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Tag: home care tips

  • 5 Things To Avoid When Hanging Your American Flag

    5 Things To Avoid When Hanging Your American Flag

    Displaying the American flag can be a great way to show patriotic spirit and inspire feelings of national pride. However, it’s crucial to follow proper etiquette when hanging the flag to ensure you treat this symbol of freedom with the respect it deserves. Here are five things to avoid when hanging your American flag.

    Putting Your Flag Up in Harsh Weather

    Although the American flag symbolizes resilience and endurance, do not keep it outside when conditions are particularly rough. According to the US flag code, you should not hang your flag during severe weather unless you have an all-weather flag.

    You can also research tips on safeguarding your flag from poor weather, such as how to protect your American flag from snow. This knowledge will help you on days when the weather starts out fine but worsens, and you cannot take down your flag until you return home or the storm subsides.

    Hanging Your Flag the Wrong Way

    It’s not uncommon for people to hang the flag in a way that doesn’t follow proper flag etiquette. When hanging the American flag horizontally or vertically on a wall, the union (the blue field with the stars) should always be in the upper left corner. When flying the flag from a pole, you should place the union at the peak. Displaying the flag incorrectly is known as a signal of distress, so it’s important to get it right.

    Using a Flag That You Should Replace

    A worn-out or damaged flag can detract from the intended message of patriotism, unity, and respect. The flag code recommends you should replace flags when they become frayed, faded, or otherwise damaged beyond repair. If your flag needs an upgrade, be sure to invest in a new one and retire the old flag according to proper disposal methods—usually by respectfully burning it in a flag retirement ceremony.

    Hanging Another Flag Above It

    Something to avoid when hanging your American flag is putting another flag above it. The flag code says you should not fly other flags above the American flag on the same pole, except for church pennants during naval services. When displayed with flags that are on other poles, you should hang the American flag first and take it down last.

    Leaving Your Flag Up at Night Without Lighting

    If you choose to display your American flag during the nighttime hours, it must have adequate lighting. The flag should always be visible, so make sure it’s well lit when natural light is unavailable. Invest in a solar-powered flagpole light or another reliable light source to ensure people can see your flag.

    Properly displaying the American flag is important for showing your respect and appreciation. Avoid these common mistakes when hanging your flag to ensure your display sends the right message.

  • How to make your home bug free – Some home care tips

    How to make your home bug free – Some home care tips

    bug free home ideasNow that the warm weather is in, the bugs in your area will be coming out of their winter hiding. It is a time of the year for them to look for sustenance. To them, your home looks like a cornucopia filled with delectable delights. It is no wonder that many of them will be headed your way.

    So, you’ll need some effective tips if you want to make your home a bug free zone. We have gathered some for you:

    Keeping your eyes open

    Sure, if we ever face the apocalypse, cockroaches are the living creatures most likely to survive it. But the supposed otherworldly abilities of the creepy crawlies aside, they don’t just materialize into your home out of the ether.

    Thus, staying sharp can clue you into the indications that they are about to set foot inside. For instance, ants will send out scouting members to scope your home. They are there to test how ant-friendly your house is. Therefore, as soon as you spot even a few ants, get to insect-proofing.

    Moreover, you can also step outside and go right to the source. If there is firewood stacked next to your house, it could be where the ants and termites are staying temporarily. Keep the stack at least 20 feet from your house. Similarly, drain any catch basins or keep the water in them fresh if there are any in your yard. They are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

    Moreover, chop them off! Not that we want to scare you, however, you’ll want to know what the Entomological Society of America says about bugs. The ratio stands at a billion bugs to every human on the planet! A veritable insect army is waiting to declare war on your home! Overhanging branches close to your windows or overgrown shrubs can be the access points bugs will use to get into your home.

    Repel houseflies and mosquitoes with Basil

    Basil makes pasta sauces shine, but it is also a great natural remedy for insects like houseflies and mosquitoes. Since the plant is easy to grow and container-friendly, place a few of them in your kitchen. For families who don’t eat in the kitchen, you’ll want to get those containers into your entertaining spaces too.

    You’ll also benefit from a basil-based insect repellent spray. Boil water (4 ounces) and throw in the same amount of fresh basil leaves. Let the basil leaves steep in the water for a few hours before straining them. Splash in as much of supercheap vodka, and you’ll have your spray. You can even store the spray in the fridge.

    Essential oils may do the trick

    Essential oils aren’t just great for helping you relax. They can also be used to make a bug free home.

    You’ll find the following essential oils useful for this purpose:

    1. Neem oil has natural pesticide properties. That’s why it makes a useful non-toxic bug repellent. Mix it with coconut oil (carrier oil) and apply it on your skin. It will keep biting insects like mosquitoes away!
    2. The strong scent of peppermint oil is effective against many different types of bugs. Moreover, it is excellent for both the creepy crawly and flying varieties. For the former, adding a few drops on a cotton ball will be good enough. Place peppermint-scented balls wherever you will find spiders, ticks, and ants congregating. For the latter, you will need a spray. Just 4-5 drops of peppermint oil added to a quarter cup of water, and you have your mixture. Spritz it near entry points.

    Seal the entry points into your home

    Do you realize that the common cockroach increases the chances of asthma attacks and allergies in children? Leaving gaps in your entrance ways can give the pesky bugs a chance to get in. Don’t think there are many such spaces around your home? Look closely, and you’ll be unpleasantly surprised!

    Start by sealing the space under all the doors leading to the outside. An aluminum or steel threshold can keep the insects from crawling under your door. To fortify, you can also purchase a cheap door sweep. Most hardware stores have door sweeps. But be sure to get nylon ones instead of vinyl or neoprene for maximum bug protection.

    After the base is taken care of, you can shift to sealing the door frame’s perimeter. Insects can crawl in along the sides or the top without this protection. Do it with clear caulk. Follow the frame in the direction that the door meets the wall.

    Finally, get the most use of your door sealing techniques by remembering to keep the door closed! Kids can be forgetful, and the door sweep won’t be effective if the door stays open all the time.

    A hydraulic device known as the door closer can be really handy. Adjust the power and the closing speed on it when you install it. If someone leaves it ajar, the door will automatically close and latch because of the door closer. You can get a door closer at your local home improvement store. It is also easy to install, so you can do it yourself too.

    Monthly deep cleaning is a must

    Places like the kitchen see a lot of use and traffic. We cook there and often consume food in the kitchen too. Therefore, keeping it clean can be hard.

    Moreover, if you work most days, you may not be able to do deep cleaning often. But you should have one done every month to clear away any accumulating food particles, etc. That is also true for other parts of the house. Any room where food makes a regular appearance needs regular deep cleaning. Also, grab a Bug Killer or any insect repellent spray for a cleaner, bug-free home!

    Remove overripe fruits and veggies from the counter

    Fruit flies, ants, and other bugs are attracted to overripe fruits and vegetables, especially if the organic treats are left sliced open or cut up. Keep them off the counter and move them to the fridge. Sure, fruit flies may not be as harmful, but pests like cockroaches may find their way to ripe fruits too. Once they get in, you’ll find it difficult to get them out of your home!

    Parting thoughts

    Bugs are creatures who cannot be allowed in your personal space for any reason. Want to make your home bug free? Our suggestions will help you do just that. Do you have other effective remedies? Share them with us!