Guest Post - DIY Projects to Improve the Safety of Your Home

There are many reasons to take on a home improvement project. Some are serious, like adding on a room or remodeling an old home. Others are fun, like renovating a space to update its ambiance and appeal.

Some of the most important kinds of improvements are those that increase your home’s safety. Here are a few different projects that address the safety of your dwelling from several different perspectives.

Review Basic Safety Hazards

If you want to ensure that your living space is a safe place for you and your loved ones, it’s wise to start with several basic considerations. A few common safety hazards that can be addressed with quick DIY fixes include:

• Trip and fall prevention: You can do this by installing handrails on stairs, adding guard rails on a porch, replacing slippery flooring, or even swapping out a steep step with two smaller stairs.

• Adding storage: Storage, especially high and out of reach options, provides an ideal place to keep chemicals, medicine, and dangerous equipment out of reach of children. It can also help you avoid further trip and fall accidents by keeping items out of pathways.

• Install alarms: Fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and even flood alarms are all important to have properly installed throughout your home. If you don’t have them yet, schedule a time to install them.

Before you start looking for nuanced projects to work on, make sure basic safety considerations like these have been tended to.

Protect Your Home and Equipment

Safety doesn’t always revolve around things like physical accidents or fires and floods. At times they’re very human in nature. With that in mind, it’s also important to ensure that your property is properly protected from two kinds of theft.

First, review your home’s locks and safety features. You may even want to consider installing a smart home system to help deter potential theft. In addition, review your home insurance policy to see if you’re properly protected from everything from break-ins to natural disasters.

Second, consider all of the electronics in your home network. Cybersecurity is a serious concern these days. Make sure everything is up to date, password-protected, and has anti-malware and anti-virus software, too.

Consider Your Electricity

One DIY project worth consideration is conducting a review of your electrical situation. While most serious electrical jobs should be done by a certified electrician, there are many ways that you can look over your home’s electricity usage to make sure basic safety precautions are being made.

Take some time to go through your home and look for easy DIY fixes. For example, you can:

• Make sure appliances have plenty of room for air circulation.

• Check to see that outlets are properly protected with covers.

• Unplug unused appliances to reduce potential hazards.

• Check that exhaust fans are clean to prevent the risk of overheating.

• Replace damaged electrical cords and appliances.

Electricity is critical to a functioning modern home. However, it also poses many risks. Reviewing your electricity setup is a great DIY project to regularly schedule into the calendar every few months.

Not-DIY Projects to Avoid

While there are many safety projects that are perfectly doable on your own, others should be left to a professional. They may cost more, but if your goal is to be safer, you want to make sure everything is done correctly. 

For instance, if you’re trying to remove harmful substances like radon, asbestos, or mold, you may want to get a professional. Bigger projects like sanding down floors or repairing a leaky roof should also be kept off of the DIY list, and left in the hands of a professional.

Creating a Safer Home Environment

There are many factors that go into a safe home environment. Everything from removing trip and fall threats to addressing electrical, flood, and fire hazards to setting up physical- and cyber-security measures should be taken into consideration.

While there are some projects that are better left to a professional, many safety-focused home improvement activities are easy to do yourself. So review the suggestions above and consider where your home is lacking. Then make plans to start fixing things as soon as you can to create as safe a home environment as possible for you and your family.

Author Bio: Noah Rue is a freelance writer.

How To Choose the Ideal Door Lock for Your Home?

We partnered with a lock company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Choosing the right lock can make or break the situation if a thief tries to break in your home. It’s important to have the right one installed because you never know when someone’s going to have the courage and actually attempt to steal your belongings inside. Luckily, Keyside Locksmiths is here to satisfy your locksmithing request. Whether you need a locksmith Newcastle, Sydney, or Central Coast, rest assured that we will service you in all suburbs of New South Wales. That’s not all, because our goal is to also help our clients gain more knowledge, which is why we will be talking about how you can choose the ideal lock for your home:

1. Having Deadbolts is a Must

We cannot stress how important it is to get deadbolt locks nowadays. If you don’t know what these are, deadbolt locks are locks that have a bolt inside them instead of a traditional spring. Not only does it add additional protection for your household because it cannot be jimmied open, but these kinds of locks are 100% guaranteed a Grade 1 Rated lock standard, the highest grade given, meaning that it is one of the safest locks out there in the market . Although they may cost more than the average lock, we can tell you that we would pay more if it guarantees additional safety. 

2.Have the Right Budget to Afford Quality Locks

We’re going to be honest, getting a high quality home security system isn’t exactly going to be budget-friendly to your wallet. If you care about the safety of you, your family, and your pets however, then we’re going to tell you right now that’s the more important thing to worry about than a couple hundred bucks. Besides, if ever you do get robbed, the money deducted from your assurance is going to be higher than the cost of a lock installation. So our advice: manage your finances and your priorities. 

3. Go the Extra Mile and Make Some Door Renovations

If your door frame has a history of not being particularly sturdy, maybe the lock isn’t the only thing you need to replace too. Consider investing in some high quality material such as Mahogany wood to make your door stronger and sturdier than no thief should be able to kick down and come barging in.

To add any purchase of a lock, you’ll need to be sure that it’s made with heavy-duty metal with a set of screws provided for the installation. Just to take note, though, a double-sided lock is a big no-no in our books, because you’ll need a key to unlock the door even when you’re inside. If you lose that key, then you’ll end up trapped. A professional will help you find the best door hardware.

4. Make a Thorough Assessment and Analysis On What You’ll Need

Beyond picking what kind of lock needed, you’ll still have to take into account other factors to take into consideration when installing your locking mechanism onto your door. Everything from aesthetics, usefulness, effectiveness, and overall security are just some to keep in mind, while some homeowners would also add appearance as a big factor in choosing the locks. 

Here are some examples of what people usually think of when installing a lock:

• Is the door knob easily removable for easy entry?

This can be a good and bad thing for you. Good because if you’ll ever get stuck inside your home, you’ll have an easy way. Unfortunately, it’s bad because thieves might think the same thing as well. In this scenario, it would be best adding another lock to remove the threat of easy access. 

• Is the door easy for homeowners to use?

People react to things differently all the time, and the same goes for locks. Some people may find certain locks easy to use, while others struggle with them. For example, keyless locks may be easy to use for young people, but boomers might think differently because they’re not as tech-savvy compared to them. Other instances can be found with different types of locks. Your best bet would be smart locks, as they're really convenient and go hand-in-hand with your home security system, if you have one installed that is. 

• What’s the rating of the door lock?

For those of you unaware, doors actually have their own grading system to them. The American National Standard Institute, or ANSI, gives a numerical representation on the overall security a specific lock has on your household. The grade is based on factors such impact resistance, functionality, pull strength, etc. On the average, residential locks score an ANSI grade of 1-3, 1 being the highest level security and considered commercial grade, while 3 being the lowest meeting only basic requirements. For maximizing safety, choose either Grade 1 or 2 locks. 

How to Decorate Your Toddler's Room with Their Favorite Characters

Toddlers and young kids love their favorite cartoon characters. There’s no telling who they’ll latch onto — it might be anybody from Simba to Shrek — but just about every parent knows that once an obsession begins, your kid almost acts like that character is their new best friend! 

Fortunately, it’s normal for toddlers to have fictional character obsessions. And when they do, there’s nothing wrong with giving them a little bit of what they want! Many toddlers love having their rooms decorated with their favorite cartoon characters, and it can help provide them with a little more of the environmental stimulation that they need for healthy brain development. 

From Disney wall decals to stuffed animals and beyond, here are seven easy and fun ways to bring your child’s imagination to life by adorning their room with their favorite characters. 

1. Removable Wall Decals

Removable wall decals are a godsend for parents with cartoon-obsessed toddlers. These reusable vinyl decals are available in a huge variety of sizes and character designs, and their vividly lifelike quality means they’re sure to please toddlers who can’t get enough of their favorite cartoon friends. 

However, it’s really important to make sure that you buy high-quality wall decals made with an adhesive that’s actually removable. Otherwise, you might find yourself taking a large part of your paint off when you remove the decal. Look for decals that are officially licensed by the character’s owners, such as official Paw Patrol wall decals, as these will usually be higher quality products. 

2. Fun Furniture

Themed furniture is a great addition to any toddler’s bedroom, and you’ll almost certainly have an easier time getting your toddler to sleep at night if they get to climb into a Lightning McQueen bed. Character-themed furniture makes an excellent centerpiece to build a character-themed room around, or it can be a good compromise if you’ve agreed to let your child get one Batman-themed element for their room. 

Of course, the thing about furniture is that it’s not something you usually want to constantly replace, so consider whether your child tends to move through obsessions quickly. If you think they’ll be done with Winnie the Pooh in a few weeks, it’s often a good idea to get a less permanent and less expensive type of character decoration. 

3. Stuffed Animals

Stuffed animals bring out a whole new dimension for your child’s character obsessions — a third dimension, to be precise. Some Backyardigans are sure to bring joy into your child’s face, and stuffed animals can help spark a child’s imagination and encourage them to learn social and emotional roles. 

Note that sleeping with stuffed animals should be avoided for kids under a year old, and it’s best to keep very large stuffed animals out of the bed until kids are out of the toddler years. Fortunately, however, research in child psychology now indicates that it’s actually quite healthy for children to have stuffed animals to give them comfort in tough times. 

4. Doorway Art

The doorway to your child’s room is a perfect place to add decorations of your kid’s favorite characters. Working within the doorway gives you a defined space inside which you can create clever designs and dynamic scenes. For example, a decal of Peppa Pig that looks like she’s popping around the door could be a lot of fun! 

Consider adding some words too, such as an inspirational message or your toddler’s name. If the door has decorative features like panels and rails, try working around these to create unique designs that work with the space you have. Whatever you add to the door, it should be lively and colorful! 

5. Wall Murals

Sometimes you want to go big, and it’s hard to get cooler in the eyes of a toddler than a full-sized wall mural of their favorite cartoon. If you want to truly take them under the ocean with the cast of Finding Nemo or into the enchanted forests with Snow White, then a wall mural might be just the thing. 

Large-format vinyl wall murals are available for most popular cartoon characters, and you might be surprised at some of the fun and dynamic scenes they’re designed with. Just make sure that the characters in the mural are ones your kids are comfortable with and that they don’t include elements like scary villains that might cause fear once you turn off the light. 

6. Add Educational Content

What if you could help kids learn through cartoon decorations? Incorporating educational wall decals into cartoon-centric designs can be an excellent strategy for communicating important concepts like the ABCs and basic colors. Raising a toddler in a home where these concepts are constantly reinforced through decoration will help prepare them when they begin learning them in preschool or kindergarten. 

The characters and the educational content can have varying degrees of interconnection. You might add some favorite characters to your ABC wall to create a positive association between the two — perhaps even a favorite character for every letter (A for Arthur, B for Belle, etc.). To teach colors, try adding some colorful characters and challenge kids to name each character’s colors (yellow and red for Winnie the Pooh, etc.). 

7. Go with the Flow

Most toddlers love cartoons, but they also have wide-ranging interests! If your toddler has shown an interest in other things like sports, superheroes, princesses or anything else, remember that there are themed decorations available for these as well. Whatever your child is most interested in, you’ll create a more stimulating environment by enriching the environment with those topics. 

You could even add an interesting element to your decorations with custom big heads or standouts of family members or even of your child themselves! In general, any decoration that gives your child comfort and intellectual stimulation is a good one. 

11 Ways to Decorate a Wall in Under an Hour

Not everyone has the time to curate a perfect collection of wall art and sink hours into experimenting with placements and mockups. A lot of us just want something that looks good but doesn’t take a lot of effort and time, especially if we’re decorating an area that’s not going to be the centerpiece of our homes. 

Don’t worry — there are lots of great options out there for easy wall decoration! Let’s take a peek at 11 of the most popular choices for decorating a wall in under an hour with no muss and no fuss. 

1. Vinyl Wall Decals

Removable vinyl wall decals are one of the easiest and fastest ways to decorate a wall. They’re available in all kinds of designs now, from sports stars to video game characters to heroes from comic books and movies. One key tip is to choose good quality decals, as cheaply made ones can damage your wall when they come off. 

2. Washi Tape

So, you’ve got some great prints for your wall, but they’re not framed. What to do? Washi tape to the rescue! This thin Japanese tape comes in colorful patterns and is perfect for decorating on the fly and on the cheap. Just tear off a few short strips (no scissors required!) and use them to create a “frame” around whatever you want to hang. Washi tape is easy to apply and remove, but it’s also surprisingly durable and it won’t damage the materials you hang with it. 

3. Large Pieces

Don’t want to mess around with hanging a bunch of smaller pieces on a wall? Choose one good larger piece and let it speak for itself. This might be a painting, a print, a tapestry or any other large-format style of art. The important thing is to pick something high-quality that complements the wall color and the rest of the room’s decor. 

4. Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Wallpaper can look great, but it’s a labor-intensive way to decorate. You can count on at least a couple of hours of work applying adhesive and making sure it’s all smoothed out. Unless, that is, you use peel and stick wallpaper! These durable, no-nonsense wallpaper products feature all kinds of cool patterns and colors, but they require just a fraction of the effort. For most walls, all you’ll need to do is draw some basic guidelines, unroll the wallpaper, apply it and smooth it down. That’s it! 

5. Plants

Plants can do so much good for a space. They bring a lively, vibrant character and have documented benefits for improving mental health. Whether it’s a few small succulents, a giant palm or something in between, a couple of well-chosen plants will make your wall come alive. Of course, it’s important to make sure that your wall is somewhere that the plants can get the right amount of sunlight, and that it’s safe for any pets and children who are frequently in the house. 

6. Wall-Mounted TV

Hanging a TV can require a little more thought about the purpose and configuration of the room than some other options on this list, but the results can be fantastic. There are lots of practical uses for a wall-mounted TV, from watching the game while you’re in the kitchen to turning on Spotify any time you need to quickly set a mood. DIY TV mounting kits are available from any hardware store, but trusting it to a professional is a good idea if you’re not much of a handyperson. 

7. Print Sets

Don’t want to go to the trouble of matching a bunch of prints from different sources? Buy a set of prints that are designed to work together out of the box! Many home decor stores now offer pre-made print sets that just need to be framed and hung, and they’re usually available in a variety of colors so you can match them to the rest of your decor. Choose a set of decorative matching frames and you’ve got an incredibly easy decorating solution. 

8. Shelves

Adding shelves to a wall instantly turns it into a practical and attractive storage space. Once you’ve got the shelves up, your options are just about limitless. Want to display some of your favorite knick-knacks? How about some books? Or perhaps this wall is a good place for your plants to get some sun? There are so many different choices, and most of them will look great. Just pick some good-looking shelves that are strong enough to hold what you put on them. 

9. Custom Decorations 

Why not use something that will make your wall truly your own? It’s easier than ever to get awesome custom decorations that give your walls something unique that nobody else has. If you’re looking for something fun and silly, try some custom standouts or custom cardboard head cutouts of your family, or use a custom wall mural of a favorite photograph to create just the atmosphere you’re looking for. 
10. Hanger Racks

Why not put that wall to good use as a place to hang jackets, hats, purses or other clothing and accessories? Wall-mounted coat racks are generally inexpensive and easy to install, and they’re really helpful for eliminating the clutter and mess that can accumulate from outerwear getting scattered around the house. Choose a central location near the entrance to your home where most guests will be removing their outerwear. 

11. Instant Windows

Instant what now? That’s right — instant window wall decals are fun, funky removable wall decals that create an image on your wall of a window with a wild scene outside. You can get them in all kinds of styles, ranging from your favorite Bob Ross paintings to (gulp!) a spooky Grim Reaper for Halloween. And unlike real windows, you’ll never have to worry about drafts or replacing the caulking.