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Before Buying a New Crib Mattress A matter that remains inconclusive is the safety of reusing a secondhand crib mattress passed on from a friend or one of your other children. Regulating bodies in the U.S. haven’t said anything about using a previously used mattress, but some mattress companies and sleep sites suggest it’s safest to get a new mattress for each child. They point to reports by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) enumerating the causes of infant safety hazards: loss of mattress firmness, wrong-sized mattress for the crib, protruding springs or coils, and unraveling stitching....

You have to be on top of your game and keep a careful eye out for scams. One drawback is savvy scam artists know how to pass off close look likes as the real thing. Flea markets are notorious for selling look-alike items worth far less than the real thing. Let’s take a closer look at crucial signs that point to an original vs. a knock-off. We’ll review six top makers, tips for spotting originals, and important considerations before you buy....

Bonsai is a Japanese word that literally means “planted in a container”. It refers to the practice of keeping large plant specimens, usually trees, from reaching their natural size by a process referred to as “artificial dwarfing.” Many gardeners are familiar with the concept of dwarf specimens of trees or shrubs. For example, semi-dwarf or dwarf fruit trees are bred to grow to between 1/3 to 1/2 their normal size....

Magnolia ashei is a species of magnolia that baffles botanists to this day. The tree is so perplexing that scientists continuously research why it has not spread past its restrained native range of only six northwest Florida Panhandle counties. The good news is that this stunner is finally catching on and people are learning how to responsibly propagate the Ashe’s magnolia for use in the nursery trade. It has gained so much popularity that it was named 2017 plant of the year by the Garden Club of America....

Fertilize Apply fertilizer with a spreader. As you move the machine back and forth over the grass, grip the handle like a trigger, it releases pellets when you “shoot.” Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package. Apply only the recommended amount. Be careful because too much fertilizer can burn your grass. Aerate the Lawn Provide some extra air for grassroots by aerating your lawn. Use a spade to take out spikes of soil across your lawn to make holes for planting seeds....

If your furnace has a pilot light, the thermocouple should be kept clean and the flame properly adjusted to ensure energy efficiency and extended furnace life. Check the standing pilot light before each heating season for proper air and fuel mixture and flame color. Here is how you can inspect and repair or adjust your standing pilot light for the best furnace operation. Inspecting the Pilot Light Flame The color of a proper pilot light flame can vary a bit but whether your furnace uses natural gas or propane as a fuel, the color should be blue with perhaps a tinge of yellow at the tip of the flame....

Carpets Provide Safety for Stairs Even if you prefer hard surfaces such as hardwood or laminate, carpet on the stairs is still a good idea, even if it is in the form of a runner on the stairs. Having carpet on the stairs is infinitely safer than having the stairs covered with hard surface flooring. Hard surfaces are slippery, and can easily lead to a fall. Should a fall occur, carpet offers a much softer landing spot than hardwood or laminate, which could help reduce the likelihood of injury....

Their rise in popularity means there are lots of wreaths to choose from depending on the color scheme, shape, and style — all important factors to consider for getting the right wreath for your door size. Too big and it can look crowded or get caught every time you open the door; too small and it won’t make much of an impact or accent the space well. Learn how to choose the right size wreath for your door to make your entryway enticing....

How to Clean a Wedding Dress Planning for the future preservation of your wedding dress begins on the day you start shopping. When you find “the dress” be sure to ask the sales consultant how the dress should be cleaned. Look for special instructions on how to clean any delicate trim, beads, or sequins. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission requires that each gown have a care label that you should take time to read....

When selecting a quartz countertop, it is important to make the distinction between quartzite and engineered quartz slabs. Both are durable and easy-care, but one, quartzite, must be sealed and resealed regularly like granite. Quartzite is formed when sandstone containing quartz minerals is exposed to high heat and pressure within the earth’s crust. Engineered quartz is produced in a factory by combining randomly sized quartz crystals with resins and, occasionally, colored pigments to form a slab....

The best compost bins have a way to capture compost tea, the dark, nutrient-rich liquid that’s formed inside a compost pile. But if you want to make a simple, cheap start, just cut some holes in the sides and bottom of a plastic garbage bin.

The pest occurs annually throughout North America with the exception of northern Canada and Alaska. In warm southern climates where it overwinters, corn earworm usually causes more damage earlier in the season than in cooler northern climates. Its migration from southern locations to the north might be so late in the season that it does not get the chance to inflict much damage. Unless you are dealing with a heavy infestation, for most home gardeners, it is usually not the corn earworm itself that causes the most damage....

Here are seven questions to ask yourself every time you need help deciding what to toss or keep. An expiration date can also relate to whether an item has outlived its usefulness. For example, you may be holding on to a piece of clothing from years ago for sentimental reasons that you know you’ll never wear or fit into again. Instead, take a photo of it or turn it into a piece of art by framing it....

A clutter-free pantry will not only make it easier for you to find what you need, but it can actually allow you to maximize your storage space. Here are easy steps you can take to declutter your pantry in an afternoon. Instead, take everything you have out and lay it on the floor so you can easily take inventory. For items that haven’t yet expired, either make a plan to use them or decide to toss or donate if it’s unlikely you will ever actually find a use....

Your home is a reflection of your life, and the bagua is one of the tools that feng shui practitioners use to better understand this connection. Each of the areas of the bagua corresponds to a particular aspect of life, such as relationships, career, knowledge, and yes, even your financial prosperity. This particular area is called “Xun” in Chinese and is also known as the wealth or money corner. This position relates to your financial wealth and abundance, as well as the prosperity of all kinds....