Brick House Credits Itself With the Launch Of the Unique Child Locater

A child is the most valuable asset of any parent. Therefore it becomes inevitable that one should do everything and take every step to ensure their safety, which today is the biggest concern of the parents. In the blink of an eye a child could disappear from your sight. To give relief to the parents, and as featured in the newest Duracell "Power To Protect" campaign, Brick House had launches its most innovative product 'Child Locater'. This locater is an innovative product because it is both preventative and problem-solving. It not only helps you locate your child, but it also alerts you if your child is wandering too far. This child locater can help in restricting the chances of child abduction or wandering that can lead to a lost and scared child.

Hand held Locaters, by Brick House, works best for children 2 to 10 years old. The main aim of this locater is to install certain technology to help parents keep track of their child's location. Not all systems work the same way as each one is configured to solve a particular problem. The Brick House Locater is perfect for or on-the-fly location of young children who need constant supervision, especially when the parents are engrossed in activities like camping, visiting amusement parks, carnivals, or sporting events.

This unique child safety and security hardware product comes in three parts to ensure a child's safety - Hand held locater device, panic homing tag, and three mini homing tags. All you need to do is to attach the mini homing tags to your child and set an allowed distance, which is normally 600ft (183m) outdoors, and up to 200ft (61m) indoors from your hand held locater. This is normally referred as the safety zone and soon as your child steps out of the designed area the locater will vibrate to alert you. In case, the child is in any danger, pressing the panic tag will send a distress signal to your locater. Not only this, this hand held locater will then guide you to the tag by using audio and visual directional guidance, which is just like looking for your hidden treasure. The device beeps faster as you get closer, letting you know when you are near.

Available at a convenient price of US$189.95, this remarkable product is available worldwide. Some of the key features of this product are -

=> Easy to set up and use,
=> Get Distance Alerts If Your Child Wanders
=> Easy Beep And Vibrate Directional Guidance
=> Tags Have 90-Day Battery Life- Track Up To 24 Tags

All these facilities are without any monthly fees. The portable tracking device will beep, vibrate, and visually lead you to the Tag quickly and easily. If your child is well aware, then he can even press the panic alert button, thus making you aware of some dangerous possibilities.

Paint Supplies – The Upbeat Paint Trends

Fashion always has a say in the ever changing world of home décor. Though the usual color schemes seems to be in vogue always, but of recent the homeowners are interested in the latest paint color palettes and new ways to use them most effectively. Some of the most sought after color patterns and themes in the paint supply industry are as follows -

Enhancement Exotica – This is one of the most happening trend where there is use of travel inspired colors in order to decorate the house. This theme has richer, deeper hues that reminds one of the far off destinations. Taking inspiration from the rich jewel-tones of Oriental rugs or the vivid sights of a Moroccan market, the palette colors highlight rich red-purples, deep browns and dark yellows, as well as ebony and ivory accents. Best explained as the dramatic trend, it is ideal for family or dining rooms as it adds a feeling of warmth and excitement.

Neutral Skin Tone – This eccentric color palette includes a wide spectrum of flesh-toned hues. Inspired from a cosmetic store in color as well as purpose, this theme is best when one is planning a backdrop for brighter colors to give the room a new look with the new skin-tone paint colors. If one has an open floor plan then nothing works better that this theme.

Spirit of Mineral – To get a taste of the woods and the greens get your house bedecked with this latest natural trend. Drawing inspiration from lush forest landscapes, these earth tones have more "pop" and are a bit brighter than ever before. The major color scheme in this segment includes Dusty shades of blue and lavender, as well as rosy browns and echo colors found in nature. Due to their warmth in approach, they are best suited for bathrooms and kitchens.

Serene And Soulful – This is the most relaxing theme provided by the paint supplies and paint manufacturers. Staying true to its name, this theme create relaxing retreats in the homes by installing the soulful colors – white and blue primarily. This is the safest bet for the amateurs who want a new look for their bedrooms or living rooms. This painting trend offers a relaxing retreat and offer a fresh tint of the spa concept, that is always a hit.

Painting styles are not confined to only these themes. Today its possible to implement one of your imaginations as well. The ceiling can be converted into a canvas and can be brought to life with color, decorative techniques and imaginative color schemes. Use of higher sheen paints in unconventional areas, such as ceilings and walls, and the incorporation of metallic paint accents cans add an unexpected bit of gleam to a room and is a success with the homeowners who are looking to personalize and enhance their living space.

In todays contemporary world, colors and designs too have gone under considerable changes – beyond colors and hues and patterns. It is this great demand for unique ideas that is making painting supplies industry gain a lot momentum now than never before.

=> Find Painting Supplies Manufacturers & Wholesale Suppliers
=> Paint Stores Industry Research in the US by IBISWorld

G9 Light Bulbs – The Perfect Choice for Indoor and Lighting Outdoors

Till date everyone has been going gaga over the great advantages of incandescent bulbs. Referred to quite simple structures that give a radiant sheen and steady light, an incandescent bulb's core has two metal contacts at the bottom of the base, and this is where it gets its power. Claim to be designed in a manner with a wide array of voltages and sizes, ranging from 1.5 volts to about 300 volts, these lighting fixtures usually do not entail any external regulating equipment and are noted to incur much lower manufacturing costs. A newer version in this segment is the halogen G9 light bulbs that works best with both alternating and direct currents. These qualities help to make the incandescent lamp a popularly-used household and commercial lighting material.

The scope of these lighting hardware is not only confined to personal use as these portable lighting can be very well used as car headlamps, table lamps, electric flashlights as well as for outdoor and indoor advertising and decorative lighting.

As per the lighting experts, it is these infused qualities that make the incandescent bulbs a great hit in the lighting industry. G9 Halogen light bulbs are essentially incandescent lamps in their design and construction, and operate relatively like standard light bulbs. Although they appear to be quite smaller that the average incandescent bulb but they are known to offer better lifespan and also claim to produce higher and much steadier lighting outputs. The G9 halogen bulb is best known for its attribute of combining with tungsten, especially when the temperature of the medium is sufficiently high. It is this trait of the same that the generated tungsten vapor is recycled back to the filament, and not simply deposited or stored on the inner walls of the envelope.

The manufacturers and suppliers of these G9 halogen bulbs claim that they are designed with a pin base of two contact pins in the underside of the bulb. These pins are then given a G or GY designation, and the corresponding number refers to the center-to-center distance in millimeters. For instance, a 4 mm pin base will then be designated as G4, or GY4 light bulb. Among the more common G or GY light bulb dimensions include the G4 (4 mm), G6.35 (6.35 mm), G8 (8 mm), G9 (9 mm), and GY9.5 (9.5 mm). In these designations, the second letter will indicate the pin's diameter.

Often utilized as a down light or spotlight these lighting fixtures operates at mains voltage, which means that these do not require a transformer to lower the voltage down, and also indicates that these can be dimmed through the use of conventional dimmers. They are safe to use and do not emit harmful ultraviolet radiations. The light generated by these devices is genuinely powerful, and it often only needs only one well-placed light bulb or lamp to achieve this. These halogen light fixtures outdoors are dependable lighting variants that are capable of livening up your front porch with steady yet powerful floods of light.

Bamboo Bathroom Faucet Trend: Nature Inspired Designs

Artistic brilliance need not be restricted to paintings, stunningly crafted faucet re-defines bathroom elegance, adding a touch of class and poise to its surroundings.

Bamboo has made its way into most aspects of contemporary interior design, and bamboo faucets are more than just a design trend, they make a statement. The Chinese see bamboo as a symbol of longevity, while the people of India see it as a symbol of friendship.

Bamboo Faucets are Ideal
Introduce bamboo faucets into your contemporary or traditional space for an earthy, sophisticated, updated look.Bamboo faucets are ideal for nature themed and Zen inspired bathrooms and act as a conversation piece as much as a functional bathroom fixture. The bamboo faucets brings together nature with modern function to create a truly unique line of vessel sink faucets. While imitating the look of the bamboo canes of the orient, they will provide a gracious flow of water as if they were lifting it out of the river themselves. These bamboo vessel faucets come in a few selected finishes, including chrome, copper and dark antique. Bamboo vessel sink faucets are a perfect compliment to a nature inspired bathroom, where even the smallest detail is not overlooked.

Coordinating Bath Accessories
Coordinating Bamboo bath accessories for the home include a robe hook, pivoting paper holder, towel ring, decorative toilet tank lever, curved bamboo towel bar with glass shelf and towel bars.

Zen Inspired Designs
To create an authentic, Zen-inspired design, reflect nature's influence in your choice of materials. Use organic materials. Strive for balance between Asia's five elements: fire, earth, water, metal and air. Blend copper faucets and stone sinks with airy rice paper screens. Move the mountain inside the house with stacked pebble tiles. Cast concrete sinks have the look and feel of carved stone and add an important grounding balance to your bathroom. If you want to get the Zen look for less, consider installing bamboo laminate countertops.

Teak is a popular wood in Zen design and it's an easy way to add an authentic touch with no remodeling at all. Add a teak stool to the shower and teak floor mats outside the tub. If you are remodeling, build a teak bench next to the tub. "One to three pieces work best. Balance is the key."

Faucet Trends
Several companies using nature as a platform for product design and focussing on organic look. They are incorporating nature's unique shapes and patterns into their faucets to impart the feeling of relaxation & coorelation when surrounded by the natural world. Another trend that takes its cue is involving elements into the design process.

Kohler is just one of several companies using nature as a platform for product design.
Some of the featured Kohler faucets are:

• Symbol, which mimics the way water arcs from a fountain. The intent behind Symbol, is to impart the feeling of relaxation.
  
• Another is the Finial Avian, a graceful, two-handled tap that depicts birds with their beaks nestled inward.
  
• Inspired by elements is the Kohler's Rain Showerhead, which is inspired by a gentle downpour.

Cabinet Hardware With a Modern Theme Tinge

While planning for a new decor or refurbishing one's house, a lot many people dread the job of selecting the appropriate cabinet hardware. It is a very true fact as a lot many options available in the cabinet hardware industry, confuse the buyer. Though it appears to be a very tedious task, but it is not possible to even pass it on to someone other... After all its your home! The endless options including colors, shapes, materials and finish makes it difficult for a person to choose just the piece that he or she is looking for. However, to avoid this one can pick way to narrow the field pretty quickly, that is to make a general decision about whether your cabinet hardware should be old fashioned, traditional or modern.

Having decided, this helps the hardware vendor to eliminate dozens of styles from the mix, thus thinning the options and therefore the confusion about which cabinet hardware to select. This portion can further be narrowed by bifurcating the various finishes, eliminating chrome, and brush finishes.

The building hardware industry is humongous and presently a lot many modern designs of cabinet hardware are present. Today it is not impossible to give your rooms the much sought, specific themes. Some of the most popular themes are described below.

Poker Room Design – Simply macho, is what poker room decor is often related with. Besides putting up mafia posters, humidor, and audio equipment, one can use designer cabinet pulls, cabinet hinges and cabinet locks to make it look more surreal. The poker room collection includes a spade, heart, club and diamond cabinet knob (in five finishes) and a cabinet pull to match.

Football Theme Room – If you are a football freak then surely there are a lot many options to make your room have the feel of a football ground. A football shaped cabinet knob can be place on your drawer slides or cabinet racks to make your bedroom a perfect sports room.

Bar Cabinet Design – All those who have a bar room in their homes can add extra zest to the room by installing cabinet latches and cabinet fastener of bar theme. There are cupboard pulls and cabinet knobs of the same shape. While choosing for cabinet lighting use LED lights, Halogen cabinet lights or the puck style of Xenon lighting to give that modern bar touch to your house.

Antique Room Design – To give your room that quintessential ancient look, use the antique cabinet hardware. Use the rustic knobs and pulls to create the desired ambiance. There are various cabinet legs that too are available in rustic designs and texture.

Choose the theme that suits your space and mood the most. The cabinet hardware industry has been revolutionized and its not restricted to simple and plain designed cabinet pulls, cabinet knobs and cabinet hardware anymore. Besides the above mentioned themes, there are many other themes (animal themes, jungle theme, aquatic theme, ocean theme) to be adopted before planning to decorate or redecorate a home.

Curtain Hardware With a Twist – Fashion Draperies

Curtain hardware has come a long way from the time when one had no option but to stick with boring white curtain rods. Today there are so many options in the curtain hardware industry that can dress up any room. An array of beautified curtain rings, interesting curtain rods and curtain poles can be incorporated to make your window look exceptionally elite and stylish. You can now find drapery rods, curtain rods, curtain finials, curtain hooks, rings, and tiebacks in a mind-boggling assortment of designs in iron, wood, stainless steel, decorative ceramic, wrought iron, painted or not.

Once you step out in the markets to pick your curtain window hardware, you will be bombarded with many varieties offered by the building hardware industry. Once on the hunt it will be difficult to differentiate between two fabrics and designs. So one should be prepared before setting out. Following are some of the tips that will help you choose the best thing available in the market, of course for your home.

• Make sure that before buying you ordinate all the drapery material, drapery hardware, and fabrics to ensure that they look good together. Select thin, light rods for sheer drapery panels. For heavier draperies, find a rod with a larger diameter and choose a bold curtain finial.
  
  
• Make up your mind regarding the curtain rods as to whether you want them to be the prominent decorative element or if you want it to be hidden behind the draperies.
  
  
• The size of the room will decide the size of the drapery rod and curtain hardware accessories. Select wide diameter poles, rods, and rings for large room and vice versa.
  
  
• Before buying the panels, decide upon whether your draperies remain open most of the time or will they be opened and closed daily. Choose panels that can hang from the sides and can be arranged on a basic or decorative pole. To move the panels open and closed, you'll need a draw cord system or clip-on or sew-on decorative rings.
  
  
• Layering the window treatment is important for an adaptable window covering. Further to avoid lighting or restore privacy, install a blind or shutters next to the glass.
  
  
• Longer fabric lines will add height to a room. For this install drapery hardware well above the window frame, or even up along the ceiling line.
  
  
• If you plan to install a two layered drapes or curtains then make sure you get a double rod or two separate rods. The inner rod closest to the wall will hold the drapery panels while the outer one will hold decorative panels or a valance.
  
  
• A curtain tape, which is used to create decorative headings for curtains are available in nylon, polyester and other materials. Choose the fabric that synchronises with the curtain fabric and the colour of the room.
  
  Keep these valuable tips and guidelines in your mind the next time you go shopping for your curtain hardware. You can look at choosing drapery hardware as just another fun part of creating your own look in your home. Every element will enhance the space and reflect your taste.

Door Hardware : Open to the Greens

A door is the most important point of any house. And as the saying goes, 'the first impression is the last impression', so it is inevitable that while planning a house the door should be planned properly and minutely to create a long lasting effect. Door hardware is very important as it not only creates a striking first impression but also performs the task of securing your property against intruders. The use of proper door fittings and door locks are important to ensure security as well as its appearance.

Speaking in the present context when hardware is turning green, door hardware industry is not lagging behind. Irrespective of whether you are renovating an old house or trying to add some character to a new home, there are a few options for eco-friendly door hardware that you should go for. Even the salvaged door knobs and door hooks do come handy.

In Hailey, Idaho, Rocky Mountain Hardware, is into the manufacturing of extensive line of solid bronze door hardware that contains a minimum of 72% recycled content (50% post-consumer). The product list includes door handles, multi-point sets and sliding doors. They also produce door accessories like door latches, door knockers and door hinges for commercial residential and hospitality purposes. Another highlight is that their product comes with a lifetime warranty.

Portland Oregano's Eleek Inc. is another manufacturing company that makes 2 styles of one-of-a-kind door handles comprised of 100% locally-sourced, post-consumer recycled aluminum.

In California, Albion Doors and Windows is a company that is a specialist in the production of antique door hardware, old style mortised locks and latches, crystal glass knobs, black and white porcelain door bolts and mineral knobs, embossed knobs and Escutcheon plates, since 1870s.

Rejuvenation is a retail store located in Portland and Seattle. This store too is famous for all kinds of antique door frames and door closers. The Old House Parts Company in Kennebunk, Maine has a vast selection of door knobs and door fasteners dating from 1730 to 1930.

If you are looking for vintage door hardware then go to Rochester in New York that is home to Historic Houseparts where you’ll find a wide array of vintage door hardware. Robinson’s Antique Hardware, of Lake Odessa, Michigan, offers a great selection of door knobs, door knockers, door locks, and door latches too.

Investing in door hardware is a wise decision as they are the most important part of the house. Do not worry about the cleanliness of these door hardware as are also a number of commercial cleaners and polishes available on the market for cleaning up old hardware. If you are planning to refurnish your house and do not want to change your old hardware, then brim new life to the old hardware by repleting it with brass or another finish at a metal finisher or replater shop. Another inexpensive way to make your old hardware look like a new one is by switching the backs and fronts of the door hardware around.

Install Security Cameras - Safety Guaranteed

In the present vulnerable scenario, security seems to have become the prime concern of the common people.

All those who do not have the liberty as well as the money to keep body guards should not worry. To tackle the problem of security, various types of security camera have been launched in the technological world. Security cameras are recognised as the standard in monitoring property and detection of criminals. Surveillance video is claimed to be the most successful home monitoring device by its ways to protect oneself against theft and violence. This is because these cameras are very effective in deterring criminals, thus protecting your house against theft and violence and further help them to catch those perpetrators.

Surveillance cameras that are primarily used for monitoring but today their scope has not been restricted to government offices or banks.

Today, these CCTV cameras are applicable in houses as well. Cities such as London have installed several surveillance cameras throughout the city as a means of deterring and capturing criminals. Car theft is one arena where these cameras are extremely helpful. So much so is the advantage of security cameras that even cities like New York and Chicago are beginning to use surveillance cameras throughout the city. Though some people argue that surveillance cameras evade the privacy of people, thus stripping them of their civil rights. Critics have also charged that surveillance cameras are used more for social control than as criminal deterrents. However, with the rise in many anti social happenings, these cameras have proven to be very useful.

Initially these security cameras were analogue, but the digital phase has taken over them now.

These digital security cameras transmit their data feed via WiFi technology to the Internet. From there a digital video recorder or a computer can view the feed with a specially configured Web browser. The video recorders are thus able to store data feed to a DVD-ROM.

Apart from the digital video security cameras that are present in a variety of options in the computer hardware industry, digital still surveillance cameras are also available. These cameras are equipped with motion detectors that alert the camera to take a photo when any activity occurs. This camera is very much in methodology like the digital cameras that hold hundreds of photographs at one time.

In this world where a new technology is born everyday, there are a wide variety of options to choose from in the security cameras segment as well.

There are spy cameras that are the smallest and most powerful covert spy camera/recorder in the world. The micro hidden camera, though looks like an air freshener, is ultra-covert with 2GB of RAM for fast-action snapshot video when motion is detected. Then there is the night vision camera that capture footage even in complete darkness. This type of motion-activated wireless night vision camera has a 150 foot night vision range, which is capable of recording anywhere, anytime.

Many popular companies like Sony, today, are involved in the manufacturing of these CCTV cameras.


All one needs to do is to choose the one that suits one's requirements. In recent times, they are used by many government branches, businesses and by private homeowners. Choose from Wireless Cameras, Hidden Cameras, Secure Recording Devices, and even Decoy Cameras to protect your home or office.

Get Involved with Environmental Issues As Carbon Emissions Increasing

As per the energy statistics report put out by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) unveiled that carbon dioxide pollution had increased by 1.4 percent in 2007. 2006 had seen a welcome decrease in pollution, but most of that decrease was attributed to decreased use of heat and air-conditioning that year because of rather favorable weather conditions in North America.

For 2007 we were not so lucky on the weather front and both the cold winter and warm summer accelerated the need to burn more fuel for U.S. citizens to keep comfortable. This news comes as no surprise, as since the year 1990, the average increase of greenhouse gas emissions has risen a little less than 1 percent each year.

Getting down to some specifics, in 2007 the U.S. emitted around 384 million metric tons of nitrous oxide (5.3 percent of total emissions), which is equal to a 2.2 percent increase overall. Emissions of the three industrial greenhouse gases, hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) increased by 3.3 percent, which is equal to about 177 million metric tons (2.4 percent total emissions).

Agricultural emissions from farming and the "exhaust pipes" of various farm animals was also on the rise for 2007 with 700 million metric tons of methane being blasted into the air (9.6 percent of total emissions). This equals to about a 1.9 percent increase from the year before. While these numbers depict an emissions increase, the overall outlook for the U.S. for the next 25 years shows at least some promise.

Future U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide is predicted to increase at an average rate of 0.5 percent per year, which is half of the 1.0 percent it has been for the past 20 years. This half percent decrease should be enough to drop the current 21 percent of U.S. share in carbon dioxide emissions down to about 16 percent, which is a respectable 5 percent improvement overall.

It is China and India whose current emissions projection is the most alarming today. In the next 25 years, China's emissions are projected to account for nearly 47 percent of the projected increase between the years 2005 and 2030. India will account for the second largest share at 8 percent.

Also on the alarm in the near future is the worldwide distribution of industrial type greenhouse gases, which includes the above mentioned HFCs, PFCs and SF6. These three pollutants seem to be especially on a record rise and could exceed a 150 percent increase by the year 2010 the report suggests.

What can we do about this relatively bad, yet slightly promising news?Well, by controlling your patronage towards the various industrial manufacturers who are working to reduce their greenhouse gases, we can further support the businesses who are in turn supporting the environment. Choosing alternative fueled vehicles in the future is another positive step we could all make.

But in particular, this report warns us that we need to get involved with environmental issues on a more global level rather than just national. For too long we have seen the world as us and them, but in reality when it comes to pollution we are all in this together!

As far as the gaseous farm animal problem goes, it is obvious that better diets are in order, but some farmers are thankfully already working on that.

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Tips to Make Your Green Kitchen A Success

The green movement in the world has not left the building hardware industry aloof from its effect.


Everywhere you will go, today people are very much aware of their role when it comes to preserving the environment. Although there are a very few lot of people who are deeply concern about the eco issues, but the rest do it either due to allergy or are prone to chemical reactions. None the less, a green modification is anything but inevitable. So whenever you plan to go for green remodelling, then the best place to begin from is the kitchen. Everybody agrees on the fact that a kitchen is the most important area of the house and also the only place in the house which is frequently modified.

Today there are vary economical and variety of ways with with you can revolutionize your kitchen green. Without sacrificing style and luxury, the kitchen designs of today are eco friendly and not at all expensive. The green hardware installed in the kitchens are not only environmentally safe but a few special devices can also lower your electricity and water consumption costs. While refurnishing your house do not forget the lightening, bad ventilation and energy consumption that lead to various environmental problems. One does not realise but the use of poor appliances can use up too much energy. Over consumption of water, chemical sensitivities from products containing formaldehyde, and over-use of electricity due to the poor use of natural lighting and ventilation problems are just a few of the drains on our natural resources.


Besides the health hazards money too is a big concern before going in for a green building hardware renovation. However, one can save money by investing in buying smaller appliances, buying less stuff, and buying salvaged materials. Operating maintenance costs are decreased by using energy efficient refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and microwaves. While planning the kitchen ensure that you have made enough provisions for natural daylight and proper ventilation.

Do not forget to create windows that allow a lot of skylight and fresh air. This will help in the reduction of electricity used in lightening. Another important tip is to create a place for recyclable storage, and using small efficient dishwashers, ovens, and freezers. While designing the floors and cabinets it is advisable to use non toxic materials as they are long lasting and are made of recycled sustainable products result in a healthier and more affordable product. Using concrete will help you abstain from harmful fumes. Today this product is in vogue and comes in different pattern and color options. Counter tops can be green as well if they are made from recycled glass or cast concrete.


Energy efficient appliances should to be the norm. When you start shopping try to locate the Energy Star stickers on most new products. Energy efficient lighting should be incorporated to cut down on your utility bills. Switching to CFL light bulbs is something that everyone can do to save energy and cut down on carbon dioxide emissions. Thankfully the quality has gone up and the prices have gone down in the past few years.

Do not get overwhelmed by the varieties of choices. Make reasonable selections and just keep in mind that you are trying to create a healthier environment for yourself as well as saving money in the long haul.

=> Green Remodel Kitchen



=> Go Green In Style Slideshow