Ever notice that light switches are never where you need them?
Heath/Zenith has come up with a relatively inexpensive way to solve the problem _ a wireless home-lighting system that retails between $12 and $15.
The technology is similar to that used in a remote garage-door opener in a car.
The Heath/Zenith system has easy-to-install switches, screw-in sockets, and plug-in receptacles and battery-operated remote controls.
With a weatherproof outdoor plug and handheld remote control, you can turn holiday lights on and off without leaving the house.
The system also offers a measure of security. For example, if you've forgotten to leave a light on in the house and return when it is dark, you can turn on the light from the car.
The system and its components require minimal installation.
Information: 800-858-8501.
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My friend Bob has long been a source of useful woodworking information, and over the years, he's given me a tool or two to help me do new projects.
But recently he came up with a solution to a problem created by our recent move: missing bolts and connectors for beds that require assembly.
The movers lost the hardware for my sons' beds. It's not readily available at home centers or hardware stores.
I was able to cannibalize the bolts and connectors from my older son's bed to reassemble my younger son's bed.
Then Bob put me onto Woodworkers Supply, which had the bolts and the barrel-shaped connectors in stock. In addition, the mover had lost shelf holders for some Ikea bookcases, and I was able to buy them at the same time.
Woodworkers Supply: 800- 645-9292.
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It's rare that information comes free, but if you have questions about waterbeds and don't necessarily want to spend money to get it, talk to Dave at
http://www.bedroomdiscounters.com/
which is based in Virginia.
I had to store a waterbed mattress for a few months but wanted to make sure that the inside of the mattress wouldn't go funny in the meantime.
Since the place we bought the mattress three years ago had gone out of business, I headed to the Internet.
In less than a day, Dave was back to me, recommending that an 8-ounce bottle of fiber conditioner mixed with a quart of water "will keep everything nice inside the mattress."
Guess who got the order for the fiber conditioner?
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More than 40,000 residential fires and $2 billion in personal-property damage are directly attributed to problems with electrical wiring systems each year.
HouseMaster, the national franchiser of home-inspection services, offers the following warning signs and safety tips to help prevent fires related to inadequate electrical systems:
Pay attention to flickering lights or if wall switches/outlets feel warm to the touch.
Avoid extended use of extension cords. These are for temporary use only.
Electrical outlets that are two-pronged will not accept certain three-pronged appliance plugs because they are not grounded (do not have the third hole). Consider hiring an electrician to upgrade your outlets to three-pronged grounding receptacles to alleviate electrical problems and inconvenience.
Install ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in outlets near water sources, such as in the bathroom or kitchen, or any exterior outlet. GFCIs will cut power off directly at the outlet, protecting from electrical shock.
Have your home inspected to see whether it contains aluminum wiring, first used in the mid-1960s, since it can lead to overheating and/or arcing _ electrical current actually jumping between wire ends _ that can create a serious fire hazard.
If the home has an overhead electrical line, rather than underground, that supplies the main power from the utility company lines, make sure trees are pruned away from it to reduce damage. Exercise caution when pruning, keeping metal ladders and pruning shears away from the live wire.
Look in your electrical panel to see what amp service you have. If it is not apparent, count the number of breakers (or switches). A 100-amp panel has 20 breakers, 150 amp has 30 breakers, and 200 amp has 40 breakers. If you have 20 or fewer breakers, you may want to consider a service upgrade.
Properly label each circuit in your electrical panel and make sure it contains one main disconnect so that the home's electrical system can be shut down at once, in case of emergency.
When doing electrical work, hire only a licensed electrician. Most deaths and injuries that result from electricity are attributed to work done by unlicensed amateurs.
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(Write to to Alan J. Heavens, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Box 8263, Philadelphia, PA 19101, or send e-mail to aheavens(AT)phillynews.com )
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Visit Philadelphia Online, the Inquirer's World Wide Web site, at http://www.philly.com/
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
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PHOTO (from KRT Photo Service, 202-383-6099): HOME-HOMESTUFF
(c) 2001, The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Visit Philadelphia Online, the Inquirer's World Wide Web site, at http://www.philly.com/
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
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PHOTO (from KRT Photo Service, 202-383-6099): HOME-HOMESTUFF
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