Category: Brandpoint Home & Garden

2018-08-29T08:01:01

(BPT) – Moving into a new home is chaotic. You’ve got decorating to do, a neighborhood to explore, and a house to keep in tiptop shape. The last thing you need in the midst of all that commotion is the added headache of household pests like ants, cockroaches or rodents. With a few tips from Terminix, you can keep your move running smoothly and ensure no unexpected pests move in with you.

Look for collecting water

Stagnant or standing water attracts a variety of pests, from nuisance wildlife to mosquitoes. It doesn’t take a lot of water, either — mosquitoes can lay as many as 100 eggs in the cap of a bottle of water. Try to reduce standing water in sources such as pots and tires, and be sure to change out your bird bath at least once a week.

Inspect for openings

Check the exterior of your new house for structural openings under doors, near windows and around utility penetrations. Any openings you find are essentially an open door to rodents and arthropods, such as spiders and millipedes. Reduce the number of pests entering your home by sealing any improper openings.

Be wary of trees and shrubbery

That flowering bush might look beautiful beside your home, but it could harbor countless pests. Note any tree limbs overhanging your roof line and any shrubbery or mulch close to the foundation of your home. These features play host to many different types of pests, and having them touch your house only makes it easier for pests to enter.

Check for moisture issues

Some pests, like termites, cockroaches and carpenter ants, love moisture and are more likely to be found in damp areas of your house. Check your new home for any moisture issues. This could mean anything from a leaky roof to plumbing and seals that should be fixed.

Look for insufficient screening in key areas

While you’re checking for moisture issues, you can also look for insufficient screening around plumbing or drains. Inspect the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room to ensure all openings are properly covered. Otherwise, you could find your kitchen playing host to pests like silverfish, spiders, ants or cockroaches.

Call in the professionals

Even the most diligent homeowners may still find themselves with a pest problem too big to tackle alone. Pest control professionals such as Terminix’s trained technicians can protect you and your new home from any unwelcome guests.

2018-08-28T07:01:00

(BPT) – At this time of year there is plenty to celebrate, and any celebration is best done with a collection of your closest friends. So, who’s up for a party? You are. Your house is ready, the food is prepped and your guests should be showing up any minute. When they do, you want them to have the best time possible and that starts by making them feel comfortable.

To that end, here are five ways you can make your party guests feel welcome right from the first knock on the door.

* Be there to greet them. As your party gets going no one can blame you for wanting to just put a “come on in” sign on your front door. However, resolving to stay near the door and welcome each of your guests warmly is still a nice touch. Even the biggest sign can’t replace a warm greeting from the hosts.

* Keep your home comfortable. With so many extra people in your home you’ll need the right air conditioner to keep all your guests feeling comfortable. The Champion Momentum Series air conditioner features a Wi-Fi-enabled touch-screen to provide precision comfort and allow you the ability to monitor and control the system from your smartphone, even out by the grill. In addition, its innovative ShadowDrive Sound Reduction system means that your guests will be able to enjoy their conversations without being drowned out by the noise of your air conditioner, ensuring this essential system is seldom heard but always enjoyed.

* Give them a quick tour. This doesn’t have to be comprehensive — and you may have rooms that aren’t show worthy right now — but give your guests a quick tour of every room where the party will be taking place. If your guests see the room on the tour, they’ll be more comfortable mingling in that space during the party without feeling like they are intruding.

* Avoid over cleaning. You want your home to look like a tidy, lived-in home, not a museum, so make it clean but not spick-and-span. A house that is too clean will make guests nervous to move about for fear of dirtying something. And then, once the party is going, keep your in-party cleaning to a minimum. It’s a party after all, and your friends came to see you, not watch you clean.

* Don’t be afraid to make some introductions. If you’re hosting a party where most of the guest list does not know one another, your guests are apt to congregate in small bubbles with the people they do know. To break the cycle, don’t be afraid to step in and make some introductions. Do this early in the party and you won’t have to feel like you need to hover all evening to ensure everyone is having a good time.

Make your next party better for all your guests today

From a personal hello at the door to a quick tour of the house and a few introductions, there are plenty of things you can do to make your guests feel welcome in your home. Create a comfortable environment where they will have a good time and you’ll see your guests jumping to attend each and every one of your future parties.

2018-08-27T09:01:00

(BPT) – The days are getting shorter and the nights are cooling off. The kids are back in school. Yes, fall is in the air, and that means it’s time to start thinking about prepping your lawn for winter.

“Many homeowners see spring as the most critical season for lawn care,” says Bryan Ostlund, executive director of Grass Seed USA, a coalition of American grass seed farmers and turf specialists, “but in reality, at least in the transition and cool zones of the U.S., fall maintenance can have just as much impact — if not more — on the year-round health and appearance of your lawn. Once temperatures are consistently below 60 degrees, your lawn will start storing up nutrients in preparation for winter. That’s when you should start your fall lawn care regimen.”

Following are three proactive measures you can take in the fall to ensure lush green grass come spring.

Reseed thin or bare areas. At the end of a long, hot summer with lots of outdoor activity, it’s not unusual for lawns to show signs of wear. By reseeding after the summer’s heat subsides and before the first winter freeze, you can repair the damage and give your turf an eight- to nine-month jump start on root growth. The longer and stronger the grass’s roots are, the less water your lawn will require during drier months and the more resistant it will be to disease and weeds. A thick lawn also helps reduce erosion, which can be particularly important in regions that experience rainy winter weather.

Before you reseed, mow your lawn and remove the clippings, and then prepare the soil by raking with a straight rake. This will remove dead organic matter and loosen up the top half-inch of soil to improve contact with the seed. Then apply a high-quality seed that is appropriate for your local climate conditions and is resistant to currently prevalent pests. Ask your local extension office (see https://nifa.usda.gov/land-grant-colleges-and-universities-partner-website-directory for a directory) for recommendations of blends that have tested well in your area. You’ll want to use fresh seed, so check the label to confirm that the seed was tested within the past 12 months. After planting, water the reseeded area lightly and regularly to keep it damp until the new grass is established.

Although new warm-season lawns are best planted in the late spring or early summer, if you live in the warm zone you might consider overseeding your warm-season turf with cool-season grass seed in the fall. The cool-season grass will thrive until the warm-season grass turns green again in the spring, ensuring year-round color.

Aerify. Aerifying your lawn combats soil compaction and thatch buildup and enables water, nutrients and oxygen to reach the grass’s roots more easily. You can hire a professional to aerify your turf for you, or you can rent a core aerator that uses hollow tines to pull up small plugs of soil at regular intervals throughout the lawn. If you’re reseeding, aerify right before you apply the new seed.

Apply fertilizer. Cool-season grass should be fertilized in the fall — even if your lawn looks perfectly healthy and has no bare patches — to promote good root development, enhance the storage of energy reserves and extend color retention. Most of the benefits of fertilization will be seen the next spring and summer, with earlier green-up, improved turf density, greater tolerance to spring diseases and reduced weeds.

Note that new grass and established lawns need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in different proportions. So if you’re reseeding, apply a starter fertilizer at the time of planting and then follow up with a second application, this time using standard fertilizer, four to eight weeks after germination. Your extension office can help you determine which fertilizers are best for your type of grass and local conditions.

Investing a bit of time and effort in fall maintenance will pay off next year, with greener grass earlier in the spring and a thicker, healthier lawn that is ready to stand up to the rigors of summer wear and tear.

2018-08-23T17:39:00

(BPT) – Cool breezes and falling leaves are around the corner, and for many parts of the country those telltale signs of fall signal the best possible season for roofing.

So what makes fall a great time for roof repairs or a full replacement?

1. Perfect weather

The same perfectly cool weather that makes fall a favorite time of year for camping and outdoor activities also makes it a great time for roofing — and not just because it’s more comfortable for the roofer. Asphalt shingles, the most popular form of roofing in the U.S., have an optimum temperature for installation. Keep in mind, the perfect roofing weather of fall can mean busy contractors.

2. Spring and summer storms

The warmth and humidity of the spring and summer months are notorious for spawning severe thunderstorms. Hail can fall any time of the year, but is most common in the spring and summer months, reaching a peak in June in several regions. High winds from spring storms can also uproot trees and snap limbs, both of which can fall on the roof.

“We always recommend homeowners hire a professional to examine their roofs, both for their safety, and to protect their roof,” said Stephen McNally, vice president of sales and marketing for TAMKO Building Products, a major manufacturer of asphalt shingles.

3. Winter is coming

Depending on the area of the country, winter can bring subzero temperatures and up to 10 feet of snow. Freeze-thaw cycles, ice dams and damp weather require the roof to be in top shape to defend against these threats during the winter months. Winter can be a difficult time to roof, so leaks that show up during the winter months can take longer to fix.

“Weather is always a concern — as a contractor, I would never tear more off a roof than what could be re-shingled in one day,” said Rick Taylor, a longtime roofing contractor, now working as an industry sales trainer known as Rick the Roofer. “And if there was more than a 50 percent chance of rain that day, I waited to start the project.”

With the optimal temperatures and weather — and the need to prepare for winter — homeowners will find fall to be a great time for roofing. With a skilled labor shortage already pushing project start dates out weeks or months, homeowners should act quickly to schedule their roof project if they want it completed before winter.

2018-08-21T13:29:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re buying, selling or currently living in and enjoying your home, you know it’s all about curb appeal. Your home’s first impression is how your slice of the American dream looks from the street, which is a reflection of your style, taste and pride in homeownership. Think of your home not only as a place to create lasting memories with your family, but as a blank canvas that you can customize to reflect who you are. If you feel a little lackluster about your home’s outdoor space — overgrown bushes here, unkempt garden there — you can give your front yard a simple makeover, and it doesn’t have to strain your pocketbook.

One of the easiest ways to brighten up your home is with flowers, plants and herbs. They’re inexpensive, beautiful, and can add so much color and life to your front porch with very little cost or effort. You don’t have to be a master gardener worrying about soil pH or planting zones. Just head to your local garden store and check out some container gardens, and you’re on your way.

Container gardens are the perfect, easy way to add color, beauty and life to the front of your home, even if you’re new to gardening.

“I like front porch gardening because it’s fun,” says Jason Langston, director of customer experience for Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance. “My son and I bond over watering the plants in the evening and spending time together outside.”

Some varieties of containers to consider:

* Rail planters. Small planters you can hang directly on your railing are a great way to add flowers to your porch, especially if space is at a premium. Before you buy, measure the width of the railing so you can get the right size planter, and make sure your rail is secure.

* Pot planters. With a variety of shapes, textures, colors and sizes, the sky’s the limit on how you show your style with pot planters. Eyeball your available space before you purchase so you don’t overwhelm your porch or front steps with pots that are too large. Pro tip: add rocks to the bottom for better drainage and a saucer or tray to collect excess water.

* Hanging planters. Another great way to add green to a limited space is to think vertical. You can find a variety of hanging planters that come ready-made with flowers. Add a natural liner like coconut fiber before planting to keep the dirt moisturized. Bonus: no weeds!

So, you’ve got your containers. What do you put in them? Here are some ideas that will brighten up your space in no time:

* Marigolds. The beauty of marigolds for the new gardener is that they’re almost foolproof. These hardy flowers, with colors from orange to mahogany, can stand up to a lot of punishment, from full sun on a hot day to average quality soil. They need six hours of sunlight per day, so they’re perfect for your front steps. Bonus: Marigolds are a natural repellent for many unwanted insects.

* Basil. This versatile herb is one of the easiest herbs to grow and care for. Basil requires plenty of sunlight, so feel free to pop it into the same container as your marigolds. Bonus: Like marigolds, basil is a natural repellent for mosquitoes, and protects other edible plants, like tomatoes.

* Lavender. This beautiful purple flower has a delicate, soothing scent. It’s easy to care for and loves the heat. Plenty of sunlight is a must. It’s the perfect flower for forgetful beginners, because you don’t need to water it very much. Besides brightening up your garden, lavender has myriad uses. Dry it (just place stems on a paper towel and leave them for a few days) and simmer the dried herbs in water with citrus peels for a natural air freshener. Or put dried lavender in a bowl on your nightstand — it has been proven to help with sleep.

* Wave Petunias. Purples, pinks, reds, whites, solids, stripes, dotted — the colors and varieties of petunias are nearly endless, making them a gorgeous addition to your garden. These versatile flowers can take the heat of summer, and they only need a good watering once a week. Another bonus: They’re a natural pesticide and can help repel some beetles, aphids, worms and other pests.

Container gardens are an easy, inexpensive way to boost your home’s curb appeal. All it takes is a trip to your local garden store to begin beautifying your slice of the American dream. When you’re ready to pursue your own American dream, apply online at Vanderbilt Mortgage for a home mortgage and begin shopping for your dream home.

Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., 500 Alcoa Trail Maryville, TN, 865-380-3000, NMLS #1561, (http://nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), AZ Lic. #BK-0902616, Loan made or arranger pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license, GA Residential Mortgage (Lic #6911), Illinois Residential Mortgage License, KS Licensed Mortgage Co. (SL.0000720), Licensed by the NH Banking Department, Mississippi Licensed Mortgage Company, MT Lic. #1561, Licensed by PA Dept. of Banking.

Sponsored Ad Content from Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc.

2018-08-20T07:01:00

(BPT) – There’s always one magical gathering every year that has everyone talking long after it’s over. It’s about getting people together, enjoying good food, music, and cocktails, and creating memories that will linger long after the last guest goes home.

With a little planning and preparation, you can be the one to throw the best party of the year. You can use your backyard long into the fall and early winter season if you take a page from tailgating’s book. Tailgaters know it’s not as easy as simply moving an indoor dinner party outside. Outdoor parties require some special TLC, especially if the weather is a little on the chilly side. Here are some tips for delighting your guests:

Keep the menu simple, but outstanding

Do casual, easy food, with a few surprises. We’re not talking about fussy chateaubriand here. For a group of, say, 20 people, fire up the grill, appoint a grillmaster or two, and do steaks, fish, chicken, kebabs or ribs. For sides, go with a big plate of veggies like peppers, onions, zucchini, asparagus and tomatoes marinated in balsamic vinegar and grilled to perfection, topped with crumbled goat cheese. A big bowl of fruit and you’re good to go. For larger crowds, you can do heavy hors d’oeuvres or go all out and cater it in. A full Southern barbecue with all the trimmings. Book that hot new Jamaican food truck everyone’s buzzing about. For chillier weather, nothing beats a big pot of chili, an Italian feast or a taco bar.

Set the mood with music

Forget lugging your indoor sound system outside. Use a Bluetooth speaker with stellar sound like the LG PK7 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Meridian Audio from LG Electronics USA. This highly portable speaker packs a big punch with 24-bit music quality over a Bluetooth wireless connection. You can even make calls on it, too. Bonus: It is splash proof and touts a 22-hour battery life on a full charge, so there’s no need to worry about using it by the pool or plugging in throughout the day. Just fire up your favorite music apps and start your playlist, because with sound like this, your guests will be wondering if Keith Urban is serenading them live.

Let the weather be your guide

If it’s a balmy night you’ve got no worries, but if the temperature is going to dip a bit, make sure you have outdoor heaters and a fire pit or chimenea to keep your guests warm and toasty. There’s nothing cozier on a dark, chilly night than standing in front of a fire with something warm to drink (hot brandy, anyone?).

Make sure to have a ‘plan b’ if Mother Nature gets really upset you didn’t invite her. A little nip in the air is one thing, sleet is another. Watch the weather in the hours before your guests arrive and be ready to mobilize. This could be a party tent, an empty garage where you can move the tables and still watch the rain, or a different venue you have on speed dial.

Have a signature cocktail

It could be a spritzer with lemon and berries, hot cider with a splash of rum, or something a mixologist creates just for you. Complement that with drink stands in various spots in the yard, with wine, beer and other adult and non-alcoholic beverages. But ban the dreary coolers. Get creative! Fill a wheelbarrow with ice and load it with beer and other bottles. Go on a hunt in your garage or basement for inventive vessels to use. Another tip: stock up on more ice than you think you’ll need. That, you can store in a cooler in the garage.

Create atmosphere with lights

Turn your yard into a midsummer (or fall) night’s dream. Candles everywhere. Hint: Use the ones with battery-powered “flames.” They won’t be affected by wind, and there’s no chance they’ll fall over and catch fire. Hang paper lanterns from tree branches and drape holiday lights on fences. Float water lights in the pool for the ultimate party setting. You’ll create a magical wonderland your guests will want to lose themselves in.

Create seating stations

Whether you’re serving a sit-down dinner, having a buffet or simply cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, your guests are going to need places to sit. Depending on how many people you invite, you can rent tables and chairs from a party rental company, use your outdoor furniture or bring the inside out. The idea is to create spaces for people to sit and talk. On chillier nights, make sure heating elements are nearby and strew lap blankets here and there.

Attend to the little details

Bugs: Make sure you have enough citronella candles to ward off mosquitoes. You may also want to set up a basket containing various kinds of bug spray for your guests. Plates and flatware: You don’t want to use your indoor dishes, but paper plates? Please. Not only are they hum-drum, they clog up landfills. Instead, try eco-friendly, disposable partyware. You can find biodegradable paper plates and cutlery, but why not make a statement with disposable plates made of palm or bamboo? They are recyclable, compostable and gorgeous.

Use these tips to throw the magical party everyone will be talking about all year long.

2018-08-20T07:01:00

(BPT) – Moving to a new home can be an exciting undertaking, a fresh start that brings with it the potential for new friends, opportunities and experiences.

For parents of young children, though, the process of adapting to a new home can be stressful. While you may have been proactive about averting safety hazards in your old house, a move to a new one calls for renewed awareness of anything that could potentially harm your kids. Unfortunately, the National Safety Council advises that more than a third of child injuries and deaths happen at home, with household injuries the No. 1 reason children younger than 3 visit emergency rooms.

Fortunately, conscientious parents can do much to avoid such injuries. Consider these tips for keeping your children safe through the moving process and beyond.

• Be proactive about precautions. Don’t wait until all your belongings are moved in and you’re adding the finishing touches. Instead, evaluate potential safety hazards before the move even begins, buying important tools and fixtures so you can make adjustments early rather than retrofitting. Then, once everything is in place, reevaluate results one more time. “The first step to a safe home … is to look at the world through your baby’s eyes,” writes Laura McHolm in the Huffington Post. “See what looks interesting and what can be reached. And I mean it literally — get down on your hands and knees in your new home and check for small things your baby can choke on.”
• Switch all your blinds to the cordless variety. Kids and cords don’t mix, and the string-like attachments that adjust old-style blinds and other window coverings are strangulation hazards. If the windows of your new home have corded window coverings, replace them immediately with the cordless varieties available at major U.S. retailers. Look for the Best for Kids(TM) label that certifies window coverings that are best suited for young children, finding more info at Windowcoverings.org.
• Separate and secure household chemicals. The moving process can be chaotic, and it’s all too easy to lose track of where movers are placing potentially harmful substances such as cleaning products, medicines, vitamins, alcohol, pet food, paint, gasoline and poisonous plants. That’s why you should deliberately pack anything that could hurt your kids into marked boxes that travel with you in your car, separate from the belongings handled by your movers. Upon arrival, keep those boxes apart and sealed until you’re ready to unpack them into locked cabinets.
• Secure furniture and TVs against tip-overs. As your furniture and heavy electronics are arranged, install safety latches to ensure they can’t inadvertently fall onto young children. Installation will be faster and easier if you label the latches ahead of time.
• Update locks inside and out. When shopping for locks and deadbolts for your new home, seek the BHMA Certified Secure Home(TM) label that ensures your new products have been tested in all the areas of most importance to you and your family: security, durability and finish.
• Install baby gates at staircases. Don’t wait; do this as soon as you arrive on moving day. Children will be curious about their new surroundings, but at the same time unfamiliar with potential hazards.

A move to your new home should be a happy time. Make sure you’re keeping it that way by fully protecting your children as you make the transition.

2018-08-15T10:01:00

(BPT) – –

2018-08-15T08:01:01

(BPT) – As millions of baby boomers reach their golden years, they’re changing the world yet again, this time by driving a booming market in senior-friendly aging-in-place technologies. From simple wearable devices to high-tech monitoring systems, the list of gadgets designed to help aging boomers stay independent is extensive and growing.

Home-based technology tools are a great way to deliver peace of mind to caregivers and family members who want to help an aging parent or grandparent stay safe in their home, and to combat the debilitating isolation that often accompanies growing older.

Here’s a look at a few of the innovative technologies that are revolutionizing aging, and the benefits they provide.

Digital solutions for staying in touch

It’s easy nowadays to take using smartphones or other digital technology for granted. But for many seniors, it has never been an integral part of their lives, meaning they can be left out of the family communications loop. Filling that gap are products like GrandPad, powered by Consumer Cellular. It’s a touchscreen-based tablet with simplified apps that let older users easily make voice or video calls, send and receive email, share photos, stream music and enjoy other recreational activities such as digital games.

GrandPad also offers comprehensive security, operating on a closed private network to guard against online scams, and can be managed by a designated family administrator for added personalization and protection. Plus, it’s offered by Consumer Cellular, a provider with a long history of serving the senior market.

Fall alerts can be lifesavers

Wearable devices that monitor and track health are becoming more popular among all ages. However, for seniors, especially those without a caretaker in the home, they can be lifesaving. With just the press of a button, help can be summoned for a wide range of emergency situations.

The most valuable types of these personal emergency response devices include accurate fall detection; falls are a leading cause of death for adults age 65 and older. Devices can automatically alert 911 or a close family member the moment a fall has been detected. This is especially valuable for aging-in-place situations where stairs are present.

Smarter access to healthcare and medications

As their mobility declines, it may become more difficult for seniors to make it to the doctor’s office. In response, many providers now offer video consultation for those who cannot come in for an appointment. This technology is ideal for those suffering from minor ailments that do not necessarily require an in-person visit.

In addition, for many seniors, medication regimens can become difficult to follow, and the misuse of prescribed medications can lead to negative health consequences. One technology on the rise, especially for those without assistance in the home, is the automated pill counter designed to alert and properly dispense all medications that need to be taken.

In-home tracking for safety

Placing activity sensors throughout the house is becoming a more and more popular way to monitor loved ones who are living unassisted. Sensors can be placed in multiple discreet locations, like doors, cabinets, windows or beds to track movement around the house and report back to a caretaker or family member.

If the sensors haven’t tracked movement in an expected amount of time, alerts can be set up to ensure a designated family member, caretaker or friend is notified to check in on the senior. Tracking and monitoring systems run the gamut from units that are integrated with a full in-home security system, to simple free-standing versions that are less costly and more mobile, but may also be less sensitive.

2018-08-15T07:01:01

(BPT) – According to AARP, 87 percent of adults age 65 or older and 71 percent of those age 50 to 64 want to stay in their current home and community as they age. The message is clear: Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers prefer to “live in place” as they get older. How can you best prepare your home’s bathrooms for the future? Here are 10 tips to enhance any size bathroom with safety and style top of mind.

1. Raise the bathroom sink

Standard sink height is about 30 inches. Taller sinks, like stylish pedestal sinks, offer a more comfortable 35- to 36-inch height, requiring less bending. Plus, they are a space-saving bathroom fixture that makes the bathroom look more roomy. Their classic design lines fit traditional and transitional settings and are ideal for living-in-place upgrades.

2. Replace older faucets

Conventional two-knob twist faucets can be difficult to manage for people with arthritis or decreased flexibility in their hands. Single-handle and lever-style faucets are alternatives that are convenient and easy to use. Check for ADA-compliant faucets that are simple to operate and suitable for guests of various mobility levels and ages.

3. Try a taller toilet

Standard toilets have a bowl height of about 14 to 15 inches. Universal design models are 16 to 17 inches high, which makes sitting down and getting back up less stressful on the body, and also can help prevent falls while using the toilet. Consider a Right Height toilet, like this VorMax Plus model from American Standard, which is taller and ADA-compliant.

4. Look at lighting

Bathroom lighting should provide ample illumination, while minimizing glare and shadows that can hinder depth perception. Waterproof lighting over showers and bathtubs can enhance visibility and safety for when you are climbing in or out of bathing areas. Natural light can also boost well-being and mood. Consider installing a skylight or replacing traditional window panes with options that provide privacy without blocking light, such as glass blocks or frosted glass.

5. Add a bidet seat

As you age, limited dexterity can make it more difficult to maintain personal hygiene. The SpaLet bidet seat from American Standard makes it easy to stay clean every time you use the bathroom. With a gentle, customized water spray, the seat offers the benefits that have made bidets popular around the world. Think about it: Why use paper that can spread germs when a more comfortable and hygienic alternative is available?

6. Limit hot water

For single-handle faucets, be sure to look for a model with a hot limit safety stop, which restricts how far the handle can be pushed toward the hot side. The same thing goes for showers: purchase those with a thermostatic mixing valve that allows the temperature to be preselected. Both of these choices will prevent sudden changes in temperature that can scald the bather, and possibly startle him/her and cause a fall in the tub or shower.

7. Secure the environment

To minimize the risk of falls, install grab bars in showers, above bathtubs and around the toilet to help provide stability. Remove area rugs that may present a tripping threat in the main part of the bathroom. Consider replacing slick surfaces like smooth ceramic tile with slip-resistant flooring that provides a gripping surface, such as textured vinyl or tile.

8. Switch to remote control

For universal design in bathrooms, an ideal addition is a remote-control showerhead. No more reaching for the showerhead, which can be difficult due to mobility or height issues. With the Spectra eTouch showerhead from American Standard, users can conveniently change spray patterns by simply touching the wall-mounted remote control. It offers the ultimate customization with an easy touch of a button.

9. Upgrade to a walk-in bathtub

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that on average more than 350 Americans suffer bathtub- or shower-related injuries every day. Whether it simply be from aging or immobility from an injury or disability, getting in and out of a regular bathtub can be difficult. A great safety option is an easy-to-access walk-in bathtub. They come in several convenient sizes and can be installed in the space of a regular bathtub — even under a window.

10. Consider a walk-in seated shower

Installing a shower base with a durable, molded seat offers a variety of benefits over temporarily removable benches. These permanent seats are a comfortable chair height and allow the user to feel more secure than a movable bench. Consider seated shower models offering a low 3-inch threshold that allows for easy access in and out, with built-in wrap-around grab bars as an additional safety feature. A seating area with a recessed front makes standing or sitting while showering easier.

Upgrading your home to truly live in place is practical and rewarding, and will be for many years to come.