Escape Ladder Essential in Home Fire Safety Plan
(ARA) - You've taught your children not to play with matches, placed smoke alarms outside their bedroom doors (and check the batteries regularly) and planned family fire escape drills. But if you haven't provided them with a reliable means of escape, you may not be doing enough to prevent tragedy, statistics show.
In a 2006 study, the U.S. Fire Administration reported that smoke alarms were present and functioning in less than a quarter of the 3,000-plus fatal fires that occurred in the country between 2001 and 2004. However, in instances when smoke alarms were both present and functioning, the rate of fatalities is disproportionately high in structures where egress options were limited - such as apartments.
"The high rate of fatal fires in apartments with working alarms may be the result of the lack of alternate exists," the report stated, adding that further investigation of the possibility was warranted.
The USFA advises parents to devise an escape plan before a fire happens, and have children practice escaping from every room in the house. You should have more than one way out of every room, especially bedrooms, and consider using a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows, the administration states in its "Factsheet on Fire Escape Planning."
"To maximize your family's chances of getting to safety, your escape route has to be fast, safe and easy to use under very stressful circumstances," says Steve Forman, co-founder of REDDCO Inc., a company that specializes in fire escape and safety products. "Fire escape ladders save lives."
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Choosing the Right Paint Finish
 New paint provides visual impact and creates the mood of any room. Paint creates coziness or openness. Paint is so simple, yet so dramatic. But, once you have chosen just the right color for your room, there's another, equally as important decision to make. With 5 or 6 paint finishes to choose from, it's important to determine the right one for your job.
Here's some tips that might help with this decision:
MATTE FINISH: This paint finish is usually used on interior walls and is especially good if you have to camouflage small wall bumps, cracks or other imperfections because this finish does not reflect light.
FLAT ENAMEL: This type of paint has a durable flat, matte finish and is a good choise for powder rooms and halls as it holds up to occasional cleaning.
EGGSHELL FINISH: This type of paint mirrors the very low sheen of the shell of an egg. It contains only a slight hint of shine or gloss and is good for walls and holds up better with cleaning than a flat finish paint.
SATIN FINISH: Satin finish paint has a smooth, velvety look with a bit more gloss. Most often used for windows, doors, trim or ceilings, it can also be used as wall paint. It's particularly suitable for kids' room walls, kitchens or bathrooms or in high-traffic areas.
SEMI-GLOSS: This paint is most often used on doors, trim and cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms, It is easily cleaned and lays down a nice, subtle shine, without being too glitzy. Extra care should be take prior to painting with this type of paint as poorly prepared surfaces can be a bit distracting when highlighted by a semi-gloss surface.
GLOSSY: High gloss paints have an almost reflective quality, as their shiny finish mimics the look of enamel or plastic. Though not widely used in home interiors, it is becoming more popular for a dramatic look on cabinets, trim and furniture in very formal and very contemporary settings. This finish will magnify any surface imperfections, so careful prepararation and sanding is essential before painting with high gloss paints.
For more ideas on painting finishes, call one of our seasoned professionals for advise. And, check out our website at CARNIVAL PAINTING. |
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Painting Tips & Kudo's
Cleanability and Durability
TIP: A general rule is that the shinier the paint finish, the better it will stand up to washing and cleaning.
Kid-Friendly Finishes
TIP: Many painters recommend using an eggshell or satin paint on the walls and semi-gloss for doors and moldings in Kids' rooms. These are formulated to better withstand repeated cleanings.
TESTIMONIALS of the MONTH:
"We have used Carnival Painting in the past and just recently referred a co-worker to you. We feel the service we received from Carnival Painting was EXCELLENT. Thank you." - Hardison, Interior Paint Job, Lewisville, Texas.
"Exceeded our expectations and we'll use you again if we ever need painting again." - Mosquero, Exterior Paint Project, Austin, Texas. |
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