Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 May 2000 — Page 2

IND 2 Mav 10. 2000 How to find Use right switch for safety

where to live

So you've decided to move out of your apartment and into a condominium, townhouse or a single family home. The question then becomes where do you want to live and what should you look for? Choosing a community is of vital importance to your future happiness, so give it a lot of thought. Discuss your needs and desires with a real estate agent and by all means, use the Internet's many free services on home buying and selling. GeoProperty.com, the premiere source of real estate information on the Web, recommends you ask yourself the following questions as you begin your home search: • Proximity to work. How far are you willing to commute? Most people become dissatisfied with their home's location if they have to spend an hour or more getting to work and another hour getting home. • Area attractions. How close do you want to be to a shopping mall, a sports stadium, golf course, the beach or a park? • Cost of homes. Do you have enough money to

meet the down payment? Can you reasonably expect to meet the monthly mortgage payment? • Living expenses. Some areas may be too pricey for you to live in. Can you afford to buy a home in such a location? • Schools. If you have children or are planning to become a parent soon, how far away are the nearest schools? • Livability. Is the area you are considering a safe area? Statistics on the local crime rate are available as is the information on proximity to the places of worship and the median age of those who live there. • Take a tour. Once you've narrowed your choice to two or three areas, take a drive in each of them, looking at the houses and the neighbors to determine if you might be happy there. • Ask questions. Strike up a conversation with a resident. Ask for his opinion on matters like garbage pickup, snow removal and road maintenance. For more tips visit the web site at www.GeoProperty.com.

Finding a light switch in a darkened room can be a major concern for the elderly. And their concern is understandable. Recent studies show that injuries from falls and other accidents are the sixth leading cause of death among people 65 or older. Fortunately, the lighting control industry has developed a variety of new products that provide greater safety and added convenience for the elderly, and for others who want the benefits of the latest in lighting technology. According to the Leviton Institute, one such device is a motion-activated occupancy sensor, which eliminates the need to grope around in the dark for a light switch. When a person enters an unoccupied room, the sensor detects his or her presence and automatically turns on the light. In a similar fashion, with the mom is unoccupied after a predetermined period of time, the light goes off automatically. Another type of lighting control that is gaining rapid popularity is the motion sensor that is designed for outdoor use. When a person walks into the sensor's

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coverage are - for example, up a driveway - the motion sensor automatically turns on the outdoor lighting to illuminate the area. As a result, these products serve as both safety and home security devices. Occupancy sensors and motion sensors offer users another important benefit: energy savings. "Because they automatically extinguish light when it isn't needed, these devices are very kind to one's electric bill," says Dave Mastrone, a spokesperson with the Leviton Institute. "That's especially important for those who are on fixed incomes, but it's a great benefit for everyone who has them." One other type of lighting control that offers both convenience and safety is a

hand-held remote - like the one for our TV - that turns lights on and off. The handheld remote sends a signal to a wall-mounted receiver, which replaces the conventional "on" and "off" switch and fits in a standard wall box. Most of these new lighting control devices are easy to install and can be purchased at home centers and hardware stores, although many homeowners prefer to hire a qualified electrical contractor to do the work. The Leviton Institute is the educational arm of the Leviton Manufacturing Company, its mission is to educate consumers, specifiers and others about the benefits of today's electrical wiring devices and systems.

For ‘fresher 9 air do it yourself

Homemade air fresheners are simple to use and are great for eliminating common household odors. Most commercial air fresheners do not really freshen the air at all. Instead, they mask one odor with another, coat your nasal passages with an undetectable oil film or diminish your sense of smell with a nerve deadening agent. For a safer alternative, you may wish to consider an alternative method: • Ventilation. Open windows or doors in the house for at least a short period every day. This will also help to reduce toxic fumes that may be building up. • Cloves. Boil these spices for a fragrant smell. • Potpourri. Buy or

Container gardens for small spaces If you want the benefits of a garden but lack the space for one, consider making a container garden. Planters and window boxes are perfect for many types of plants. These simple maintenance tasks keep your patio planters and window boxes looking their best throughout the growing season and help gardeners prepare for spring. • Water frequentlyClosely spaced plants packed Continued on next page

make your own potpourri from your favorite herbs and spices. Place the potpourri in a small basket or jar or in small sachet bags. • Oil of Wintergreen. Dampen cotton balls with oil of wintergreen and place out of sight but where air will touch them. • Vinegar. Distribute partially filled saucers of vinegar around the room or boil one tablespoon of white vinegar in one cup of water to eliminate unpleasant cooking odors.

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