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Most homeowners are bound to use a portable ladder at some point, whether it be for cleaning out the gutters, painting, inspecting the roof or hanging festive holiday decorations. When up on that ladder, though, its important to stay safe and avoid falls.

Every year, thousands of people across the country are treated in emergency rooms for ladder-related injuries. Although you might think you already know how to use a ladder safely, a little refresher couldnt hurt. Check out these 10 tips to help prevent an accident from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

1. Use a ladder that’s the proper length for the job. It should extend a minimum of 3 feet over the roofline or working surface. Never stand on the top three rungs of a straight, single or extension ladder.

2. Make sure the ladder can support both your weight and the materials you’re putting on it by checking the ladders maximum load rating. Allow only one person on the ladder at a time.

3. Place your ladder on level and firm ground. It’s also best to have a helper hold the bottom of the ladder.

4. Never place a ladder in front of a door that isn’t locked, blocked or guarded.

5. Because metal ladders can conduct electricity, don’t use them near power lines or electrical equipment. Stick with wood or fiberglass ladders in these situations and use extra caution. No type of ladder should ever touch live electric wires.

6. Straight, single or extension ladders should be set up at about a 75-degree angle. To test if you have the correct angle, stand up straight with your toes touching the feet of the ladder as it leans away from you. Extend your arms in front of you. Your palms should touch the top of the rung thats at shoulder level.

7. Check all rung locks and spreader braces on your ladder to make sure they’re set.

8. Keep your body centered between the rails of the ladder at all times. Leaning too far to one side while working is dangerous and can cause you to fall.

9. Only use a ladder for its intended purpose, and follow the ladders instruction labels.

10. When youre done with the ladder, put it away immediately. Never leave a raised ladder unattended.

This brief list doesnt cover everything, but remembering these tips and practicing caution can help keep you safe the next time you need to use a ladder.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A fresh coat of paint can give new life to a home. Whether youre a seller aiming to impress potential homebuyers, or you just want to change things up, painting is an easy and effective way to revamp your homes look for relatively cheap. That said, a bad paint job that results in uneven edging, stained floors or peeled paint can inadvertently make a home less attractive, making the whole effort counterproductive.

According to HomeAdvisor, you can avoid common DIY painting problems by taking these four simple steps:

Step 1: Choose the Right Paint. Most paint falls into two categories: water-based and oil-based. Water-based paint is easy to clean up, resistant to fading and works with different materials. Oil-based paint requires more cleanup and prep time, but works well for specialty jobs like painting wallpaper.

Accidentally choosing water-based paint over of an oil-based paint”or vice versa”wont ruin your painting job. But mixing outdoor and indoor paint will negatively affect the outcome of your project. If youre unsure which paint to use, ask an employee at your local hardware store.

Step 2: Prep Your Job. Many failed painting projects stem from a lack of preparation. Heres how to prep like a pro:

Lay down drop cloths. Set up drop cloths first. Spills, drips and dust are inevitable during a painting project.

Spread your Spackle. Use Spackle or another paste product to fill in any holes or cracks in your wall.

Sand the walls. Gently sand your wall before applying any paint or primer. A rough surface will help your paint stick to the wall.

Prime the walls. Previously painted surfaces dont need a primer. If youre working with a raw or rough surface, such as concrete, wood, plaster or drywall, primer is necessary. After your primer has dried, sand it down before adding your finishing paint.

Tape off no-paint zones. Use painters tape to cover areas you dont want to paint, such as trim, outlets and molding. Run a putty knife over your tape to eliminate any air bubbles.

Cutting in the corners. Cutting in means painting out several inches from your baseboards, window frames, outlets and door frames. Tackling hard-to-reach areas first will make it easier to paint larger areas later.

Step 3: Use the Right Tools. Before you begin painting, research the tools youll need to complete your project. If youre painting an exterior, youll be covering a bigger area. Larger rollers and paint sprayers will help you cover wider areas in less time. Outdoor painting also requires flat and angled brushes for cutting in and covering tight spaces. For indoor jobs, use flat and angled brushes to cut in tight spaces and smaller rollers to cover walls.

Step 4: Paint the Right Way. Begin in the middle of your ceiling and move outward, painting from side to side. After your ceiling is dry, cut in around the ceiling line, windows, doors and moldings. Then, use your roller to paint the rest of your walls.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are a few helpful tips to ensure you have the perfect nursery for your newborn…

Go With a Theme

Having a theme will guide you through the design process and bring the whole room together.

Stay Away From Toxic Chemicals

This is important in any room in the house, but especially for newborns that are more vulnerable to harmful chemicals.

Keep it Functional

Pick furniture thats functional, like seating that provides storage and window treatments that darken the room for afternoon naps.

Smart Baby Monitor

Smart monitors come equipped with a night vision camera you can connect to your phone, as well as air-quality sensors and two-way talking

Published with permission from RISMedia.

The future is now. Many homeowners across the country have embraced technological advances and incorporated them into their everyday lives. Thermostats, lighting, locks, security cameras, washing machines and more all come available as internet-connected devices and can be combined in a house to create whats been dubbed a smart home.

The added convenience of these devices, however, has also created new opportunities for cybercriminals. To help protect your smart home, the security experts at Norton offer the following tips:

1. Name your router. Your WiFi router is like the front door to your smart home, so dont stick with the name the manufacturer gave it, which might identify the make or model. Give it an unusual name not associated with you or your address. You dont want your router name to give away any personal identifiers.

2. Use strong WiFi encryption. In your router settings, its a good idea to use a strong encryption method, like WPA2, when you set up WiFi network access. This will help keep your network and communications secure.

3. Change default usernames and passwords. Cybercriminals probably already know the default passwords that come with many smart products. That makes it easy for them to access the devices and, potentially, the information on them.

4. Use solid passwords for WiFi networks and device accounts. Avoid common words or passwords that are easy to guess, such as password or 123456. Instead, use unique, complex passwords made up of letters, numbers and symbols.

5. Check the device settings. Your smart devices might come with default privacy and security settings. You might want to consider changing them, as some default settings could benefit the manufacturer more than they benefit you.

6. Disable features you might not need. Smart devices come with a variety of services such as remote access, often enabled by default. If you dont need a feature, be sure to disable it.

7. Keep your software up to date. When your smartphone manufacturer sends you a software update, dont put off installing it. It might be a patch for a security flaw. Mobile security is important, since you may connect to your smart home through mobile devices. Your home device makers may also send you updates, or you might need to visit their websites to check for them. Be sure to download device updates to help stay safe.

8. Audit devices already on your home network. It could be time to upgrade that old security camera. Take time to check if newer models might offer stronger security.

9. Use authentication. Two-factor authentication, such as a one-time code sent to your cellphone, can keep the bad guys out of your accounts. If your smart-device apps offer two-factor authentication, or 2FA, use it.

10. Avoid public WiFi. When managing your smart home remotely, its not a good idea to use public WiFi networks, as they can be very vulnerable. If you choose to use public WiFi, consider subscribing to a virtual private network (VPN) for additional security.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.