I loved my string trimmer—except when it came time to replace the string. Then I hated it! Replacing string was practically a two-person job. So I was pretty excited when I ran across Oregon’s new string trimmer head. The Gator SpeedLoad Cutting System attaches to most popular trimmers and makes string replacement super easy. The heavy-duty string comes coiled on a disk. All you do is plop the disk into position, feed out the two string ends (and not through tiny little holes, like on my old one), and snap on the cap. My property is several acres, so if I’m close to running out of string, I slip a replacement spool in my pocket before I head out. That way I don’t have to walk all the way back to my shop to reload. — Mark Petersen. Get it today!
Best Classic: Rejuvenation Classic Ring Door Knocker
The Rejuvenation Classic Ring Door Knocker features a timeless design that will look good on any home. This ring-style door knocker is made from solid forged brass for long-lasting durability and comes in several popular metallic finishes. It’s just as functional as it is attractive, delivering a crisp rap when used.
There are many different styles and brands of touchless faucets on the market today. They all have one thing in common – they need a power source to operate. That means you need to purchase a faucet that is battery-operated or have a 120-volt AC outlet under your sink to power your faucet.
Best Classic: Rejuvenation Classic Ring Door Knocker
The Rejuvenation Classic Ring Door Knocker features a timeless design that will look good on any home. This ring-style door knocker is made from solid forged brass for long-lasting durability and comes in several popular metallic finishes. It’s just as functional as it is attractive, delivering a crisp rap when used.
There are many different styles and brands of touchless faucets on the market today. They all have one thing in common – they need a power source to operate. That means you need to purchase a faucet that is battery-operated or have a 120-volt AC outlet under your sink to power your faucet.
Musty ground-floor apartments, poorly ventilated bathrooms and dank basement laundry rooms are all potential petri dishes for growing ugly and unhealthy mold and mildew. Interior and exterior paints or primers containing antimicrobial properties can help keep mold under control.
Mold, a form of fungus that produces spores that float through the air, thrives in moist, warm environments. Mold and mildew produce allergens that, when inhaled or touched, can cause allergic reactions and trigger attacks in asthma sufferers. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “The best way to control mold growth is to control moisture.”
Here are some useful steps for dealing with mold in and around your home:
Find the source of the moisture. Don’t forget to look for hidden leaks in walls and under kitchen cabinets.
Clean infested areas with detergent and water.
After cleanup, let surfaces dry completely (allow 24 to 48 hours).
Repaint the area with a mold-resistant product.
Prevention
Install fans in bathrooms, leave windows open whenever possible, use an exhaust fan when cooking and run dehumidifiers to reduce indoor humidity.
Add insulation to windows, pipes and walls to prevent condensation.
Maintain gutters and downspouts.
Once you’ve taken care of the moisture problem and cleaned the area, here are some top-rated paints and primers to help keep the mold and mildew from returning.
Autistic children have different needs than other kids, so a well-designed bedroom that meets their sensory needs while remaining functional is extremely important.
For kids on the spectrum, their five senses can be hypersensitive, which means some kids get upset if too much is happening around them. They may find a particular noise overwhelming, or a light too bright. If they become overstimulated, they will start stimming (self-stimulation), which is their way of regulating themselves. A bedroom that overstimulates a child on the spectrum also makes it more difficult to get the child to wind down, go to sleep and stay asleep.
“My son would either be up very late, past midnight, or if he did go to bed early, he’d be up at two or three in the morning,” she says. “That’s why their environment and having a bedroom that encourages bedtime is so important.”
Here are Gelormini’s tips for decorating a room that meets sensory needs and invites rest.
Use Soft Lighting With Room Darkening Shades
Some children are oversensitive to sounds and bright lights, and can be bothered by a buzzing light. Gelormini recommends dimmable soft lighting. “I suggest using blackout shades on the windows so the room is nice and dark for bedtime,” she says. “My son broke a few blinds, so I also recommend using the blinds that are in-between the glass.”
Designate Zones in the Room
If the child’s bedroom also serves as a play area, you can designate zones. Assign one area of the room for sleeping, another for storage and another for their favorite activities. “Most of them obsess over what they like, like being on the iPad for hours, so having a comfybean bag chair in the room is a good idea,” Gelormini says.
She also encourages making use of the bedroom closet. “My son used to hide in the closet,” she says. “So I painted the inside navy blue with stars to make it feel like a cozy night sky.”
Choose Calm and Restful Paint Colors
Just like bright lighting, Gelormini says bright paint colors like red, yellow and orange can overstimulate an autistic child and set them off.
“Choose muted colors of your child’s favorite color,” she says. “For example, instead of bright red or orange, go with a toned down shade like clay. You could also choose more calming paint colors like light blue, gray or earthy green.”
An added tip: Gelormini uses an eggshell finish, making the walls easier to wipe clean.
Have Ample Storage to Help Organize
If there’s clutter in the bedroom, especially if you don’t have a designated playroom, it can be harder for the child to decompress and relax. Gelormini says to try to contain it with functional storage options. “I would suggest making sure they have a toy chest that everything can be put into at the end of the night,” she says. Aim to keep clutter to a minimum to avoid over stimulation, especially before bedtime.
Keep Safety in Mind When Decorating
Because her son used to yank the wire out of the wall to turn off the light, Gelormini says she made sure there were no lamps in his room. “We had to have the electrician install overhead lighting,” she says.
Many autistic children like to jump a lot and enjoy doing so on their bed. This can be dangerous should the springs start popping through. Gelormini suggests using a foam mattress with a box spring with no bed frame as a safer alternative.
Paint a Mural of What the Child Loves
Whatever your child loves, whether it’s the ocean, stars or a favorite fictional character, paint a mural of it in their room.
Gelormini says her son was obsessed with the ocean, so they painted a mural of it in his room. Whether you paint a mural yourself, get it done professionally, or purchase it like this Finding Dory Wall Mural, a mural helps create a unique space which can help calm and relax your child if they are feeling anxious or are acting out.
