Pennsylvania (PA) Shopping News

Entries from September 2008

Window Covers Keep Dirt, Animals and Even Children Out of Window Wells

September 30, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Window covers provide piece of mind, preventing accidents, dirt accumulation, and even forestalling burglars. Read about the many weird animals people have found in their window wells, and some preventative measures to ensure they do not fall into yours.

For many home owners, the only way to get natural sunlight in the basement is through a window well. The exposed well, outside the window can accumulate dirt and debris unless special attention and protective coverings are used. A window well cover prevents dirt and leaves from accumulating in the well, and also prevents children and small animals from falling into the well and becoming trapped. They may even deter a burglar from braking into the house. Installing a window well cover will provide you piece of mind.

In the last year, there have been many instances of animals and people trapped in window wells. Here we have listed a few:

  • A buck was trapped in a large window well at a Bridgeport Church. Officials tranquilized the deer to move it.
  • A muskrat was trapped in a window well.
  • A golden retriever, aged 4, was trapped in a window well – perhaps her eyesight was going bad.
  • An 84 year old man drowned in a window well outside his suburban home in September of 2008.
  • A squirrel fell in a window well, became trapped and refused to climb out with the help of a board. The homeowner grabbed it by its tail and threw it out of the well.
  • A family of mallard ducklings was found abandoned by their mother in a window well.
  • A 3 year old boy fell in a window well while his mother was hanging up clothing.
  • A chinchilla fell in a window well and was rescued by putting him in a box and pulling the box out of the window well.
  • A 250 pound moose calf fell into an 8 foot deep window well on the edge of a golf course in eastern Idaho, and had to be tranquilized and pulled out with a rope.
  • A man fell in a window well in Boston, and could not get out without the help of EMS and fire crews.
  • A skunk fell in a window well and the home owner was able to coax it up by using a board as a ramp, but not before the skunk released his scent!
  • A Great Horned Owlet fell in a window well in Geneva. The latest reports are that the owl has been spotted in nearby trees and appears to be doing just fine!
  • 4 newborn kittens and the feral mother were trapped in a window well about 3ft deep, in a suburban backyard.

In addition to using window well coverings, many animals can be prevented from being trapped in attics, basements, under decks, and in window wells by implementing a few simple preventative measures.

  • Don’t feed wildlife. If you do feed birds, try a feeder with a gravity-operated treadle to discourage squirrels, and don’t let spilled food accumulate.
  • Trim tree branches that extend over your roof.
  • Cover window wells.
  • Keep pet food inside.
  • Store garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids.
  • Secure ¼ inch mesh cloth around decks built less than two feet off the ground.
  • Seal all holes and cracks in your foundation, roof, siding or stucco that are larger than 3/8 inch wide.
  • Seal up holes around and under home foundations

If you have a problem with an animal trapped in your window well, contact wildlife control experts.

For more information about window cover, please visit us at window bubble.

Categories: Shopping

Electric Christmas Luminaries

September 30, 2008 · Leave a Comment

What began as a Spanish tradition involving holiday lighting has now become even safer and easier with the addition of electric luminaria or luminaries.  Luminaries are a decorating tradition, and now are available in an electrified version for holiday decor.

Electric luminaries can be used indoors or along a walk or driveway. They are perfect for Christmas decorating to welcome your guests.  Instead of trying to line up the traditional luminaria bag along your walkway, it is easy to lay a 15 or 30 foot length of connected translucent PVC sheaths with 4watt C7 bulbs for a holographic-look that runs on electricity.

The luminaria sets includes five luminaries with bulbs on a 15′-long light string or 10 Luminarias on a 30’ light string.  In addition, the clear bulbs can be interchanged with colored bulbs for different holiday effects.  For instance, you can use green bulbs for St. Patricks Day or Orange bulbs for Halloween!

Christmas electric luminaries for Southwestern or Spanish Traditions

Electric luminaries are sometimes called farolitos (the Spanish word for little lanterns) and are now used around the world and on every occasion, not just for Christmas, to illuminate patios and walkways during celebrations.

Luminarias (Spanish for “small bonfires”) were first recorded in the 16th century, when Spanish people lit bonfires along the roads to guide people to Midnight Mass on the final night of Las Posadas. This was done to reenact the story of Mary and Joseph’s quest for lodging in Bethlehem.  This tradition was brought to the Santa Fe Trail in the early 19th century, when settlers lit their entranceways with beautiful Chinese paper lanterns.  This tradition was introduced to Mexican Indians by Spanish missionaries, who lit paper lanterns for nine consecutive nights beginning December 16th.  It was representational of lighting the way for Christ’s birth and illumination of the spirit.

The modern tradition has evolved into lights decorating sidewalks, driveways, rooftops and windows as a way to guide travelers to their holiday destinations.  In every case, electric luminaria has become a tradition of welcome. The more common versions of luminarias are made of paper bags, sand and votive candles.  For those who live in cold, snowy, windy climates, electric Christmas luminaria are easier to manage than paper bags.

For more information visit Electric Christmas Luminaries

Categories: Shopping

Window Cover Protection

September 25, 2008 · Leave a Comment

As the seasons change, window cover protection can prevent damage from rain, wind and hail, not to mention keeping debris and critters from settling in your basement window wells. Window cover protection also reduces the amount of water being directed into your basement by forming a protective cover or bubble over the window well. When high winds strike, window cover protection keeps flying objects from slamming into the low basement windows and breaking the glass.

As homes in the mid west get pummeled with this stormy weather, many home owners are looking for some type of window cover protection for their basement windows. Be prepared with window cover protection when turbulent weather comes your way. When torrential rains sweep across the mid west damaging homes, window cover protection will prevent damage to many basement windows.

Don’t get caught unprepared. To get started protecting your home, research the best solutions for your window cover protection. Cheap versions will probably be ill fitting or crack easily. Make sure your window cover protection is made of super strong acrylic plastic and has a guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship. Most window cover protection is lightweight and easy to install. Generally, all that is needed for installation is a masonry drill bit and power drill. The care of window cover protection is just as easy. They are virtually maintenance free and can be cleaned up with some mild dish detergent, water, and a swish of your hand.

Window cover protection also adds an extra layer of insulation to drafty or leaky basement and egress windows. Having a proper fitting cover over your basement windows is as important as the window cover protection itself. Take care to properly measure your window well area to get the correct dimensions before ordering a window cover protector. Window cover frames can be customized to fit over any size window well. Pipes, wires or downspouts usually aren’t a problem for professional window cover protection manufacturers. By giving the exact dimensions, you will be ensured to receive a proper fitting item.

When searching for companies that can provide window cover protection, turn to a company like www.WindowBubble.com to get custom fit window covers and prevent further damage from rain and wind to your home. Protect the investment you made in your home with protection from a window cover.

Categories: Home Decor · Shopping
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Using Smoked Food in Recipes

September 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Tired of the same old meal? Try using smoked food in recipes! Imagine sitting down to dinner and having a delicious smell waft through the air. More importantly, imagine the succulent taste of that delicious meal! If you are wondering how you can spice up your next meal by using smoked food in recipes, read on….

Using smoke food in recipes will add exceptional flavor to your ordinary dish. The unique blend of natural wood smoke, seasonings and brine compliment fish, fowl, or meat. You can use smoked food in recipes as appetizers or entrees. Either way, you will enjoy a more savory version of many meats.

Smoked fish, especially trout or salmon is very flavorful and moist. There is a variety of smoked fish to suit everyone’s taste. Try something like hickory smoked or lemon peppered smoke trout and experience the flavor and tenderness this fish has to offer. You may also want to try the buttery and moist taste of Chilean sea bass or naturally sweet and tender diver scallops. To really enjoy smoked food in recipes, serve the ultimate smoked trout you and your guests will ever try, the natural smoked Tasmanian trout!
If fowl is more your style, try juicy boneless duck breast or chicken in your next recipe. Serve it along with long grain wild rice and fresh green bean accompaniments for a complete meal. Pheasant, the king of all game birds, will be sure to impress your guests, as this plump, moist and meaty bird is truly a meal fit for a king!

For the true meat eater, you may want to start off with a mouth watering serving of smoked pork tenderloin, boneless port loin or pork ribs smoked to the peak of flavor. Add a twist to your next meal by serving a tantalizing gourmet feast when you use smoked food in recipes. You can serve smoked food in salads, on crackers, or as a main course and be pleasantly surprised at the unique taste and flavor these smoked foods have to offer.

These exceptional smoked foods can be ordered from a variety of websites on the internet. An exceptional line of smoked foods is offered by Sugartown Smoked Specialties. You can view their products and wonderful recipes at www.SmokedFoods.com. Surprise your family or guests and spice up your next meal by using smoked food in your recipe.

Categories: Food & Beverages