SMARTER LIVING “Calm” for the holidays Feeling anxious about the holidays? Try these tips to bring on the calm: Don’t feel like you have to say “yes” to every invitation, menu demand or gift request. Ask others to pitch in on tasks such as shopping, baking and wrapping. And if someone offers help, accept it!… Read more »
Budgeting Basics for Homeowners
A new home often means making significant adjustments to how people spend their money. Expenses such as mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance add up quickly and can easily throw the best of financial intentions out of whack. Creating and following a budget is a great way to stay on track while cutting… Read more »
Why Test for Radon? What You Need to Know
Any home can have a radon problem – old or new homes, well-sealed or drafty homes, homes with or without basements. Health Canada estimates that 1 in 14 homes in Canada has an elevated level of radon. Prolonged exposure to unsafe levels of radon can increase the risk of lung cancer; in fact, radon is… Read more »
Carbon Monoxide: A Deadly Danger
With winter coming on to cool much of North America, it’s worthwhile to address a potential hazard that arises with increased use of fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces and water heaters: carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas produced by the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, oil, and propane in… Read more »