Banishing existing dust basically amounts to diligent swiping and vacuuming, but preventive measures that keep the stuff from collecting in the first place is equally, if not more important. Read on to learn how to outsmart this sneaky substance in your home so you can enjoy cleaner surfaces and easier breathing, too. What Is Dust, Exactly? Household dust is comprised of a variety of tiny particles, including dead skin, hair, pet dander, fabric fibers, food crumbs, soil, pollen—just about anything capable of being shed, flaked, crushed, or crumbled....

Modern Batteries Have Come a Long Way Today’s power tool batteries evolved quite a bit since the first cordless screwdrivers hit the market. The original tools were small and featured nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries. These batteries served the purpose, but today’s lithium-ion batteries are more powerful, compact, and longer-lasting. How to Select Power-Tool Batteries Under the Hood The inside of each battery contains a group of cells, which look similar to unbranded AA or C batteries....

A fireplace is a safe place for a fire, lit to give off light and heat. Generally made of brick or stone, a fireplace includes a firebox to contain the fire, a chimney to channel smoke and toxic gas out of the space, and several other key elements. Key Elements of a Fireplace Here are the main parts of your fireplace that you should know: Ash pit—a cellar under the fireplace grate where ashes collect....

There are many different home security systems on the market in Columbus, but they aren’t all equal in terms of quality, cost, offered equipment, and more. To help you select a security system that’s right for your home, the This Old House Reviews Team evaluated the best home security systems available in Columbus, Ohio. Read on to learn about our top recommendations. The 6 Best Home Security Systems in Columbus ADT: Best Overall Vivint: Best for Smart Home Integration Alder: Best for Medical Alerts SimpliSafe: Best for Easy Installation Frontpoint: Best for Smartphone Integration Abode: Best for Customization...

People afflicted with allergies are smart to seek out the best hypoallergenic mattress they can find. When allergens like pollen, dust, or pet hairs invade your bed and irritate your eyes, nose and skin, they also wreak havoc on your ability to get a good night’s sleep. And even if a Benadryl successfully lulls you into slumber, you’ll be rudely awakened when congestion, coughing or sneezing strike in the middle of the night....

All Brooklyn Bedding mattresses boast a sleep trial period of 120 nights, giving you ample time to test out the mattress and decide if it’s the right fit. If it’s not the right firmness, doesn’t provide relief in the right places, or you want to try a different model, Brooklyn Bedding offers free returns within the trial period. Once you purchase your new mattress, it comes with a 10-year warranty which should cover its entire lifespan....

How did it get in? Probably the same way that you did, through the door. How can you stop, or at least reduce, the noise? You can wear noise-canceling headphones, sure, but then you might not hear what you want to hear. Soundproofing a door can be accomplished by a low-tech hack or a fairly involved procedure and can be inexpensive or pricey, with a range of options in between....

If a bedroom feels less than serene, maybe it’s time for a refresh. Make a list of reasons why it’s not working, then ask yourself what you hope to accomplish: Perhaps it’s more closet space or a better lighting plan. Are you considering minor updates (new paint color and carpet), or a bigger project, such as turning an unused attic into a master suite or creating a storage-packed kids’ room with built-in bunks?...

How Dry Wells Work Stormwater can cause costly flooding and damaging erosion to properties. To prevent this, downspouts and drains redirect rainfall and runoff from non-absorbent surfaces (like a roof and driveway) into a concrete galley or dry well that has been buried underground. The perforated unit(s) allow water to dissipate slowly and drain out of the holes, into the ground. Each of the galleys featured in this video hold 300 gallons of water—giving the homeowner a whopping total of 2400 gallons worth of water storage....

This rocket is made from simple PVC plumbing pipe and some plastic soda bottles. It’s easy to put together in an afternoon. As long as you always have an adult around, launching your rocket is safe and fun. The plans for this rocket were developed by middle school teacher Slater Harrison. To see his detailed assembly instructions, click here. Building a DIY Water Rocket: An Overview Age Range: 7 and up...

Keep in mind that you can play with shape to add dimension to a space. Rectangular rugs in a rectangular room under rectangular- and square-shaped furniture may look a little boxy. Instead, choose a circular rug to shake things up. All this being said, it can be challenging to find the perfect rug for your home. The size of a room informs the size of an area rug. Surely, you don’t want a 7 x 10 rug placed in a 7 x 10 room; if you did, you’d install carpeting....

Tips for Creating a Fire Escape Plan Fire Safety and Prevention Checklist

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Steel angle iron can be ordered to size and is sold at metal or welding shops. Special assistance with this project was provided by Boston Welding. In the workshop, Tom shared some basic rules for cutting and notching joists and rafters. For cutting holes, a hole can be no more than ⅓ the depth of the structure and cannot be within 2" of an edge. For notches, the maximum notch depth is ½ the depth of the structure and no notches can be made in the middle ⅓ of the span....