Search results for: “style”

  • Top 5 Common Mistakes Made When Upgrading The Living Room

    Top 5 Common Mistakes Made When Upgrading The Living Room

    When designing a dream house there a lot of things to keep in mind so it turns out as it was pictured. Every room should be compatible with the next and details should be taken care of to avoid any mishaps that might require a shift or repair later, especially the living area. This is usually the case when we want to make some changes to the existing décor.

    Here are top 5 common mistakes made when upgrading the living room.  

    Sofa color

    Tone and color issues

    It all starts with the color. The ideal color choice can brighten up a tiny room and make it look a lot bigger than its actual size and similarly too dark of a tone for all of the walls will make a big room look quite small and create an uncomfortable vibe. If you plan on changing the living room color scheme, opt in for shades that are compatible with the rest of the house and compliments the overall theme. Lighter shades tend to reflect light while darker tones generally require more lighting. If you can’t choose between various color combinations, go for wallpaper instead.

    Not efficiently utilizing available room space

    living-room

    We usually pay more attention to the master bedroom or the kitchen but when it comes to the living area, our focus tends to be on the lower side and the room ends up looking like an entirely different portion of the house. One of the most commonly made mistakes is failing to understand the spaciousness of the living room and how much furniture and decorative material it can hold onto. A living room is usually meant to accommodate more people, including extended family members, friends and guests and so it should be designed and layered in a supportive manner.

    Improper furniture size and décor

    living-room

    Furniture size is crucial as a sofa too big or a coffee table too small can result in an unpleasant transformation. Every nook and corner should be taken in consideration for proper sized furniture choice and placement accordingly. Also, décor items such as antiques, small statues or fancy glassware should be wisely chosen in accordance with the ambiance and theme of the room and too much or too little of it should be avoided at all costs. The key is to spend on the right commodities.  

    Too much or too little lighting

    If your living room has access to natural lighting then it’s only beneficial to take advantage of it. A mistake often made in this department is by placing bulky furniture right in front of the curtains which blocks natural light access and in return, you spend on expensive lamps and ceiling lights. Letting in natural light will not only soothe one’s mood but also save on those electricity bills. But if your living room is somewhere in the center of the house, then it is important to spend on sufficient lighting for better visibility and ambiance. Check out House Tipster for some neat ideas and décor tips.  

    Not layering wisely

    There is so much that can go into one room. When it comes to the living room, the first few things that come to mind are:

    • A sofa, usually separate seats or an L-shape   
    • A fancy coffee table   ·Vases or glassware ·
    • Rugs and upholstery    ·

    Lighting

    It is common for all of these to be either mismatched or disproportioned, making the living area look like a showroom. To avoid this mistake, the overall layout of the room needs to be studied and then organized in a way so that everything blends in really well.   

    By paying attention to detail and taking some expert advice, these commonly made errors can be avoided and creating a beautiful, well-decorated living room with a pleasant interior won’t be much of a hassle.

     

  • Roles of a skilled carpenter that you might not be aware of

    Roles of a skilled carpenter that you might not be aware of

    When you think about a carpenter, the first thing that usually comes to mind is someone who builds things out of wood.

    Image by CentrArredo from Pixabay

    You may picture a hammer and nails, timber framed windows, or a new house. While a skilled carpenter can build a home from the ground up, many details of the carpentry trade are overlooked or thetaken for granted. Here are a few of the many knacks you might not have realized a carpenter possesses along with an explanation of how this could help you with your own home improvement project.

    When you think about a carpenter, the first thing that usually comes to mind is someone who builds things out of wood. You may picture a hammer and nails, timber-framed windows, or a new house. While a skilled carpenter can build a home from the ground up, many details of the carpentry trade are overlooked or taken for granted. Here are a few of the many knacks you might not have realized a carpenter possesses along with an explanation of how this could help you with your own home improvement project before is necessary hiring a carpenter near me.

    • Understanding Red Tape

    Image by Graham Hobster from Pixabay

    While the profession of a carpenter is often seen as simply building things, a significant amount of legal knowledge is needed before a project can even be started. Carpenters must understand the complex system of building codes and permits at the state and local levels before they can begin creating. Meetings with town planners or building inspectors are often on the agenda before a project can begin. The entire process, from pre-planning to completion, is something a skilled carpenter needs to be adept at.

    Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

    For more experienced carpenters they may also be able to project manage any home improvement that you are having done, whilst they might not be a specialist in every field themselves they will know the tradesmen that are. Often carpenters can project manage builders, electricians and plumbers to give you a complete package when it comes to a renovation or extension.

    • Reading Blueprints

    Reading Blueprints and drawings comprise a large part of the planning involved in carpentry. A project can have multiple prints from various angles and is essentially a language all on its own. Skilled carpenters understand two-dimensional plans and are able to convert them into three-dimensional objects. Blueprints also help them understand the layout and installation of the project in order to estimate the time and costs involved.

    Image by Lutz Peter from Pixabay

    For many carpenters the blueprints serve as a rough guide to the homeowner of how something will look when complete. A lot of time, effort and materials are invested in creating wooden structures such as staircases, windows, fitted furniture and kitchen cabinets it’s good to let the home owner get a taster of what’s to come. When a home owner see’s the plans laid in-front of them it gives them the opportunity to change their mind and prevents the need for duplicate work or even starting again.

    • Kitchen Design and Customization

    Image by TwinBerry_Yuii from Pixabay

    The scope of a skilled carpenters work goes beyond the initial building of a structure to encompass finishing elements like cabinetry and custom woodworking details found in handmade fitted kitchens which is just one where the talents of a skilled carpenter are highlighted. As the most used room in the house, durability, and usability are important. A skilled carpenter, however, can create cabinetry to your own specifications with an array of materials. In older homes where construction is not perfectly square, a carpenter can design, build and install cabinetry that will blend perfectly. If maximizing storage space is important, they can alter measurements to your specifications. Positioning and installing details like decorative moulding and other distinctive elements are tasks that a skilled carpenter excels in.

    A skilled carpenter will be knowledgeable in all facets of construction, from major building projects to the smallest finish details. Surprisingly, what might appear to be a rather ordinary trade requires a substantial amount of know-how and training.

  • Cleaning your cleaning supplies

    Cleaning your cleaning supplies

    When it comes to cleaning your home and trying to achieve the most out of the cleaning chores, you cannot do it without paying close attention to your cleaning tools and supplies. It may seem a little counterintuitive, but the fact is cleaning equipment needs cleaning too. In order for your supplies to be put in their best use and perform effectively, they need to be cleaned and disinfected, just like everything else.

    A lot of people ignore this action and only take upon cleaning their supplies in mid-use time, which brings up discomfort and additional effort. By cleaning regularly and replacing your cleaning materials you will achieve better end-cleaning results when doing chores and increase the life of your supplies.

    Tool cleaning:


    – Mop

    One of our most favourite and helpful companions is with the household chores is the mop. We recommend a cotton mop, as it is more efficient and does not need to be replaces as fast the sponge broom one. Because there are different types of mops, you will use different methods to clean and sanitize it to utilize its performance around the house. The mob is an item that collects a lot of dirt, but also cannot help but keep some in the process.

    To clean your mob rinse it good with water first to eliminate the bigger dirt particles and debris. You can, either throw the mop head in the washing machine, and wash with warm water, or you can create your own cleaning mixture in a bucket, by adding equal parts of water and white vinegar into the bucket. Let it sit in the solution for at least an hour, rinse it out with water and then lay it out to dry.

    – Broom


    Who doesn’t keep a broom in the house? The broom is a must-have in every household, as it is very easy and convenient to use. Its use prevents the collection of dirt and dust on the floor surfaces, even helps take the cobwebs down. It is only understandable that it needs refreshing too. To ensure your broom is kept well-cleaned and sanitized we suggest the following cleaning methods.

    To help the broom loose the larger dirt debris you ought to beat it up against a wall or hold up the spade in one hand and broom in another, beat it against each other gently to dislodge any dirt and dust particles in there.

    Soaking your broom in a solution of warm water and dish soap and letting it soak for an hour, is a nice way to disinfect it and help loosen some the dirt, but you should avoid using this cleaning method if your broom is made of straws, as it may damage the broom’s bristles.

    – Vacuum


    We couldn’t have left to mention the vacuum. Such a big part of almost everybody’s house cleaning after tenancy routine. If it wasn’t for the vacuum’s efficient use, we would be so much more worried over spilling and collecting dirt, as well as dust. To keep your vacuum doing its job properly you will have to clean the bag or the canister of the vacuum very often. Vacuums with canister should be cleaned out after every use, to prevent germ infestations and smells. Vacuums that use bags should emptied when full and wiped from the inside to prevent the collection and piling of dust. Shake the bag for some time before wiping it down to loosen and get most of the dirt out.

    The vacuum filter as well as the vacuum’s attachments should also be cleaned regularly. As very important features of the vacuum they deserve the proper care in order for the vacuum to function and perform better.

    Running the filter through warm water every 2-3 months will do the job, but you have to let it dry out nicely before putting back in.

    Clean up all the vacuum features and attachments with warm, soapy water, after which rinse them good and let them dry outside for at least 1 day before attacking them back.

    – Brushes, sponges and towels

    We use all kinds of brushes to do our bidding and clean up after our messes, and it is only fair to pay them respect by refreshing them from time to time. Gather all your brushes and try to pick out the stuck hair and dirt debris from them, then create a solution of water and a good disinfectant and put them in to soak for at least an hour. For your dish sponges you need to rinse them out thoroughly and while still wet you can put them in the microwave for 2 minutes tops.

    All bacteria should be dead under the effect of the appliance, rinse and resume using the sponge. As for your towels and rags, simply pick a laundry day only for your cleaning towels and rags and wash them together. Lay them out to dry and reuse!

  • OSHA and the 10 Most Frequently Cited Construction Violations

    OSHA and the 10 Most Frequently Cited Construction Violations

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is responsible for setting safety standards in the workplace for different industries. This includes the construction industry.

    As part of its mission, OSHA also deals with violations of standards the agency establishes. In addition, it’s compliance efforts include citing workplace violations and workplace injuries in the construction industry.

    There are OSHA training programs that are created to increase employees’ awareness and understanding of workplace and workplace hazards so that they’re able to prevent workplace accidents as much as possible.

    Fall Protection – General Requirements

    The number one most common workplace violation in the construction industry is the failure of an employer in the construction industry to satisfy the general requirements established by agency standards to protect against fall. In simply terms employers in the construction industry who violate standards associated with fall protection general requirements are failing to meet some relatively basic, essential requirements to keep workers safe.

    Scaffolding

    Scaffolding incidents represent some of the most common types of accidents in the construction industry. The most prevalent types of scaffolding accident include scaffold collapse, scaffold falls, and injuries caused by materials falling from a scaffold.

    The violations that most commonly are associated with scaffold construction violations include improper assembly of scaffolding and incomplete training of workers who utilize scaffolding. Keep in mind a significant majority of construction workers must utilize scaffolding in the completion of their assigned work tasks.

    Ladders

    The third most frequently cited construction violation involves the use of ladders. These violations typically arise from inadequate training, inappropriate ladder placement, improper demarcation of a work zone involving a ladder, and improper use of a ladder (which can include placing items on a ladder in a manner that creates a hazard).

    Fall Protection – Training

    Falls are common underlying causes of injuries in the construction industry. This includes falls from ladders, falls from scaffolding, slip and fall incidents, and other types of situations in which a worker falls.

    The fourth most common cited OSHA violation in the construction industry arises from inadequate training associated with fall protection. Examples of inadequate fall protection training include improper instruction on scaffolding and ladder use as well as incomplete training associated with hazards that can cause slip and fall incidents, including remediating spills in the workplace.

    Eye and Face Protection

    The fifth most common OSHA construction site violation is the failure to provide or have workers utilize proper eye and face protection. Oftentimes, appropriate eye and face protection is available at a construction site. However, site managers fail to appropriately require workers to utilize this vital protection, even in situations in which it clearly is required.

    Hazard Communication

    Yet another frequently cited construction site violation by OSHA involves issues with hazard communication. This is a rather broad category that includes issues like failure to properly identify hazardous materials, substances, and conditions. It can also include improper protocols for announcing to workers the existence of a hazardous situation or condition at a worksite.

    Head Protection

    The seventh most common construction industry violation cited by OSHA involves head protection issues. This type of violation runs the gambit from permitting visitors on a worksite without proper head protection to allowing workers to be on site without suitable head protection in place. Traumatic brain injury is a major type of injury arising from accidents at construction worksites. Many of these injuries would be prevented if workers (and site managers) followed OSHA head protection standards on a consistent basis.

    Aerial Lifts

    On the list of the 10 most frequently cited construction violations involves improper aerial lifts. Improper aerial lift issues can involve equipment, materials, and ever worksite personnel. In addition, it can involve third parties unassociated with a construction project who are injured due to an inappropriate aerial lift of some sort.

    General Safety and Health Provisions

    Yet another of the top 10 most frequently cited construction violations involves a lapse in the application of general safety and health provisions of OSHA standards. These citations come on a variety of forms and encompass an array of more general safety and health issues that can arise at a construction site.

    Fall Protection – Systems Criteria and Practices

    Finally, the tenth most common construction site OSHA cited violation involves fall protection. This type of citation is issued in response to failures in regard to fall protection practices, protocols, and associated system criteria. Beginning in 2018, OSHA is placing even a more significant emphasis on enforcing standards related to all types of falls at a construction site.

    The types of issues on the top 10 list giving rise to OSHA citations typically remain on somewhere on the listing from one year to another. There are changes in specific position on the list, however.

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    Jessica Kane writes for Advance Online, a leading provider of web-based OSHA. DOT. and HAZWOPER training. 

  • Protecting Your Home: Understanding Home Invasion Statistics

    Protecting Your Home: Understanding Home Invasion Statistics

    Home invasion represents one of the most serious crimes in the United States at this juncture in time. In order to ensure that you have the best security at your residence, you need to understand the basics of home invasion.

    Definition of Home 

    A home invasion occurs when a person enters or remains unlawfully in a residence with the intention of committing a crime. The invasion of a home to commit a crime is considered a violent crime itself. If a person enters a home without permission believing it is unoccupied and encounters a resident in the premises, that is still considered a home invasion

    Basic Home Invasion Statistics

    In four out or 10 home invasions, the offender is unknown to the homeowner or anyone else in the residence. The balance of home invasions are perpetrated by an offender who a resident of the home knows in some manner.

    The majority of home invasions happen through a home’s front door. This is the case even when there exist more convenient, easier ways in which the perpetrator could have entered the premises. As will be discussed in a moment, this reality underscores the need to have a strong front door, like one that includes iron in its design.

    Home invasions have been on the increase in the past decade. That trend is expected to continue into the future.

    The most commonly targeted household for a home invasion in the U.S.A. is one where a single parent resides with children. A typical home invader either knows the occupants of a residence in some manner or spends time staking out the premises to ascertain who resides in the home.

    38 percent of all assaults reported to law enforcement officials occur as part of a home invasion. 60 percent of rapes occur during a home invasion. 20 percent of all Americans will become the victim of home invasion at some juncture in their lives.

    There at almost 4 million residential burglaries annually in the United States. Of that number, between 7 and 10 percent result in some type of violence perpetrated on the residents. The burglary rate is lower for higher income households. One of the reasons this is the case is because these residences tend to have better security, including an iron front door and an alarm system. The most common type of home invasion occurs with a mobile home.

    Statistics Regarding Home Security and Home Invasion

    As mentioned a moment ago, the front door is the means through which a majority of home invaders gain access to a residence. With this in mind, it is important to understand that a home invader can purchase what are known as bump keys. These keys can be purchased online for less than $20. The typical bump key is capable of unlocking nine out of every 10 standard residential home doors.

    No traditional residential lock is considered to be bump proof. Oftentimes, when a bump key is utilized, an insurance company will deny a claim for losses contending there was no evidence of forced entry.

    In about 20 percent of home invasions, a resident of the property voluntarily let the offender into the home. This is because the offender was known to the resident or the resident was somehow convinced that there was no danger in letter an unknown person into the home, for one reason or another.

    Upwards to 60 percent of potential home invaders are known to avoid residences that appear to have security systems. These offenders maintain that one of the surest signs that a residential property has a comprehensive security system is the presence of an iron front door.

    Boosting Home Security with an Iron Front Door

    A step that a homeowner should consider taking to lessen the risk of home invasion is the installation of an iron front door. As mentioned previously, the mere presence of an iron front door. Offenders have stated to law enforcement after capture that they avoid homes that have an iron front door.

    There are two reasons why this is the case. First, an iron front door is much more difficult to penetrate than is the case with a traditional one. Second, an iron front door is indicative of a homeowner who will utilize other security protocols at the residence as well.

    There exists an array of different types and styles of iron front doors. These doors not only provide powerful security but can enhance the overall look and appearance of a residence as well.

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    Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Abby Iron Doors. Abby Iron Doors specialize in designing and manufacturing wrought iron entry doors, wine cellar doors, windows and balconies for residential and commercial customers.

  • Solar Powered Rail Systems

    Solar Powered Rail Systems

    The use of solar power has been on a relatively sharp increase over the course of the past 30 years. There are number of primary reasons why solar energy is being more widely utilized in recent times.

    First, the cost of technology associated with solar energy has dropped dramatically in recent years. Indeed, in the past five years, the costs associated with new solar energy resources has made the installation of this type of equipment cheaper than any other more commonly utilized power alternative.

    Second, the cost associated with using solar energy is cheap. Once the initial installation of solar energy equipment is completed, the collection of solar power to create electricity is cheaper that other energy generation technologies.

    Third, solar power is becoming more widely used as individuals in the U.S.A. and elsewhere around the globe are becoming more environmentally conscious. An ever increasing number of people want to take at least some steps to “green” the manner in which they live. On key way of doing this is by lessening reliance of fossil fuels.

    Finally, solar power is in growing demand because it is considered a safe energy resource. The same cannot always be sad of different energy resources, like nuclear power.

    One area in which the use of solar energy is becoming more widely utilized is in regard to rail systems. This includes light rail systems most commonly associated with public transport.

    Fully Solar Powered Railways

    The utilization of solar power to propel or run railway cars is in its infancy. Nonetheless, there are some locations around the world in which solar energy is being utilized to propel railway cars.

    An example of this type of utilization of solar energy in regard to a railway is found outside Budapest. In this location a solar powered railcar, called Vili, is in used. The railcar reaches a maximum speed of just under 16 miles per hour. The railcar is powered by 9.9m2 of PV panels. Beyond the onboard panels, off-board panels are also utilized to enhance the available electrical power for the railcar. The railcar is designed so that electricity is stored in on-board batteries.

    Solar energy is also being tested on railcars in Italy. The testing in this country involves not only railcars but trams and trolleybuses as well.

    Supplemental Energy for Onboard Functions

    In addition to utilizing solar energy to power railcars, it is also being utilized for onboard functions. In other words, rather that solar energy being used to propel railcars (and similar vehicles), it is being utilized to power onboard equipment and devices.

    For example, solar energy is being used to power such things as GPS devices. This not only does provide the benefits of solar energy on a smaller scale, it also works to improve such things as overall fleet management and efficiency. Other examples of how solar energy is being utilized in rail systems, short of propulsion, include video monitoring, remote control systems, and electric locks.

    Expansion Projects Involving Solar Energy

    An example of an expansion project in which solar energy is being incorporated into a rail system can be found in Geneva. In Geneva, the project started by injecting 600 volts DC generated by solar power directly into the tram and trolleybus electricity network or grid. This aspect of the project commenced in 1993.

    At the end of 2017, a fully solar powered train was launched in Australia, in New South Wales. The Australian train utilizes onboard solar panels together with onboard rechargeable batteries. There are limitations to this project at this time. The train is capable of carrying 100 passengers less than a couple of miles.

    In London, the Renewable Traction Power project was announced fairly recently. This project is designed to investigate the use of track-side solar panels as a means to power trains.

    In India, an announcement was made of a new goal to utilized onboard solar panels to operate air conditioning systems in railcars. The objective of this utilization of solar power is to reduce the use of diesel fuel by 24,000 gallons per train annually. The objective is to additionally reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 239 tons each year as well.

    As has been the case with different alternative energy options, the United States has been lagging behind what is occurring in other countries. With that said, in the past decade, there has been an uptick in research and the utilization of alternative energy resources in the United States, both in the public and private sectors.

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    Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Federal Steel Supply, Inc., a leading steel tubing suppliers of carbon, alloy and stainless steel pipe, tubes, fittings and flanges.

  • Indoor Gardening Tips, Ideas & Techniques

    Indoor Gardening Tips, Ideas & Techniques

    Understanding Light Requirements When Gardening Indoors

    One of the tricky aspects of indoor gardening is making certain that your plants obtain an appropriate amount of light. The starting point to ensure that your plants do receive appropriate light when being grown indoors is to understand what really is meant by the light directives that are included on plant boxes and seed packets when you purchase them.

    “Direct light” means that a plant requires six or more hours of bright sunshine daily. The sunshine needs to hit the plant head-on.

    “Moderate light” means that a plant needs bright and direct (or head-on) sunlight a part of the day. This translates to direct sunlight for about four hours a day.

    “Indirect light” means that a plant must be kept away from direct sunlight — always. The plant needs only what can best be described as ambient light.

    “Low light” means that a plant needs no direct sunshine, and little ambient light as well. This type of plant would be ideally suited indoors, and even in a room that gets little to no sun.

    When you are contemplating an indoor garden of some type, keep in mind that windows that face north receive little sunlight. On the other hand, windows that face south typically receive sunshine for much of the day. Both western and eastern facing windows usually are sunny for part of the day.

    In the final analysis, when it comes to natural light for your indoor garden, you need to observe what really is going on in your home. While the information presented in this article sets forth what generally occurs in regard to light from different vantage points, there can be things that obstruct the light that actually comes through and into your home.

    Depending on the availability of light, and the location of your indoor plants, you may need to supplement natural sunshine with some sort of artificial light. Supplementing natural light is vital to ensure the optimal health of your plants when gardening indoors.

    Watering Your Indoor Garden

    Watering your indoor garden represents another challenge you need to address in a methodical manner. In the grand scheme of things, there is no way in which you can be provided a hard and fast guideline regarding when and how much to water your indoor garden.

    The specifics associated with your residence, include available sunlight and heat, dictate how often you need to water your indoor garden. There are some tactics you can utilize to maintain an appropriate level of moisture for your indoor garden.

    If a tag states you need to water steadily or evenly, you should water whenever the surface is dry to touch. If a tad indicates to water moderately, allow the top of inch of the soil to dry out between watering.

    The key to maintaining healthy plants is to avoid overwatering. Overwatering is one of the most common causes of damaging plants, both outdoors and indoors.

    Selecting the Container

    Selecting a container is also an important part of indoor gardening. If you are replanting a plant, ideally use a container that is the same size as the one that the plant came in. If you select a container that is larger, you run the risk of the soil holding too much water, which will result in damage to the roots, specifically root rot.

    Keep in mind that no matter what type of container you select, you need to make certain that it properly drains. Again, root rot tends to be the biggest issue when it comes to the selection of an inadequate container for an indoor garden.

    Tips for Repotting Plants in an Indoor Garden

    Before repotting a plant, water thoroughly. This may seem counterintuitive. However, watering thoroughly aids in holding the roots together appropriately during the replanting process.

    You also need to make certain that you fill in the roots with fresh potting soil. You can use a pencil, or even a chopstick, to ensure that the soil is fully tamped down about the roots. In addition, leave about a quarter inch of space between the rim of the pot and the top of the soil. Taking this step works to ensure that water is held at the top and then more slowly soaks in a thorough manner to moisten the soil and fully water the roots.

    By following these tips and techniques, you will have a healthy indoor garden. You will have an indoor garden that will make you proud and will be a showpiece in your residence.

  • 10 Solid Signs that Your Family is Ready for a Pet

    10 Solid Signs that Your Family is Ready for a Pet

    There is not one set of hard and fast rules that dictate when all families are ready for a pet. Rather, these exists a set of 10 solid considerations you need to examine individually to ascertain whether the time has come for your family to welcome a pet into its midst.

    Your Child Appears Comfortable Around Animals

    A common mistake people make when deciding to get a pet is to maintain getting a pet will “cure” a child’s fear of animals. That most definitely is putting the cart before the horse.

    The proper course is to ensure that your child appears comfortable around animals before you introduce a pet into your home. The reality is that a fearful child is more apt to make mistakes around a pet. In addition, a pet oftentimes can feel a child’s fear and may respond to it in a negative manner.

    Your Child Respects Animals

    Before you bring a pet home, you need to be absolutely certain that your child has a healthy respect for animals. This includes having a keen understanding of when and how pets should be touched. A child needs to have a level of self control sufficient enough to understand when a pet must be left alone.

    Your Child Does Chores

    Another sign that the time may be right to add a pet to your family is after your child demonstrates a willingness and commitment to do chores and assigned tasks in the household. The fact that your child is doing chores is indicative that he or she may also be at point where he or she readily will partake in pet care.

    Your Child Brushes Teeth Without Reminders

    This might not sound like a major deal, but if your child has reached the juncture where he or she brushes teeth without reminders, he or she may be at the point at which assisting in the care of a pet is a reasonable, realistic expectation.

    Your Child is Committed to Having a Pet

    You need to make certain that your child’s desire to have a pet is not some sort of passing fad or desire. Your child needs to understand that brining a pet into the home is a long term commitment. A pet is not something that can be returned when caring for the companion animal feels a bit like a chore.

    Your Child Wants a Pet that is a Good Fit with the Family

    Your child needs to have reached a point in his or her own like at which he or she recognizes that not all animals are a good fit for your family. A consideration that the time has arrived when your family is ready for a pet is when your child has made this realization that only certain pets will fit with your family’s situation. For example, dogs require a greater time investment than do cats.

    Your Child Has Appropriate Energy

    Depending on the type of pet being considered, your child will need to have an appropriate amount of energy to care for and play with the pet. For example, a dog needs to be played with, even walked. Your child needs to have the energy to undertake these tasks, even after a day at school or after being involved in other types of activities.

    Test the Idea of Pet Ownership

    Before diving into pet ownership head first, your family might want to consider giving it something of a dry run. For example, if your family is thinking of getting a dog, spend some time dog sitting. Cat sitting doesn’t really work because the slightest change to a cat’s environment can alter the animal’s normal patterns of behavior.

    Everyone is on Board

    In the final analysis, you need to make sure the entire family is on board. If there is someone in your family that has strong, sincere, and reasonable concerns about bringing a pet into the household at this time, their feelings need to be considered and respected.

    Parents Need to be Ready to Take on Responsibility

    Even if your child shows clear signs that he or she is ready to take care of a pet, you need to be prepared to assume full responsibility if your child falters in this regard after a pet comes into your home. In the end, you have to assume that you will end up the primary caretaker of a pet, with your child participating along the way. In the end, that is the typical turn of events when it comes to pet ownership in a household with children.

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    Jessica Kane is a writer for Handicapped Pets, your most trusted source for dog wheelchairs and harnesses.