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Radon Gas in Homes and Lung Cancer
 by: Mark J. Donovan

Unsuspecting homeowners may not realize the full risks associated with Radon gas in their homes. Increasing evidence suggests that Radon gas is the most underestimated cause of Lung Cancer. Radon gas can occur anywhere, however some areas of the United States are known to have abnormally high levels of this potentially deadly gas. Though Radon gas can be found in every state, the highest concentration levels are in the Northeast and the upper Midwest of the United States.

If Radon gas can be dissipated from homes and into the atmosphere it is relatively harmless. However, when Radon enters homes and stays trapped, which can frequently happen with today’s more tightly sealed homes; the gas can become a health problem.

The Radon gas typically enters a home from a basement. If the basement is not adequately vented to the outside atmosphere the gas can build up to high levels within the home.

There are differing opinions about the minimum safe levels, however the evidence continues to grow that Radon may be the most underestimated cause of lung cancer. Radon gas may be particularly more dangerous to children, smokers and those who spend much of their time indoors.

How To Choose Your Jewelry Armoire
 by: Flor Buenaventura

Do you often misplace the strands of pearls you wore at last night’s dinner at the opera with friends? Can you never find your favorite piece of jewelry when you need it most for that very important date? Well, worry no more. Get a jewelry armoire to store your jewels in the most elegant and efficient way.

A jewelry armoire may not be as huge as the special room beneath Buckingham Palace where Queen Elizabeth keeps her jewelry collection, but it certainly can store more of your beads, stones aand bangles than the musical jewelry box that you’ve kept since high school for sentimental reasons.

Armoires

The French word armoire originally meant an arms cabinet or gun storage, but not anymore. In these modern times, an armoire is defined as a tall cabinet, usually with drawers, shelves and doors. Armoires nowadays can be wardrobe armoires, jewelry armoires, entertainment armoires and just recently even computer armoires.

Even family-friendly Wal-mart stocks faux burl wood jewelry armoires for less than $200 ordered online, so there’s really no excuse for not getting out there and choosing your jewelry armoire.

Things To Consider When Purchasing Sunroom Kits
 by: Andrew Caxton

Adding a sunroom kit to your home can offer you the warmth of the sun year round. A sun room gives you outdoor access while offering you indoor comfort. The benefits of sunlight are numerous. Exposing our bodies to the sun boosts vitamin D production. Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb the calcium necessary to keep bones strong. Throughout the winter months, many people’s bodies can’t keep up with the necessary vitamin D production. As a result, our bones suffer from diseases like osteoporosis. A sunroom kit would allow you to enjoy the benefits of the sun without having to endure the cold winter weather. There are several options to consider when thinking about a sunroom.

What Are Plasma Televisions?
 by: Richard Gazzo

Televisions previous to the Plasma TV explosion used the (CRT) cathode ray tube to give users the ability to watch television. CRT televisions works by shooting out a beam of negative charged particles called electrons into a large glass tube. These negative electrons

For the past 75 years, the vast majority of televisions have been built around the same technology, the cathode ray tube (CRT). In a CRT television, a gun fires a beam of electrons (negatively-charged particles) inside a large glass tube. The electrons illuminate phosphor atoms inside the tube (screen), this allows the TV picture to be produced by illuminating different areas of the phosphor coating, this is what gives you the CRT television.

Now welcome to the new face of television, Plasma TV. Plasma has taken the home theater market by storm because of their amazing picture quality and very thin design. The idea of plasma display panels began in 1964 at the University of Illinois. The first displays were very primitive using only points of light created in the laboratory. As time went on digital processing, and other technology, made vivid plasma displays a reality.

Preventing Water Damage in the Bathroom
 by: Terry Allen

The frequent use of water in the bathroom makes it extremely vulnerable for moist accumulation and potential water damage. By inspecting it regularly, you can reduce water related damages.

Bathtub and Shower

The shower and bathtub require special attention and maintenance. Check the tiles and replace if cracked. Make sure that there is no missing grout between the tiles. Inspect and replace cracked caulking at joints where the walls meet the floor or the bathtub. Clogged drains and pipes problems will prevent the bathtub from drying and may indicate serious problems beneath the bathtub. Consult with a professional immediately to prevent structural damage. Pay attention to discolorations or soft areas around the bathtub walls as they may indicate an internal leak.

Plumbing

Signs for water damage are hard to detect since most pipes are installed inside the walls.

Pay special attention to flooring and walls moisture and stains as they may indicate an invisible plumbing problem. Check moisture levels in adjoining rooms as well.

Sinks and Cabinets

What To Do About Avian Flu
 by: Larry Westfall

A number of countries are reporting cases of avian influenza, commonly referred to as “bird flu” in their domestic and wild bird populations. The H5N1 strain of influenza causes severe disease in domesticated fowl. In addition, there are confirmed cases of bird-to-human transmissions of avian influenza in the South East Asia region, many of which have resulted in death. Please visit the WHO website, http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/en/ for the most up to date information on the countries affected and the number of deaths.

The vast majority of the known human cases have resulted from direct contact with poultry, and there is only limited evidence to suggest possible human-to-human transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Department are concerned about the potential for human-to-human transmission of this highly dangerous flu strain, and are working closely with other partners in an effort to monitor the outbreak.

10 Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes
 by: Bob Williams

Dreaming of a new kitchen? In order to make your dreams a reality, consider ten common mistakes to avoid in designing and remodeling your kitchen to save you time, money and aggravation.

Over-customizing and inflexibility

Unless you have money to spare, remain flexible regarding materials and design for your new kitchen. For example, you’re vacationing in southern Italy and the beautiful tiles you find in the craftsman’s shop are perfect for your new dream kitchen. You can’t live without them, even though he has to chip the marble off the mountain by hand and each one takes three weeks to make, because they have fossilized leaves imprinted in them.

If you need two hundred tiles, stop dreaming and do the arithmetic. Three weeks, each one, two hundred tiles. Forget it. Buy everything he has on the shelf and leave the store. Use the fifteen you bring home in your suitcase as accents imbedded in the floor here and there, or in the tiling around the sink and keep them a beautiful memory.

How Vinyl Replacement Windows Can Save You Money
 by: Charles Mohaney

Imagine the home of your dreams. Is the old colonial style home that has historical significance but could use some updating? Perhaps it is the 1960s rambling ranch that gives you more single floor living space than you’ve ever dreamed of. If you have or would like to have an older home, chances are it could use some updating. One of the best ways to add value to your older home is by replacing the windows. Vinyl replacement windows are energy efficient, easy to clean, and add maintenance free beauty to any home.

Why Replace Windows?

Older windows that are generally made with wooden frames can warp or rot over time. They may at one time been well sealed, but over the years caulking flakes away and allows water to seep in. When water gets into the wood it expands and can rot, leaving spaces though which water and air can get into the house. Basically you have an aesthetic nightmare as well as horribly inefficient insulation against the elements.

Tips On Using A Warm Mist Humidifier
 by: Johnathan Bakers

Dry indoor air causes a wide variety of physical symptoms including a stuffy nose, dry cough, nosebleeds, dry skin and brittle hair. A warm mist humidifier will relieve these symptoms and help you sleep better. Dry air is common when the heat is turned on in the winter. If you live in a dry climate, you may need to humidify your home all year long. Excessive dryness causes wood furniture and flooring to crack and warp. Houseplants can dry out and the seams of your wallpaper could peel.

If your home is very dry and you need to add moisture to the air all year long, you may want to consider a whole house humidification system. These are installed on a forced air heating system and should be installed by a professional.

If you only need to use a humidifier in the winter weather, a single room model will be sufficient. These are plugged into any electrical outlet and can be used in the kitchen, bedroom or any other room in your home. The size of the water tank determines how long you can run the humidifier without adding water. Be sure the model you choose is large enough for the room and the amount of time it will be running.

Onyx in High End Interior Design
 by: Erika Hansen

Onyx is gaining popularity as an interior design material for properties in the top end of the residential and commercial market. Onyx is quite rare, compared to other natural stones, which is partly responsible for the relatively high prices it commands. It is also considered to be a semi-precious natural stone, along with alabaster and lapis lazuli.

Its main attractions are translucency, colour and natural pattern. Translucency makes onyx a unique natural stone and helps create outstanding interior designs. Onyx is typically highly polished to enhance its natural translucency. It comes mainly in white, yellow (or honey), brown, pink and green colours. The most popular colours are currently white and honey, the latter being chemically similar to white onyx with an addition of iron oxides. White onyx originates mainly from Persia and honey onyx is quarried mainly in Turkey.