NewsletterFebruary10

It is important to test your security system each month. If you have a monitored life safety system, contact your

central station to test the communication and signals of each zone. Be sure to check your batteries in smoke and

carbon monoxide sensors. Review an exit strategy with your family in case of a fire. Are you aware of your duress

code? If not, contact your servicing company for instructions and the value of protection this offers.

Top Five Reasons to Purchase a Security System

1. Protection for your family. Family/Friends and Others that are in a residence are the number one asset.

2. Protection of Assets that you treasure. Valuables and heirlooms can be a priceless asset to their owners.

3. Alert the Authorities of any Emergencies that may occur. Fire, Medical, Burglary, Duress, Carbon Monoxide

are all priority signals that are typically monitored.

Fire •The NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) reports that in 2008, 83% of all civilian fire deaths resulted from

home structure fires. •From 2000 to 2004, 65% of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no

smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Medical •A fatal injury occurs in the home every 14 minutes and a

disabling injury every 4 seconds •The five leading causes of fatal injury are falls; poisoning; choking; drowning

and fires, flames and smoke. Crime Statistics •The FBI reports a burglary occurs every 14 seconds •A home

without a security system is 2 to 3 times more likely to be burglarized. •85% of police officials surveyed believe home monitored alarms help deter burglary attempts •Over 2 million burglaries occurred in 2008. •70% of all burglaries in 2008 took place in a home •The average dollar loss per burglary offense in 2008 was $2,079 Carbon Monoxide •Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the leading causes of poisoning deaths in the United States. •There are approximately 2,100 unintentional deaths from carbon monoxide (CO) every year in the U.S. and the use of CO alarms could potentially prevent many of these fatalities •More than 15,000 CO injuries occur annually from this colorless, odorless and tasteless poison.

4. Lower Your Insurance Premiums. Most insurance carriers will reward their clients with discounted premiums for having a security system, fire system and having each monitored also carries a percent discount. The system becomes a value added feature of the residence and reduces the risk for the insurance carrier.

5. Signage in the Yard and Decals on the Windows and Doors. Deter potential Burglars who may be lurking nearby.

Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2008 National Crime Report; Simon Hakim, Temple University; International Association of Chiefs of Police; National Fire Protection Association; National Safety Council; Journal of the American Medical Association.

Tips on Using Mirrors to Create Space

If you wish to make the small space inside your home look visually larger, then mirrors could just be the right choice for you. Mirrors have been a strong

element in

enhancing the

design of any house

ever since they were

invented. So if you

are interested in

adding depth and

openness to your

place, then its’ time

for you to consider

having some mirrors

inside the house.

Here are some tricks that will help you make your room look more spacious and bright:

1. A dark and dingy room can benefit from good positioning of a mirror or a series of them. For example, you can place the mirror on the wall opposite to the window. This reflects the incoming light and brightens up the room thereby giving an illusion of a larger space.

2. Large or full sized mirrors can be placed in the entrance ways thereby giving a sensation of a larger space to anybody entering inside. It is even better to place the mirror on the wall or the walls which the eye catches first.

3. If you have a small bedroom or dining room (which appears cluttered) then placing a wall mirror in these rooms instantly opens up the space. A bed or dining table placed next to a mirrored wall immediately appears larger thereby giving the much needed “feel-big” look.

4. A hallway or stairway

can be made to look

larger by placing mirrors

in staggered sequence on

both sides of the walls.

You can also hang the

mirrors at the ends

instead of placing them

on the sides.

5. Hanging mirrors in

bathrooms is also a

perfect way to brighten up

the space and add more depth inside the bathroom. If you want to see the back of your outfit or the cut of your hair, then this can be achieved by strategically placing the mirrors in the bathroom.

6. Painting on one wall (in dark color) and hanging a stylish mirror on the other dark wall enhances the visual depth of the room.

7. (FYI, for you Feng Shui fans) Lastly, according to Feng Shui you should never purchase poor quality mirrors. You should not keep the mirrors dusty and unclean as it reflects weak “chi” or energy and a cracked mirror should be discarded immediately.

Opening up your home by careful and intelligent placement of mirrors is a great way in which you can add a lot of style, drama and creativity. It will not only make your home look bigger and spacious but will also add to the character and décor.

Source: Home Decor Tips

Small Scale Remodels Easier on the Bottom Line

Is it possible to get more space in your existing home without remodeling? Sarah Susanka is an architect and proponent of the "Not So Big Remodeling Job." In a series of articles and books on the subject, Susanka points out that a thoughtful re-examination of a home's existing footprint can provide answers to better-utilize square footage.

For example, Susanka writes, space problems can often be solved by rethinking the locations of activities in a home. This is contrary to the way many remodeling projects actually begin - with the idea of adding specific rooms, floors or wings.

While its true activities need space, not all activities

need to be performed in a separate room. For

example, a home office can double as a guest-room,

allowing the space to perform double-duty.

Decluttering a home before undertaking any

remodeling project is a process Susanka recommends.

This deliberation allows the homeowner to observe

and reflect on the space and activity patterns

occurring within. By slowing down the remodeling this way, the current usage of a home's space becomes apparent, and helps homeowners take a more thoughtful approach to remodeling. This breathing room can prevent digging into a remodeling project and the questioning or rethinking the project when it's half-completed.

When planning a remodel, a homeowner should include storage space within each activity area. Evaluating a home's existing storage, including closets, cupboards and pantries, will provide more information about how to reconfigure existing space. It is often the case that more heavily-used areas have inadequate storage. The bulk of a home's storage is often located in areas that are out of normal traffic patterns and seldom used. Well-designed and well-managed storage in the right place can open up living space in previously cramped locations in the home.

The kitchen is often the place many

homeowners plan to add space. But rather than

building on or not, adding space space can

sometimes be as simple as relocating

cabinetry, stove, sink, and refrigerator. This

option greatly diminishes cost and mess. The

next "not so big" step might be adding or

removing a wall or partial wall, or adding or

enlarging windows and doors. These changes

can make a big difference in space utilization,

traffic patterns, light and work areas, at a much

lower cost than a major remodel or vast

expansion of the home's footprint.

Additional space can sometimes be found in a pantry or closet located in or near the kitchen that can be repurposed to add extra work, storage or counter space.

Attic or garage remodels can be good choices for adding space without sacrificing existing yard or parking space. Attic conversions can make use of unused space directly underneath slanted rooftops or over a garage. Planning ahead of time can incorporate low ceilings into a unique and attractive living area with custom features, such as built-in headboard or bookcases. This planning will help provide more space and better resale value.

More homeowners are looking to their garage for a place to add a home office, studio space or workshop. Since many garages are attached or near the existing home, they can be a good option to simply extend wiring and infrastructure for heating, cooling and in some cases, even plumbing. When transforming a garage in this way, the garage can become multifunctional, still performing traditional functions such housing a car and other items, as well as accommodating a home office or workshop.

One way this can be accomplished is with the creation of a small storage shed elsewhere in the yard to make up for any lost storage space in the garage. A building separate from the house will expand your storage space for many times that simply don't need to be located in a heated or lighted building.