94 - North Shove News — Friday, December 10, 1999 Home security devices make great gi REMEMBER your elderly friends and rela- tives this holiday season with a gift they will really appreciate. For a little time and money, you can make their home a safer place. Here are 10 ways to give this gift, which will last ail year. B Install a deadbolt that uses a key. Doors with windows or with glass beside them can be broken into easily. An intrud- er simply breaks the glass, reaches through and unlocks the door. The key should always be kept somewhere other than in the lock, bur close enough to reach in an emergency. - @ Screws in the strike plate should be at least three inches long, reaching well into the studs on the door frame. Even a deadbolt won't help if the strike plate is ripped out by someone forcing their way in, cautions John Scinocca of The Home Depot. “At less than a dollar for the screws, this is probably the most economical ome security measure any- ic can take,” he says. Install door and window alarms. This is casier than it sounds. Many ome improve- ment centres carry alarm anits that simply hang on 2 door- knob,. When the door is “opened, an alarm. sounds. Beyond just a security mea- sure, it lets the hard-of-hear- ing know that a friend or rela- tive is ‘entering their room. Sclf-adhesive endow alarm ‘- units work much. the same NEWS photo ony Petara PUT a palit of send or salt near outside doors, so it’s availiabie to spread during icy conditions. way, sounding if an object hits against the glass. Add exterior lighting. Halogen lights are economical and shine brightly. Use them with light- and motion-sensi- tive fixtures and they'll add to the security as well as beauty of the home’s exterior. £2 Inside the home, reinforce efamily ‘home: in the: ‘ Car te ee $4,345. Highlands neighbourhood of ind month ‘morte « Squamish. This bright and unny:well maintained hom has 3 larger than average bed: rooms-up, plus 1 down. Other- features include-2 gas fire-: placas, Jennair range and built: in oven; large sundeck’ and pri ; “2151 TOMPKINS CRES. OPEN SUN 2-4. : $359, BO 2. bedroom updated home:on a. e2. foot fot - in Upper. Blueridge. Great family home with finisned basement, 2 gas fireplaces, herdwood, and a new roof! Check it out! any wall-rnounted banisters. Using longer screws and wall brackets, you can make sure that anyone climbing the have a sturdy banis- ter fc to grab on to if they lose their balance. © Other areas of the home can be susceptible to dangers of slipping. Area rugs, which , the kitchen, dinwy ny room: and _ living ‘room of this hom: is situated on‘a private hal acre lot in Garibaldi Estates: ‘Features-include original and: new. hardwood floors’and a = wrap-around deck which takes Adventage of the vies Ian Bailey 551-9467 www.onepercentralty.com ibailey@onepercetrealty.com are good for keeping the house warmer in winter, can slide even on carpet. Use non- slip pads underneath to keep them in place. @ Showers and bathtubs are potentially dangerous, but non-slip decals made for showers will help to give sure footing. Consider using these on vinyl floors as well, near a sink or other water source, where a slippery, wet floor is likely. #5 Scalding water in the bath- room or kitchen can also cause burns. Scinoeca recom- mends installing scald-proof faucets as a precaution. For colder climates, where there is likely to be snow or ice, a general winterizing check is a good idea. ® Make sure the chimney is free of debris that could start a fire. ® Check ro make sure the fur- nace is in good working order and has new filters. @ Install new insulation, if necessary, and caulk any draft- causing cracks around doors and windows, © Make sure there is a pail of salt or sand and a trowei near an exterior door for any. trips outdoors, particularly to the mailbox. “Also, look around the house for potentially haz- ardous sidewalks or outside stairs,” says | Scinocca. “Installing a handrail may keep an elderly. person from slipping on ice.” Smoke derectors and car- bon monoxide detectors are a household st-ple. And chang- ing the batteries at the twice- yearly time change is becom- ing a habit. But can the resi- dent hear them? If not, replace either or both units. If your cldezly fricnd or relative is hard of hearing, make the extra effort to choose the loudest alarms. @ Purchase a cordless phone for the house so the resident can keep it in a pocket. Be sure to pre-program 9-1-1 in the speed dial, and embellish the button with bright ink or paint. If they happen to fall or an intruder tries to break in, they can cali for help with the touch of a button and relay health information, if neces- sary, to emergency services. “The phone will also be handy for a quick call to you or the grandchildren,” Scinocca says. Useful, fun stuffers WE all know that good gs come in small packages. And if they’re useful items, that’s even’ better. So, if you’re looking for non-tradi- tional stocking stuffers this holiday, think about practical gifts your family and friends can use throughout the year. Walk into any home centre and you'll find hundreds of smaller items guaranteed to bring a big smile. Here are some gift ideas from the experts at The Home Depot. A new homeowner might appreciate a brass door knock- er by Ives. [t comes with a built-in viewer, so you can look before answering the door. Or, dress up any room with brass switch plates by AmerTac. The cast metal plates, etched with floral pat- terns and scalloped edges, add a finishing touc! or living room. Don't leave the kids out. Glow-in-the-dark unicorn and all-star switchplares add to the dining theme and fun to their bed- room wall. Or, for kids who want to make a special gift for some- one on their fist, The Home Depot’s Kids Workshops are perfect. Projects range from picture frames to tissue boxes to bird feeders. Contact your local Home Depot for details on these free workshops. If you’re giving someone a bathrobe, how about adding a solid brass robe hook by Monticello? Your gift will always be within reach. Little touches can give a whole new look to someone's kitchen, bath or dresser. Cabinet pulls, hinges and han- dics make great gifts and arc available in a varicty of shapes and sizes, colours and materi- . als. An organized kitchen can save any cook from fumbling through cluttered drawers. The Pocket Pal -by ClosetMaid is the ideal way to hee small packets of season: . drink mixes, tea bags and ‘salad dressings aff in one: ‘Gorgesus character home. with ©. PRIVATE CREEK SETTIN Ge on AMBLES! “Private creak satting oa haga TOW" x 192 lot 'S bscroome tip & 1. su ii separate éntrance down. Rela. and listen to the stream and humming of bieds on ga :Visit this house via 2D Virtual Tour Website! ites homalita.com With A Realtor Whe Advertisss Inthe Rorth Shore News Homes Section If you are in the market for a new herne don't make a a move without consulting our Real Estate Homes section first. Every Friday we deliver our Real Estate Homes sain to. Canada's highest percentage of home owners: in a community. .