Dead trees are important in our landscape, with many species relying on them for survival We see them every day, and, essentially, most people just ignore them. Hundreds of thousands of them were created a few years ago when the Emerald Ash Borer invaded North America. Communities rallied to cut them down and place restrictions…
Unlike several other carcinogens, radon cannot be detected by human measures As homeowners, our ultimate goal is to provide ourselves and our families with a safe place to live. Unfortunately, some homeowners don’t realize that some of the most substantial threats to their family’s well-being are not the physical ones – like intruders – but…
Radon exposure takes the lives of eight Canadians every day
One hates to be part of a statistic, but it seems like I’m one of the 94 per cent of people who had no idea that a silent killer was lurking in my home. It’s radon, which takes the lives of eight Canadians each day. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the Edmonton home…
Radon can become a risk to the health of you and your family
November is National Radon Action Month in Canada. Many people don’t know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Listed below are some myths and misconceptions about radon, a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock and can become a risk to your and your family’s…
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer
When we think of a tasteless, odourless, invisible killer potentially lurking in our homes, carbon monoxide (CO) immediately comes to mind. What’s beyond our radar, however, is radon. In Canada, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, next to smoking, and the number one cause of cancer in non-smokers. While carbon monoxide poisonings…
Here are some tips so the birds – and those who enjoy watching birds – get the most out of your feeders
The last few days have been really exciting bird-wise as hawks, ducks, geese, loons and many small passerines (e.g. kinglets, sparrows and finches) are on the move. Winter is here whether we like it or not and those hardy northern birds have decided it’s time to migrate. North winds and cool nights have caused an…
A professional can test for radon levels and other air pollutants in your home, or you can do it yourself with a detection system
You may think you’re doing your duty to help flatten the COVID-19 infection curve but staying home may expose your family to different types of health risks. No, the culprit isn’t bacteria or a virus. It’s the quality of the air we breathe in our homes and the contaminants lurking within. It may be an…
Review: The iRobot Roomba s9+ vacuum and the Braava jet m6 mop work in tandem so you can relax
Like most people, we're not crazy about household chores. So last year around this time we were ecstatic to discover the robot vacuum we were looking for. And now iRobot has stepped up two notches by delivering a more powerful and smarter dynamic duo: the iRobot Roomba s9+ vacuum and the Braava jet m6 mop.…
From pickup trucks to minivans, what vehicle to rent, beg, borrow or even buy when you're moving - depending on the size of your home
On the fun scale, moving is right up there with looking for a job, root canal and shovelling snow off the driveway. And it’s made even worse if you don’t have the right vehicle (not to mention friends who have suddenly all left town). Borrowing your buddy’s hatchback and cramming it full of your stuff…
Bad neighbours are a fact of life, but before you end up in a feud, there are a few things you can do to find peace
Some neighbours are great. You visit over the fence, call when you need help and pitch in when the hard work needs to get done. But not all our neighbours are so fabulous. My son has a frustrating renter and a messy neighbour. The renter’s dog barks constantly. There are truck parts in the alley and somehow this…