Posts Tagged ‘DIY’

How Not To End Up Like Jack Pearson On “This Is Us”: Essential Fire Safety Tips

Courtney Cachet Crock-Pot

If you’re still reeling from last week’s episode of NBC’s, “This Is Us”, you are not alone. Although we may have forgotten how we looked whilst ugly crying ad nauseam, we should not forget the much bigger lesson learned. No, it’s definitely not trash your beloved Crock-Pot. Rather, the importance of having a working smoke detector (or several) in our homes.

SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES. PERIOD, THE END.

Jack and Rebecca might be fictional characters, but the horror of residential fires is very, very real. About 3,000 people are killed each year in HOME fires. You can cut the risk in half if you have working smoke alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Be sure to have the right type of alarm. According to the FDNY website, Alarms must be approved by Underwriters Laboratories (look for a UL mark) and have an audible end-of-life warning. All new and replacement smoke alarms should have a sealed 10-year battery that is non-replaceable and non-removable.

No doubt, some are better than others. First, you need to understand there are TWO types of fires: Smoky, smoldering fires and fast fires with flames.

Smoky fires are best detected by alarms with photoelectric sensors.

Fast fires with flames work best with alarms with ionization sensors.

Yeah, I know. Who knew? It is important to note that The International Association of Firefighters recommend the use of photoelectric smoke alarms.

Consumer Reports says you’re safest with a dual-sensor alarm that quickly detects both types of fire, such as the top-rated Kidde PI2010 and the First Alert 3120B. They both cost around $30.

An updated model of The Nest Protect – a combo smoke and carbon monoxide alarm was tested by Consumer Reports in 2015 and was found to be still slower to respond than other smoke alarms to flash-flame fires. Interesting.

The consensus is to buy BOTH a dual-sensor smoke alarm and a separate carbon monoxide alarm. This model by First Alert is also reco’d by Consumer Reports.

Think about that for a minute. Thirty dollars can save you and your family from disaster. Seems like a no brainer, right? Think again. Roughly two thirds of American homes DO NOT have a carbon monoxide detector. A CO detector is an absolute must must if you have any of the following:

Any fuel-burning appliances like a furnace, water heater, range, cooktop, grill. But make no mistake, even a home that is “all electric” benefit from a couple of CO alarms because you probably have a generator.

Some important things to remember:

It’a NOT your Crock-Pot

Full disclosure, I was a spokesperson for Crock-Pot in 2014. I am no longer a spokesperson, but still a huge fan and was very upset they got a bad rap because of a fictional show. And bravo to them for handling it so well, like in this video with Milo Ventimiglia. Bottom line, it wasn’t the Crock-Pot that killed Jack. Let’s keep our eye on the ball, Super Fans.

 

“But It Goes Off When I’m Cooking And It’s So Annoying..”

Ah, yes. I am guilty of this, too. This is especially true for anyone who lives in an apartment. A good friend of mine is a NYC firefighter and gave me a great piece of advice once. He explained that he lived in a small NY apartment and every time he cooked he had to disconnect the smoke detector. So he wouldn’t forget to reconnect it after dinner, he always placed it on top of his pillow. This way he knew he would never go to sleep without it. I thought this was a very good tip. Thanks, Richie Gleason!

Have A Plan

It’s also a good idea to have a family plan. In our house, I have told my two children since they could speak in the event of a fire where they were unable to get out of their room they should jump out the window and run. I showed them how to cover their head and crouch down and everything. You can buy ladders that attach to window sills, but when every second counts I still think it’s better to jump if your planned exit is compromised. We live in a two story home where the jump is far less likely to injure them as greatly as a fire might. Not exactly a warm and fuzzy topic, but the thought of myself or someone I love dying in a fire is enough to induce a full on panic attack for me, at least.

Ask A Fireman’s Advice

I have found that most fire stations are filled with really nice firefighters who are always willing to speak to you. Walk in your local station and just ask questions you have. Bring your kids, listen and learn. If you have an hour to watch TV, you have an hour to do that.

Top Seven Fire Safety Tips

I got these directly from the NYFD Website, a great source of information and a plethora of downloadable tip sheets. Here’s what they say:

  1. Don’t smoke in bed, lying down, when drunk, drowsy, etc and extinguish butts completely  (I can’t believe we still have to remind people of this, but we do)
  2. Don’t use extension cords with large appliances
  3. Don’t leave food cooking unattended
  4. smoke alarms on every floor and in bedrooms for extra safety
  5. Plan, practice an escape plan. Close the door, GET OUT. You have three minutes.
  6. Keep matches and lighters away from children
  7. Don’t  leave the house or go to bed with candles burning

This weekend, why not take a few minutes and check all your smoke/CO alarms and see if they are in working order, need to be replaced or if you need additional units? There is nothing more valuable than keeping you and your family safe.

Remember, Crock-Pots don’t kill people. Homes without smoke alarms kill people. Stay safe and take care.

I think we should make it a national goal that every single home in America is outfitted with the necessary smoke alarms, don’t you?

Lots of Love + Cheers to the weekend!

Courtney

How To Freshen Up Your Home For Spring And Not Be A Hot Mess

Spring Home

I don’t know about you, but I am over the warm and cozy look I’ve been living with since October. I’m yearning for some springtime vibes and I bet you are, too! Not to fret, there are a few fabulous-and surprisingly affordable moves you can make in your home that can easily transition it to spring. The key is to do one simple thing in every room.

The Kitchen: Paint

The kitchen is the room in the house that needs to be painted the most often. It gets a lot of use and traffic and a fresh coat of paint works wonders in there! Why not go for something cool and current? Last week, I painted the upper half of one of my kitchen walls with Sherwin-Williams Chalkboard Paint. I’m adding a chair rail and lots of empty white frames for a chic add-on. This way, I can write messages inside the frames and also adding a little color to a black wall. The chalkboard paint looks cool, while the white frames look fresh.
http://www.sherwinwilliams.com
Cost: Under $100
Skill Level: You can totally do this

Foyer: Lighting

Whether you live in an apartment or a grand home, we all have something that qualifies as an entryway. Usually, there is some sort of overhead light and it’s usually awful. If you rent, it’s almost always some $20 horror. For under $100, you can change it to something fabulous and chic and won’t make anyone feel like they’re at the doctor’s office upon entering your abode. If you rent, just put the old one away in a closet and switch it back before you move. Stay away from super bright lights and check the clearance on your door. For example, in my home I had to get a flush mount or the door would hit it. Lamps Plus has a ton of options that are affordable and come in every possible design style. Added bonus, they have a ton of home decor, too! Who new?
http://www.lampsplus.com
Cost: Varies, but under $100 is very doable
Skill Level: Get someone to do this for you unless you’re an electrician

Living Room: Modular Carpeting

Living Rooms are where you almost always need to drop the most cash, that’s a fact. Your biggest pieces are there… sofas, tables, electronics, etc. Most of us don’t change sofas yearly, but how can you get a fresh look without cashing out your 401K? Easy, carpeting. Area rugs are one of my favorite ways to do quick change ups, but Flor carpet tiles have some fashion forward designs that are well priced and a cinch to use. The real kicker is the replaceability factor. They come in “tiles” that you piece together so when you drop a glass of Brunello, it’s not disastrous. You just replace that one tile. For me, with two kids under the age of six, it’s the answer to my Type A prayers! Also great for anyone with pets or just a high traffic household. Check out my faves, Mod Cow and Hey Jack for big punches of style.
http://www.Flor.com
Cost: Varies
Skill Level: Everyone, including a 12-year-old

Bedroom & Bathroom: Linens

In the winter, we tend to bust out the down comforter or over-stuffed duvet. They keep us toasty, but become unnecessary in spring and summer and just look a little out of place. I like to switch them out with lighter coverlets and cotton blankets for a fresh look. This also gives you the opportunity to change up the style a bit. Tired of that Chevron look yet? I hear you! Why not try a bright floral or fun color block look? New towels and shower curtains are also super easy ways to update a bathroom in a minute. Besides, old towels are kind of gross and nobody wants to use your eye makeup or bleach stained linens when they use your bathroom. Keep your eyes peeled for a good white sale and always check online at places like HSN, Horchow and One Kings Lane for high end items at discounted prices.
Cost: $200 and up
No skills necessary

Anywhere: Statement Mirror

I love mirrors for several reasons. First, they are a stylish answer for awkward wall space. Plus, they come in a gazillion design styles and are super affordable. Additionally, when hung adjacent to a window, they reflect the light and scenery of the view. Your room will feel instantly bigger and brighter. I do this in almost every NYC apartment I decorate. You can find mirrors everywhere from Home Goods to flea markets and everywhere in between. If you want to isolate a specific design, go online and you are sure to find everything from chic chinoiserie to grand Venetian mirrors at large sites like Wayfair.com. They enable you to carve out your style, budget and color very easily and there’s often free shipping. Make sure to check weights of mirrors. A lot of walls can’t hold up some mega-weighty mirrors and then it starts getting complicated. Go for the lighter options whenever possible.
http://www.wayfair.com
Cost: $50 and up
Skill Level: Can you hammer a nail?

I can almost smell the freshly cut grass already.

Check your local TV listings for more of celebrity designer, Courtney Cachet’s gift guides, style ideas and tips. You can catch her frequent appearances nationwide on TV and online, where she dishes out all the latest in all things fab for your home and lifestyle! Keep up with her on http://www.courtneycachet.com or Facebook and join the conversation!