Category: Lifestyle

There is nothing more than any parent wants to do more than protect their children. And for their young ones to feel secure. Whether this is from the Boogey Man or something more realistic like the dangers from household pests. It’s also important to keep your children safe from the effects of the methods you use to control pests.

When protective parents are concerned, pest control technicians often have to answer the same frequently asked questions, because, as caregivers, we all want to make sure our children aren’t being exposed to dangerous pest control methods.

We know you all have a lot of concerns about this topic, so we asked London experts Empire Pest Control what their most frequently asked question were, in particular, those questions coming from parents of young children. Listed below are a handful of questions that are heard most often…

Do professionals always use pesticides? I’ve heard that they are dangerous.

Pest killing chemicals are strong and do have the potential to be dangerous if they are used incorrectly and misapplied. If you absolutely need them, your technician will advise you on when it is safe to enter your home after treatment, and what precautions to take.

However, pest controllers aren’t always as eager to use these chemicals as most people are led to believe. There are lots of different techniques available to them that involve little to no pesticide use at all.

I don’t want to use dangerous traps or poisons with young children around. What do I do?

The riskiest traps around children are spring trap and snap traps, where little fingers might get hurt if accessed. There is also potential harm from baiting traps with poison or leaving down food laced with rodenticides. In terms of traps, live capture traps baited with peanut butter present little harm to children. If you must use poison, you can also get traps that lock and the bait inside is only accessible with a key.

What are other chemical-free options available for a pest infestation?

The method that has proven safest yet effective for rodent control is to deter them with ultrasonic plug-in devices and strong scents. An essential oil can be used or fabric softener sheets, as mice are very sensitive to strong smells. Bed bugs can be eradicated completely with a high enough temperature.

A completely non-toxic program for bed bugs combines the use of your washing machine’s high setting and professional heat treatments for the whole house. Most pest companies aim at providing the most environmentally friendly solution possible nowadays.

Do I need to be careful around some home pest control remedies?

Be mindful when using some essential oils around children and pets, as the oil can be a health hazard if ingested internally or when it makes contact with their skin or eyes.

To some pets, some homemade solutions and essential oils can also pose a serious health risk, so check with a vet before using them in the environment.

I’ve heard about prevention but I’m not sure what that involves. What can I do?

The best way to put a stop to a pest infestation is to start with exclusion and prevention. Find all the access points pests can use around your home and seal them up.

This will solve a huge part of the problem without needing to use any chemicals. Keeping things clutter free and spotlessly clean is also paramount. Eliminating the attraction for pests of food goes a long way. You can always hire a pest control service like Averse Pest Control and make sure to leave this job to professionals in order to have a clean home.

What steps can I take to limit my child’s exposure to my pets’ pests?

You can purchase pet collars that prevent fleas and ticks. Keeping your garden well maintained also helps the fight against pests like ticks, fleas that pets bring in. Following a great pest prevention routine coupled with a professional pest management program will keep you pests pets at bay. Treating your pets for fleas before the fleas become an infestation in your home is crucial.

We hope that answering some of these questions has helped you begin to learn about ways to manage pest control situations in the most effective way without worrying about the health and safety of your children.

Many years ago, people did not have to worry about locking their doors as much as we do now. Now, it is simply not safe to leave your doors unlocked. Leaving your doors unlocked will only end with you coming home, and many of your belongings gone. This is why it is so important to make sure that you purchase a quality front door lock. Your security depends on finding the best door locks out there, but with so many to choose from, it can be difficult to ensure that you are getting the best type of front door lock. 

Types Of Locks 

Front door locks will come in all different styles, shapes, and sizes. You can choose between mechanical locks and electronic locks. 

Mechanical Locks 

Mechanical locks keep the door from being opened until the mechanism inside is released by a key. You will find these locks in several different types including the doorknob, and lever. Locksmiths recommend deadbolt locks, as these are offered at an affordable price, and are not easy to get into or break. 

Multipoint Systems 

A multipoint system is where the lock has multiple locking points. This type of door lock only has one key to open all the locks. These locks are known to be very secure, and can even protect sliding doors. 

Electric Door Locks 

Electric door locks will come in a variety of different types. Some will have keypad entry, while others you can access by a remote. These doors can be very secure if used correctly. 

Choosing the Right One for your Door 

In order to choose the right door lock for your door, you will need to take into consideration things like how much money you want to spend, and the size of your door. You will also want to consider if you live in an area where someone might try to break into your home all the time. If you live in an area like this, you will want to purchase a more secure door lock. 

There are many options out there when it comes to purchasing door locks. Contact your local locksmith to make sure that the one you purchase matches what you need for the security of your home. Purchasing a door lock that is cheap, is not a wise move. You will want one sturdy enough to keep anyone from breaking into your home. Make sure that you feel safe, and secure with your new front door lock. Go through all of your options before making your final decision.

Figuring out what to wear on a first date is one thing, but knowing what type of questions to ask a guy on a first date is crucial, determining the future of the entire “relationship”.

The minute someone catches your eye, you can’t help but want to ‘do’ things with that person, go on a date,  get to know him. There’s something about that person that intrigues you to the point that you want to put on a pretty dress, spend time on making your hair look amazing, and ensure that you smell delicious all in the name of going on a first date.

However, you need to have something to talk about other than yourself, right? Knowing which type of questions to ask a guy on a first date is more important than you may think.

Although it may only be the first date, it could determine whether you’d like to go on a second date with him. It could determine the possible future of whether you’d like to see him again or simply pass.

In fact, you may discover things about him that can save you plenty of heartache down the line or you could possibly discover that he’s even more attractive under the hood (his mind).

Sure, making it fun and laughing throughout the date is highly important, but you don’t want to waste your time or his.

So, when trying to prepare for your first date by coming up with possible questions, don’t forget to add the following suggestions to your list:

1. What do you do for a living?

This particular question isn’t necessary to figure out how much he earns on a monthly basis but to get a glimpse of who he is or who he aspires to be.

There are instances where people are stuck in jobs they hate simply due to the fact that bills need to be paid. On other occasions, people are actively pursuing a career they enjoy most of the time because it’s who they are on the inside.

You can tell whether a person is ambitious or has certain goals by finding out how they spend their time on a daily basis.

2. Who has the biggest influence in your life?

Not only is this question important in terms of what he has to say, but paying close attention to his non-verbal cues such as facial expression can tell more than you need to know about who he cares about and how that person has affected their lives. If he mentions his mom, he automatically scores brownie points, right?

3. Do you have specific goals?

You become who you choose to spend your time with. Thus, finding someone who is goal driven will enable you to become the type of ambitious person who only settles for the best.

It’s always beneficial to have a few goals but choose a man wisely when he has a long list of goals that he’d like to achieve within the immediate future.

It could mean that he simply won’t have time for anything or anyone but his goals.

4. Are you a family man?

Are you interested in having children and raising a family? Is it important enough to become a deal-breaker if you find yourself on a date with someone who doesn’t want to have children?

Bringing up children on a first date may seem uncomfortable, but you’re not getting any younger. As one of the most important questions to ask a guy on a first date, you’re better off asking him directly than beating around the bush.

5. What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Not sure what type of questions to ask a guy on a first date? Definitely throw this one in there.

His biggest pet peeve could possibly be something that you do on a regular basis. It could be something silly that you don’t see yourself putting up with.

It’s important to dig a little in order to avoid disappointment down the line.

6. What do you enjoy doing most after hours?

Does he enjoy having a drink with friends after work or clubbing every Saturday evening? Do you prefer staying home watching movies or reading a book?

If your lifestyle choices are too mismatched, you may end up drifting apart or resenting each other for not doing things together as a couple. One of you will end up having a miserable night out or in.

Always find out how important his current lifestyle is or if there’s room for trying new things.

7. What do you look for in a partner?

Let’s face it, he wouldn’t have agreed to go on a date with you if he didn’t like what he could see. The next step is to figure out whether he’ll like you on the inside.

Although maybe not one of the most important questions to ask a guy on a first date, it’s definitely a fun one. Play around and hear what he has to say.

You may be the person who ticks a few boxes or you’re nothing he’s looking for.

8. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

How happy is he with his own life? Sure, we all have things happening that we could do without.

However, figuring out whether he’s looking for someone to distract him from his miserable life or if he’s looking for someone special to supplement it will help you to determine if it’s worth entering into a relationship with him in the first place.

9. Do any of my questions to ask a guy make you feel uncomfortable or concerned?

Does it seem as if he’s hiding anything? Maybe he’s a shy guy and doesn’t feel comfortable sharing personal details about his life with you.

This question may make him feel uncomfortable or he could be amused by it. However, it’s a great way to see how he reacts to uncomfortable situations.

10. Salty snacks or dessert?

Depending on how strong your sweet tooth is, it’s always beneficial to know that he won’t clean out your secret stash. It’s a silly but fun question to ask that could be the foundation of other interesting questions to follow.

Perhaps he hates chocolate cake. You’ll know not to choose chocolate flavoring for his next birthday cake. Silly but quite helpful in the long run and definitely a great way to lighten the conversation.

11. What should I know about you that I’d never think to ask?

When it comes to finding appropriate and unique questions to ask a guy on a first date, it’s impossible to think of every single important question.

He knows himself best, so by putting him in charge, he’s able to offer an interesting perspective on his life that you may not even have thought of. It’s a great way to get to know someone without having to dig.

Who knows, you may even discover a shared interest or quirky fun fact.

Takeaways

Depending on how well you ‘click’ throughout the date, your list could possibly contain more than 12 questions to ask a guy. You could even find yourself not wanting to end the date.

However, the purpose of having specific questions on hand is to find out whether you share the same goals and timeline.

Whether you’re ready to start a family in five years and he’s thinking more about opening a business or you’re close with your family and he couldn’t quite care less about spending holidays with relatives, those are all important facts to figure out before becoming too attached.

Now all that’s left to do is to pick out a pretty dress, put on a pair of sexy heels, and strut your confidence. If you want to read more about relationship visit YouQueen.com.

Remember to have fun!

Insuring a new driver can be a huge expense for parents, especially because you don’t have any leverage to prove that your teen is a good and safe driver.

We know that you’re doing everything in your power to give your teen the tools to drive safely, so here are some ways that you can cut costs on insuring your new driver.

1. Have your teen take an accredited driving course

There are many courses that you can choose to enroll your teen in to make sure that your insurance premium for your teen stays low. Make sure that you are signing your child up for an accredited course. Not only is this kind of driving course extremely beneficial because it will help your teen learn the basics of driving, it will save you thousands of dollars in car insurance over a three year period.

2. Insure your teen as an occasional driver

When you’re purchasing insurance for your teen, bundling car insurance policies or including your teen as an occasional driver could save you a lot on your car insurance. If you are planning on getting your teen a car once they get their license, make sure that you check the make and model for insurance and deductible costs.

3. Put restrictions on when your teen can drive

Driving in the winter, or driving at night are opportunities for accidents, regardless of your car insurance coverage. For the first few weeks, don’t allow your new driver to drive at night or in extremely poor weather conditions like rain or snow. Having a good driving track record is super important when a driver is new, and even the smallest accident could have your insurance premiums shooting through the roof.

4. Don’t splurge on a new car

If you’re thinking about getting your new driver a brand new car as a gift for receiving their license, think again. If the make or model of the car you are choosing to insure is expensive, your premium will go up, and so will your deductible. Take a look at which cars are cheapest to insure, but are also safe to drive. It may be worthwhile to go for function over style when it comes to your teen’s first car.

5. Try usage-based car insurance

One of the main reasons why new drivers car insurance rates are so high is because new drivers don’t have any sort of driving record. Insurance companies have to rely heavily on risk statistics to determine what to charge for your car insurance. Usage based car insurance monitors your driving habits over a trial period, and your insurance premium is adjusted accordingly. This is a great motivator for your young driver to drive safely, and you could save up to 25% on your car insurance depending on what car insurance provider you use. Accordingly, if you would like to learn more about some of the different types of auto insurance out there, this may help.

Driving for the first time is a new and exciting experience! With the right tools, your teen will hit the road with the confidence and knowledge to stay safe, and you’ll have the best available car insurance for your unique situation. 

Infographic created by Capital Auto Auction, an auto auction company.

Are you the type of person who loves to wear hoodies? Not in the conventional sense, but more in the way of it’s near impossible to catch you wearing anything else but a hoodie. Believe it or not, there’s a lot of buzz out there about what your hoodie wearing habits say about you.

Taking the obvious statement hooded sweatshirts aside, there are a number of truths and misconceptions surrounding this incredibly comfortable article of clothing and its thousands of diehard wearers. Here’s exactly what your hoodie says about you.

1. Little Things Matter to You

It’s not a matter of warmth, otherwise, you wouldn’t catch hoodie lovers wearing shorts with their upper apparel of choice. Everyone knows hoodies are comfortable, so it isn’t as if you’ve discovered something the rest of us haven’t. No, you wear one because you relish the little joys in life.

The rest of the world may be content wearing GQ’s latest in trending fashions, but the warmth and cozy embrace that a hoodie offers is something special. It makes your days brighter. While it might seem like something small and insignificant to most, you notice the intricate comforts that your choice in clothing provides.

2. You See Things Differently, and That’s Good

To others, dawning formal wear is an afterthought to their routine. You, on the other hand, realize how constricting and ridiculous it is to put on airs with a button-up shirt. As if it suddenly made anyone more productive or better at their profession.

What’s the difference between wearing a hoodie at the office or a tucked in polo? Why not just wear ridiculous clown costumes while everyone’s at it? Life is too short to not be comfortable.

3. You’re Content

Some people require a special set of clothing to sleep in, lounge around the house in, or head out into the world in. Not you. All you need is a good hoodie to wear. Whether it’s heading to the gym, binge-watching Netflix or falling asleep, you’re happy to do it all as is and accept life as it comes.

What happens when it rains? No big deal, you’re wearing a hoodie. The temperature dropped, and you don’t have an extra jacket! Not a problem, everything is just fine. Can’t find the remote to change the channel? Oh well, might as well just relax here for a few more minutes. Who knows, you might even like the show that comes on after yours.

4. You’re Stylish, Whether Anyone Want to Admit it or Not

Hoodie wearers get a lot of negativity for their love of one specific top, but it’s not like you don’t know how to be stylish. You have a special hoodie for big first dates, one for family gatherings, and plenty of print designs standing by for holidays and other special events. Who else is going to wear their Star Wars hoodie at the movie premiere, or the microbrewery’s top when you and your friends decide to stop in? Exactly, no one.

Plus, you can instantly layer up with a WearSaga coat when temperatures become frigid, instantly giving you added style points … and another hood. While everyone else is shivering from their poor choice in clothing, you’re looking cool because you chose to dress warmly. Who’s wearing the style faux pas now, long sleeve shirt person wishing they had an extra layer?

5. You’re Loyal

You stand by your clothing choice day in and day out no matter who approves or what they think. You’ll wear a hoodie every chance you get until the bitter end. If that isn’t a testament to your loyalty, then you don’t know what is!

The lifestyle of a working mother comes with many benefits –  we can both enjoy the family life at home and derive satisfaction from our professional successes.

However, even such a rewarding lifestyle has its challenges, so to help all of you working mums tackle them, here are some New Year’s resolutions you should all make.

Find more “me” time

Whether it’s a night out with our friends, a dinner date with our significant other, or just a relaxing evening in a bathtub, we all need some time for ourselves. To make that time, try to find somebody who can take your kids off your hands for a few hours once or twice a month. Also, make sure to dedicate at least 20 min every day to your own needs, so you can recharge your batteries and freshen up a bit.

Focus on what you’re doing

When at work, focus on the work – don’t waste time on social media and news websites, as it can only harm your productivity. Similarly, when spending time with your family, don’t check your emails and make business calls. Multitasking is a useful skill to have, but it’s not always necessary. In other words, learning how to get rid of distractions both at work and at home will help you spend your time much more efficiently.

Delegate

Many business companies outsource some of their work to save time, money, and energy.  So, as a working mum, why not do the same? Delegate some of your work.

For example, find a good and reliable English tutoring to help your kids with homework, or hire a housekeeper to clean your home from time to time.

Delegating will not only save you time but also allow you to focus on more important things, such as working on your family budgets, finishing that important projects or taking your kids to the park.

Don’t be afraid to say no

Most working mums have the “I can do it all” attitude, and there is nothing wrong with being confident. However, take into account the amount of time it takes to coach the new volleyball team, be the new girl scout leader, and organise a school play. Instead of accepting everything off the bat, don’t be afraid to let somebody else steal the spotlight if you’ve already done your fair share of work.

Become an early bird

Taking care of everybody’s needs is much easier after you’ve taken care of your own. Therefore, try to get up at least 30 min before everybody else so you can drink your coffee in peace, take a shower, choose your outfit for the day, etc. Of course, this also means you should try to go to bed a bit earlier than usual in order to get enough sleep and not be woken up by that special alarm that goes “muuuuuum!”

Build a network

The next time you go shopping for groceries or pick your kids up from school, look around you. All the women you see are just like you, and they all need friendship and support. Instead of passing them by, get to know them – create a network of women who can help each other out by taking care of the kids, referring you to the best hairdresser in town, knowing all about interior design, etc. You are not alone, so try to connect with the women in your everyday life.

Try something new

If you’ve been doing the same thing for as long as you can remember, maybe it’s time to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. It’s great to be an expert at something, but becoming too comfortable can lead to boredom and that feeling of being stuck in a routine. With that in mind, take some time to think about what you are doing right now and how you could do it differently. Maybe you’d like to go on a budget-friendly vacation. Maybe you’d like to test your skills in a new field of work, or perhaps you just want to improve your skills by taking a few lessons or seminars. Exploring different areas of your work and trying out different approaches will help you remind yourself why you love your career.

Modify your standards

When you let others help you, you also need to accept the fact that they will probably do things differently – and that is okay. It doesn’t matter how your housekeeper mops the floor or how your partner loads the dishes, as long as everything is clean in the end. Lower your standards a bit and let go of perfection. Worrying about every single detail can affect both your mood and your health, and you surely have more important things to think about. Sometimes, good enough can be better than perfect.

Speaking of standards and perfection, don’t be too hard on yourself either. You can have it all, but you cannot always do it all, so it’s okay if you can’t fulfil every single resolution on this list. Thus, choose a few that will benefit you the most, and don’t forget that being happy is the only thing that will truly make your year successful.

The holidays are a time when you focus on peace and of course, celebrations. However, most holiday decorations eat up energy, consists of using dead trees and are clearly bad for the environment.

That is as far from eco-friendly as you can possibly get right? Finding a sustainable yet beautiful Christmas decoration collection is no easy task. Well here is some good news! I want to let you know in this post that you can decorate for the holidays in ways that are considered to be eco-friendly.

Below are tips on how you can do that:

Use LED Candles

Flickering candles definitely create a festive atmosphere and people love them, however, they are dangerous when kids and pets are around, not to mention they can aggravate allergies.

Therefore you can still have candles but without those risks. You can have those lightweight, reusable LED candles that are made of real wax and are even meant to flicker the same way as traditional candled- but without the messy wax, flame and smoke!

Therefore, they are environmentally friendly and much safer for your lungs. And the indoor quality won’t be affected either. You also don’t have to worry about your home burning down! LED candles are a win-win when it comes to being eco-friendly for the holidays and creating a festive atmosphere.

LED Holiday Lights

Incandescent lights use up a lot of electricity, they burn out and break, don’t last long and are expensive. Therefore, they can be a frustrating part of preparing for the holidays. At the same time, without lights, the holiday spirit is lacking!

The great news is that you can use LED lights instead because they use quite a bit less electricity, they last longer, they don’t break or burn out and save you a lot of money!

They are also very nice looking as they come in a variety of colors. They also are inexpensive, and more and more people are using LED lights over the incandescent ones.

Interesting Challenge Coin Decoration

Coin displays are a unique retirement gift or a rewarding gift and an impressive way to say thank you for your exquisite efforts.

Perfectly designed challenge coins in a nice stand can make your memories live forever and will make your house look pretty in the Christmas time as well.

Create Wreath Out of Fabric

Many wreaths require you to cut off tree branches to make them. However, you can be creative and find an eco-friendly way to make wreaths instead.

For example, you can make a wreath by using old scraps of fabric and they are not necessarily hard to do. All you have to do is get creative. You can also go to craft stores like Michael’s to see what other eco-friendly parts you can get to make a wreath.

Faux Cedar Centerpieces

If you use real pine centerpieces, you know you are killing and injuring trees, at the same time if you get faux pine centerpieces- you are getting decoration that is made out of toxic material which can give off harmful dioxins.

Therefore, both of those options are not good for the environment. The good news is that you can have an eco-friendly pine centerpiece on the table. This kind of cedar pine centerpiece is made from PE or polyethylene, and it is safe, recyclable and looks identical to the traditional types! Not to mention, it is reusable!

Recycled Cardboard Christmas Tree

Recycled cardboard Christmas trees are incredibly eye-catching, even more so than the real tree. This way no new trees are being killed and you can buy them in green or white. They can be decorated with paint, crayons, and paper. These are much better than the alternative.

If you are trying to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle and you have been concerned that you couldn’t maintain this lifestyle during the holidays, now you know you can! Have fun and have a happy, safe and green holiday!