14 per cent of all lung cancer cases are attributable to radon gas

14 per cent of all lung cancer cases are attributable to radon gasUnlike 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…

How I discovered radon in my home and mitigated it

Radon exposure takes the lives of eight Canadians every day

How I discovered radon in my home and mitigated itOne 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…

The myths and misconceptions surrounding radon

Radon can become a risk to the health of you and your family

The myths and misconceptions surrounding radonNovember 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: the silent killer lurking in your home

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer

Radon: the silent killer lurking in your homeWhen 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…

Get those bird feeders up and enjoy the show

Here are some tips so the birds – and those who enjoy watching birds – get the most out of your feeders

Get those bird feeders up and enjoy the showThe 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…

It may not be COVID – the air in your home could make you sick

A professional can test for radon levels and other air pollutants in your home, or you can do it yourself with a detection system

It may not be COVID – the air in your home could make you sickYou 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…

iRobot dynamic duo vacuums and jet mops work in tandem

Review: The iRobot Roomba s9+ vacuum and the Braava jet m6 mop work in tandem so you can relax

iRobot dynamic duo vacuums and jet mops work in tandemLike 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.…

Moving? Here are some practical vehicle options

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

Moving? Here are some practical vehicle optionsOn 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…

Love thy neighbour? Well, maybe not always

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

Love thy neighbour? Well, maybe not alwaysSome 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…