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Things you Need to Know about Dryer Vent Cleaning

Published on May 14, 2020May 17, 2020

When it comes to your home laundry, it needs to be done safely because dryer fires are scary, hazardous to your home and family. Usually, fire breakouts happen in the metallic tube between the wall and the dryer. That is the reason why you need to clean the vent thoroughly. It will also help your dryer to last for many years and operate efficiently.

According to an article published on Nytimes, dryer fires create havoc in almost 2,900 American homes annually as per the data of US Fire Administration. Then, people goof up when cleaning the dryer vent. Here are some of the mistakes you must avoid:

Not remembering to unplug the dryer

Before you start cleaning the dryer vent, always remember to unplug the appliance from the wall electrical socket. Though this may sound too obvious, things that look simple and evident, homeowners often overlook and forget such things easily. Even the small or insignificant mistakes may create havoc, especially dryer fire hazards and electrical shocks.

You should unplug the dryer to avoid electrical shocks during the cleaning process. Again, if you are using gas-powered ones, make sure you turn the gas off to stop leakage.

Wrong tools used

Did you know that small lint fibers could stick to the duct walls and therefore, you need to invest in some equipment, which is safe to use and does the work efficiently?There are products available at $30, which connect with the end of your vacuum and great at sucking up dry debris. Again, you will find equipment costing as low as $17 with proper attachments if you have a long dryer duct to clean. Then, many homeowners use the wrong equipment and that leads to fire hazards. The moral of the story is using safe and first-rate equipment.

Nor checking the duct for any damage

While cleaning it, always look at its surface to determine whether it has any tears or cracks. You need to repair these cracks or tears to make it operate effectively and efficiently. These are simple things to remember and do not require any special skills. In simple words, be attentive and careful while cleaning it.

Bending the dryer duct more than needed

When it comes to dryer ducts, they bend very easily when you’re dealing with the same. Avoid bending it too much. Ensure that the tube does not turn sharply or bend excessively because it would result in crevices in which there would be lint buildup, resulting in breaks. It will not only damage your appliance but also unsafe for use. You can inquiry at airqualitytech.com to learn more about dryer vent cleaning and safety measures.

Cleaning a long vent on your own

It is one of the common mistakes homeowners make. When it comes to some fundamental equipment and DIY job, it is fine for most people using dryers. However, you need to hire a trained professional if the appliance has a long duct. Doing it yourself may damage it as well as pose significant risk for your home and family. A trained expert will do the job at a cost that you can easily afford. Then, why take the risk?

Re-attaching ducts using duct tape

No, you cannot use duct tape to re-attach the duct because it will corrode and wear away when the heat is emitted from your dryer. The best thing to do is to use an aluminum tape that can endure the heat.

If you are unsure, read up on aluminum tape and its beneficial uses because it is imperative for effective dryer performance and safety of your home and family.

Putting the vent into a crawlspace or attic

Did you know that the lint building up in the dryer vent is inflammable? You will find only one spot where the exhaust must go to ensure vent safety, which is outdoors. Get your dryer vent cleaned and crucial tasks such as re-routing the vent to trained professionals. It is safe and more effective than DIY tasks.

Ignoring the moisture sensors

Though it hardly concerns the real vent, then, if the appliance has a moisture sensor, keep it spick and span to let your dryer operate efficiently. You can clean the sensor while you are working on the dryer vent.

As far as the sensor is concerned, it is nothing but a thin metallic bar found on the right side just beneath your dryer door. Make sure you clean the dryer-sheet chemicals, lint, as well as other debris using a ball of cotton and rubbing some alcohol to ensure flawless cleaning.

Not cleaning the vent when required

When you are doing laundry at home and washing loads of clothes, your washer and dryer are being used extensively. It means you need to focus on maintenance, as it’s a task you cannot keep postponing. You need to clean tit deeply once every year thoroughly. There is no excuse or shortcut to the process.

It’s a home chore you need to care about, when necessary. Once a year is enough! We’re not asking you to clean it every three months, but then, keep watch if the vent has accumulated lint and other debris. If you find it, you will need to clean the dryer vent. It is a job you cannot neglect or procrastinate. Cleaning the vent is essential for the safety of your family as well as to ensure the appliance run efficiently.

Final words

Now that you know what mistakes to avoid when cleaning the dryer vent, keep your appliance, home, and family safe from dryer fire hazards. Keep these pointers in mind. It is important to ensure safety when doing laundry to avoid accidents. Use the right appliance, equipment, and adhere to the safety ideas. It will ensure top performance of your dryer without any risk.We hope these ideas prove useful when you schedule your next vent-cleaning job. Make sure you hire a professional to avoid hassles, fire hazards, and accidents. Happy cleaning!

A Guide to Teaching your Kids Fishing in 7 Steps

Published on April 7, 2020April 8, 2020

Kids/Parenting

With the hustles and bustles of daily life, it is important to take time and bond with your kids. One such activity is going outdoors and teaching them to fish. They will not only interact with the environment but also learn about values such as the preparation and patience that comes with fishing.

Our Guide to Teaching Your Kids To Fish

Prepare adequately

As with almost any activity you intend to perform, the planning stage can make all the difference between success and failure. The first thing you will want to ensure is optimal weather for fishing. Kids will better enjoy and learn fishing more enjoyably on a sunny and warm day. However, since fish are sensitive to weather changes, it is advisable to ask around from local fishers about the best time to fish, and the best bait to use. This will assist you in knowing what to carry on your fishing expedition. Even if you do not have experience fishing, it is an easy and fun activity you can undertake by reading some fishing for beginners guides or watching online videos. Furthermore, if you choose a popular fishing spot and you have the right gear, you and your kids can take the opportunity and learn from others.
Location

When teaching your kids how to fish, you want the experience to be both fun and memorable. This means that you do not want them getting so tired that they get bored with fishing. One way to make them enjoy the experience is by choosing a location that is easily accessible. Here are some good safety tips. An ideal location to fish with your kids is along the shore. This means they can distract themselves with other activities such as playing with sand and toys as they learn the craft. You can also motivate them by setting them up for success. This means choosing a location that is known to harbour fish, or where they can see tiny fish swimming. Kids generally do not have the patience to wait for too long without any tangible results. Therefore, setting them up to catch their first fish, even if small, will always be an amazing experience and they will find it fun and look forward to their next catch.

Equipment

When going fishing, the right equipment can mean the difference between a successful or frustrating outing. When choosing equipment, you will need to choose equipment that is specifically built to accommodate the needs of your child. This is because a young child may not be able to grapple with rod and reels designed for adults. You will likely have to invest in shorter small rods, and lighter reels. Click here for some great recommendations on kids fishing poles. This will ensure your kids do not suffer from fatigue, and they are also decorated with appealing characters. This is because when the bait is placed properly, the fish will bite.

Safety

While fishing is a fun activity, you will want to ensure you and your kids are safe. The way to do this is to pack and use life jackets. Even if you will not be fishing while on boats, this is a good angling behaviour to teach your kids. Just like the fishing equipment your child will be using for fishing, the life jacket should also be ideal for the fishing activity. This means that it should fit, be comfortable, and not restrict movement. In addition, it is important to choose steady fishing grounds and also be aware of your surrounding such as rocks that may be a hazard for your child. It is also advisable to fish on calm waters, and make sure they are not inhabited by fish species that may be dangerous or harmful.

Encourage your kids and be patient with them

If you already know how to fish, you may be frustrated at the pace your kids are learning how to do it, or even rather not enjoying it. However, teaching someone to fish can take time. The best way to get your kids interested in fishing is slowly easing them into the activity. Plan short fishing trips of an hour and less, and slowly increase the duration as they get interested in fishing. You should also take breaks when fishing to enjoy snacks as you foster the observation skills of your kids. You should be prepared for your child to make mistakes such as tangles, snags and backlashes when fishing. These mistakes are normal, and instead of showing frustration, encourage your kids and teach them it is normal part of learning. You should also encourage your child to talk about the experience you had with other family members as well as reeling about the pictures you took while fishing.

Make sure you are legal

Some areas may require a license to fish. On the other hand, there are some species of fish that you are not allowed to catch. It is important to check if you have the correct and make sure you follow the laid down procedures. While you are fishing, you will also need to adhere to proper environmental practices. By doing this, your kids will learn the importance of keeping the environment clean.

Have fun

When going fishing with your kids, you will need to set your priorities on what you want to achieve. Even if you are teaching them how to fish, you can also use this opportunity to have fun and bond with each other. Since there are many books and videos about fish, you can spend time looking at them and telling the difference between the various species. This will raise their curiosity and they will most likely be more eager and excited about your next fishing trip. The most important thing is to ensure your kids have fun, enjoy the experience, and get to learn a thing or two about fishing.

As we have seen, fishing can be a fun activity for your young ones if you do it right. It provides an avenue to have fun, bond and learn something about fishing. By doing it the right way, your kids will get to enjoy this activity, and they may even take it seriously in the future.

Guide For First-Time Paintball Players 2020

Published on March 13, 2020

Sport

If you are a sports-inclined individual, you might have already heard about the game paintball.

You might also have an idea of how it is played and slightly knowledgeable about it as well. But for those who just heard about it, but don’t know how it’s played, it might pay off to learn a thing or two about this booming recreational activity.

We have laid out what are the things you need to prepare before playing the game, the basic techniques on how to play the sport, what are the rules to follow, and some other facts about paintball. Take a read!

The Preparation

Just like any other game, playing paintball does require some preparation. It will not need you to be as sporty as an athlete, but you should be physically fit to engage with the activity.

Playing paintball is not as physical compared to basketball, soccer, and other sports alike though it is required for you to be healthy and ready on the game day.

There are paintball drills that can help you warm-up for the game day. You can do the basic jogging and sprint for agility and endurance, cone drills to exercise your legs, and some squats to strengthen your lower back muscles.

All these exercises are helpful before you finally engage with the game. This is also to prevent over-extension of your muscles and prevents cramps and sore muscles after the game.

The Equipment Needed

If you already know paintball, it is highly similar to airsoft and other shooting-related sports. The game requires you to carry a weapon; in this case, it is in the form of a gun, which is called a paintball marker or a paintball gun.

Since every paintball field is different, some players are required to wear different protective gear and suits. There is this Ghillie Suit that makes you disappear in the field due to its camouflage effect.

Some paintball fields even allow players to use equipment such as mortars, grenades, and cannons. All these pieces of equipment make the game more exciting, challenging, and fun.

Check out the website alternativepaintball.com if you are interested in gearing up your team with this equipment. They have the latest gears and equipment for paintball that can improve your team play. The site also provides supplementary information about the sport and teaches you to come up with effective strategies on how to win.

The Outfit

Paintball is not that different from other sports as it also requires proper outfit during the game day. Technically, you don’t expect players to be wearing shorts or dresses during the game.

Wearing comfortable clothes like stretchable jeans and sweatshirts or dri-fit pants and shirts is a good choice. It is also necessary to emphasize that wearing your favorite shirts or pants during the game day is not highly advisable.

Though paintballs don’t really stain your clothes but not in all cases, remember that every paintball field or area you book to have a paintball match is different from each other. Thus, it is suggested that you wear something you don’t mind having a permanent stain or mark on.

The Safety

In all types of sports, safety rules and other precautionary measures are stated before the game starts. Some paintball fields play a full-length video of safety instructions and overview.

It is essential to listen and watch the video and take it seriously. Though paintball is not relatively harmful, it is still best to observe safety measures at all times.

Safety equipment and gears like masks or the googles is considered the most crucial gear you need to wear. DO NOT TAKE OFF YOUR MASK DURING THE GAME. It is imperative to emphasize this instruction as it will lead to any incident you don’t like to happen. Alert the referee if your mask falls off, or you need to adjust it accordingly. Playing without your mask on is prohibited as well.

The Rules

In every paintball field, there is also a different set of rules that binds the players; however, there are general ones that are implemented and followed by many paintball fields.

1. Never shoot someone with a mark

When your opponent is already marked, you are not allowed to reshoot him/her. Once the referee recognized that they are being shot or marked on the field, they are automatically out of the game.

2. Do not overshoot your opponent

Hitting your opponent once is good, twice for accuracy, but hitting them thrice is just too much. Paintball doesn’t hurt that much, but when you try to overshoot someone, it will indicate a lousy notion on you as a player.

3. Shoot and aim with the purpose of not hurting someone

Shooting at a close distance is allowed in some paintball fields, some don’t apply the 10 feet ruling. The rule states you cannot shoot someone within the 10 feet distance and ask them to surrender instead.

But since other paintball fields allow shooting at a close range, try not to aim in areas that hurt your opponent. Aiming at the back of the head, groin, and legs is dangerous. You can shoot the mask, shoes, and back at a close range- it is safe to hit those areas.

4. Always play fair

Calling out yourself is a responsible move as an honest and fair player. If you are marked without being recognized by the referee, calling out yourself is admired by your co-players. Do not try rubbing it off. Always try to play fair and enjoy the game.

Takeaway

Paintball is a fun and enjoyable game that is already earning some recognition this early. Playing for the first time should be an enjoyable moment for everyone by playing it fair and always being a sport. Following the rules and the safety speech will also help you enjoy the game even more. Always remember that being honest and fair is admired by many, even in a game. Have a fun paintball match up with your family and friends.

5 Tarp Hacks That Will Improve Your Camping Experience

Published on July 29, 2019

Tips/Travel

Camping philosophies vary widely, from the minimalist outdoorsmen who require nothing but a backpack to glamping fanatics who prefer to create a luxury experience in the woods. Whatever your preference is, though, there are a few things you shouldn’t venture forth without, and a tarp is one of the most important. They’re inexpensive, lightweight, and most of all you can use them in dozens of different ways. If you’re planning a camping trip in the near future, check out these 5 tarp hacks – they may just change the way you camp.

Build A Wind Barrier

Whether you’re trying to keep a fire blazing or just feeling a chill in your tent, it can be useful to have a way to block out wind while camping, and tarps offer the perfect solution. Bring along a few and hang them between trees to create a wind barrier at your site. You can even surround the site on all four sides for greater privacy and warmth, especially in the evenings.

Shade Yourself From Sun

Some people like to wake up early while camping, but for others, this is a vacation and that means sleeping late. So what should you do if the sun is waking you up to early? While you could place a space blanket over your tent to block out the light, a tarp may be more effective – and it will provide an added barrier if it starts raining. You can also rig up a tarp between trees to create a shady lean-to while out exploring.

Protect Your Tent

When you set up your tent, you should always look for a flat area free of debris so that you’re not forced to sleep on rocks and twigs. If you can’t find a clear spot, though, or you’re just worried about your tent’s integrity, consider putting a heavy-duty tarp down under your tent. According to ecanopy.com, vinyl tarps are tear and abrasion-resistant, so opt for one of those when placing a tent, rather than a poly or canvas tarp, which is more likely to rip and leave your tent base vulnerable to damage.

Tie It Right

Most of the time you’ll only need one tarp, whether you’re covering your tent, keeping your gear dry, or even quickly assembling an emergency tent. What if you want to gather a big group of friends in a shady spot, though? Rather than buying an expensive shade tent for your party or barbecue, grab a bunch of tarps and connect them using tie-downs to create a huge shade panel. You can then suspend your tarps from the surrounding trees to create an inexpensive and expansive gathering space.

All Fun And Games

One of the best parts of camping is having an opportunity to play like you’re a kid again – and all you need to create an epic grownup slip and slide is a tarp. Just lay out your tarp, get it wet and give yourself a running start. Ideally, you can even set up your DIY slide to end in the nearest lake or watering hole. You may have outgrown the classic slip and slide, but there’s no reason you can’t still enjoy the fun.

Tarps may not be the most interesting piece of camping equipment, but they’re undeniably one of the most useful items you can pack. As you get ready for your next camping trip, then, grab a few. They won’t make much of a dent in your budget or your backpack, but they’ll completely transform your camping experience.