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Distracted driving laws quickly changing use of smartphones while driving

Posted on Jan 27, 2016

Thirty-five states have banned texting while driving, and about a third of those also require phone usage to be hands-free.

These laws are coming to light for good reason. More than 18 percent of fatalities in distraction-related crashes involved a mobile phone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And two-thirds of Americans report they support restricting the use of hand-held mobile phones will driving, according to a survey by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

For businessmen and women, smartphones are a lifeline to getting business done – while on the road. The smartphone has become their entire office – handling phone calls, emails and viewing documents.

Due to quickly advancing technology, people are more reliant on mobile phones for both personal and business use. Hands-free devices are allowing people to keep both hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road, while still being able to take calls and handle email using their voice.

The Plantronics Marque M155 Bluetooth headset is discreet and lightweight – a hand’s free device design to fit a smartphone user’s communication style. If a call were to come in while you’re behind the wheel, just say “answer” to hold the conversation. Texting, tweeting and managing emails also can be done using your voice so you can enjoy your ride and keep your eyes on the road.

If you’re always on the go – whether it’s on the road or moving from one meeting to another – the Plantronics Voyager PRO HD offers maximum performance with crystal clear audio quality and extended battery life. The over-the-ear design is perfect for all-day wear so you can spend your day on the road without missing any of your work.

Legislation has gotten tougher on mobile phone use, and the penalties are pretty steep. For example, the federal law preventing commercial drivers from holding mobile phones can result in a $2,750 fine, along with the risk of license revocation. Various states have various laws restricting mobile phone use. Since last July, New York – which restricts drivers from texting and driving – has issued 119,000 tickets to texting drivers.

April is Distracted Driving Month, making this a good time to review how hands-free devices on your mobile phone can help you stay more focused on the road in front of you. Visit the Plantronics blog at blogcentral.plantronics.com/distracted-driving to learn more about how laws are changing to reduce distracted driving events and keep roadways safer.

Preparation and technology can help you weather the storm

Posted on Jan 27, 2016

Technology can help you prepare for the unknown and get back on your feet more quickly. Whether it’s building an emergency plan or securing your important documents, a little planning can make it easier to recover from a disaster. And fortunately, today, abundant technology tools are available to help you do just that.

According to Tony Surma, the chief technology officer for Microsoft’s Disaster Response Program: “The best way to help you and your family after a disaster is to build an emergency plan today.- As part of your plan, technology can help you connect with loved ones, access critical information and preserve cherished memories after a disaster strikes.”

Follow these steps to prepare for recovery:

* Create an emergency plan. The first step is to create a plan for you and your family. A good plan will include emergency contacts, planned meeting locations and personal health details, such as allergies and medications, for all your family members. Microsoft Excel offers a template that walks you through the process of creating a comprehensive plan. You can find it on Office.com.

* Make your plan accessible. Just as important as creating the plan is accessing it during a disaster. Save your plan to a cloud drive, like SkyDrive (skydrive.com), that will sync your files, so you can get to your plan on any computer or smartphone, even when Internet connectivity fails.

* Keep important documents safe. Scan your important documents – insurance information, birth certificates, passports, medical records and other essential documents – and organize them in a digital notebook, like OneNote (onenote.com), so they can be quickly searched to find information you need. -If you save them to the same cloud drive as your plan, they’ll be accessible anytime, from anywhere.

* Build a communication plan. The ability to connect with friends and family during a natural disaster is critical to ensuring everyone is safe, or knowing when someone needs help. While your plan will have mobile phone numbers and a meeting place outlined, many natural disasters disable communications and make transportation difficult. Mobile applications like HelpBridge (microsoft.com/helpbridge) and Skype (skype.com) can help you quickly communicate when networks get overloaded. It is also important to share your family emergency plan with trusted friends, relatives and coworkers and keep contacts up to date on your computer or smartphone to provide as many points of contact as possible when cellphone and Internet access is inconsistent.

* Construct a disaster preparedness kit. While technology can help you get through and recover from a disaster, you can’t forget the basics. Experts recommend having enough food and water to last 72 hours, as well as other essential supplies such as a first aid kit, flashlight and battery-operated radio. Check with your state’s emergency preparedness office for a checklist to ensure you have all the right items and keep track of when items need to be replaced.

While no one can anticipate the next tornado, earthquake or super storm, a little planning and a little technology can make a big difference.

Volunteer to make a difference

Posted on Jan 20, 2016

Want to make a difference in the lives of others? Give the gift of your time.

There are few things as satisfying as volunteering your time to make a difference in your community or support a cause you care about. The opportunities are endless – whether you have a few hours to spare or want to make a long-term commitment.

Don’t know how to begin? Here are a few ideas from Rust-Oleum Cares. Since its inception, the program and associate-driven Day of Caring events have helped dozens of organizations and impacted the lives of hundreds of people in need.

Food from the heart – Since food banks across the country experience a significant decrease in donations after the holiday season, organizing a food drive is one of the easiest ways to make an immediate difference in someone’s life.

Why not organize a food drive with a new twist? Company associates recently collected more than 2,150 pounds of “healthy” food for the Northern Illinois Food Bank, giving children and their families access to wholesome food options. Or, participate in a community garden project.

In New Jersey, associates joined forces with members of the community to maintain a vegetable garden throughout the spring and summer months to support the food bank in Franklin Township, making fresh produce available to families in need.

Adopt a cause – If you have the time to make ongoing commitment, there are plenty of organizations that can use your help. Coach a Little League team. Become a Big Brother or Big Sister. Volunteer at a local animal shelter or have an ongoing relationship with an organization or cause you want to help.

Rust-Oleum associates began a relationship with the Interfaith Hospitality Family Homeless Shelter last year. Since that time, they’ve collected holiday gifts and decorations, school supplies, “gently-used” Halloween costumes, warm winter coats and spring baskets filled with candy and small toys, bringing a little joy to families who could use a little TLC.

Take a vacation from your vacation – Whether you’re staying close to home or traveling to a faraway place, why not reserve one day or more to work on a project you care about? Working together on a community service project is a great way to bring families closer and teach children the importance of giving back to the community.

On a recent business trip, several members of the Rust-Oleum marketing team spent a day in their company’s birthplace, New Orleans, in a Day of Caring for Habitat for Humanity. Laying foundations for new homes in the fifth ward, a neighborhood hard hit by Hurricane Katrina six years ago, was a great team building experience and gave them a warm feeling that they have given back to a city that had given them so much.

Creating the perfect master suite retreat

Posted on Jan 13, 2016

The master bedroom is the ideal place to take refuge from reality – and when it comes to creating the perfect bedroom and bath, casual and comfortable retreats are more appealing than formal, model-home-like spaces. The right color palettes, furnishings and fixtures can transform a master suite into a tranquil escape from the stresses and headaches of the day.

But blissful hideaways are not limited to only one style and feel. Relaxation can come in a number of ways – it simply depends on the eye of the beholder. Here are some ideas and inspiration to create a serene master suite, no matter your definition of relaxing.

Bathing bliss

Before choosing a theme or color palette for the bedroom, focus your attention on the bath. This functional room deserves to be updated with elegant and understated features in order to create a haven from the stresses of everyday life. After all, a true master suite escape has the ideal spa-inspired bathroom.

To achieve a charming appearance with soft comforts, start by styling the room with fixtures and accessories that exude a clean style, like the Voss collection from Moen. Voss delivers uncomplicated glamor throughout the entire bath. With a full range of bath fixtures, including rain showers, faucets and coordinated accessories, your master bath can be transformed into a personal sanctuary that will last for years to come.

“While American bathrooms are decreasing in size, they’re actually increasing in spa-like atmosphere,” says Rebecca Kolls, senior director consumer strategist of home and garden for Iconoculture.

One way to incorporate this type of atmosphere into your bath is with a customized shower or vertical spa, like Moen’s innovative ioDIGITAL. With ioDIGITAL, you can control water temperature and flow with electronic precision. Your bathroom will become the ultimate getaway that will effortlessly flow into any bedroom theme.

Cozy country flair

An uncluttered room with rustic antique decor pieces is sure to create a relaxing environment away from the hectic world outside. The simple and charming aesthetics of an English country look accomplish this desired feeling. English country styling mixes patterns and decor elements comfortably and with a bit of flair, incorporating what Kolls calls “style telling” – or styling that tells a story. And the cozy design flow works perfectly for a bedroom setting.

To create this look, start with a simple color palette – such as blue and white or pink and brown. Patterned wallpaper, borders and curtains in floral or plaid prints are a great way to evoke that welcoming, home-style country feeling. Keep your eyes open for one-of-a-kind antiques and wood furniture to accent your country retreat. A perfect – and often inexpensive – place to start is your local antique store, flea market, or even yard sales. After all, one person’s trash is another person’s vintage treasure.

Select delicate, yet comfortable, furniture pieces to add to the relaxing and comfortable feel. Accent chairs with coordinating floral patterns and overstuffed accent cushions in a variety of shapes and sizes will make you want to curl up with a blanket and read your favorite book. Don’t be overly concerned with finding matching wood pieces. Different and unique items add to the rustic appeal. Pine, oak or mahogany furniture items all have their place in laid-back English country style.

Coastal contemporary

There’s a reason why tropical beaches are considered the fundamental escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The rush of the ocean and the feel of sand between your toes can bring anyone a lasting sense of tranquility. Those same feelings can be incorporated into a master suite by selecting contemporary and cool hues in blues, pale greens and whites, with touches of sandy brown and gold.

For this laid-back theme, use an upholstered headboard in a soft blue pattern to highlight the focal point of the room – the bed. You can even go a step further by adding plush curtains behind the bed frame, paired with a large plate-glass mirror to provide the feeling of open spaces – like the open sea. Because the bed will be the focus of the room, keep the shades simple.

Try bamboo window shades to maintain the casual flow while allowing in natural light. Use whimsical decor pieces such as glass bedside lamps and palm plants throughout the rest of the room to complete the theme. Looking for low-cost design elements? Corral beautiful shells and sea glass found at your nearest beach into clear glass cylinders and place strategically throughout your master suite.

Whether your style is more classic, country or coastal – or perhaps a combination – you can create a dream master suite retreat that fits your own personal style.

Home renovation for baby boomers: Preparing for the next stage in life

Posted on Jan 13, 2016

Eight-nine percent of Americans 55 and older have embraced this aging-in-place trend, and hope to remain in their own homes for the long-term, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

“As Americans strive to maintain their independence and stay in their own homes longer, many take on home improvements projects to reduce maintenance while improving accessibility and energy efficiency,” says Pella Windows & Doors spokesperson Kathy Krafka Harkema. “As they stretch budgets and prepare for retirement, today’s savvy homeowners plan home renovation projects with comfort, convenience and ease of maintenance in mind.”

Consider remodeling projects to help enjoy your home longer, more safely and efficiently as you age.

Home improvement for the long-term

Most homeowners realize the importance of upkeep and maintenance. A leaky window or drafty door wastes energy and can drive up utility costs.

To help save energy and money year-round, conduct a home improvement checkup by looking for signs that it’s time for potential repairs.

* Check major systems that help protect the outside of your home – the roof, gutters, siding and exterior finish.

* Inspect interior components like heating, cooling, chimney and electrical systems.

* Make sure enough attic insulation is in place to help prevent ice dams.

* Look for signs of deterioration, damage or potential problems. Replace or repair worn or broken items before they can lead to more extensive or expensive repairs.

* Check your home’s windows and doors. Are there drafts, chips or breaks in the finish, condensation or fogging between panes of glass, or are they hard to open? Any of these signs can mean it’s time for replacement.

* Position storage areas, like shelves, for easy access.

* Raise appliances, like washers, dryers, dishwashers and stoves, to minimize bending and lifting.

* Replace old appliances and fixtures with more energy-efficient options, like ENERGY STAR-qualified Pella 350 Series vinyl windows and patio doors, to help save on future utility bills.

* Determine whether your home will be ready for your next stage in life by reviewing the AARP home livability checklist.

Window replacement adds light, convenience

As we become older, our eyes require more light to see. Choose ENERGY STAR-qualified lighting for energy-efficient options. Adding additional windows, or increasing the size of existing window openings can also increase the amount of natural light in a home.

Replacing heavy curtains and drapes with more sheer options will also allow privacy, without sacrificing natural light.

Cut the dust

Pella Designer Series windows and doors offer convenient, custom made, between-the-glass options like blinds and shades. Between-the-glass window fashions don’t collect dust like traditional room side window treatments, making them a low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for option. Plus, since they’re between glass, they’re a perfect fit and a safer option for homes with children or pets, since there are no room-side cords.

Replacing old, hard-to-open windows with new windows and screens makes it easier to open windows to enjoy fresh air. Pella offers easy-to-operate windows in energy-efficient vinyl, wood or fiberglass options in colors, sizes and styles to suit your remodeling and replacement needs.

Visit www.pella.com/news for more info on how to connect with a local representative to talk about your renovation project needs, or shop online at PellaatLowes.com.

How to judge your home’s curb appeal

Posted on Jan 6, 2016

If you have been trying to sell your home, you are well aware of how challenging it can be. However, there is one way that you can increase your chances of success and that is if you improve your home’s curb appeal.

With fewer and fewer qualified buyers in the market it has become even more important to make your home as attractive as possible.

That’s because a very high percentage of people who are shopping for a home decide whether or not they would like to take a look inside the home based on what they see as they drive by the house – or when they arrive for a showing. If the curb appeal is not positive they often leave.

As the homeowner it can be rather difficult for you to see your house through other people’s eyes.

That’s because you have gotten accustomed to how it looks and you see beyond whatever faults it has. However, if you are considering selling your home you have to first look at is as property rather than the roof over your particular head. And, as such, there are a number of things you can do to sell this property for the highest possible dollar.

Before you can increase your curb appeal you have to identify the areas that are ripe for improvement. Here’s a simple exercise that you can do to help you to gage your home’s curb appeal.

First, the next time you come back home, park across the street or down the block. You want to be able to get a good view of your property and its surroundings, as if you were looking at it for the first time. As you walk towards your house imagine that this is the first time you are here.

Is the approach to your property tidy and clean? Is there anything that you could do to make it more attractive?

Take a notepad with you and jot down your first impressions of the yard and the house. Then note the house’s best exterior features.

Once you’ve done that take a moment or two to see if you can come up with some initial ideas about how you can enhance the looks of your house and property. Continue this exercise later.

After you consider the best features of your yard and home, make a note of what the worst features are. Then see if you can think of a number of ways that you could eliminate, improve, or minimize these negative factors.

One thing that could help is if you take pictures of your house. If your camera is a digital camera take the photos in color and look at them that way first. Then turn the image into black and white and analyze them. It may be easier to see the problems when the color doesn’t affect your impressions.

by: Wendy Moyer

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6541.shtml