Save Money With Tankless Water Heaters

Hot water heating accounts for about 20% (or more) of the average North American household’s annual energy costs. With energy prices rising day by day it is becoming important to take a closer look at where the money is going.

The average yearly cost for a conventional gas or electric storage hot water heater is approximately $500 for a 1300sq.ft., 4 member, family home. It decreases or increases depending on how many people live in the house and on their particular water usage habits.

Conventional hot water heaters store water and maintain the water temperature to the temperature setting on the tank - usually between 120° and 140° F. That means keeping water hot even when you do not need it - while you are at work; while you are sleeping; while you are away on holidays.

These “standby” losses represent 15% to 25% of a household’s annual water heating costs.

Another thing that annoys all of us, is waiting for the water to heat up because someone took a bath before us. The storage tank water heaters only have a limited amount of hot water. After that is gone you have to wait for the tank to get heated again.

Throughout the rest of the world, where energy costs have consistently been higher than in North America, different methods of heating water are common.

Tankless Water Heaters

No bigger than a kitchen cabbinet, Luna Baxi tankless water heater saves space, heats the house and produces an endless supply of hot water.

Enter Tankless Hot Water Heaters. They began appearing in the United States and Canada about 25 years ago but have been used in Europe for the last 50 years.

Unlike "conventional" tank water heaters, tankless water heaters heat water only as it is used, or “on demand”. Opening a hot water faucet ignites the powerful burners and the computer monitors the water temperature and adjusts the burners according to the need. High demand, high heat. Low demand, low heat.

Because the efficiency rate of tankless water heaters is about 20% higher, averaging around 90% and reaching up to 96% and there is no stand by losses, savings on your energy bills are evident.

Some models even have the capacity to heat the house at the same time. With these tankless water heaters, which are connected either to radiant floor heat or to a heating coil in your furnace (air handler), you can bring high efficiency space heating capacities to every home.

Just imagine a contraption the size of your kitchen cabinet, heating your home and giving you an endless supply of potable hot water. You do not need a separate furnace and a separate hot water heater.

Some models can be mounted on the exterior of a home, freeing up valuable floor and closet space on the inside. The unit can be placed in a recessed box, flush-mounted and painted or textured to match the exterior of the home.

Tankless water heaters can also be used for supplementary heat, such as a booster to a solar hot water system, or snow melting systems, or to meet all your hot water needs.

The major players include: Takagi, Rheem, Noritz, Rinnai and up and coming Luna Baxi.

We would suggest researching different makes and models in order to make the right choice for your particular needs and circumstances. (Original article at http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/Tankless_Water_Heaters.html )

About The Author
Harvey Juric, ICF Consultant and CEO of ICFhome.ca is a custom home builder in southern Ontario. He runs several websites promoting energy efficient homes. If you are interested in modern home building, his thoughts may be found on the following web sites: http://insulated-concrete.com, http://repairing-building-contractor.com http://ontario-home-builder.com.

How to Select a Really Good Water Hose

What separates a good water hose from the cheap junk so often found in the big box discount stores? Here are some of the features to look for in a quality hose that will give you years of good service.

Drinking Water Safe: “Drinking water safe” is not an absolute designation since all hoses release some small amounts of chemicals. PVC and synthetic rubber hoses release small amounts of toxic or known carcinogenic compounds into the water and are not generally considered drinking water safe. Ether-based Polyurethane is the best choice for drinking water safe hose construction since it releases very little in the way of harmful materials.

Quality Construction: Look for brass fittings. Brass has the unique ability to form water-tight brass-to-brass connections. The other advantage of brass is its great resistance to corrosion. Another sign of a superior hose is the use of high-density rubberized hose kink guards on both ends of the hose to eliminate any possibility of the hose collapsing or kinking to a closed position when pulled taunt from the faucet.

Durability: According to data compiled from lab testing results provided by plastic tubing manufacturers and chemical compound manufacturers such as Dow Chemical, BF Goodrich and others, this is my best guess as to the life expectancy you might get from hoses made of these different materials.

PVC hose (these are usually the cheapest hoses) – about 1 year.

Cheaper Polyurethane compounds (doesn’t say “ether”) – about 3 – 5 years.

High quality multi-layer Rubber – about 5 – 10 years.

Ether-based Polyurethane – about 5 – 10 years.

Hose Style: Most hoses are of the straight variety. Straight hoses reach to their full length but are the most difficult to store. Straight hoses can be stored on a hose reel, but it is often difficult to muscle them on and off the reel. If you want to use a reel, a Polyurethane hose is your best choice since they are lighter and more flexible. Coiled hoses are easier to retract back into their coil shape for a more compact storage. Cheaper coiled hoses tend to lose the coil memory and twist and kink into a tangled mess. There is a hybrid type of coil hose which retracts back to a very compact flat stack and is a good choice if you need the hose to stow into a small space.

Care and Maintenance: With good care and maintenance you can greatly extend the life of your hose. Even with the best UV resistant hoses, long term sun exposure is the greatest threat to long hose life. If at all possible, store your hoses out of the sun when not in use. If you live where the winters are cold, you should drain your hose before storage so that the hose material doesn’t crack due to the expansion of ice.

With these guidelines and advice in mind, you should be able to find a hose that meets your needs and will provide you years and years of good service.

About The Author
Michael Kirtley is owner-manager of Nature's Tapestry ( http://www.naturestapestry.com ). You are welcome to visit his site to learn more about choosing a quality water hose

Selecting The Right Drapes For Your Home

Practically every house-proud homeowner wants to make the most of their home in terms of décor, and an integral part of achieving the perfect look for your property is getting the right drapes for each room. Because the theme and décor in a home can vary from one room to the next, it is important to consider a number of factors before selecting your window coverings. Some of the factors you need to consider when selecting drapes is the type of room you are buying for, the size of the windows, the type of ambiance you wish to create for the room, and the design and décor of the room. For instance, if you are buying drapes for your kids’ bedrooms, heavy elaborate covering would look a little odd and could work out quite costly, whereas lighter coverings with simple designs could prove ideal. On the other hand, if you have a room that is reserved for entertaining, where the décor is rich and elaborate, the heavier window treatments could fit in nicely. A family room used for relaxing might benefit from simply designed and easy to maintain coverings, whereas a kitchen might fare better with café style drapes or even blinds. Each room requires careful thought and consideration before you make any firm decision with regards to the right coverings for the windows.

Enjoy a great choice of fabrics, colors, and designs

Whatever the design and decoration of each of your rooms, you should have no problem finding the ideal coverings for the windows amongst the vast choice available. From simple, easy to maintain coverings designed for rooms with heavy traffic or children and pets to rich, luxurious coverings with elaborate patterns and sumptuous fabrics, you can the right covers for every room in the home. Having the perfect drapes to complement the décor in a room can really inject life into the room, helping you to achieve both the look and the ambiance you are looking for. If you are carrying out a home improvement program, finding window coverings to suit each individual room can really make a difference to the overall finish of your improvements, and can give each room a whole new look.

Choose ready made coverings or create your own

For those confident when it comes to sewing and design, you can get some incredible drapery materials at really affordable prices, and these can be used to make your own coverings depending on your needs. If you are not confident enough to make your own, you will find a vast choice of ready made coverings designed for all sorts of rooms in the home, from bedrooms and living rooms, to dining rooms and kitchens, so you can ensure that every room in the home boasts the perfect drapes to complement the décor. You can often get excellent deals on both ready made coverings and a wide choice of materials online, giving you an even better chance of finding the ideal window treatments for use throughout your home.

About The Author
Ciara McNamara reveals for http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com, a source on tips and tricks. The writer is writing on subjects such as drapes ( http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com/drapes.html ).

How to Clean Your Bathroom in 15 Minutes

I used to absolutely loath cleaning my bathrooms. It was so much work (or so I thought) that I would procrastinate until my husband would threaten to call the health department. One day, a friend of mine showed me this routine that has helped me maintain my sanity by getting this dirty job done quickly. She introduced me to the “15 Minute Bathroom Cleaning Routine” and my life has never been the same.

I was finally free from the drudgery of mildew and soap scum buildup. No more tooth paste petrified on my faucets. Gone was the black ring around the tub that looked like a well placed pinstripe. I was finally free to let the door stay open when company came over. Wow! My family didn’t even recognize the room. They were stunned. I can honestly say that this room is now my pride and joy. Now my friends marvel at my cleaning prowess.

My bathroom was so bad that it took a little extra effort the first time I used the routine, but after the initial deep cleaning, it was a breeze. You too can overcome the bathroom blues by following these simple and effective twelve steps.

1. Remove the knick knacks and place them in the hallway.

2. Remove the throw rugs and shake them out. Put them in the laundry to be cleaned if needed.

3. Sweep or vacuum the floor.

4. Spray the counter top and let your cleaner do the work.

5. Spray the mirror and wipe it down.

6. Spray the toilet with cleaner inside and out. Let the cleaner sit.

7. Go back to the counter top. Scrub and wipe it down.

8. Spray the bath tub and shower down (you may not need to do this every week if your bath tub doesn’t get that dirty).

9. Scrub the inside of the toilet with a brush. Flush the toilet to rinse the bowl. Wipe down the seat and rim of the bowl. Don’t forget the place behind the seat and the outside of the toilet bowl and base.

10. Scrub the tub down and rinse.

Hint: if you want to clean the shower curtain you can wash it by itself in the washing machine in cold water on the delicate cycle. Throw in a bath towel to help scrub the curtain clean. Remove it promptly and hang it back up in the shower to drip dry. Never put it in the dryer.

11. If you have linoleum or tile, mop the floor. If the room is small, you can spray your cleaner directly onto the floor and wipe it up with a sponge or cleaning cloth. Let dry for ten to fifteen minutes.

12. Put back the rugs and knick knacks. Check your toilet paper supply. Put out fresh towels.

The whole process should take fifteen minutes, not counting the time to let the floor dry. It will take even less time if you don’t have to clean the tub and shower. I only clean ours once a month because it doesn’t get that dirty because we use an after shower spray that keeps the soap scum from stick to the shower surface.

There are two keys to a fast clean up: 1) Let the cleaner sit long enough to loosen up the dirt and disinfect the surface. 2) Clean the bathroom every week. Pick a day that is your bathroom cleaning day and just do it. When you keep up on your cleaning it doesn’t become such an insurmountable project.

Cleaning supplies.

1) Utility caddy to carry your supplies. The dollar store usually has these.

2) Rubber cleaning gloves.

3) Scrubber and sponge combination designed for cleaning the bathroom.

4) Window cleaner.

5) All-purpose cleaner.

6) An old toothbrush to get at those hard to reach areas.

7) One roll of paper towels.

8) Pumice stone for hard water build up in the toilet bowl.

9) Toilet brush (unless you keep one in each bathroom like I do).

That’s it. Happy cleaning!

About The Author
Martha Matthews is the Executive Director of Christian-Homemaking.com, a web site with resources dedicated to helping Christian Homemakers organize and manage their home.

Dealing with Bright Sun In Your Windows

You purchase a home with beautiful, large windows only to find the sunlight is blinding during the day and turns the home into an oven. Here’s how you can deal with the issue.

If you’ve ever doubted the power of the sun, the glare and heat generated in a home with large windows will change your mind. Boiled down to its basic elements, the sun is a nuclear reactor that sends more energy in the form of sunlight to the earth in one day than the entire world uses in one year. Without a filter device, the sun can practically turn your house into a nuclear reactor!

Solar shades off a solution. They come in a variety of forms, but have a few common characteristics. Regardless of the type, they act as a semi-translucent barrier to greatly filter the amount of light and heat generated by the sunlight. Depending upon your needs, this filtering process can be tailored to completely block the sunlight [a dark room] or filter it to allow for a more reasonable amount of light and heat in the room. Put in more simple terms, solar shades act as sunglasses for your windows.

A standard shade system is going to have an automated method of raising and lowering the screens from the inside of the home. If you are looking at a system that requires manual raising and lowering, skip it. It will become a pain in the derriere to have to do so every day, particularly if you have numerous screens.

Most screens come in standard sizes, but can be custom built to the particular dimensions of your windows. When ordering the screens, it is critical that you understand how the company is sizing the screens. Are the measuring from the inside border of the window or from the outside of the window frame? Nothing is worse than getting your system and finding it doesn’t fit.

You can install the screens yourself, but more and more manufacturers are requiring professional installation. Using a contractor is best unless you have previous experience with such systems. The installation seems simple, but can be frustrating in the details. Most manufacturers also require profession installation as part of the warranty for the system.

Long term exposure to the sun can be a killer for the interior of your home. Carpets and furniture will fade and fall apart. The massive production of heat can put pressure on joints and cause premature roof failure as it builds up in the attic. Solar shades are just about the only way to deal with this problem.

About The Author
Rick Chapo is with http://www.solarcompanies.com – a directory of solar energy and solar power companies. Visit http://www.solarcompanies.com/articles to read more solar electricity articles.

Wood Railings - Elegant And Stylish

The article will give you the information on wood railings. The information is necessary for installation of all wood products and railings in particular. It will also give you tips on wood care to make it long lasting.

Wooden railing is the first choice for any owner or the builder as the elegance and the style that you get from wooden railings is nothing compared to other materials. Some time the light reflection from all sources disturbs you. Wood does not reflect light as much as steel does, a kind of sereneness, and tranquility that you get from use of wood, you cannot get from any other material.

- Advantages Of Wood Railings

There are many advantages of wooden railings particularly indoor railings.

1. The elegance of wood is unmatched by anything else.

2. Contrary to popular belief, wood railings are maintenance free, particularly those used indoors. A nice polishing, a coat of lacquer while installing, is all that is required, and no further maintenance is required.

3. Another advantage of wood is that it massive in construction and will last for several decades if not centuries.

4. With its wide top, children (and some times grown ups too!) enjoy the wood railing sliding down the railing for coming down instead of coming down by steps. Oh what fun!

- Choice Of Wood For Railings

Wooden stock rails, balusters and newel can be made in Burma teak, Cherry, Maple, Red Oak, White Oak, Walnut, Mahogany, Poplar, Beech, Yellow Pine, Ash or Cedar. Many manufacturers can give you the top rail design that you desire or dream. Manufacturers use CAD systems, CNC machinery, and hand artistry, to give you any rail profile, baluster turnings or newel post.

Care Of Wood In General, Railing In Particular

Wood when properly treated and cared for requires no maintenance. The major enemy of wood is the life forms capable of living and thriving on wood. The microscopic life starts first and then it is like a jungle, where the food chain starts. Therefore if you treat wood with chemicals to stop the growth of micro-organisms and keep water away from it, the possibility of wood rot gets much less. Regular cleaning, annual polishing, waxing when the wood railing looks dull is all that is required for caring the wood articles and railing in general. Out-door railings may require painting to keep them looking new.

About The Author
Adam Peters is a freelance author who contributes adding articles to a deck and porch railings website http://www.deck-porch-railings.com. Reach further articles on wood railing plans http://www.deck-porch-railings.com/wood-deck-railings.html and designs.

Get The Complete Intarsia Manual : Click Here!

Log Home Interiors And Log Home Interior Design Ideas

In log home interiors and log home interior design, the shape and color of the log wood selected is most important since the log wood used will reflect a range of moods, complexities and emotions.

In general, the logs in log home interiors will be the most visual and dynamic element around which all else will revolve. How much log wood is used in log home interiors is a major decision. Log home interior design today seldom uses logs for every wall in the home.

Here are ideas to consider when planning your personal space inside log homes:

• Diameter of Logs - give careful consideration to the size of the logs you will use and how they will visually impact the space. For example, the visual effect of smaller diameter logs in rustic log home interiors can be subtle and somewhat subdued. If your log home is built with large diameter logs, they can be the most powerful and dramatic design element in the room and the entire home. Larger diameter logs will probably require you to build a larger log home, larger rooms, higher ceilings and consequently need more furnishings.

• Interior Light Levels - log home interiors can feel dark and oppressive with dark wood, insufficient natural light and inadequate windows or skylights. Windows give log home interiors natural light, enlarging and enlightening the room space. Orientation, size, location, shape, and style of the windows is very important in log home interior design. An east-facing window gives morning light, and a west-facing window brings late afternoon sun.

Using very small windows in log homes is a thing of the past. You may want the windows or the skylights to frame the view of the lake, the mountains or the blue sky. Skylights are great and they provide natural light all year around and will brighten any room and your logs. Why not have it all!

• Room Focal Points - each room in log home interior design should have a focal point, a feature that attracts the eye. The focal point could be a fireplace, a special picture or painting, a staircase, a beautiful chandelier or a window. If the room is large, you may want several dramatic focal points. If you have a large space, create several smaller cozy sections with different furniture arrangements to entertain small groups of people doing different activities. Use a variety of sizes and shapes of area rugs to visually divide the room.

• Flooring Materials - if you choose not to use carpet under the dining room table and chairs, consider using different types of contrasting flooring materials. Use different materials to create a dramatic look - tiles set into wood, for example, or wood timbers laid into stone. A smaller room will appear larger if you install a floor that is lighter than the walls. If your room has numerous windows and plenty of natural light, a beautiful wood floor or stone floor can create the perfect setting.

• Walls and Materials Used - how the logs in log home interiors are finished is important because of the resulting visual impact made by their color. With log home and rustic interior finishing, you can use sealers, stains, and paint in some areas, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. Today, a variety of materials such as glass, stucco, stone, copper and steel are often used with the logs, creating striking contrasts. Or the materials used in log home interior design may be associated with the region or state such as combining logs and stucco in the southwest USA.

Creating beautiful log home interiors has many different ways in which the log home interior design can work well, ranging from informal handmade country style to a modern looking interior. The success of log home interiors, like any house style, may be measured by how much the space is enjoyed and by how well the space functions. Whether you are just beginning to have some ideas or are well along in your design, learn as much as you can about the process of creating your own interior space that is comfortable, cozy, stylish and inviting.
Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

About The Author
David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - a popular website about log home living.
Read about the 3 major ways to custom build log homes at http://www.yourdreamloghome.com/custom-build-log-homes.html plus country decorating, fireplace design, rustic decor and more.

Six Carpet Care Tips

Which is the most important of my carpet care tips? You'll find it at the top of the list below. Use the five other tips as well, and you'll get years more use from your carpet.

Top Carpet Care Tips

1. Keep your carpet clean. Sand and dirt act like thousands of little razor blades that cut carpet fibers. Damaged carpet stains more easily, and it's harder to remove the stains from it as well. Vacuum often to remove dirt, and your carpet will last longer.

2. Use rugs. Put rugs outside and inside the front door, and any other entrances. They can catch much of the dirt that people bring in on their feet. That means less vacuuming and longer carpet life.

3. Remove shoes. This is a sure way to make carpet last longer. If you have a nice home with nice carpet, people usually aren't offended by this policy.

4. Clean stains quickly and properly. If using a cleaning solvent other than water, apply it to a cloth first, and work it in from the outside of the stain to the center, so you don't spread the spot. Apply the cleaner, extract (blot), rinse, extract, and repeat until you can't get more of the stain out. Extract solvents completely, and dry the carpet quickly when you're done. If there is any stain remaining deeper down in the carpet, quick drying prevents it from wicking up to the surface.

5. Use a shop-vac. It's a great help when cleaning stains. You can't just suck out the stain, but you can repeatedly wash and rinse the area, and suck the solution out each time. It's more effective than blotting up the water with cloth, mostly because you won't have the patience to wash, rinse and extract enough times if you're using paper towels or cloth.

6. Vacuum before cleaning. If you use a portable machine, at least get the water as hot as you can, and dry the carpet quickly, using fans to move the air around. You won't match the results of a good truck-mount hot water extraction unit. However, if you want to save money, doing your own cleaning can lengthen the time between expensive professional cleanings.

Want carpet clean enough for the kids to play on? Do you want it to last for years longer than normal? Just use these basic carpet care tips.

About The Author
Steve Gillman has worked in the carpet cleaning industry for years. For more on carpet-care, carpet stains, and specific stain-by-stain removal instructions, visit http://www.HowToRemoveCarpetStains.com.

Choosing Your Sofa

Changing your old sofa is the same as removing the old plastic covering that has been hanging on your living room lamp for say, 5 years. Oh…the only design you are seeing now is the newest stain your son has added to the pile. And have you thought of how hard it is for you to get out from your couch? That's too bad. These only mean one thing- its time to change your sofa.

It might have taken you some time before choosing the sofa from the furniture shop the last time you bought your couch. Only to find out that everything were all in vain. Your sofa was not as nice as you first thought of it to be. To ease out the trouble of choosing your sofa, here are some guidelines to make the work lighter:

- The size. Before doing anything, decide on what size should you buy. This doesn't necessarily mean that you use your room size as the basis. The primary reason for this is to avoid the chance that your sofa doesn't fit the door. Or if you are living on the second floor or so, it may be due to the size of the stairs or the elevator. Again, it is not only the length of the sofa that matters, check also on its width and height and maximum size that your room will allow.

- The color. It is not always advisable to pick the color that looks strong. As far as home designing is concerned, neutral colors still remain to be the ideal choice. Then if you want to capture those hot and striking colors then take advantage of the sofa accessories. Throw pillows are much less expensive and they may be great additions to your home décors. Plus, you can always change the looks of your living room by rearranging your pillows or by changing their pillow case colors.

- Assess your lifestyle. Consider your lifestyle and start from there when choosing the upholstery of your sofa. Also think about which part of the house will your sofa be placed. Will it be placed in the family room or in the formal living room? Having kids may also add to your reconsiderations. For the longevity of the furniture, avoid delicate upholstery like that of satin.

- The pattern. If you prefer plain design then it is best to narrow down your choices to more toned down colors. However, choosing patterned upholstery is another thing. Choose a pattern that may conceal "add-on" designs (those that are patented by your son). With this in mind, you may choose multi-colored pattern. This will help you hide the dirt and stains that your children have created.

- Examine the furniture. While you're on-site, allow yourself ample time to examine the furniture itself. The underlying construction and the over-all sofa make up. Ensure yourself that you have tried the feel of the sofa. Sit on it like you are at your own home. This will give you a better idea of what the sofa may feel like. If possible, invite others to try the sofa as well. This will make you see the comfortability level of the furniture.

- Check other things. Inspect the accents of the sofa. Check the trimmings, the wood used in construction, the paddings, and the over-all design.

The question of- "will it match my room?" may arise. It is best to address this question and other issues as well. If you see some defaults, then look for another sofa. After all, choosing a defaulted sofa is not suggested in the guidelines.

About The Author
Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides sofa resources on http://www.your-sofa.info.

How does a chocolate fountain work?

A chocolate fountain is essentially an apparatus made from stainless steel that serves molten chocolate fondue. A motor at the base of the fountain is used for heating the prepared chocolate morsels that are placed in a heating tray. A central corkscrew pushes the molten chocolate up through a column. Upon reaching the top of the fountain, which may be 2-4 feet in height and have multiple tiers, the chocolate flows down. The chocolate flows into one tray and spills on to the next till it reaches the bottom tier. After the chocolate cascade reaches the base of the fountain, the whole process is repeated again. The first melting of the chocolate can also be carried out in a microwave or a double boiler. The fountain is placed on a base that is sturdy enough to hold around 40 kilograms of weight and is close to a power socket.

Chocolate high in cocoa butter, such as couverture chocolate, is ideal for use in fountains. The chocolate can be either milk or dark. Chocolate low in cocoa butter must be supplemented with vegetable oil; however, this hampers the smoothness and taste of the chocolate.

Chocolate fountains are available as home and commercial versions that can be used for a variety of occasions such as parties, film premieres, bar mitzvahs, and product launches. A home fountain is ideal for a gathering of around 25 people.

Chocolate fountains are available for rent from catering companies and party supply stores. These also provide an attendant who ensures that the fountain works properly, the chocolate cascades smoothly, and there is no abuse of the fountain at the hands of eager children. Tidbits such as fruit pieces, cheesecakes, marshmallows, etc are kept around the fountain. These can be skewered on to toothpicks and dipped in the fountain. Generally, anything that is not liable to crumbling will be fine for dipping in a chocolate fountain.

Chocolate fountains can be rented at an hourly rate that includes the charges for the attendant’s services and the cost of the chocolate used. Usually, chocolate fountains are operated for no more than two hours during a party; normally they are functioning when appetizers and desserts are served. They can also be an additional item in a buffet. Installing a chocolate fountain in the outdoors is not recommended as insects get drawn by the aroma of chocolate and breeze may disrupt the flow.

About The Author
John Griffin recommends that you visit http://www.chocolatefountainheaven.co.uk for more information on chocolate fountain hire.
johgriffin@gmail.com

Burglary Prevention

What does a BURGLAR like?

Experience has shown us that burglars like many things (mostly other people's things), but most thieves prefer two conditions.

1. An invitation, and
2. A fast, easy, undetected entry and exit.

Burglary invitations aren't stuffed into envelopes as are birthday party invites; nor do we hang signs on our doors - "BURGLARS WELCOME" - the way we attach balloons to the mailbox. However, invitations are sent and signs are posted which are equally effective. Have you ever had a neighbor go on vacation and you see the newspapers pile up on the front step or the mail overflow from the mailbox? These are sure signs that nobody is around.

Other invites you might recognize include:

- Unkempt yard.
- Keys left in your vehicle while you run into the store.
- Dark or concealed hiding areas.
- Windows left open when you are away.
- Notes on the door explaining where you have gone.
- The spare house key left on top of the door jam. (Did you think no one knew that key was there?)
- Messages on the answering machine stating that you are away.
- An open garage door.
- Sliding glass door, without auxiliary locks.
- A house unlit night after night.
- Privacy fence.
- Flimsy door latches and locks.
- Basement windows.

After receiving his invitation, the burglar also looks for a quick, undetected entry and exit. He will choose the path of least resistance, which affords him the best chance of getting away without being caught. For this reason, most burglars work the night shift hiding under the cover of darkness. This is an opportunity afforded by nature; other access and escape opportunities, which we provide include:

- A large shrub in front of a window
- A dark alley behind the residence
- A privacy fence around the yard
- An unlocked door or window
- A sliding glass door
- An exterior door without a deadbolt lock

Stay safe! Visit www.UrbanSafetySupplies.com and www.HiTechHiddenCameras.com for all of your self defense and security item needs.

About The Author
Robert Young is the owner and operator of Urban Safety Supplies and Hi-Tech Hidden Cameras. Stay safe! Visit www.urbansafetysupplies.com for all your security item needs. Stun guns, pepper spray, personal alarms, and more! Also visit www.hittechhiddencameras.com and see our hidden cameras, spy, and surveillance equipment.
mail@urbansafetysupplies.com