​A house should be a haven of peace and relaxation but sadly many accidents take place every year inside the home. Among the dangers often present in a home are tip-over hazards, with small children being the most at risk. Here are a few of the reasons why furniture items become a tip-over hazard as well as ways this can be prevented:
 
Most new furniture manufacturers nowadays follow strict safety guidelines and will supply information on how to prevent tip-over risks, however, this information is only good if followed so its important to take this seriously. For example, if you buy a dresser or bookshelf, etc. you should secure it to a wall using L brackets or straps so that it will not easily fall over.
 
Children do not usually hesitate to climb on items of furniture to reach an object they desire. Although it is a good idea to keep certain items out of the reach of a child, you may also want to think about hiding them from view so as to remove the temptation altogether.
 
If you are shopping for a piece of furniture, look for items with a wide and sturdy base which will minimize their chance of tipping over. It's also a good idea to keep heavier items in drawers and on shelves that are low to the ground which increases their solidity.
 
Televisions are one item that is easy to grab and pull over. Unless they are attached to a wall, try to keep your television on a low-lying unit or stand and be sure to keep any electrical cables out of the reach of a child.
 
From this brief summary, it's clear to see the importance of protecting your family from potential tip-over hazards.

​It’s a well-known fact that moving house is very high on the list of most stressful things to do. There are additional factors that increase that stress such as moving from a large house to a smaller one or relocating to an area far away. So, how can you plan for a less stressful transition?
 
Simplifying is one of the ways to help your move be an easier one and this is something that can be done well ahead of time. It also allows you time to think about what you actually need and how you can dispose of unwanted or unused items in an environmentally responsible way. A way of doing this is to systematically sort through your belongings and place them in different piles. One pile could be to keep, one for donating and one for a yard sale for example.
 
The day of the move can feel very overwhelming and if you are not organized it is more likely that you will throw into the trash anything you don’t want to go with you to the new house. You might even throw away items that are damaging to the environment such as chemicals, paint cans, used light bulbs, and batteries or other electrical equipment. Sorting through these items well in advance of moving day allows you to dispose of them in the proper way. It's best to contact your local environmental agency if you are unsure about what to do with them.
 
Simplifying contributes to a much less stressful move, not to mention helps you become organized quicker in your new home.