degrees to where you’re not adding steam to the air. 

Look for Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes and faucets are sure to add moisture to the home. If you notice any leaks, fix them right away and wrap the exposed pipes in insulators to prevent condensation from forming. 

Clean the Gutters

Clogged gutters can cause indoor water leaks, which will not only add to the humidity, but could create damage to the home. Clean your gutters regularly and make sure the downspout is directed away from your home. 

Open the Windows

Simply popping your window open could lower the humidity levels for a quick fix. However, try to avoid doing this too much while the air conditioner is in use. 

Follow these steps to keep the moisture balanced and for you and everyone in your home to stay comfortable. If you need additional help determining what the humidity levels are in your home, you can purchase a hygrometer from your local hardware store to measure the moisture in the air. 

Are you a new or future homeowner who gets overwhelmed by new terms? Is GFCI one of them? No worries, it’s actually not as daunting as you may think. 

Ground fault circuit interrupters are commonly referred to as GFCIs, or special outlets that minimize the danger of electrocution in your home. These outlets are normally placed by sources of water such as near sinks or the garage and have the two red and black rectangular buttons in the middle that not all of your outlets will have. They are not to be mistaken as a fuse, which is simply in place to protect a structure itself from electrical fires. The GFCI is actually integrated into the outlet itself to monitor the amount of power going to the device plugged in. 

They are designed to know if the electrical current is flowing the wrong way and automatically take action by shutting off the voltage. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, they are an important defense against shocks and electrical fires that may be caused by issues such as insulation failures, damaged appliances and overloaded extension cords. 

If you have ever noticed an appliance shutting off for no apparent reason, the GFCI’s maximum current may have been exceeded. This is usually referred to as “tripping out” and you may have encountered it while drying your hair or having every outlet loaded on a power strip. To fix this, you can simply press the red reset button. 

GFCI outlets do wear out eventually, so test them at least once per month. To test them, press the reset button and plug in a small device such as a night light. It should turn on. Then, press the test button to see if the power is immediately cut. When you press reset again, your device should turn back on. This means the outlet works the way it is supposed to. If the light does not turn on, the GFCI may not be properly installed and should be replaced or repaired. 

If there are any issues concerning the GFCI outlets in your home, contact an electrician to safely test and inspect them for you. 

Friday, August 13 is International Lefthanders Day! Are you a leftie or do you know someone who is? Being left handed is not so common- only 10% of the population is left handed. Unfortunately, many companies forget that not everyone is right handed. What do you do when you’re left handed and can’t find what you need to perform everyday tasks? Or do you know of anyone who could use a fun gift that’s left handed? Here are a few recommendations on where to shop and what to buy for the left hander in your life. 

Lefty's the Left Hand Store is a San Francisco-based business that has been dedicated to serving left handers since 1978. They offer products such as left-handed pens, scissors, measuring cups, knives, garden tools and much more. They also have fun novelty items such as shirts and signs for left handers. 

The Strategist has compiled a list of gadgets made specifically for left handers. It includes left-handed measuring cups, pens, journals, coffee mugs and more. 

Readers Digest also has a list of their 13 favorite products for left handed people. Can openers, corkscrews, and keyboards are a few among the list that may not be thought about otherwise, but are readily available for the lefties who need them. 

Here are a few interesting facts about left handers in honor of Left Handers Day: 

• A study has found that left handed people are twice as likely to experience migraines as right handed people. 
• Our brains are cross-wired, which means the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa. Because of this, it is believed that left handed people use the right side of their brain the most.
• Lefties tend to excel in one-on-one sports such as tennis and boxing. 
• A few notable left-handed celebrities include Jennifer Lawrence, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. 
• Some of the world’s most innovative thinkers - Aristotle, Leonardo da Vinci, and Albert Einstein - were all left-handed.