Silent Killer

People tend to assume that the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning only relates to gas heating systems, however, this is not the case. You can be at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning with any appliance that burns fossil fuels, such as coal, wood or oil, as well as gas. The only heating system from which there is no risk of this occurring is electric heating .

The danger lies if the appliance is not installed or maintained properly, or if a fault develops. If the flue becomes blocked, and the carbon monoxide is trapped, it is forced back into the room. If the room is not ventilated, there is nowhere for the gas to escape.

As carbon monoxide is odourless, the householder does not notice anything, but quickly becomes drowsy and falls asleep; never waking up. Carbon monoxide is fatal, and it is vital that you take precautions to prevent this from happening. (more...)

Be Safe Not Sorry

Safety in the home is a topic dear to many people's hearts and yet many accidents could be prevented each year by following a few basic rules.

One type of accident which is preventable with the right action involves electrical fires. Sometimes this is attributable to faulty wiring, and it is important to ensure that any new system, such as electric underfloor heating systems are installed by an approved engineer in accordance to the correct safety standards. You cannot be too careful when it comes to electrics, and do not be tempted to install any electrical system yourself unless you are qualified to do so.

I would recommend that anybody moving into an older house or apartment should contact a certified electrician, as old wiring systems too should be checked on a regular basis, to ensure that they still comply with the regulations. (more...)

Keeping the Heat in and Intruders Out

When travelling abroad, especially to countries with a warmer climate than the UK, it is difficult not to notice subtle differences where it comes to housing.

For example, many European buildings have shutters to most windows as standard. These often highly decorative shutters are commonplace for a number of reasons.

Perhaps the most important use for shutters is to keep the heat of the day out, especially in the summer. They can also be used to shade a particular room, such as a bedroom, where they will aid a good night's sleep. (more...)

Fire Safety for the Home: What You Need to Know

There's a very good reason why youngsters learn about fire safety in school. For decades, fires have been the most common cause of accidental death in the home. According to government statistics, there is a domestic fire every eight minutes in the UK.

And though commercial fires are generally more costly and difficult to extinguish, they are not nearly as common or as deadly. Three out of every four fire deaths occur in the home. Thankfully, the number of fatalities has declined in recent years, but there were still 450 deaths and thousands of injuries in 2009.

How can we reduce these numbers? Well, it seems obvious to us that homeowners are in desperate need of edification. This includes professionals like those that work at Hansgrohe showers . (more...)

Heating Options for the Home

If you are refurbishing or remodelling your home, there are several major changes that you can make in order to make the home more efficient and modern. Many people give their home a complete overhaul; change the heating system, etc. while remodelling the house.

There are many different heating options available. Under floor heating is a popular choice among home owners. It is said to be more energy efficient and heats a space evenly without sudden spikes in temperature. It is a common misconception that under floor heating requires a special type of flooring. The truth is that under floor heating can be installed with any type of floor. This includes even natural stone flooring . Stone flooring like granite, marble or simple slate gives an understated yet elegant feel to a room, and is quite a popular choice among people today.

If elegance and style is what one is looking for, then obviously having large and intrusive radiators on the walls is not going to be an option. This is where underfloor heating provides an excellent alternative. It works efficiently and quietly behind the scenes, what more could we want! (more...)