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Silverfish That Invade Our Homes Regularly

Silverfish That Invade Our Homes Regularly

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SILVERFISH CONTROL

Silverfish are wingless insects that are typically smaller than 2 inches long. The insect derives its name from is silver-like color combining both light gray and blue along with its distinct movement pattern that resembles a fish. The abdomen of a silverfish is tapered further giving the insect a fish-like appearance.

Silverfish come in many different varieties yet all share a common appearance. Slight color variations may be present, but all exhibit the same basic features. Two long cerci adorn their head and the abdomen contains one terminal filament that protrudes between the left and right cerci.

The silverfish has two compound eyes that are very small, unlike other members of the same family. In most cases, similar insects will have no eyes. This is a characteristic that is unique to the silverfish insect in comparison to its common relatives.

Silverfish are a wingless insect and use a wiggling motion as means of transportation. This wiggling motion is often reminiscent of a fish. Silverfish are very good runners and use this benefit to escape common predators including spiders and centipedes. However, without appendages, silverfish can’t climb with the same speed and it is limited to horizontal surfaces

LIFE CYCLE

Silverfish do not procreate through direct fertilization methods. The mating habits of a silverfish can be broken down into three distinct parts. In the first segment of the silverfish mating ritual, a male and female silverfish will rub their antennae together. During the second stage, the female will flee from the male before returning for the third and final phase. In the final phase, the male will begin vibrating his tail onto a female silverfish to release spermatophores, which the female will receive through ovipositors without direct fertilization.

 

How to Protect Your Home From Silverfish Infestation?

Silverfish are creepy little silvery nightmare creatures that you can often find in the dark, damp corners of your home. They are harmless to us and our pets, but that doesn’t make them any less creepy. They are a natural disaster for books, clothing, and anything else which contains starch

Unlike other household pests, they are slow to establish infestation levels of terribleness but, once they get to that point, they are incredibly difficult to control and remove. Thankfully, there are methods of getting rid of these Lovecraftian nightmares. Keep reading to find out how.

Why do silverfish invade your home?

Like most pests, silverfish like to invade our homes because there is an abundance of food and a lack of predators. Human homes also have a lot of dark, damp hiding places where they can live their little creepy nocturnal lives. All of these elements combined make for a silverfish paradise where they can eat as much as they want, live without the fear of being hunted, and cause adults to scream like children when they run over their foot in the dark.

How to get rid of silverfish infestation

There are quite a few methods of getting rid of silverfish but, for the best results, you should use a mix of preventative measures and extermination methods

Here is a mix of natural and chemical methods that rid you of silverfish:

Spread cedar shavings. Spread cedar shavings around areas you want to keep silverfish away from. They don’t like the smell and will naturally avoid those areas. Since wood shavings are a little bit messy, it is best to put them in places you can’t see them, unless you always dreamed of living in a sawmill, of course. Vacuum or sweep the shavings up once a week and replace them until you stop seeing silverfish.

Lay jar traps. For this to work, you will need some jars, masking tape, and torn up pieces of bread. Wrap your jars in masking tape all the way to the top and put the bread inside the jar,. Before you go to bed, place the jars in areas that you suspect are good silverfish hunting grounds. The masking tape will allow the nightmarish bugs to climb into the jar, but the smooth glass will prevent them from climbing out.

Apply essential oils. Just like most insects, silverfish cannot stand the smell of lemon and lavender. Buy a bottle of either lavender oil or citrus oil and dilute it in a larger bottle of water. Shake the bottle well and spray this mixture around places that are likely to attract silverfish, such as under sinks, in cupboards, and the edges of rooms. The great thing is that this method is non-toxic for us, so spray to your heart’s content.

Powder diatomaceous earth. This powder is one of the ultimate weapons against anything that creeps and crawls. The powder is incredibly sharp and is able to pierce their tiny exoskeletons. If, on the other hand, they eat it, their bodies will shut down from the inside out. All you need to do is spread Diatomaceous Earth everywhere silverfish are likely to appear, wait one night, and then vacuum the aftermath.

 

The Dangers of Silverfish

Silverfish are tiny, crustacean-looking creatures, often found in moist dark spots around the house such as basements, toilets, shelves and closets. Many scientists consider them the oldest living species of insect on the planet, existing roughly 100 million years before the dinosaurs. They have a gray coating, antennas and they shed their skin continually throughout their lives. Despite their frightening appearance, they do not bite humans, nor have they been known to be venomous. However, this does not mean they cannot cause their fair share of problems to you and your household. Here are some of the dangers of silverfish and how you can avoid them.

Silverfish in Your Home

Although silverfish do not bite, sting or transmit any major pathogens that spread human diseases, there is a reason to believe that they may trigger allergic reactions in people who are exposed to them. As mentioned above, silverfish molt multiple times throughout their lives, leaving behind their old scales. These scales or skins turn into dust, which over time, may begin to irritate people who are allergic to them, causing coughing, sneezing, congestion or rashes. Not only this, but silverfish may even attract other pests into your house such as dust mites.

The really aggravating aspect of silverfish is their propensity to consume everything from books to sweaters to wallpaper. Silverfish live on a diet of sugars and carbohydrates which they get from things like paper, cardboard, tissue, cotton and wood. Silverfish do not discriminate between the things they devour. They’re just as quick to eat holes through an antique war uniform or a precious book as through an unattended paper towel. This is why everyone with any items of value made from cloth or paper should make sure their house is free and clear of any silverfish who may want to destroy them.

To keep these pests at bay, make sure all food sources are kept safe in sealed off areas. Don’t leave crumbs lying on the floor or the counter top, as that will attract silverfish by the dozens. Also, use dehumidifiers in high moisture areas like basements, as silverfish thrive in damp environments. Furthermore, seal off any openings where silverfish may sneak through. Use caulk around the outside of your house and repair any window screens which may be torn. Hopefully, these tricks will keep silverfish out of your home for good.

 

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY: CRITTERS THAT LIVE IN OUR HOMES

Humans are an indoor species. Despite spending nearly 90 per cent of our lives under a roof, we know next to nothing about all the life that lives with us — insects: the most successful creatures on earth.

In The Great Wild Indoors, a team of entomologists spends a week delving into the dark crevices of a typical Toronto house, finding a whopping 112 distinct species. But they say that’s no cause for concern; an insect census taken in homes all over the United States revealed that number is about average.

The Silverfish

This insect goes all the way back to the Paleozoic era. In fact, silverfish haven’t changed much in 400 million years and are found all over the world. Studies even show that they’ve been with us since we first started indoor living in the Stone Age

They often live in our bathrooms and can make a meal of almost anything, especially our dead skin. As long as water is abundant, silverfish can live for up to a year without food.

They run very fast, can jump up to half a metre and squeeze into tiny cracks in walls. All of this makes them very hard to kill. For such a tiny critter, they have a surprisingly long lifespan of three to six years.

 

Identifying and Treating a Silverfish Infestation

Curious creatures they may be, but an infestation of silverfish can cause a serious pest control problem for commercial and residential properties alike.

Silverfish are tiny wingless insects which mainly inhabit warm humid environments such as bathrooms. They prefer the dark and damp and are predominantly nocturnal which – combined with their rapid movement – means a silverfish infestation can go unnoticed for some time.

Silverfish get their name from their teardrop shape, blue-silver scales, and the wiggling motion of their movement. Whilst only around 20 mm in length, these tiny creatures may seem harmless enough however, they can cause serious damage to plaster walls, books, paintings, photographs and household items that contain starch or cellulose – as they feed on carbohydrates

Identification

The easiest way to identify a silverfish infestation is by seeing them with your own eyes. As they are nocturnal, this is most likely to happen if you go to the toilet at night, or when having a pre-bedtime bath or shower. If you are seeing them regularly, it probably means there is an established infestation present.

Improved housekeeping

Now you have identified a possible infestation of silverfish, you are no doubt looking for some pest control advice on how to tackle the problem. Thankfully there are a few practical steps you can take to dissuade the pests from hanging around, using a little knowledge.

Bathroom Remodeling Secrets

Bathroom Remodeling Secrets

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DIY Bathroom Remodel Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

DIY bathroom renovations are not for the faint of heart. “Almost everything in the bathroom has a mechanical rough-in to it, and there are plumbing, space and ventilation issues to consider. Whether you use a professional or are making relatively straightforward DIY tweaks, like replacing a toilet or changing out a vanity for one that’s the same size, it’s good to know what lies ahead.

Money matters

“Most people don’t budget enough money for their project. “The bathroom is second only to the kitchen in costs for renovation.” And it’s not just the drool-worthy products and finishes that add dollars. Be prepared for unforeseen work. “Water can infiltrate behind walls in a shower and tub area for years, causing damage not seen from the finished sides of the walls.

Make a plan

The bathroom has to be functional, so upfront planning is crucial. Here are some things to consider.

Accessibility and safety

Consider vanity and toilet heights and the space around a toilet. While higher fixtures are important for users in wheelchairs, they can make the bathroom more comfortable for many adults. Choose slip-resistant flooring—something textured for traction. A zero-threshold shower will help to avoid tripping. If there are to be handholds or grab bars, you may need blocking in the walls. (Although there are new products that have special anchoring systems so no blocking is necessary.)

Space:

The double sink you covet might not fit. “In a traditional vanity configuration, you don’t want to go under 5 feet. There are some integrated double sinks, but they “tend to be contemporary in design” and may not fit your décor.

Easy maintenance:

White grout will show traffic patterns. Stapperfenne suggests a pewter or medium grey grout. While a marble counter is de rigueur, it also is soft and requires sealing to prevent it from staining.

 

Bathroom Remodel Mistakes (and How You Can Do Better)

Think you’re ready to dive headfirst into that beautiful bathroom remodel? Not so fast… We’ve seen the pictures and horror stories: half-finished bathrooms with no running water, year-old materials already falling apart and worse. Take heed of these pitfalls to make sure your new-look bathroom is finished on time, in style and without the migraines.

Putting carpet anywhere: ANYWHERE. Say no to bathroom carpet. Moisture is going to take its toll on practically any surface, but properly installed natural stone will hold up as well as anything. Even mid-range linoleum will struggle with prolonged puddled water, which is just a reality in a family bathroom. Carpet, though, is a disaster waiting to happen. If you absolutely must have a plush surface to stand on in your bathroom, we recommend a memory foam mat – extra luxurious, easy to replace.

Covering up previous renovations: It’s tempting to merely cover up a previous homeowner’s shoddy DIY job – but not only could this lead to other issues to fix down the line, it could also be dangerous. Trusting another worker’s questionable electrical work, especially around moisture, is asking for trouble. Starting from scratch with your bathroom remodel gives you more peace of mind you’re doing the job right, and can also give you more opportunities to change up the layout for the better. The same goes for plumbing: it may seem straightforward, but one component not completely sealed-off can wreak havoc in your newly spruced-up bathroom. Take care that your plumbing and electrical, in plain sight and behind the scenes, has been properly installed for your new layout and fixtures.

Leaving the layout as–is: If you’re taking the time and money to give your bathroom a new look, you might as well get the layout right! Bathroom designs from homes of all eras have gotten the layout completely wrong, so you may want to have a professional at least suggest some alternatives. Or, try plotting out your current bathroom using a free floor-plan app to toy with new layouts yourself.

 

How Far Do You Want to Go?

The first question to consider is more or less the big picture; that is, what size of project do you have in mind? Bathroom remodels can be grouped into three basic levels. Once you’ve settled on a general strategy, consider the timetable for the bathroom remodeling project and decide if this is something you think you want to go through.

  • Surface alterations. At the easy end of the scale, you may like the general layout and size of the bathroom, and the surfaces (walls, ceiling, floor) are sound. The mantra of the surface-level bathroom remodeler is “cover, not replace.” There is no shame at all in wanting to do a surface-level bathroom remodel.
  • Gut and replace. With this level of remodeling, you keep the same layout and fixture locations of your old bathroom, but you pretty much gut the space down to the bare walls and floor and install all new plumbing fixtures, vanity, flooring, and lighting. You might also update the wiring somewhat, but nothing major.
  • Change the layout. This level can be quite a bit more involved than a makeover or even a fixture replacement because it includes moving fixtures, like the tub/shower, the toilet, or the sink. Layout changes also usually include wiring alterations and full fixture replacement.
  • Change the room. Altering the bathroom footprint goes beyond gutting the space or even moving fixtures around. The largest-scale remodels include structural changes, such as moving or removing walls, bumping out an exterior wall, or altering the ceiling or roof. Usually, the goal is to make the bathroom bigger or to convert a common bathroom into a master bath.

 

Avoid Diy Disasters During Bathroom Renovation

Thinking about renovating the bathroom yourself? It doesn’t take much for a seemingly quick plumbing fix or bathroom reno project to become a full-fledged, property-damaging, sometimes disgusting, whole-house disaster!  Yes, sometimes doing it yourself can save money on plumbing repairs and bathroom renovations.

Here are some tips for your bathroom renovation:

Turn off the water!

If you’re installing or repairing any fixture in the bathroom you should turn off your main water line or at least the shut-off valves to that part of the house.  If something goes wrong this will prevent a flood and you’d be surprised at how many homeowners don’t even know where their shut off valves are located in the house.  While they’re frantically searching for them, the water level rises in the bathroom and a river runs down the hall. Learn how to turn off your water supply.

Learn where your pipes are.

Before tackling any bathroom renovation project, you should at least have a basic knowledge of your home’s plumbing system.  It is a complex system of pipes, drains and appliances.  Figure out which walls have pipes in them and where they are coming from and leading to.  Learning the basic concepts of a household plumbing system will come in handy if something goes wrong. Hiring Hilcraft Contracting will ensure that all of the plumbing and building work is done correctly and efficiently.

Be prepared with the right materials and tools.

This is a good reason to call a plumber or general contractor. They are equipped with the expert knowledge and all the tools required for a bathroom remodel and plumbing jobs.  There is nothing worse than getting halfway through a job and having to stop to run to the hardware store to buy a new tool or replace a fixture that wouldn’t fit.  If you’re going to do-it-yourself, your success increases immensely if you’re prepared with a complete toolkit and knowledge of materials. This is another benefit of hiring a reputable general contractor. They will come equipped with the right tools and equipment and know how to use it.

Hire a professional bathroom renovation company

There are some simple bathroom renovation projects that you could easily tackle yourself, though DIY plumbing mistakes are common can result in damage and costly repairs.  Save yourself the mess, stress and unforeseen expense by bringing in the pros.

 

How to keep your bathroom renovation under $10,000

How to keep your bathroom renovation under $10,000

With the average bathroom renovation ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the space and choices in fixtures and finishes, costs can blow out of control. We spoke to an expert to learn how to keep a bathroom renovation under $10,000 without compromising on a quality result.

Keeping to a renovation budget is all about planning. Itemising tasks to be carried out and listing every component and purchase necessary for the build may seem like overkill, but it’s the key to keeping a lid on spending. Fixtures, tiling, plumbing and electricals all should all be allowed for in your planning.

Before the bathroom renovation takes place, make a plan and set a budget. With a renovation budget to stick to, variations that arise along the way can always be compared against a projected cost. Then, weigh your options to balance an efficient use of available time and money.

“For a full bathroom renovation, a rough guide would be to spend 40% your budget on fixtures, 35% on tiling, 20% on plumbing and the last 5% on electricals

Unloading Services Balancing

Unloading Services Balancing

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You Deserve a Pro’s Touch

No job is too big or small

Hiring a big corporate moving company comes with strings attached. They often have a minimum charge for their moving services. They might require you to use their truck and only move to and from certain locations. If you’re trying to save money

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Loading and unloading your belongings and heavy furniture is a physically demanding job. Not only is it tiring, you could even injure yourself or damage your belongings if you don’t do things properly.

 

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Professional, Trained Unloading Moving Helpers

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Load and Unload Movers Services

If you’re moving your home or office in your own truck, think about who will be doing all that hard work preparing the items, moving them and then efficiently loading and eventually unloading them from the truck. If you think you can use a little extra help from experienced movers

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Your own pick-up or larger trucks

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movers are trained to load and unload carefully and efficiently and we guarantee their help will make your job a lot easier and faster. And, since we know how to load trucks and secure items for safety

Loading and unloading trucks is hard work. Moving furniture like sofas, desks, filing cabinets, dressers and beds, or appliances like refrigerators, washers and dryers, can be difficult and even result in straining your back or other injuries if you attempt to move such large items on your own. Often several strong workers are needed to get the job done. Not only are our movers experienced at moving heavy items, they also know how to prepare the items to avoid damage or lost components

 

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Rearrange or Reassemble Furniture

Rearranging or reassembling your furniture can be a difficult task, especially if you live alone. can rearrange your bedroom, living room, or dining room furniture in order to ensure that your items are carefully arranged, just the way you want them

Never Overflow A Clogged Toilet Again

Never Overflow A Clogged Toilet Again

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WHY DOES MY TOILET KEEP CLOGGING

Does it seem like you’re plunging your toilet at least once a week (or more)? Not fun. Here are a few of the most common causes of a toilet that just keeps clogging and how to fix them.

You’re flushing stuff you shouldn’t be

The only things you should flush down a toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Nothing else. Even facial tissues can be a big problem. They’re not made to break down in water the same way that toilet paper is.

Common things people flush that cause clogs include:

Tampons

Facial tissues

Cotton swabs/Q-tips

Condoms

Dental floss

Diapers

How to fix it: Put a garbage basket next to the toilet so the next time you’re tempted to flush something you shouldn’t, you can just throw it in the wastebasket.

Flapper not opening completely

The flapper is the part of your toilet that lets water flow from the tank on the back down into the toilet bowl, creating the flush. If the flapper doesn’t open all the way it won’t release enough water, which means you’ll get a weak flush. Clogs are common in toilets with a weak flush. How to fix it: Adjust the chain that connects the flapper to the flush handle so that the flapper opens completely when you flush.

 

How to Unclog a Toilet When You Don’t Have a Plunger

It truly is the stuff of nightmares: faced with an away-toilet situation in someone else’s home, you do your business, flush … and nothing happens. Or worse, you flush and the toilet water (as well as its contents) slowly starts rising like super-gross flood waters. That alone is anxiety-inducing, but then you do a quick scan of the bathroom and realize that there is not a plunger in sight. Don’t panic or jump out a window. Try these tactics instead.

Run the hot water in the sink

This trick can work for a clogged toilet at someone else’s place or your own, but it’s definitely the most useful for those of us who embarrass easily when we’re away from the homestead. To get things moving again, YouTuber Aaron Bjorn says that you’re going to need some hot water to pour into the toilet bowl. But the sink will probably need a while to heat up and give you water that’s hot enough to be useful. So, get it running at maximum heat.

Reach for the liquid hand soap or shampoo

While the water is heating up, look around for some liquid soap. Dish soap is ideal, but you’re stuck in the bathroom so you might not be able to find any of that under the sink. Fortunately, liquid hand soap will suffice. Shampoo can even work in a pinch. When you find some, pour a lot of it into the toilet bowl. It will act as a lubricant for whatever is causing the clog

If the host is the type of person who only has independently made oatmeal bar soaps or something, Tess Wilson at Apartment Therapy suggests you look for some epsom salts, or even a bath bomb. Or, if they’re the type that keeps cleaning products under the sink or in a bathroom closet, try and find some bleach and powdered dish detergent. Wilson says to use a couple cups of bleach and one cup of powdered detergent. Really, anything that can lubricate or effervesce should do.

Dump hot water into the toilet and wait

Now that you have your lubricant in place, find a cup or container—use their toothbrush holder if you have to—and start pouring hot water from the sink into the toilet bowl. Again, the hotter the better here. But don’t flush yet!

 

End The Nightmare Of A Clogged Toilet Forever

The Root Causes Behind the Constant Plunging of a Clogged Toilet

We can all agree that having a consistently clogged toilet is a terrible problem for a homeowner. Unfortunately, there is no pleasant way of addressing this problem. If you’re continuously flushing the handle on the toilet, crossing your fingers and sending out a silent prayer, you may have a problem.

Have you noticed that your toilet is becoming clogged up more frequently? If you are having constant plumbing problems there may be a reason why your toilet is having a harder time flushing its contents

How Old is Your Toilet Bowl?

The simple fact behind the constant clogging may be that your toilet bowl is old. You may have a first generation, low flow design. The low flow design was originally created to help homeowners save on water, but the earliest models ended up lacking the necessary pressure to properly clear the internal trap and drain. In other words, this means that it can continuously become clogged if you aren’t careful. To find out what model your toilet bowl is, check the stamped date located on the back of the toilet. If you’re always fighting a clogged toilet, it’s better to get an update

Was a non-flushable flushed?

Obviously, a toddler’s toy is not a flushable item and can cause some serious damage. However, there are still items we flush that aren’t actually flushable. Be aware of what items can and can’t flush and save your ivory throne

The Flapper isn’t Working!

The flapper is what creates the flush. It lets the water flow from the tank on the back of the toilet and down into the blow. If the flapper doesn’t open all the way or it is worn out, it won’t release water that’s strong enough to actually create a flush. Luckily this is an easy fix.

 

How To Unclog A Toilet When You Don’t Have A Plunger

Do It All Again, Then Flush

After a few minutes, the soap should work its way down into the clog and you should see the toilet bowl water level start to go down a bit. Add some more liquid soap and hot water, then give it another couple minutes. Now you can make a judgement call and decide when it’s time to flush. Hopefully, everything goes down smoothly when you do.

Last Resort: Force It All Down

If you tried the soap with hot water trick and the toilet is still clogged, you might have to deal with this clog physically. Reach for the toilet brush or find a wire hanger you can uncoil—you can even stick your hand in a garbage bag if you’re truly desperate—and start poking down into the drain hole. It will be gross, yes, but you can always clean things up after the clog is gone.

Dump Hot Water Into the Toilet and Wait

Now that you have your lubricant in place, find a cup or container — use their toothbrush holder if you have to — and start pouring hot water from the sink into the toilet bowl. Again, the hotter the better here.

Reach for the Liquid Hand Soap or Shampoo

While the water is heating up, look around for some liquid soap. Dishwashing liquid is ideal, but you’re stuck in the bathroom so you might not be able to find any of that under the sink. Fortunately, liquid hand soap will suffice. Shampoo can even work in a pinch. When you find some, pour a lot of it into the toilet bowl. It will act as a lubricant for whatever is causing the clog.

Run the Hot Water in the Sink

This trick can work for a clogged toilet at someone else’s place or your own, but it’s definitely the most useful for those of us who embarrass easily when we’re away from the homestead. To get things moving again, YouTuber Aaron Bjorn suggests you’re going to need some hot water to pour into the toilet bowl.

 

Things You Should Never Flush Down The Toilet

There are certain things you know you shouldn’t flush down the toilet (even if your kids didn’t get the memo, like the Great Lego Flushing Incident Of 2017), but for every obvious pick, there are a few we’re all guilty of tossing in, just because we didn’t realize it’d cause any issues. Until we had to call the plumber … and get that bill afterward.

Baby Wipes

Yes, even the ones that say they’re flushable. According to plumbing company Boulden Brothers, these are frequently the cause of clogs and should always be thrown out in a wastebasket instead. Mike Agugliaro, co-owner of plumbing company Gold Medal Service also backed this up to TODAY, noting that even “flushable” wipes don’t disintegrate the way toilet paper does, which can eventually cause plumbing issues.

Menstrual Products

This one might shock you, but menstrual products (tampons, pads, etc.) should also never be flushed down the toilet. Why? Because as Agugliaro told TODAY, they’re products that are meant to absorb water, not break down in it, meaning they’ll only expand when you flush them — and that’s no good for your plumbing.

Q-Tips & Cotton Pads

Cotton balls, cotton pads, and Q-Tips are definitely not safe to flush — they don’t break down the way toilet paper (even cotton toilet paper) does, and according to Boulden Brothers, all they really do is clump together in your pipes and

Condoms

Condoms are also not designed to break down in water, so flushing them can cause clogs in toilets and septic tanks, according to Agugliaro.

About Electrical Maintenance

About Electrical Maintenance

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The importance of preventive maintenance

The term ‘if it’s not broken, don’t fix it’ still applies to many industries. But due to increasing costs of downtime, we want to emphasize on the benefits of preventive maintenance.

Operator and machine safety

By performing a regular preventive maintenance, you are assured your equipment remains to operate under safe conditions, both for the machine and the operators.  Possible issues can be nipped in the but before they have a chance to cause harm.

Machine efficiency

Normal wear and tear can result in lower machine efficiency. Preventive maintenance assures optimal working conditions and conserves the life span of the equipment.

Time savings

A planned preventive maintenance may cause small hindrance for production, but that is nothing compared to actual downtime caused by a breakdown. Because it is planned, production can propose the optimal time and can factor in the nuisance. Preventative maintenance procedures take less time than emergency repairs and replacements.

 

Implementing a preventive maintenance program

Preventative maintenance for your heating and air conditioning systems keeps the facility environment at healthy temperature, humidity and air quality levels for equipment, chemicals, product inventory and people. Preventative maintenance plans include parts, emergency repairs and, when required, entire replacements. Properly done, preventive maintenance can:

  • Minimize downtime and comfort issues
  • Extend equipment life
  • Ensure equipment reliability
  • Reduce operating costs
  • Maximize efficiency

 

INTRODUCTION TO EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE PLAN (EMP)

Electrical equipment malfunctions and failures are responsible for million dollar losses to facilities, industries and businesses worldwide. As an equipment starts to display signs of electrical aging, it should act as a trigger for the employer or owner to carry out preventive maintenance to avoid catastrophic failure.

The NFPA 70B provides general guidelines for the implementation of a useful maintenance plan by breaking it down into six major categories.

WHY IS AN EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE PLAN (EMP) REQUIRED?​

All kinds of electrical equipment eventually begin to portray symptoms from aging. An effective maintenance plan can reduce the downtime of the facility by scheduling proper outages coinciding with routine maintenance activities. For the safety of the equipment as well as the personnel on site, OSHA recommends regular preventive maintenance for the equipment being operated under hazardous conditions.

 

POWER SYSTEMS STUDIES ROLE IN EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE PLAN

Electrical power systems studies are an integral part of an effective equipment maintenance program. They provide valuable information for the reliability assessment of the system.

 

Improved Reliability

Preventive maintenance can also help a company to be a more reliable business partner. Customers can count on a company to deliver products, materials, or service on time, without unnecessary delays. A resort with broken air conditioning will not succeed for long. By always offering a reliable product or service, a company can enhance its customer service and improve its reputation.

Conservation of Assets

Most equipment these days is certainly not cheap, but the better a company cares for its equipment, the longer it will last. Preventive maintenance will prolong the life of equipment so a company can get more hours out the equipment, resulting in reduced costs and increased profit.

The numerous benefits of preventive maintenance has caused many maintenance managers to shift from reactive maintenance to a regular, routine preventive maintenance plan meant to prevent problems and optimize equipment. Today’s CMMS software helps facilitate preventive maintenance by helping schedule maintenance tasks and keep organized records of all inspections and fixes. Preventive maintenance is the best option for companies that want to succeed long term, and therefore understand that they need a long term plan for proper equipment upkeep.

 

Benefits

There are two primary benefits from implementing effective preventive maintenance in a facility:

  • The direct benefits of preventive maintenance programs in the reduced costs of repairs and minimized or eliminated downtime and
  • Safety for personnel and property damage. The first item is far easier to measure than the second, as it is hard to predict how a failure in electrical equipment may cause injury or death, but it can happen. Chapter 2 of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, provides important safety-related maintenance requirements. An effective preventive maintenance program provides various management responsibilities that will help keep repair and replacement costs down and production at desired levels.

Developing an effective program

Good economic judgment is necessary for developing an effective electrical preventive maintenance program. As indicated earlier, two objectives of such a program should be focused on enhancing safety and reducing equipment failure and loss. A crucial element is having responsible and qualified personnel to understand and implement the program. The program should include regular inspections, periodic testing and servicing of equipment, and effective record-keeping. When developing an electrical preventive maintenance program, a thorough survey and analysis will identify equipment and systems that are essential and will itemize them into a hierarchy of importance. Once the priorities are established, appropriate schedules can be developed. There are four basic steps that should be taken to develop an electrical preventive maintenance program. First, compile a list of electrical equipment in the facility. Second, determine which equipment is most critical for the operation. Third, implement a monitoring system for length of use and duty cycles, and identify signs of failure or fatigue. And fourth, determine the staffing needs and expertise of personnel that will perform the service and maintenance operations.

Information About Pain Management

Information About Pain Management

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Pain Prevention

Here are some helpful tips to managing pain without medication.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet – to reduce inflammation and keep muscles & bones strong.

Maintain a healthy weight – excess weight puts stress on joints and muscles, thereby increasing pain.

Exercise regularly – choose low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, and biking. These activities don’t strain or jolt the back and allow the muscles to function better.

Build muscle strength and flexibility – building core strength helps ensure that the muscles supporting movement are healthy and strong, to improve your posture and protect the body from injury.

Focus on good posture and body mechanics – to reduce everyday aches and pains, do not sit for extended periods of time. Avoid heavy lifting and when you need to lift, let your legs do the work.

Quit smoking – smokers are more prone to pain than non-smokers. Nicotine restricts blood flow to the muscles and causes inflammation.

Manage stress – feelings of pain are increased when stress levels are high. Meditation, gentle stretching, tai chi and other methods of stress reduction can be very helpful.

 

Pain Management

What is pain?

Pain is something you feel physically and emotionally – it is not pleasant and is due to a perception of real or potential damage to your body.

How does your body process pain?

While pain may start at different places in your body, all pain is perceived and processed by your brain. Pain is your body’s warning system alerting you to harm. The pain signal travels through your nerves (usually – but not always – starting from those nerves close to the source of harm), up your spinal cord to your brain. Your brain then interprets the pain signal based on its intensity and location, as well as a variety of other information such as your surroundings, previous injury experience, your beliefs, your emotional state, and many other factors. You feel the pain after your brain has processed all of this information.

Pain is personal

When your brain processes a pain signal, it considers many factors that are personal to you. As a result, you feel pain differently from everyone else – even from people who may have the same disease or injury as you. Just like your experience with arthritis can be very different from someone else’s, the same goes for the pain you experience. This also means that pain treatments (including medications and other interventions) that work for one person may not work for another, or may work differently.

Types of pain

Acute pain is short-term pain that serves to protect you and prevents more damage by changing your behavior. Some examples are pain because of an injury, surgery, or a toothache. Usually this pain goes away when the damaged part of your body heals or no longer needs protection, or the unpleasant stimulus has been removed.

Chronic pain (also called persistent pain) lasts longer than acute pain, typically for more than three months. People who live with chronic diseases often live with chronic pain. This type of pain does not necessarily mean that damage is occurring – even though it might feel that way. While chronic pain is not fully understood, we know that it is sometimes caused by a problem with one or more nerves and the way they send pain messages to the brain.

 

Chronic Pain Coping Techniques – Pain Management

Clinicians who specialize in treating chronic pain now recognize that it is not merely a sensation, like vision or touch, but rather chronic pain is strongly influenced by the ways in which the brain processes the pain signals.

Chronic pain can provoke emotional reactions, such as fear or even terror, depending on what we believe about the pain signals. In other cases (such as in sports or another engaging, rewarding activity), chronic pain may be perceived by the individual as merely a nuisance, a feeling to be overcome in order to be able to continue in the activity.

The important role the mind plays in chronic pain is clearly recognized in the medical literature, as well as in the International Association for the Study of Pain’s definition of pain, which states that pain is always subjective and is defined by the person who experiences it.

The corollary is that the brain can also learn how to manage the sensation of pain. Using the mind to control chronic pain, or coping strategies, for managing persistent pain, may be used alone or in tandem with other pain management therapies

Managing Chronic Pain

Of course, the first step in coping with chronic back pain or other types of persistent pain is to receive a thorough medical evaluation to determine the cause of the pain.

 

Chronic Pain Control Techniques

To prepare for any chronic pain coping technique, it is important to learn how to use focus and deep breathing to relax the body. Learning to relax takes practice, especially when you are in pain, but it is definitely worth it to be able to release muscle tension throughout the body and start to remove attention from the pain.

Coping techniques for chronic pain begin with controlled deep breathing, as follows:

Try putting yourself in a relaxed, reclining position in a dark room. Either shut your eyes or focus on a point.

Then begin to slow down your breathing. Breathe deeply, using your chest. If you find your mind wandering or you are distracted, then think of a word, such as the word “Relax,” and think it in time with your breathing…the syllable “re” as you breathe in and “lax” as you breathe out.

Continue with about 2 to 3 minutes of controlled breathing.

Once you feel yourself slowing down, you can begin to use imagery techniques.

Altered focus

This is a favorite technique for demonstrating how powerfully the mind can alter sensations in the body. Focus your attention on any specific non-painful part of the body (hand, foot, etc.) and alter sensation in that part of the body. For example, imagine your hand warming up. This will take the mind away from focusing on the source of your pain, such as your back pain.

Dissociation

As the name implies, this chronic pain technique involves mentally separating the painful body part from the rest of the body, or imagining the body and mind as separate, with the chronic pain distant from one’s mind. For example, imagine your painful lower back sitting on a chair across the room and tell it to stay sitting there, far away from your mind.

Sensory splitting

This technique involves dividing the sensation (pain, burning, pins and needles) into separate parts. For example, if the leg pain or back pain feels hot to you, focus just on the sensation of the heat and not on the hurting.

 

Tips to assess and treat acute-on-chronic pain

Opioid tolerance complicates treatment of acute pain, but hospitalists have to know how to ameliorate acute pain in patients who are already on opioids, Molly A. Feely, MD, FACP, told attendees at the Internal Medicine Meeting 2019 hospital medicine precourse.

“Patients with chronic pain need appropriate pain management, too,” she said. Dr. Feely, who is an assistant professor of medicine and program director of the hospice and palliative medicine fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., noted that her “Pearls for Pain Management in the Opioid-Tolerant Population” apply only to chronic pain patients whose acute pain is expected to resolve, not to cancer patients with progressive pain.

The first challenge in treating these patients’ pain is evaluating it. “How many of you are frustrated by pain scores?” she said to laughter from the audience.

Pain scores are not designed to be compared across patients, but they can be helpful to assess patients’ current pain in light of their previous reports. “When you look at individual patients, their pain scores have consistency over time,” said Dr. Feely. “How many of you have patients who are at 8, 9, or 10 all the time? I have lots of those patients. I think ‘Great!’ [if] today’s an 8. That’s a good pain score day for that patient.”

This understanding should also guide pain goals, which can be based on patient perspectives but must also be realistic. “If he tells me that he’s hoping for a 3, but he’s only been at an 8 for a year and a half, we need to set expectations,” she said. “Our inpatient goal should be consistent with that which we have achieved in the outpatient setting.”

Handy Tips While Moving to a Different Place

Handy Tips While Moving to a Different Place

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Moving from one place to another is a tedious task. However, sometimes it becomes mandatory when you get transfer in your job from one place to another. Some people need to relocate themselves in order to have better job and business prospects. Whatever is the reason, people always hate the chaos caused by moving to a different place.

Movers are regulated by federal, state and local laws. At the federal level, a moving company that carries goods across state lines (interstate) needs to be licensed by the Department of Transportation (the DOT does not regulate local movers). At the state level, laws vary widely, and several states (Alaska, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, South Dakota, Utah, and Vermont) don’t require moving companies to have a separate license. For those that do, verify that the licenses are current. We also recommend that your NJ movers be bonded and insured, both as proof that the company is legitimate and financial stability in case the worst happens and you need to file a claim.

Investigate Potential Movers

Once you know the basics about your potential moving companies, it’s time to find out about people’s experiences. You want to know get opinions from objective, third-party opinions based on dozens or hundreds of consumer evaluations. While almost every moving company has had some kind of complaints, having objective resources is important. Fortunately, there are a few excellent resources you can use for free. The U. S. Department of Transportation has a website devoted to its “Protect Your Move” program. There you’ll find a link that will allow you to look up individual moving companies. You can also check the websites of MovingScam.com, ProtectYourMove.gov and the Better Business Bureau. It’s a good idea to check all 3 to make sure you see a complete picture. Again, almost any mover who has been around for awhile will have a complaint from someone- you’re looking for patterns of issues and how the movers attempted to resolve the issues.

Plan Your Move

There’s a huge temptation to just start the packing process with little or no planning. Unfortunately, it’s also a huge mistake. You wouldn’t start building a house without blueprints, and you shouldn’t start your move without a basic plan. The plan doesn’t need to be complicated, but it should include the following:

  • Number of days between now and your move date
  • Tasks required for your move, including getting moving supplies, changing your address, and packing
  • Number of rooms that need to be packed
  • Amount of help you’ll have available from friends, family, and professional movers
  • Quantity of items you have in each room
  • Amount of time you have available each day between now and the move

If you assign tasks by day and closely monitor your progress as you go, you’re much less likely to be surprised by running out of time.

Moving Checklist

One of the reasons moving is so stressful is the fact that there are so many details to track. All of your possessions (and much of your sense of security) are suddenly out of their usual places and “in flux.” Most of the usual landmarks are about to change, from where to get groceries to what your new address and phone number are going to be.

This is where the moving checklist comes in. One of the great things about moving is that you’re not alone- between 12% and 16% of American households move in any given year. That’s more than 30 million people! Many of those people have contributed to several moving checklists in books and on websites. Use these checklists both as a source for your plan and a set of reminders for what needs to be done. Some of the items may not apply to your situation, but they should give you an excellent starting point.

Avoid Use of Packing Paper

When moving from one place to another, you need a lot of packing paper to pack and wrap all your belongings so that they can reach safely to their destination. Newspaper can be a perfect wrapping material for most of the stuff (except cloths). It will help you in reducing cost of packing and wrapping paper.

By following above said suggestions, you can reduce the costs of moving.

 

Why Hiring A Professional Cleaning Company

Why Hiring A Professional Cleaning Company

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Reasons To Hire A Professional Move Out Cleaning Service

Whether you’re moving out of a rental or planning to put your old home on the market, your old place needs a thorough cleaning. To save money, you’ve probably considered DIY cleaning. But have you considered a move out cleaning service?

How much do you enjoy cleaning? Do you have the right cleaning supplies? Are you capable of in-depth cleaning for an inspection?

Reduce the Stress of Moving

If you’ve moved out before, you know just how stressful things can become. Packing up your life, hauling your belongings, and juggling your normal duties – all of which take a lot of time and energy.

Get Your Deposit Back

Outside of property damage, hiring a move out cleaning service increases the likelihood that you’ll get your full deposit back. Landlords are very meticulous and will jump on every chance not to return your deposit. From every corner of the kitchen to the carpet, every inch of your space must be clean so you can get your security deposit back.

Positive Impression from Potential Buyers

If you are trying to sell your previous home, hiring a move out cleaning service will help make your property move-in ready.

 

Helpful Carpet Cleaning Tips When Moving In or Out

Hire a Certified Carpet Cleaner:

Hire an IICRC Certified firm that uses modern, truck mounted equipment for your move out carpet cleaning. This will help ensure you hire a reputable company that knows what they are doing. These firms should also have the equipment to do the job well

Ask for Hot Water Extraction:

While there are many ways to clean carpet, hot water extraction (AKA Steam Cleaning) is regarded as the most thorough method and provides a deep, restorative carpet cleaning. Whether you are moving out, or you want move in carpet cleaning prior to taking occupancy, you want hot water extraction for a thorough, deep clean.

Schedule your Carpet Cleaning Properly to Coincide with the Movers:

If you are moving out, schedule your move out carpet cleaning once the movers have finished their work. If you are moving in, schedule your move in carpet cleaning for the day before the move.

Dealing With Carpet Pet Stains and Odor When Moving:

If you have carpet pet stains or odors that you can’t pinpoint, the last thing you want to do is put furniture on top of them. Pets often mark areas along walls. You don’t want to move a couch or a dresser on top of that odor and then always wonder where the smell is coming from. Odors become far more intense in warm months, so you won’t realize there are pet odors until it gets hot outside.

The Carpet Has a Wrinkle That Needs to be Stretched or a Repair to be Done:

Over time, carpets can develop wrinkles or bubbles in them as the carpet ages, or due to poor installation. This can usually be fixed by stretching the carpet. You can’t do a good job of stretching carpet when it has furniture weighing it down.

 

Best Tips for Home and Apartment Cleaning Between Tenants

One aspect that’s not so great: cleaning and preparing rental properties for new occupants after past tenants leave. As a new landlord or property manager, you’ll find that this is one of the toughest parts of the job. Even if you’re well-versed in the business, you probably find preparing for a change in tenancy a constant challenge.

Attend the move-out inspection

The move out is an important part of the rental process, so make a point of being there. This is the one time tenants can dispute property damages; attending helps you avoid paying for false claims submitted in writing.

Your presence also facilitates important conversations such as stipulating exactly which remaining damages or repairs are the tenants’ responsibility, and which are yours. It’s also a good time to hand over any associated move-out rebates and avoid possible haggling later on.

Maintain photographic records for all properties

Visual evidence is the best way to defend your position should any disputes or additional charges arise after a tenant moves out. Photographs aren’t always taken as absolute proof, but they are a good way to clear matters up, as well as maintain a record of what the property looks like over time.

Check utility accounts

Don’t assume that tenants will switch utilities off or close their accounts when they move out.

 

Your Guide to Keeping a Clean House

It is always important to keep a clean house. It is even more important now, to keep your surfaces in your home disinfected.

With everything going on in the world, it’s easy to become distracted. If you are now working from home, you still need to be productive and get your job done. Luckily, it times of uncertainty, accomplishing tasks can give you a feeling of control and normalcy.

For people who do not have time off from their busy schedule and time to clean their home, then cleaning of the home and working on other tasks at home can be overwhelming. Most of the people coming home from a stressful day at work make them spend their time lazing around without any craving to do some cleaning work at home. After your busy weekdays when you come home makes you feel terrible to find a messy house. To make the task easy, you can schedule or divide chores over several days. So it is time to do home cleaning.

If you’ve ever used a “magic eraser” around your home, then you know just how effective they can be in removing stains, dirt, and grime from all kinds of surfaces. But have you ever taken the time to really consider how these amazing little sponges work? By having a better understanding of how magic erasers work and the best ways to use them, you can make the most of your purchase.

Nowadays, new cleaning innovations for making life easier hit the market almost every day. This constant innovation makes today’s cleaning products and tools better than they were before. However, there are also people who get enticed by numerous hacks and tips online that promise better and easier cleaning. Most of these “helpful” tips and life hacks are not based on pure science and may cause you more harm than good in doing simple cleaning tasks.

 

Tips for Cleaning Your Home When Moving Out

If you’re moving out of your current apartment or home, you need to clean the space.  Truth is, though, you probably won’t be as enthused about cleaning as you were when you first moved in.  Still yet, even though you won’t be living in the space anymore, it’s best to leave the space sparkling clean. For those of you who are renting, you can raise the likelihood of getting your deposit back by cleaning up before you leave.   If you’re selling your home, it needs to be clean so you can get top dollar from a buyer.

Empty and Defrost the Refrigerator and Freezer

Wipe down all shelves and walls inside the refrigerator and freezer.  If you can pull the shelves and drawers all the way out, run them through the dishwasher with some type of bleaching agent

Scrub the Sinks, Appliances and Countertops

No one wants come into a home to see food residue left behind by the previous renter or owner. Your goal should be to make the kitchen totally grease-free zone before moving out.

Wipe Down the Kitchen Cabinets

This tip is really simple.  All you need is a damp rag and a water of hot soapy water.  Wash down the cabinets and let them dry

Clean the Stove and Oven

If you’re lucky enough to have a self-cleaning oven, there’s no excuse for leaving behind a dirty oven.  If you have to clean the oven yourself, make sure to follow this helpful guide.  And don’t forget to clean around the burners on the stove, as well.

Steps To Take For Plastic Surgery

Steps To Take For Plastic Surgery

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How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon

For women considering breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, or even breast revision surgery, the process of choosing a surgeon can be difficult and sometimes overwhelming. In Australia, the number of specialist plastic surgeons has risen to over 400, and this is before taking into account cosmetic surgeons who are also approved practitioners of breast surgery. With so many different aspects to consider, and so many practitioners to choose from, how can you be sure you’re making the right decision? This blog post is intended to provide prospective patients with a useful guide to choosing the right surgeon for them

Your choice of surgeon will determine your safety, your aesthetic outcomes, and the short and long-term care you receive. It’s important then, that you do your research and ensure you’re in the best hands possible! While there are many online forums available to patients, it’s important to do your own objective research as well to ensure the surgeon you are considering is qualified, experienced, and prioritises patient safety.

Plastic vs. Cosmetic

The first aspect to consider in your research is whether the surgeon is a plastic or cosmetic surgeon. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and BRAS Clinic in Brisbane provide a helpful infographic to highlight the distinction between these two professions, and to emphasise the importance of choosing a plastic surgeon.

Aesthetic Outcomes

A great way to initially narrow down your options is to begin with online research and find the plastic surgeons whose before and afters catch your eye. Do they have an established gallery with a variety of patient anatomies?  Do they have social media with photos of their patients? Choose your top 5 practitioners in your area, and short-list them to send an enquiry or continue your research

Experience

The next question you should be asking is how many years experience the surgeon has. This will help clarify which practitioners are more established. In particular, you should be asking how many patients have undergone your chosen procedure with this surgeon to ensure you’re choosing a specialist in the field. For example, Dr. Philip Richardson has 12 years surgical training, 16 years experience as a practising plastic surgeon, and has performed over 5,000 breast surgeries in the past decade. This is an example benchmark that you may hold your surgeon to when considering their level of expertise.

 

WHAT IS PLASTIC SURGERY (AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM COSMETIC SURGERY?)

In layman’s terms, plastic surgery is the practice of reshaping, altering, or repairing parts of the body for aesthetic or reconstructive purposes. The word “plastic” is derived from the Greek word “plastikos” which means “to mould”. Aesthetic plastic surgery aims to change the appearance of a body part, such as the breasts or body. Its core focus is enhancing the appearance

What’s the difference between cosmetic and plastic surgery?

You might think the two terms are interchangeable, and while they might seem similar, there are some very clear differences between the two – differences that you, as a prospective patient, ought to know!

Education and training

It’s critical you closely examine the credentials, memberships, and education of your plastic surgeon. Look for a surgeon who is a member of associations including FRACS (more on the importance of FRACS below!), ASPS, and ASAPS.

Comfort and courtesy

Does your plastic surgeon (and the entire team) offer you courtesy and respect? Our caring team acknowledges the uniqueness of every patient who walks through our doors, and our care extends beyond your procedure through post-operative appointments and a steadfast support network.

Past experience

Does your surgeon have a wealth of experience performing a range of procedures? Additionally, do they demonstrate a wide range of technical skill to apply to a single procedure? This shows you that they have a commendable skillset to best suit each individual patient’s needs.

 

Korean Plastic Surgery Explained

Plastic Surgery in Korea is a Normal Part of Life in Korea

Korea has the highest rate of plastic surgery cases per capita in the world. A 2014 study found that there were 980,000 recorded cases of plastic surgery in Korea which equals to 20 procedures for every 1000 people. In Seoul, polls show that 1 out of every 3 women between the ages 19-29 have had some kind of cosmetic or plastic surgery procedure done. The general feeling here is that if it doesn’t hurt anyone and will improve your life, then why not? If you are Gangnam Station, you will often see people who have recently had surgery walking around, shopping, eating and no one bats an eye. It’s all accepted and even admired. Think about it this way. If you want to lose weight or get more muscle you, you exercise. If you want to portray a certain image, you dress for that image. People exercise, wear clothing and makeup in an attempt to look the way they want to look. In Korea, a natural extension of this is plastic surgery as people here see it as no different from makeup, exercise or clothing. It is an upgrade to your life and something that will make your life better.

Why Are Korean Doctors so Good?

First, the education system here is perhaps the most competitive in the world. It starts from pre-school and intensifies to the hardest university entrance exam in the world (the Korean version of the American S.A.T). If you wish to be doctor, you need to be in the top 1% of your entire education career. There is a saying here that a doctor is genius and a genius is a doctor. Once you are doctor, only a few are chosen each year to become plastic surgeons and these are the top 1% of the top 1%.

Second, because plastic surgery is normal in Korea there is a huge supply of patients. This means that doctors are constantly doing the same procedures day in and day out and thus can become experts in their field. Although some doctors remain general plastic surgeons, the best doctors specialize in one or two procedures while still being able to do others. For example, the best breast augmentation doctor will spend 90%-100% of his time doing breast augmentation or related procedures. Korean doctors work 6 days week doing the same procedures over and over. Multiply that by 10 years of experience and you now have the absolute top doctors in the world.

How Are The Prices?

In short, the answer is that prices are pretty good. If you want the cheapest plastic surgery possible then we highly suggest you wait until your budget increases enough to get an expert to do your procedure. This is your face and body after all that we are talking about and you should treat yourself with care. We have seen patients go to places like Thailand for 500 USD rhinoplasties only to be left very disappointed and needing much more expensive revision rhinoplasty revisions. In fact, a large percentage of our customer base comes from either super cheap surgeries done in other countries or surgeries done by doctors who are not specialists (and these patients are often from more advanced countries where the fees are higher than in Korea). This doesn’t mean Korea has the highest pricing in the world either. The pricing is very reasonable for what you are getting. In many cases, the pricing is less or similar to what you will get in other advanced countries like the United States, Canada or even in Europe. In some cases the costs are half of those in other countries. Korea has developed economies of scale and so the pricing is reasonable while maintaining the highest quality and results on earth.

How Do I Choose The Right Doctor For Me?

First, there are over 500 plastic and cosmetic surgery clinics located in Gangnam-gu (a district in Seoul), which is just a few kilometers big in size. The best doctors and clinics for plastic and cosmetic surgery are located here so the first thing to check is where the clinic is located. If it is located at Gangnam Station for example, then you know you are looking in the right place. The closer it is to an exit of Gangnam Station, the better the clinic has to be in order to maintain their customer base and being to pay their extremely high rent fees. In Korea, only the best of the best can afford to stay in places like Gangnam Station because if they are bad at what they do, the word spreads quickly and the clinic can’t survive (remember that Korea has the fastest Internet on earth and 99.9% of the population is connected to the web). Location is important!

 

Plastic surgery

Plastic surgery is used to repair and reconstruct missing or damaged tissue and skin. The main aim of plastic surgery is to restore the function of tissues and skin to as close to normal as possible.

Plastic surgery can be used to repair:

abnormalities that have existed from birth, such as a cleft lip and palate, webbed fingers, and birthmarks

areas damaged by the removal of cancerous tissue, such as from the face or breast

extensive burns or other serious injuries

Availability of plastic surgery

Reconstructive plastic surgery is usually carried out free of charge on the NHS. But availability varies around the country and is determined by local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).

The main techniques used during plastic surgery are:

skin grafts – where healthy skin from an unaffected area of the body is removed and used to replace lost or damaged skin

skin flap surgery – where a piece of tissue from one part of the body is transferred to another, along with the blood vessels that keep it alive; it’s called flap surgery because the healthy tissue usually remains partially attached to the body while it’s repositioned

tissue expansion – where surrounding tissue is stretched to enable the body to “grow” extra skin, which can then be used to help reconstruct the nearby area

As well as these techniques, plastic surgeons also use many other methods, such as:

fat transfer or grafting – where fat is removed from one area and inserted in another area, usually to correct unevenness

vacuum closure – where suction is applied to a wound through a sterile piece of foam to draw out fluid and encourage healing

camouflage make-up or cream

prosthetic devices, such as artificial limbs

 

Find a Surgeon

Changing your appearance, should be positive but it should not be undertaken lightly; it is very important that you put careful thought, questioning and consideration into your choices

Whilst everyone hopes cosmetic surgery will have positive outcomes, some changes may not please you in the future and may not meet your expectations.  It is crucial to have guidance to assist you in making the most informed decision about whether to go ahead with surgery, and if so, which surgeon to choose.

To be safe and sure it is important to choose a surgeon with the appropriate training, skills and experience.  All BAAPS Surgeons have the highest level of training and qualifications, are all on the GMC Specialist register are committed to excellence in Aesthetic Surgery

Information On Event Planner

Information On Event Planner

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What You Should Be Looking for in a Wedding Planner

every bride needs someone reliable to lean on when it comes to planning a kickass wedding. Often that means going beyond your family and friends and hiring a professional. So, how can you find a good wedding planner match: someone with the same priorities and overall vision? Here’s what to consider when interviewing potential wedding planners.

A Free Consultation

A face-to-face meeting is imperative when it comes to hiring a wedding planner. Seeing someone’s work online or having a good phone conversation is one thing, but meeting them in person and really getting to know them can confirm or challenge what you might have already thought. “Professional wedding planners will offer a free consultation so they can get to know you and your wedding vision and determine if they’re a good fit for you,” says Kinsey Roberts of Vista View Events.

The Planner’s Personality

It’s super important that you find someone whose personality clicks with yours, says Viva Max Kaley of Viva Max Weddings. Just think about how much you’ll be communicating with and seeing this person throughout a potentially stressful wedding planning process. “They’re going to be a part of your life in a very saturated way for a short amount of time,” Kaley says. So you’ll want to be sure you’re very comfortable with your planner and how they listen to you and speak to you. There should be a solid rapport and an element of trust there.

The Planner’s Individual Background or Experience

Each planner has their own unique skillset and some may be better suited to the type of wedding you’re hoping to plan. “If you’re very focused on design, colors, and floral—and you know you want help from someone who’s also very visual—it would make sense to choose someone whose background aligns with your needs,” Kaley advises. Or if food is your first priority, then a planner who knows the ins and outs of the catering business or used to be a chef might be a good choice. Of course, many planners have a diverse body of experience to draw from, but you should try to work with one who also emphasizes the aspects that you think are the most important.

What Services Are Included

Spend a little time thinking about what services you’ll need for your wedding, then find a planner who can fulfill those needs. Some planners offer all-encompassing packages whereas some are more a la carte. You may only need a day-of coordinator to help everything run smoothly, or you may prefer an expert to help walk you through every step of the way while planning your big day.

 

How to Choose Vendors

choosing which vendors to hire for your event is a bit like choosing which buddies you want on your kickball team. The stakes are high, the decision is final, and the stories of what happens next could live on for a long time. But assemble the right coalition of vendors, and you’ll have an event that will impress them all—even your childhood kickball nemesis

Make a Short List in Short Order

The fastest way to narrow down the seemingly infinite list of your city’s event vendors? Vetting the quality of their operations from the quality of their online presence. Director of Operations Bryan Jayne says, “When choosing a vendor, the first thing I do is go on their website. How does it looks? Is it well designed? Are they showing original content and ideas? To me, putting thought and care into your website shows me you take yourself and your work seriously. In a world where most people’s first interaction with a person or business is a digital one, a good online presence is so important.”

Evaluate Reviews

Next, take your list of gut-check-friendly vendors to your favorite review site, like Yelp or the Better Business Bureau. Watch out for red flags, like frequent mentions of no-shows, or reports of inappropriate behavior. And look at pictures! Bryan explains, “It can get tricky trying to determine quality online, so I keep my eye out for as many photos as possible. And preferably real-world photos instead of studio shots.” Then ask around. Ask friends or colleagues who have done business with similar vendors to look at your list and give their thumbs up (or thumbs down) to any names that ring a bell.

Start a Conversation & Get a Quote

Now, reach out. Prepare a standard statement regarding your event. Include the date, event time, desired setup time, purpose, a number of guests, and any special needs. Then use your prepared statement to email all the vendors on your list. Take note not only of their answers but also their speed of response. Bryan says, “I ask myself, ‘What is the first person-to-person interaction like, whether digital, on the phone, or in-person? Are they eager to talk and hear about what you’re doing, or are they putting the onus on you? Do they have quick confident answers?’” Consider all of these factors in your evaluation.

Make a Spreadsheet

One of the trickiest pieces of the vendor selection process is keeping track of all the details. So take notes! Start a spreadsheet. If you’re working with a team, use Google Docs so you can collaborate more easily. Then make columns for vendor contact information, pricing, order minimums, staffing requirements, and additional details. Rate the vendor on a scale of 1–10. When you look back at your roster of options later, you’ll have an easier time making a decision.

 

How to Become an Event Planner

Good company makes for a memorable event, but the little details matter as well. Food, music, decorations and aesthetics are all important aspects of a quality party. If you’re the organized creative among your group of friends, hosting gatherings or planning nights out, you might want to channel that passion into a career.

You don’t have to be the life of the party to put together a successful soiree. In fact, many event planners prefer being “behind the scenes.” Those who can remain calm under pressure, think creatively and negotiate a good deal are the ones who will succeed in the industry. Here’s everything you need to know to start your career as an event planner.

The industry

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that event-planning jobs are due to grow by 10 percent by 2024, which is faster than average. According to an article by Entrepreneur, there are two distinct markets for event planners: the corporate market and the social market. Corporate planners are hired by companies to organize meetings, conferences and other work-related events. Social planners, on the other hand, cover weddings, birthday celebrations and other types of occasions.

Choosing your market

If you’re new to the business, it may be easier to get started in the social market. Not only are you more likely to find clients among friends and relatives for social events like weddings or graduation parties, you’ll also gain valuable experience in negotiating and organizing that will be useful in the high-pressure world of corporate planning

Sites for inspiration

Social media is crucial to becoming a successful event planner. Having a presence on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and, of course, having your own website will expand your following and build your brand. It takes time to attract customers, so be patient while being consistent with posts and your other promotional activities online. When someone is satisfied with an event you planned for them, they can credit you on social media and recruit potential customers

 

Why You Should Choose an Event Planner

Planning an event whether it is organizing for a conference, seminar or trade show involves many hours and varying degrees of skillsets to get the job done successfully. Attempting to put together an event without the necessary skills, time and resources, can cause the total cost of your event to go over-budget. Hiring a professional event planner will leave you with peace of mind knowing that the event will be highly organized and well run.

Equipment

If your event will feature speakers, they will need equipment to enhance their presentations. The list of available equipment is numerous and setting up the equipment will be difficult if you are not familiar with them. Planners can reach out to vendors and technicians they work with to arrange for such things as hand and table microphones, projectors, video recorders, dimming lighting systems and PA systems. If your event has teleconferencing options, they can organize the necessary communication links.

Dining and Catering

It’s important to work closely with your caterer so they know what your plans are for the event.The caterer will be familiar with the location of the event and can plan an organized seating arrangement and layout of the food. Chairs, tables, tablecloths, dishes and cutlery can all be taken care of by the caterer, relieving you of all those stressful decisions. Dietary needs will need to be taken care for vegetarian guests, and food allergies will need to be taken into consideration when planning the menu

Overnight Guests

If you are planning a multi-day conference or trade show, out of town guests will need a place to stay. An event planner can arrange accommodations with local hotels or student housing at nearby campuses. Planners are experienced in negotiating special rates for your attendees and can block off rooms at hotels to ensure that no one is left without somewhere to stay. They can also organize transportation of guests to and from the event, especially if they are unfamiliar with the transportation options in your area.

Conclusion

Event planners are very detail oriented and live by their to-do lists. They can draw on their networking system and call upon contractors, vendors and suppliers to make your event successful. And most importantly, your guests will have a better event experience overall.

 

How to tell between a bad and a good event planner

What’s the difference between a good and a bad waiter? What’s the difference between a good and a bad Uber driver? What’s the difference between a good and a bad personalised T-shirts designer?

There are careers where it is easier to notice who’s excellent and who doesn’t deserve your tip, but then there are others where the layers make it harder to see the flaws. Event planning is one of those.

Here’s Printsome’s list of what makes a good event planner:

Event planners usually work in teams that make it harder to see who’s at fault. Then there are also the times when the backstage is hell but still the attendees leave satisfied because the production team was able to put on a veil over the problems. Is that still a good event planner?

Always has a plan B

C, D, E and F. When it’s live, it’s live and that usually means that anything can go wrong and when you least expect it. Good event planners always have a backup plan for anything from catering to technology. It’s never a bad idea to keep things like spare laptops, batteries and cables at hands-reach in case something fails at a crucial moment.

Has an extensive list of contacts

Throughout their career, event planners will come across with all kinds of customers with all kinds of needs. Having an extensive list of contacts in your address book will increase the odds of finding the best possible professional for each event — may that be a speaker, supplier or caterer — and satisfy even the pickiest of customers. There’s no such thing as knowing too many people, at least in this industry.

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