5 Stylish Window Dressings & Blinds

Windows are often the focal point of a room. How you dress them can affect their visual impact. These five stylish ideas take on traditional window dressings and give them a contemporary face-lift.

1.) Extreme Cornices Cornices are window toppers that are traditionally made from a wood frame that’s upholstered in fabric. They are designed to conceal underlying window treatment hardware and add visual impact. Most cornices are rectangular with a few simple details like piping, buttons or ties. However, there’s nothing to say that your cornice can’t make an extreme statement! Add some pop to a traditional cornice by adding extra height. By expanding the cornice to fit most of the space between the top of the window and the ceiling, you’ve increased its presence and drawn the eye upwards. Pair this with a unique shape such as an arch and add some bold details like overlarge buttons or piping to finish the effect.

2.) Sheers with a Past Sheers are some of the most common window treatments available, and rightfully so. Sheers add privacy while still allowing us to see out and let filtered sunlight into the room. Dress up traditional sheers with elements from the past. For a wonderful shabby chic look, stitch a variety of vintage doilies to the lower portion of the panels. The effect is one of delicate, Old World charm.

3.) Track Panels If sleek and modern is your style, track panels will give you the clean lines and bold look you crave. Also consider bottom up blinds with track panels Track panels are perfect for large expanses of windows common in modern homes. There are two major styles of panels: sliding and folding. In both cases, panels of fabric slide along a track to cover your window. To open them, you either slide them out of the way or angle them to the side. Folding track panels essentially create the look of very wide vertical blinds. You can create track panels in almost any fabric or even natural materials such as woven grasses. Track panels are unique in that they can easily accommodate curves and corners.

4.) Interior Solar Shades If you live in a sunny climate, consider interior solar shades. These shades are made of a woven material that cuts down on the glare of the sun while still allowing you to see out. How much sun (and view) you retain depends on the density of the fabric’s weave. While I prefer to buy gold or white solar shades, the fact is that they come in a variety of colors to fit most interiors and design preferences. They can be used alone or with other window treatments.

5.) Interior Awnings Most people think of awnings as an outdoor window treatment. But bring an awning indoors and dress it up a bit and you have a striking window feature. For a transitional room, use classic awning spears as the side supports for an elegantly draped, shallow awning. The effect is similar to a swag but with more dimension as the fabric balloons down between the spears.

Four-Wheeled Wonders: Shopping Cart History

You probably use one day without really thinking about it. All of your necessities find their way into it, your children ride in it, and it adds convenience to your life unheard of just a century ago. And it’s not your car.

Shopping trolley, shopping carriage, bascart, barrae, buggie – no matter what you call your shopping cart, without it, your daily errands would be entirely more daunting. Do you take the time to appreciate that four-wheeled wonder? Well, maybe it’s about time you do.

The invention of the shopping cart

Let’s take a trip back in time to Oklahoma City, 1936. Before the days of Black Friday and Walmart coupons. The owner of a local supermarket chain, Piggly Wiggly, is sitting in his office, scratching his head. How could he enable his customers to get more groceries, he wonders. While looking around the room, his eyes fall on a wooden folding chair, and he’s struck with an idea that will revolutionize the way people shop forever. What if, Sylvan Goldman wonders, I put a basket on the seat and wheels on the feet?  Not only would grocery shopping become far less of a hassle, but customers would be able to purchase more. It was a win-win situation – and there’s nothing better than that.

Goldman brought this rough idea to one of his employees, a mechanic, and they set out to streamline the new contraption. Replace the wooden chair with a metal frame, add a couple of baskets, and they had themselves the first shopping cart – or as Goldman called it, “the folding basket carrier.” Not as catchy, we know.

The folding basket carriage is born

Eventually, Goldman found another mechanic to mass-produce his new invention. He applied in 1938, and, after a two-year wait, was awarded the patent for the “Folding Basket Carriage for Self-Service Stores.” Now Goldman was ready to bring his creation to the public. Advertising them as part of a “no-basket carrying plan,” he brought the carts to his market and introduced them to his customers.

But his folding basket carrier did not receive a warm welcome (people are always resistant to change, aren’t they?). The carriers were deemed too effeminate for men, and women were initially dissuaded by their resemblance to baby carriages. So the public turned a cold shoulder to Goldman’s shiny new carriers, but he wasn’t about to give up. He hired male and female models to push the carts around his stores and animate just how helpful the carriers truly were. And that was really all it took. Soon enough, everyone was using the basket carriers and Goldman had changed grocery and retail shopping forever. Now shopping carts are ubiquitous, a mainstay of the modern consumer experience.

And to think, some people just abandon their carts in an empty lot. Next time you’re shopping, take some time to thank Sylvan Goldman and appreciate the wheeled wizardry of the shopping cart. And buy yourself a little present while you’re at it.

Surprising, Creative Ways to Make Money on the Side

Whether you are a single mom, a mom who stays home, or a working mom, if you are looking for ways to make ends meet, pay down debt, or save for retirement or college, there are some simple things you can do from home to make extra money.

While these jobs aren't likely to be the highest paying jobs you have ever had, they can bring in a nice side income stream.  Best of all, you can do them from the comfort of your home and around your family's schedule.  That beats going out and working part-time any day.

Here are some ideas for you:

Sell Coupons
If you already use coupons to save on your groceries, why not take the extra step and cut out all of the coupons to sell on eBay?  If you already have people bringing you their coupon inserts, this is a good way to make money.   Another strategy is to check with grocery stores and coffee shops to see what they do with the old papers and coupon inserts.   Some people even look through the recycling for coupons, but you will have to decide if you feel comfortable with that.

Sell Textbooks
If you have free time in the summer, pack up the kids and search garage sales for old books and textbooks.  If you have a smart phone, you can look up the books as you shop garage sales to see how much they are selling for online.  Then, list the books from the comfort of your home when you have time.  Some people make several hundred dollars per month buying old books and selling them online.

Sell Clothes Online
Kids' name brand clothing such as Gymboree, Baby Gap and Janie and Jack can sell for good price on eBay, especially if you know to sell the spring/summer clothes in March and April and the fall winter clothes in August and September.  Seasonal holiday clothes should be sold in late November.  You can find clothing to sell by scouring garage sales as well as second hand shops.  To make the most money, try to buy the clothing at second hand shops when they are on clearance because the season is ending.

Sell Crafts Online
If you are a crafty person, you can always make your own crafts and sell them on a site like Etsy.  However, Etsy is becoming increasingly competitive, so you have to have a way to make your store or your product stand out from others.  Etsy's blog suggests listing something every day and relisting your items frequently.  Often with Etsy, making your first couple of sales is hardest.  Once you have done that, if you have pleased customers, they will likely bring you word-of-mouth traffic.
If money is tight, don't despair.  There are plenty of ways to make money that you can do in your free time around your own schedule as well as your family's.  As you develop different income streams, you will find that you feel more and more financially secure.

What is your favorite way to raise money from home?

Kyle Taylor is a finance blogger that blogs about how to make extra money at The Penny Hoarder.

Staying Warm On A Budget

Now that Christmas is out of the way, what come next are the terrible winter months of the New Year. Everyone knows money is tight right now and with the winter temperatures set to drop again we could be facing some expensive heating bills at a time when we could do to save. Despite the freezing temperatures there are some great ways to help stay warm on a budget.  

Using timers and thermostats
One of the major causes of expensive energy waste is not utilizing the timers and thermostats that are built into many heating devices. Both of these features are very useful for effectively regulating your heating and energy usage.  

Timers are a great and effective tool to make sure that your home is only heated when you need it to be. There is no point in having the heating on in the middle of the night when everyone is curled up in a warm bed anyway. Timers are also great as they allow you to warm the house for half an hour before everyone wakes up without having to have it on all night. Timers can also make sure that you don’t forget to turn off the heating and waste further waste money.

Thermostats are another underused tool. One thing many households are guilty of is turning their homes into a tropical paradise of heat. This is not only a waste of money but not needed as a comfortable temperature is usually preferable especially if you plan to out and have to deal with the massive temperature change.


Room usage
Another major energy waste is trying to heat the whole house at the same time when only a couple of rooms are in use. Many heating systems have room options to only heat certain rooms, if your heating doesn’t have this feature you can always go around and manually turn off the ones you aren’t using. This can clearly save you a lot of money and potentially half the amount of heat you are using.

One of the biggest contributors to room usage problems is the family been split up around the house doing their own thing. This is a common trend in the modern family and one which can be extremely costly once it all adds up. Why not use winter as an excuse to have extra family time. Board games or popular family activity video games such as the Wii are great excuses to get the whole family together and allows you to just heat one room, also as a bonus it can bring you all closer together.


Insulate the house
Finally the largest cause of heat waste and therefore money waste for a home can be caused through not properly insulating your home. Properly insulation your home can seem like an extra cost that you don’t need, but it is worth doing as every year the savings will soon add up. Some of the most common types of quick home insulation are as follows:

Making sure thick curtains are closed can help keep your heat in and the cold of the window out. This also helps to stop condensation from reducing the temperature of your room as it creates a cold pocket of air in between the window and curtain.

You also need to make sure that doors don’t have gaps underneath and invest in a draft excluder if they seem to be letting in too much cold air. As a side note to door make sure to quickly close them behind you when moving from room to room to help keep your warm rooms warm.

Finally some more long term solutions for insulating your home include double glazed windows, roof insulation and carpets instead of a wooden floor. These might cost more upfront but can help save you a small fortune over the years as your heating bills fall.

BIO: HSS Hire have a number of tools available for sale and for hire. Why not take a look at their website for a range of heaters, coolers, dehumidifiers and other products.

Tips for Taking Toddlers and Preschoolers to Disney

Little girls between the ages of 3 to 6 can probably tell you their favorite Disney princess.  Chances are your children have dressed up as a Disney character for Halloween.  Certainly they have watched their fair share of Disney movies.

Disney permeates our lives, and many people take their children to Disney Florida, which can be an exciting trip for young children.  They can ride rides, watch shows and meet their favorite characters in person.  Unfortunately, such an exciting trip can also be an overwhelming trip for many young children.
If you are traveling with toddlers or preschoolers, try these strategies so the entire family can have an enjoyable trip.

Plan Breaks
Young children can get overwhelmed and cranky.  If your children are early risers, try to hit the park early and beat the crowds.  Then, in early afternoon when the park gets busy, head back to the hotel and let the kids have lunch, unwind and play or take a nap.  Take a little time to play in the hotel pool.  Yes, you are on vacation to see the parks, but staying at the park ALL day can lead to tired, cranky, crying kids.

Bring Refreshments
Bring in some drinks and snacks for your little ones.  They get hungry frequently.  Keep them well hydrated and let them have some snacks, and you will have a more pleasant day at the park.

Dress in Layers
Dress the kids in light layers.  Depending on the season when you visit Orlando, the morning may start out chilly, but the afternoon may really heat up.  If the kids are dressed in layers, you can easily adjust their comfort level based on the weather.

Buy Tickets in Advance
There are many places you can buy Orlando ticket deals, which is a good idea because you will save money.  It is also a good idea because you can buy these tickets online, saving you time standing in line to buy tickets at the park.  The faster you can get into the park, the faster you and the kids can have fun.
The best way to have fun at Disney and other parks when traveling with young children is to take breaks frequently and to consider their physical needs.  Keep them warm (or cool, depending on the weather), as well as hydrated and full, and you will all have a good trip full of memories for a lifetime.

Guide to Supermarket Deals

We all want to get the best value on our weekly shop, and this can often mean taking advantage of deals offered at the supermarket. However, with so many different types of moneysaving deal to choose from, it can get a little confusing.

You’ll have the ultimate peace of mind on value when you get your groceries from ASDA, thanks to the ASDA Price Guarantee, which will give you the difference if your shopping doesn't cost at least ten percent less than Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s.

However, while shopping at Britain’s Lowest Priced Supermarket (won 15 years running) is a great start, you’ll also want to take advantage of the great deals available to maximize your shopping savings.
Read on for a guide to the deals you’re likely to see in the supermarket, and which ones will be best for you and your family:

Buy One Get One Free
BOGOFs are a common sight in supermarkets, and mean that you’ll get double the amount for your money. If the item will be used then it’s a brilliant deal. However, be careful with perishables as you need to be sure that you will use the item in good time. If it’s a product that you like, will use, and would usually buy, however, BOGOFs are a fantastic way to save money.

Buy One Get Two Free
Even better is the BOGTF deal. These are far less common than BOGOFs but should be snapped up when spied. Again, make sure that the freebies will get used, otherwise it’s a false economy.

Bulk Value Buy
Those with plenty of storage space in their kitchen cupboards and fridge freezers can take advantage of amazing prices on bulk buys. The general rule of thumb is that the bigger the packet, the lower the price per unit. It’s easy to check this as the price per unit or per certain weight will be displayed within the product description.
For example, it’s likely to work out cheaper per toilet roll to buy a pack of nine than it is to buy a pack of four.
As always, be careful with perishables. It’s not a great deal if some of a bulk buy ends up in the bin.

Meal Deal
The meal deal has grown in popularity recently – possibly due to the fact that the financial climate has made staying in the new going out. Meal deals can vary but they typically include coordinating meal ingredients or dishes, and maybe even drinks, for a set price that saves you money overall. These deals are brilliant for indecisive types who struggle to plan meals and decide what to cook.

Reduced
Choose reduced items for a simple way to make instant savings. However, it’s also worth checking the price of the budget version of an item. For example, supermarket’s own baked beans may still be lower in price than a reduced branded baked bean. It’s down to you to weigh up which represents the best value for your individual tastes and preferences.

Marked Down
Marked down products usually become available at the end of the day, on perishable items that are nearing their sell or use by dates. Doing your shopping close to closing time can be a good ploy for picking up marked down goods – many or which could be frozen to use at a later date without spoiling.

Promotional Offer
Sometimes you’ll find promotional offers on brand new products. These limited time lower prices are a great incentive to try something new.
Seeking out the best supermarket deals can slash your shopping bill considerably, so keep your eyes peeled when shopping in-store, or search offers when doing your grocery shopping online, for easy ways to save.

Winter 2013 Best Gloves for Women

For a long time, gloves functioned only as simple hand warmers, but looking at recent fashion shows, we can see that gloves have been important accessories of many outfits. Here are the most outstanding trends in gloves for winter 2013. Regarding the fabrics, leather and wool are the most popular materials, and in terms of style, fingerless gloves promise to rock this winter!

1. Leather Gloves
Leather is one of the most popular trends this winter, from leather apparel such as jackets, pants, and dresses to leather accessories such as gloves and jewelry. Another reason for you to invest in leather items is that they will stay with you for more than one season since this material is always fashionable and long lasting.
Two designs below combine the hottest trends while costing a mere $34 each. Studded gloves will be hot in winter 2013, so gloves like this will keep your hands warm while giving you an attractive look. The second design is the perfect combination between leather and knit; this glove is soft, cozy, youthful, and up-to-date! These are only two of the many beautiful glove designs available at Urban Outfitters. And remember to use an Urban Outfitters Coupons Code to buy your favorite gloves at the best prices.

Urbanoutfitters.com

2. Wool Gloves
Wool is a popular fabric in winter because it provides the ultimate comfort and coziness; simple wool gloves look fashionable in trending colors. Popular colors for winter 2013 are reds, whites, and bold hues. The red chunky sweater-knit gloves below will be a simple but prominent feature in your wardrobe this winter. They are just a little more than $12 at Old Navy The white ones are from Zulily – a retailer that is not only famous for kids’ clothes but also loved by adults. This design, like many other products at Zulily, is made of the best fabrics that provide you and your kids the softest touch. The simple style is the most suitable for the trend of pure white this winter. Buy the sweetest gloves and other accessories at a fraction of the price with a Zulily promo code. 

Oldnavy.com      &               Zulily.com

3. Fingerless Gloves
Fingerless gloves are cute, dashing, and stylish whether they're made of wool, leather, lace, or fur. Additionally, they're convenient; you can use your fingers to do a lot of tasks without taking them off. Knitwear in fall/winter 2012-2013 is inspired by animal prints and figures, so the first design is the best choice for sweet girls.
Lace is also loved by fashionistas; the leather and lace mittens below are a modern classic and give you a dashing but graceful look.
Fur is also fashionable for everyone. We hardly ever see a glove totally made from fur, but they are commonly added to gloves like in the design below.

Urbanoutfitters.com

Now that you have a picture of your ideal gloves in your head and you know how to buy them at the best price, let’s go shopping! Finally, in order to update your wardrobe with the hottest trends and mix your clothing beautifully, read the article Winter Wardrobe Essentials for Women.

How to Choose Flowers that Match your Decor

Bringing life into a home is not a difficult task. Live flowers and plants can make a space warm, inviting and full of life throughout the year. The problem that many individuals face is matching the colors and styles of different flowers to the room or décor in a house. Although it might seem difficult, selecting flowers that match the décor of a home or room is easier than it might seem.

Consider the Colors
Choosing flower that match the décor of a room starts with finding the right colors. Looking around the room for inspiration is a simple way to create a bouquet that will suit the space. When looking around the space, note the dominant color and the colors that help highlight certain areas within the space.

Flowers can match the dominant color or the colors that add definition, texture and interest to the room. Avoid flower colors that clash with the base color within the space and opt for options that will improve on the décor. For example, if the main color in a room is red, the best colors for flowers include purples and blues, which create a balance of color. Red flowers would blend into the space and pink flowers might clash, depending on the specific shade of red and pink.

Look at Styles
Matching the décor is not only about the color combinations. Any color of flower can match a room, particularly if the dominant colors are earth tones or neutral shades. Matching the style can seem more challenging, but it is actually easy with a simple rule in mind.

Consider the specific style of the space. Styles might range from modern and contemporary to classic and elegant. The problem is that the best flowers for the space can vary slightly based on that style choice.

Modern styles look best with flowers that have clean and simple lines. For example, lilies are a clean and simple flower that looks amazing in the modern space. Classic and traditional styles look best with flowers that have petals. Roses in particular look amazing in an elegant and traditional space. Eclectic styles can match any flower to the space due to the variation of design throughout the room.

Keep the Bouquet Simple
A simple bouquet will always match décor styles because it can look amazing in a modern or traditional space. Simplicity can vary based on the selected flower or flowers, but it can include monochromatic color schemes or using the same flowers with small definition to create a simple beauty.

A simple bouquet is easy to incorporate into a space because it will limit the possibility of clashing colors and will create a feeling of life within the room. When the design is simplistic, it creates a feeling of serenity and warmth in a room.

Selecting flowers that match the decorations within a room is not difficult. By selecting colors that match or stand out from the base color, it is possible to make any flower work within a home. When purchasing your flowers, make sure to choose local flowers. Locally grown flowers last longer, and are not sprayed with chemicals like their imported counterparts. Interflora is an Australian company that grow their own flowers, and have a huge range of flowers and arrangements available.

The Perfect Holiday Gift For Your Pets

The holiday season is here, and while you may be buying presents for your friends and family and checking off your list, chances are you also may be purchasing gifts for your four legged friends.  Pets enrich our lives all year long with their companionship and company.  Wanting to give them a present at Christmas is only natural. If you have pets at home, here are some ideas for their gifts:

Cats

For your favorite feline, a catnip toy is always appreciated.  A simple sewn square filled with catnip can give your cat hours of fun.  Another alternative is to buy your cat a horizontal scratcher that you can sprinkle catnip on.  (Just go easy on the catnip.)

If you are looking to spend more, cats generally like cat scratching towers that they can run up and hide in as well as claw.  Another alternative is a soft, cozy bed.

Dogs

If your dog is cold when you take walks, why not buy a doggie jacket?  You can buy a fancy feminine one for your female dog, or you could even adorn your dog in a coat patterned with your college's logo.  Even a basic coat would keep him warm during those chilly winter walks.

A bone or a rawhide toy is also a good choice.  If you are concerned about the dog's comfort, why not buy him a comfortable, soft bed that you can place in front of the heater to keep him warm at night?

Gifts For Other Pets

Another alternative is to just buy your pet a small gift, and send the rest of the money that you would have spent on your animal as a donation to a no-kill animal shelter in your area.  No-kill shelters do not euthanize the animals they take in.  They simply keep them until they are adopted, no matter how long it takes the animal to find a home.

This holiday season, feel free to pamper your pet with gifts, but you might also consider donating to a shelter that protects those animals who have not yet found their perfect home.

Another alternative is to just buy your pet a small gift, and send the rest of the money that you would have spent on your animal as a donation to a no-kill animal shelter in your area.  No-kill shelters do not euthanize the animals they take in.  They simply keep them until they are adopted, no matter how long it takes the animal to find a home.

Learn to Manage Your Money from a Two-Year-Old

As parents we all want to teach our kids about life, this includes teaching them about managing their money. As parents we want the best for our kids, which includes having the best financial lives. Each and every day there may be something that our kids do that make us proud and hopefully, as parents, our children are also proud of us.  Parents spend their lives teaching their kids about life, love, money and manners; but what can we as parents learn from our kids?

Learn about money management from your kids:

Money is simple math.  The basic formula for being wealthy and always having money is to spend less money than you make.  Money management doesn’t have to be a complicated task, if you always make more money and spend less. This way you will always have a positive balance in your bank account.

I know that life can sometimes throw us a financial curveball and this is why it is so important to make a family budget and stick to it each month. It may be tempting to want to spend money, but sometimes we have to resist the urge to spend in order to save.

Always ask questions. Kids are curious creatures but that’s how they learn. The same thing can be said for adults and money management. If you aren’t sure where to start learning about money management, then ask questions. Your friends, family members and co-workers may have great money advice.  

If you aren’t open to discussing money with your close family and friends don’t worry, there are tons of helpful financial resources available to you for free. If you are looking to learn about money management, you can search online for personal finance blogs, you can sign up for an online budget tool (such as Mint.com), or you can visit your local bank branch.  Most financial institution websites have a resource page which is full of helpful information on banking products and services.

Kristina is a lifestyle and personal finance blogger on My Diary Entry who also contributes to QuickQuid - a UK cash advance lender. You can view her posts on QuickQuid and you can follow her on Twitter @TKBlogs.

Whole Body Workout At Home

So you want a flatter stomach and think just focusing on your abs will make that happen. Do you

wonder why you don’t see the results you want, and then give up?

Well something you may never have been told is that to lose weight and tone up requires you to

work the whole body. Yes it’s not the answer you wanted but it is achievable and at the comfort of

your own home. The trick is that the more muscles you work the more calories you burn.

Things you’ll need:

• T-shirt
• Exercise bottoms
• Trainers
• A chair
• An exercise mat
• Motivation

Belly-buster
To banish that muffin top work on different sets with your abs and increase your reps when the

routine becomes too easy.

Plank- You will need to hold the plank for at least 30 seconds and then release.

Mountain climbers- this will work the core muscles of your stomach which will then strengthen it.

Bicycle crunch –twist your body so your elbows touch your knees and break down reps of 15-20 with

slower bicycle crunches.

Legs
Leg lifts- Begin with 15 reps on each leg and then repeat once, then on your next work out build up

your routine by 5-10 sets.

Squats- Many people think that the quicker you do a squat the quicker the results, this is a myth. By

moving slowly you will tone up more. To break down the squats do a set of 4 squats then 4 bottom

halves and repeat all the way through a 3-4 minute song.

Lunges- When performing your lunges exercise it important to perfect this technique rather than

injure yourself. Do 15 -20 reps on each leg depending on you are used to lunges. Then add reps as

you progress.

Arms

Triceps dip- use the edge of your chair and put the palm of your hands on the edge of seat. Sit at a

90 degree angle and slowly go down breathing equally.

Press ups- This another great exercise because as well as the arms it works muscles around the body.

If you need to use your knees for support then do so. Slowly build your strength so you can hold a

press up without the support of your knees.

Running
If you are not a runner by nature then build yourself up, use the stairs to run up and down in.

Whether you are carrying your washing, new clothes then run up the stairs at every opportunity

you get. If you use public transport a lot then get off a stop or two early and brisk walk. Waiting for

dinner to heat up then don’t waste time jog on the spot for 30 seconds then up to a minute and so

on.

Food
If you are someone who snacks a lot during the day then make sure it is all healthy and filling. Add

yoghurt (vanilla flavour will add a nice taste) with strawberries, bananas and berries. Being healthy

does not have to be boring, but spoil yourself once a week with your guilty foods.

Author bio: This post was written by Shehla Ali on behalf of Powerhouse Fitness the UK’s leading

supplier of fitness equipment.

Keeping Kids Safe Around Heaters

Well, the winter season is here and my blanket no longer seems to be able to provide sufficient warmth for me to get through the day – that, and the fat that the rest of the family complain about it being cold as well! Purchasing a heater or radiator in preparation for the cold months ahead could be one of the most useful purchases you make for yourself and for your family however when there are kids in the household, the issue of safety arises as well so consider these tips when installing a heater in your house.

Place it where little hands can’t get to it

A simple enough idea but it’s surprising how many people overlook it when selecting a location for their heater. Make sure the heater is out of reach of children because if they can’t get to it then they have no chance of tampering with it and possibly hurting themselves. If you have a shelf which is sufficiently capable of housing something as large as your heater then that would be a good place to put it. Other than this, you can look around your house to identify spots that would be hard for a child to reach but whatever you do, just make sure the heater is placed next to a mains socket – a wire running from one end of the room to the other is quite clearly dangerous and could make your efforts to make your heater child proof counter-productive.

Opt for Non-conductive covers

If it’s an electric heater you’ve purchased, then why not pay that little bit extra and opt for one with non-conductive covers. Non-conductive covers block off any areas which are dangerously hot. No matter where you place your heater, chances are, the kids will get to it one way or another since children are ‘explorers’! If they can’t immediately reach it or touch it, they want it even more installing non-conductive covers will mean that if your children do end up touching your electric heater, they will feel a soothing warmth rather than a burning heat.  The downside to this solution of course is that your room will have a reduced level of heat but the potential safety benefits may just make this option worth it. Let us know if you think non-conductive covers on electric heaters are a good idea in the comments section.  

Considerations before purchasing the heater

Taking suitable precautions once the heater has been installed is all well and good but keeping safety in mind before purchasing a heater can make life a lot simpler when it comes to keeping your kids safe around a heater. Looking for a heater with an automatic off switch would be a good place to start. This would ensure that the heater automatically switches itself off in case any meddling hands give it a push and tipple it over. Also, consider a heater which heats the air above it rather than something that lets out heat near the bottom of the heater where a child could possibly put their hand.

After reading the above article, a general rule must have started to emerge - use common sense when installing a heater. Try to think about what a child could do to hurt themselves with your heater and how you can prevent that.

BIO: These safety tips were given on behalf of Economy Radiators who specialize in heaters and radiators.

Halloween Party For Your Children

So the saying goes, “trick or treat, penny or a sweet, give me something nice to eat”. Sound familiar? Halloween is on its way and you want your children and their friends to have a safe yet memorable day.

 If you’re feeling the pressure of hosting the party, fear not your survival guide is here!

Costume

Party masks are a great way for children to have some control over who they want to be for the night. It will also reduce conflict of who has spent the most money on their costume. Paper plates, felt tips and elastic bands should be enough for a DIY Halloween costume. 

Decorating

Make ghosts out of tissue paper and draw on eyes with black felt tip. Wrap string around the ghost’s head and hang it up on the curtain poles or wherever seems appropriate. 

Party Bags

• Children love treats and let’s face it so do adults so there’s only one thing for it, party bags.
• Depending on how many people have been invited you can decorate normal plastic bags.
• Cut out pieces of black card and shape them as bats if you want to save money on party bags. 
  
  

Tricks

• Avoid that sugar rush and make healthy snacks – for example you can use vegetables to make a skeleton.
• Rearrange the vegetables so that the head is a round plastic container filled with a dip (of your choice) then place lettuce leaves around it.  Put in two sliced olives for eyes and use celery and cucumbers as the body, baby carrots as arms and so on.
• Strawberries can make great monsters and all you have to do is decorate them with icing.
• Slice apples in half and put two together so they are shaped as mouths.
• Then with a knife cut the remaining parts of the apple into small pieces so they look like teeth.
• Oranges can be cut into mini pumpkins or if you want just draw on the orange peel.
• Cut out chunks of carrot and add cream cheese on the top, then for the final touch place half a black olive on top.

Treats

• Red and orange jelly.
• Place them in clear plastic disposable containers which will save you on washing up and the risk of broken plates.
• Decorate cupcakes using black and orange icing, the easiest design to decorate them with would be spiders.   
  
  

Games

Children can be difficult to keep entertained, as much as we would love for them to sit quietly reading a book and educating themselves. So what can you provide for them at a Halloween party? 

Monster Moves

Play some Michael Jackson thriller or whatever music you think will get the children moving and make them freeze with their favourite monster move. The scariest monster wins, it’s simple. 

Hide and Seek

It’s free, it fits and everyone knows how to play. Just make sure you store your most prized possessions somewhere safe and out of the way.  If there are enough children, how about putting them into groups so they can learn team building skills. 

Bursting Balloons

Depending on the colour scheme you choose, you could put treats into balloons and stick them on the wall. A great idea would be to have a number of orange balloons stuck to your wall.  Arrange the balloons so they are shaped as a pumpkin, and let the games begin!

Treating Preschoolers for Head Lice -- What You Should Know

What parent doesn't live in fear of the day his or her child comes home with a warning that head lice has appeared in the classroom--or worse, the day the school nurse calls to say it's his or her own child with lice this time? The fact is, head lice has become more common in recent years, and anyone can get it--even children as young as preschool-age.

So what do you do if head lice makes an appearance on your child? Well, the first rule of thumb is not to panic, and not to become too distressed. Lice are not dangerous, are not an indication of poor hygiene or bad parenting and are not an emergency. However, you will typically need to keep your child home from preschool until he or she has at least gone through one lice treatment, depending on school policy.

Once you've calmed down and reminded yourself that lots of kids get lice and it is a treatable situation, here are some steps you can take to remedy the situation:

1) First, if your child's school or daycare doesn't already know, inform them immediately of the situation. Schools typically keep the details confidential, and inform other parents only that a case of lice has been identified in the class--not who exactly has it. While lice isn't something anyone should be ashamed of, this may make you feel better about reporting it.

2) Wash--in hot water--your child's bedding, towels, hats, hooded jackets or sweatshirts and anything else you can think of that has been in contact with his or her head. For items liked pillows and stuffed animals that you may not want to immerse in water, you can either throw them in the dryer on high heat or bag them up in well-sealed garbage bags and place them in the garage for a day or two. Lice can't live long without human contact for food.

3) Obtain a treatment system; call your pediatrician if you want advice on the best one to buy. The drugstore sells various lice treatments, generally special shampoos and sometimes conditioners that are liberally applied to the hair, plus a uniquely-designed comb designed especially for removing the nits, or lice eggs, that cluster near the hair roots and are sticky and difficult to remove otherwise. 

4) Settle in for a time-consuming task. Typical lice treatments are tedious and time-consuming--but usually effective if used correctly. You will need to meticulously examine every hair on your child's head, using the special comb to separate the hairs, find the nits and remove them. If even a couple of nits are left in the hair, the lice will appear again soon. Try setting your preschooler up in front of an age-appropriate, entertaining DVD or television show, arm yourself with your lice removal tools, and go to work. Most lice treatment systems recommend a second treatment 24 hours after the first for complete eradication.

5) Lastly, keep in mind that there are now professional services that conduct lice removal for a fee.

About the Author: Brianna Kelly has over 7 years experience writing and publishing articles about childcare education and parenting. She writes on a regular basis for a Dublin based childcare provider called Giraffe Childcare.