Home Safety: An Overview

One of the most important conversations we may ever have is in regards to your home’s safety. When it comes to accidents and hazards, everyone knows they exist, but most don’t believe it can happen to them: until it does. These days, homes are built according to regulations to maximize safety across the board. As a homeowner, it is still your responsibility to make sure your home lives up to these standards on a consistent basis. Do you know what to look for? Here’s an overview.

When it comes to a safe home, there are a few target areas to keep tabs on. All of them should be inspected annually, at a minimum. We will look at: Electrical, heating and fire safety, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and protection from burglary.

Most of us aren’t electricians, and for a good reason. Electrical work can be very dangerous for someone who is not properly trained. While nearly everyone uses electricity on a daily basis, there are important safety guidelines you should be following. The first is to make sure you are not overloading your system. There is a maximum voltage that outlets are designed to maintain. A rule of thumb is to only have one high-wattage appliance in use per outlet. While you can use multiple smaller items such as lamps and alarm clocks, some appliances require a significant amount of energy. Additionally, at least once per year every outlet should be checked. Feel the surface of every outlet to check for warmth. If you feel heat coming form an outlet, it needs to be checked by an electrician. When using outlets, cords needs to be properly attended. Frayed, exposed, or loose wires on any electrical device can be hazardous. Cords also need a clear path to travel along, and should never be allowed to hide underneath rugs, or run through doors where they can be trampled. Electrical safety is extremely important. It can turn into a hazard to young children and pets, or a fire hazard.

In addition to electrical safety, your home heating system can become a fire hazard if ignored. The first step as a homeowner is to have your fireplace, chimney, and heating equipment inspected once a year by a professional. As the weather is beginning to change and the cold season is not far off, this is the time to have them checked. When it comes time to heat your home, whether you are using built-in heating, a space heater, or fireplace, always use caution and best safety practices. This includes never leaving anything to burn or heat while unattended, never allowing anything that can burn near a heating device, and only burning proper wood. All outside vents should be checked annually and after any snowstorm for obstructions that may lead to carbon monoxide buildup. Finally, water heaters need to be checked and never allowed to exceed 120 degrees.

Even with safe heating practices, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors should be checked regularly. Smoke alarms should be tested regularly and batteries changed yearly. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer that is odorless, and can only be detected by a carbon monoxide detector. If you do not have one in your home already, go to your local hardware store and purchase one. A small amount of money can potentially save your family from a deadly leak. Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher in it as well. Extinguishers come with schedules and instructions from the manufacturer, which should be followed to ensure it’s ready when you need it.

Another safety target for your home is protection against burglary. It is important to have a reliable security system installed in your home. In addition to this, there are other practical steps you can take. First, consider having a neighbor or friend that you trust have a house key rather than hiding one near your door. Thieves who intend to break in may already know where you hide a key, if you have one. It’s also important to know what you have on display. Your home’s address should be easily identifiable in case police or firemen ever need to arrive. Your name, however, should not. Have your house numbers on your home and on your mailbox, not your last name. If for some reason you cannot have a home security system installed, consider putting a sticker on your window anyway. Burglars may be deterred if they believe an alarm will sound upon entry. Finally, always have your home appear occupied. If you are not home, leave a light or radio on.

While this is not a complete or all-inclusive list, and accidents can happen no matter what your level of preparedness is, you can still take steps to increase your home’s safety. Some steps you can take on your own, for others it’s wise to call in a professional. If any of these need to be done, don’t hesitate to call! To find a professional for your home, visit us online at www.responsiblecontractors.com!

Spotlight on: Jeff Heiss Painting

“Life is short. Live it in color.” Your house is your sanctuary. Your office is your brand’s dwelling. It’s a place you spend most of your days, and a place that represents you when guests come for dinner, or clients come for a visit. An appealing design is important not only for your eyes’ pleasure, but for the impression it makes. Have you been staring at white walls? Or maybe you have leftover wallpaper that seemed like a great idea a decade ago? It might be time to call Jeff Heiss Painting.

The conviction of Jeff Heiss Painting is to have a courtesy that is often forgotten. This is a conviction that permeates everything they do! From the best customer service, to a quality job that reflects that same commitment to their fellow man, Jeff Heiss Painting is a confident choice for any paint job. Experts in interior painting, they offer straight lines and an even coat of paint!  But if you’re looking to have the exterior of your home painted, they can do that too and prep it right.

When should you call them, though? Don’t most people just waltz into their local home store and pickup paint themselves? The edge that Jeff Heiss Painting brings is that they will not only do a job of the highest quality, but they are your consultants to help you choose the perfect color and paint style for your job! They take into account the purpose, location, lighting, carpet, trim and window treatments, and longevity of each job. Why do you want to repaint? What will the room be used for? What factors might influence the color choice, and the paint choice? These are all questions that Jeff Heiss Painting is prepared to ask before jumping into a paint job prematurely!

Are you ready for an update, but not sure where to start? Do you know you need your space painted but don’t want the hassle, or just need inspiration to start? Jeff Heiss Painting gives free estimates, are will be willing to work with you to make sure you have the results you want, along your timeline!

At Responsible Contractors, we aim to bring you the best in each industry. We proudly recommend Jeff Heiss Painting to take care of all your paint needs, indoor, outdoor, residential and commercial! To read more about them and find other contractors we recommend, visit us at www.responsiblecontractors.com!

When Weeds Attack

Seasoned gardeners are accustomed to dealing with those pesky weeds. Unmerciful and relentless, they persistently try to make an appearance. But not every homeowner is a gardener, and not everyone is prepared to handle them. Some may consider them harmless. But when they start appearing in your sidewalks, in your children’s playground, or your pet’s roaming areas, they might become bothersome. How can you manage your weeds when you don’t have a green thumb? Here’s some tips.

When it comes to weed control, there are as many options as there are types of weeds. First, it’s important to know what your culprit might be. There are three main classifications of weeds: Broadleaf, Grassy, and Grass-like. Here in the Pacific Northwest, broadleaf is likely to appear frequently. These include dandelions, false dandelions, and even some varieties of clovers and ivies. While it would be nearly impossible to list every variety of weed we have here in the Northwest, a good rule to follow is this: If a plant showed up without help, somewhere it isn’t wanted or suppose to be, treat it as a weed.

But how do you control these unwelcome guests? One of the most effective strategies for discouraging them from popping up is to promote growth of the plants you want. A lawn that is maintained, on soil that is healthy, will be a more difficult target for weeds. On the contrary, a lawn that has been let go may turn into a haven for weeds. A lawn that is dehydrated, has not been properly fertilized, has insect damage, or excessive traffic that has compacted the soil, can become a compromised area.

In addition to keeping your lawn healthy, there are many herbicides that you can use for an extra line of defense. If you go to your local home and garden store to pick some up, however, you may find there are many to choose from! Herbicides come in many varieties, and are intended to treat certain types of weed problems.

The first important thing to look for is whether your herbicide is selective or nonselective. Nonselective herbicides must be used with caution, as they are designed to kill all plants in their path. Whereas selective herbicides will only kill certain plants. If you are treating your lawn, make sure you use a selective herbicide so that you will not kill your grass also! If you are treating a sidewalk where plants like to grow between the cracks, a nonselective herbicide might be just the key, as you don’t want anything coming through the concrete!

The other important options you have are pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. Pre-emergent herbicides establish a barrier that will leave existing plants unharmed, but prevents weeds from growing. This will generally last six to eight weeks, and therefore may need to be applied throughout the year. Pre-emergent herbicides are a great option for protecting an already healthy lawn! Post-emergent herbicides come to the rescue when damage has already been done. They are designed to attack weeds that have already begun to grow, but before they have started seeding. This works to kill the weeds without letting them reproduce, making it a good option to handle a lawn that has already been invaded.

When it comes to weed control, the simple rules to follow are: Keep a healthy landscape, and treat it when needed. A good landscaper can prepare your soil for an environment that will encourage weeds to move next door. If your yard has been under fire for a long time, it might be time to call in a professional landscaper to give it a facelift! Not only will it be healthier, but it will look better, too. At Responsible Contractors, we aim to bring you the best in each industry. To find a landscaper, or a contractor for any other home issues you may have, visit us online at www.responsiblecontractors.com!

Spotlight on: Evergreen Landscaping & Ponds

We Washingtonians appreciate the nice weather more than most. With several months of rain each year, the time that we have to enjoy the outdoors is precious. We take our children to the park, and embark on day trips along scenic routes to enjoy nature. What if you could bring that beautiful scenery to your own home? Good news: you can! Evergreen Landscaping & Ponds’ tagline says it all: “We create Beautiful Landscapes to Enrich your Life!”

As a full service landscaper, they are equipped to bring your paradise oasis to life, whatever it may look like! From basic landscaping, to ponds, waterfalls, hardscapes, rockeries, and even sprinkler systems, the options are seemingly endless. Fully licensed, bonded, and insured, they have the skills and expertise of a contractor, and the creativity of a designer!

Their carefully selected team of landscapers bring over thirty-two years of combined experience. Honest, hard-working, and respectful, their disclaimer is that you may find yourself relaxing to the soothing sound of babbling water when done! Customers Mike & Sharon from Olympia remarked: “Highly recommend! Love my new pondless water feature, walkways, pavers, sprinklers and outdoor lighting. They can do anything when it comes to landscaping. They do excellent work, are honest and trustworthy.”

More than simple landscapers, the crew at Evergreen Landscaping & Ponds are master gardeners! They can bring your natural habitat to life whether in-ground or in-water. Some of the most coveted landscaping features are waterscapes. Evergreen Landscaping & Ponds believes that a properly installed water garden should be self-supporting with a naturally maintained ecosystem. This truly brings the most natural touch to your home or property, with the least amount of required maintenance.

Your home, or place of business, is a place where you spend a significant amount of your life. When entrusting the design, ecosystem, and structure of this oasis to another, choosing a company you can rely upon is crucial. Evergreen Landscaping & Ponds fits the bill. They have the experience, they have the skill, they have the reputation, and on top of it all they warranty their work.

At Responsible Contractors, we aim to bring you the best in each industry. We highly recommend Evergreen Landscaping & Ponds to take care of your commercial or residential landscape. In their hands, your corner of paradise will come to life! To read more about them, and find other contractors we recommend, visit us online atwww.responsiblecontractors.com.