The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire and accidents. InterNACHI recommends that you follow these guidelines to help make your holiday season safer and more enjoyable.
Holiday Lighting
Use caution with holiday decorations and, whenever possible, choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant and non-combustible materials.
Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials, and do not use candles to decorate Christmas trees.
Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings, and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. If you have any questions about electrical safety, ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next scheduled inspection. Do not overload extension cords.
Don't mount lights in any way that can damage the cord's wire insulation. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples--don't use nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations.
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground-fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
Decorations
Use only non-combustible and flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel and artificial icicles of plastic and non-leaded metals.
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp and breakable, and keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children.
Avoid trimmings that resemble candy and food that may tempt a young child to put them in his mouth.
Holiday Entertaining
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range.
Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays, and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding.
Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet).
Test your smoke alarms, and let guests know what your fire escape plan is.
Trees
When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "fire-resistant."
When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches, and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break.
When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators and portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.
Make sure the base is steady so the tree won't tip over easily.
Fireplaces
Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.
Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten.
Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
Toys and Ornaments
Purchase appropriate toys for the appropriate age. Some toys designed for older children might be dangerous for younger children.
Electric toys should be UL/FM approved.
Toys with sharp points, sharp edges, strings, cords, and parts small enough to be swallowed should not be given to small children.
Place older ornaments and decorations that might be painted with lead paint out of the reach of small children and pets.
Children and Pets
Poinsettias are known to be poisonous to humans and animals, so keep them well out of reach, or avoid having them.
Keep decorations at least 6 inches above the child's reach.
Avoid using tinsel. It can fall on the floor and a curious child or pet may eat it. This can cause anything from mild distress to death.
Keep any ribbons on gifts and tree ornaments shorter than 7 inches. A child could wrap a longer strand of ribbon around their neck and choke.
Avoid mittens with strings for children. The string can get tangled around the child's neck and cause them to choke. It is easier to replace a mitten than a child.
Watch children and pets around space heaters or the fireplace. Do not leave a child or pet unattended.
Store scissors and any sharp objects that you use to wrap presents out of your child's reach.
Inspect wrapped gifts for small decorations, such as candy canes, gingerbread men, and mistletoe berries, all of which are choking hazards.
Security
Use your home burglar alarm system.
If you plan to travel for the holidays, don't discuss your plans with strangers.
Have a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home.
By Nick Gromicko and Rob London from internachi.org
The following items are essential tools but this list is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next inspection about other tools that you might find useful.
1. Plunger A clogged sink or toilet is one of the most disturbing problems that you will face. With a plunger on hand, however, you can usually remedy these troubling plumbing issues relatively quickly. It is best to have two plungers -- one for the sink and one for the toilet.
2. Combination Wrench SetOne end of a combination wrench set is open and the other end is a closed loop. Nuts and bolts are manufactured in standard and metric sizes and because both varieties are widely used, so you'll need both sets of wrenches. For the most control and leverage, always pull the wrench toward you, instead of pushing on it. Also, avoid over-tightening.
3. Slip-Joint PliersUse slip-joint pliers to grab hold of a nail, a nut, a bolt, and much more. These types of pliers are versatile because of the jaws, which feature both flat and curved areas for gripping many types of objects. There is also a built-in slip-joint, which allows the user to quickly adjust the jaw size to suit most tasks.
4. Adjustable WrenchAdjustable wrenches are somewhat awkward to use and can damage a bolt or nut if they are not handled properly. However, adjustable wrenches are ideal for situations where you need two wrenches of the same size. Screw the jaws all the way closed to avoid damaging the bolt or nut.
5. Caulking Gun Caulking is the process of sealing up cracks and gaps in various structures and certain types of piping. Caulking can provide noise mitigation and thermal insulation, and control water penetration. Caulk should be applied only to areas that are clean and dry.
6. Flashlight None of the tools in this list is of any use if you cannot visually inspect the situation. The problem, and solution, are apparent only with a good flashlight. A traditional two-battery flashlight is usually sufficient, as larger flashlights may be too unwieldy.
7. Tape Measure Measuring house projects requires a tape measure, not a ruler or a yardstick. Tape measures come in many lengths, although 25 feet is best. Measure everything at least twice to ensure accuracy.
8. Hacksaw These are great for cutting metal objects such as pipes, bolts and brackets. Hacksaws look thin and flimsy, but they'll easily cut through even the hardest of metals. Blades are replaceable, so focus your purchase on a quality hacksaw frame.
9. Torpedo Level Only a level can be used to determine if something, such as a shelf, appliance or picture, is correctly oriented. The torpedo-style level is unique because it not only shows when an object is perfectly horizontal or vertical, but it also has a gauge that shows when an object is at a 45-degree angle. The bubble in viewfinder must be exactly in the middle, not merely close.
10. Safety Glasses / Goggles For all tasks involving a hammer or a power tool, you should always wear safety glasses or goggles. They should also be worn while you mix chemicals.
11. Claw Hammer A good hammer is one of the most important tools you can own. Use it to drive and remove nails, to pry wood loose from the house, and in combination with other tools. They come in a variety of sizes, although a 16-ounce hammer is the best all-purpose choice.
12. Screwdriver Set It is best to have four screwdrivers: a small and large version of both a flat-head and a Phillips- head screwdriver. Electrical screwdrivers are sometimes convenient, but they're no substitute. Manual screwdrivers can reach into more places and they are less likely to damage the screw.
13. Wire Cutters Wire cutters are pliers designed to cut wires and small nails.The "side-cutting" (unlike the stronger "end-cutting" style) style is handy, but not strong enough to cut small nails.
14. Respirator / Safety Mask While paints and other coatings have become less toxic (and lead-free) over time, most still contain dangerous chemicals, which is why you should wear a mask to avoid accidentally getting them in your lungs. A mask should also be worn when working in dusty or dirty environments. Disposable masks usually come in packs of 10 and should be thrown away after use. Full and half-face respirators can be used to prevent the inhalation of very fine particles that ordinary facemasks will not not stop.
15. Duct Tape This tape is extremely strong and adaptable. Originally, it was widely used to make temporary repairs to many types of military equipment. Today, it's one of the key items specified for home emergency kits because it is water-resistant and extremely sticky. In summary, the above is a list of tools that every homeowner should have.
You can either hear or read, on a daily basis, someone telling you 'Here is your chance to give back to your community'. What are they really saying? Are they accusing me of stealing something? A parent will tell a child to give back the toy they took from another child. So, what have I taken that I should give it back? I work hard to earn my way through life. I look around my home looking for what they say I have stolen from someone else; but I can not find anything.
We use to be asked to give to a organization, group, or cause; but now it is give back. Why?
Giving back is simply a socialist term, another politically correct term and screams of class warfare.
So at the end of the day, I will continue to give and I hope you will too.
What makes this even more special is Gina Marie Incandela is7-year old autistic girl singing at an Orlando Magic game during their playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Talk about inspiration. This little girl has the type of powerful voice you would expect to be coming out of someone at least 3 times her age, and about 3 times her body weight at least.
Gina Marie was diagnosed with autism just before the age of 2. She could not even speak until she was 3 years old and now at age 7 she is singing National Anthems at professional sports games and concerts across the country. Her parents sent her to a school for kids with special needs as she had trouble forming words when attempting to speak. But her teachers at the school used music to help her with her language skills. I bet they had no idea what gift Gina had in store for them.
You no you have a real problem when your Vice-President makes fun of your dependency on teleprompters.
We probably will not be hearing from Foot in Mouth Joe for a couple of weeks. But it is a lot of fun watching Obama asking himself 'What was I thinking, I am such an idiot".
Mike - Thanks for this post. One area that people today forget to done with the Constitution is to read and understand when it was written, why it was written, and to understand what the words that were used in it meant at the time it was written.
Some plain, honest men got together in Philadelphia and began the process by which the Constition of the United States of America was born. 55 men representing the 13 colonies spent almost four months within the confines of Independance Hall, in the hot and humid Philidelphia summer and drafted one of the most amazing documents ever written.
On May 25th, these men convened with the determination to repair the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Among these men were several who were extreme nationalists wanting a strong central government that would rule supreme and in fact displace the state governments. Among these men were several who wanted a weak and inneffectifve central government that was subordinate to those of the state. The rest fell somewhere in between those two extremes.
Throughout that summer, these 55 men were able to discuss, argue, agree, disagree but ultimately reach the compromise that resulted in our original constitution. They were able to overcome strong differences on the role of the state versus the central government. They were able to overcome stronger differences on representation. The larger states wanted proportional representation, the smaller equal. They overcame this with a bicameral legislature that had proportional representation in the house and equal representation in the Senate.
They argued over a president or a monarch; over an appointed president, a committee, a hereditary position, a strong executive, a weak executive, a judiciary subservient to the legislature, lenght of terms, etc. These 55 men, some wealthy, some not, some eagerly (Madison) some requiring much persuasion (Washington) met for almost 120 days, keeping their discussions and their deliberations secret. And, in the end, they came up with one of the most marvelous of handbooks on how a government of the people should be formed.
It would take until June of the following year to be ratified. It took effect in March of 1789, with George Washington becoming our first president under our current republican form of government. The first 10 ammendments, proposed in September of 1789 were ratified finally in December 1791 and became our Bill of Rights.
It is a rather short document, really. Yet it is the basis for our continuance as a nation for 222 years since it's inception.
From the Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
We can use some more Plain Honest Men (and Women) in Washington today. Men and women who are able and willing to set aside personalities and self and put the USA first. Men and women who recognize and understand and are willing to continue in the same vein as the framers.
I was coming home and stopped for a chicken sandwich. I had just settled down in my seat and was starting to drink my iced tea. A mother near me was hugging her little boy and wiping his face; when he told her (in that clear and penetrating voice that children have) "Mommy, if you keep coddling me I will turn out to be a liberal".
Well, Mom was beet red, dad was a very proud papa, and the rest of us cheered! And the little boy had the biggest smile. I love kids. And I bet you can guess what happened to my drink.
I was sent this from a friend and it is worth passing along.
Every year at Texas A&M they do a contest to come up with the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term. This year's term was one of my favorites: political correctness. Here is the winning definition ...
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
As much as I enjoyed this definition I still prefer: "Political correctness is lack of moral courage".
WASHINGTON, DC – Today – days before Memorial Day – Liberty Legal Institute joins five veterans groups, representing over four million veterans, to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to save the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial from being torn down by the ACLU, the subject of Salazar v. Buono to be heard in The High Court’s 2009-2010 term. The coalition is launching a major campaign to draw attention to the case: www.DontTearMeDown.com.
“Our nation is only as secure as we remember those who have given their lives for the freedom that we now have,” said Kelly Shackelford, chief counsel of Liberty Legal Institute and attorney for the veterans groups. “The issue of saving this veterans memorial is something nearly every American will be interested in.”
The seven-foot-tall memorial cross, erected in 1934 by World War I veterans as a war memorial to honor all fallen soldiers, stands in the midst of the 1.6 million-acre Mojave Preserve. The legal case arose when a former National Park Service (NPS) employee living in Oregon sued for the memorial’s removal. Following attempts by Congress to designate the memorial as a national memorial and to transfer the land to the VFW, the District Court and Ninth Circuit Court both ruled that the memorial is unconstitutional and must be removed. The court also ordered the memorial covered with a plywood box until the U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
"A story untold is a story forgotten," said Joe Davis, public affairs director for the VFW. "We must tell the story of our veterans and fallen heroes, and we must keep this veterans memorial."
I am Brian Chesser a member in good standing with the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). Only InterNACHI certified home inspectors have the education and experience it takes to ensure that you will receive a professional and thorough home inspection.
Chesser Home Inspections provides you with a professional, accurate, and independent evaluation of the home’s condition and components.
You will receive at the completion of the inspection a comprehensive, easy to read, full color report with digital photographs.
A home inspection from Chesser Home Inspections will inform you about the property that you are considering.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
The following items are essential tools but this list is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next inspection about other tools that you might find useful.
Adjustable wrenches are somewhat awkward to use and can damage a bolt or nut if they are not handled properly. However, adjustable wrenches are ideal for situations where you need two wrenches of the same size. Screw the jaws all the way closed to avoid damaging the bolt or nut.
Hacksaws look thin and flimsy, but they'll easily cut through even the hardest of metals. Blades are replaceable, so focus your purchase on a quality hacksaw frame.
sometimes convenient, but they're no substitute. Manual screwdrivers can reach into more places and they are less likely to damage the screw. 
was born. 55 men representing the 13 colonies spent almost four months within the confines of Independance Hall, in the hot and humid Philidelphia summer and drafted one of the most amazing documents ever written.
;)
;)
