Just because winter is here does not mean that you should settle for a cold, lifeless house. There are ways to decorate your home in winter that come with the added benefit of being eco-friendly. Have a look at five ways in which you can decorate your home in an eco-friendly way and breathe new life into it.

Add Indoor Plants

Currently, becoming a plant parent is all the rage online, and you can also get in on the fun. Simply find out which ones among the many species of indoor plants appeal to you and then source them. Apart from making aesthetically pleasant decor items, they will also be great for keeping the air indoors pure and fresh. You could also get some herbs for your kitchen counter, but keep in mind that food crops need to compete with about 10,000 species of insects that eat plants. Make sure you’re prepared to ward off these pests if they do show up by also researching natural and eco-friendly pest control so that you make the most of your new plants.

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Winter roads are notorious for being risky to drive on, so it’s important to take extra precautions on the roads at this time. If you have a teen who drives, make sure they’re as safe as possible whenever they’re driving in winter by taking the five precautions below.

Invest In Snow Tires

The tires on a car are the most important physical part of a car because of their role in maintaining a grip on the road. When winter arrives, it’s good to install snow tires on your teen’s car. This is advisable because these tires are wider and have deeper grooves on them, making it possible to better control your car and drive safely in winter. As a parent, it’s good to do this for your teens as well as yourself so that everyone in the house is safe. While many drivers get all-season tires for their cars, it’s often a better option to invest in snow tires due to their enhanced consideration for snowy and icy roads.

Cancel Unnecessary Trips

Unless it’s completely important for your teen to be somewhere, ask them to reschedule their plans or cancel them altogether when the weather is unsafe to drive in. This is because the less time spent on the road driving, the less likely your teen is to be involved in an accident. It’s important to make this call as a parent and also cancel any unnecessary trips of your own so you lead by example. There will be plenty of time to go where you would like to go when it’s less risky to drive, so sit tight, especially if the forecasts call for a storm in your area.

Set a Curfew

Being a parent means that you sometimes have to do things that are going to make your teens think of you as no fun, but that are crucial for keeping them safe. One of these things is setting a curfew in winter and letting your teens know that they must be home at a certain time. This will be a good way to keep them safe because, given the extra issues to consider in winter, the darkness also poses additional issues for drivers. To avoid having your teens put themselves at risk, it’s good to ensure they’re not on the roads in the dark and in winter. Also make sure they know not to drive while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, which are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle fatalities. Staying off the roads at night will also lessen the likelihood of your teen being involved in this percentage of fatalities because other drivers may be unsafe!

Give Their Car a Maintenance Check

To make sure that your teen’s car is in the best condition possible when winter comes, it’s good to take it for a maintenance check-up before the weather worsens. Making sure that it’s functioning optimally will go a long way in ensuring that no unwelcome surprises await your teens as they’re out and about in the snow and ice, so make it a habit to have the cars maintained when winter sets in.

Prepare an Emergency Kit for Their Vehicle

The final precaution you should take is to prepare an emergency kit for your teen’s vehicle so that if anything happens, they will be prepared to deal with it. Make sure that this emergency kit has road flares, a warm blanket or two, snow boots, a shovel, and some dry foods and water to help them if they ever get caught in a snowstorm. With the automotive collision repair market projected to cross the $280 billion mark by the year 2024, it’s good to make sure your teen is prepared to deal with a vehicle emergency and maintain the car’s condition so you don’t undergo an extra cost.

The five tips above should help you make sure that both you and your teen are safe while on the road in winter. And remember, on top of those five tips, you should also invest in teen driving insurance to make sure all of your bases are covered! Work with a checklist to make sure that you have everything you need to be done out of the way, and you will have peace of mind knowing that you’ve played your part.

My 2021 Holiday Gift Guide is NOW live!

Visit: https://www.mommyenterprises.com/moms-blog/2021-holiday-gift-guide/

You may love your friends and neighbors, but that doesn’t mean you want your home and yard to be an open book. This goes double if you’re a parent of small children and are concerned about their privacy as well as your own. Most modern homes aren’t designed to maximize privacy, so some upgrades here and there are necessary to make them feel as safe and secure as possible. Luckily there are many simple home renovations you can do to improve your sense of privacy while at home.

Here are three simple renovations we’ve found that will increase your family’s sense of privacy while at home.

1. Curtains, Blinds, and Shutters

One of the easiest and overall cheapest renovations you can do is installing or upgrading blinds and/or curtains over your windows. Whether you go with blinds or curtains is really up to your style preference, but trust us when we say your neighbors will be thankful you finally put them up, especially if you’ve been living without for some time.

If you’re not loving the look of blinds or curtains, you can also consider installing shutters on the outside of your home. Shutters are a great alternative to interior curtains or blinds, and while you’re looking into them, you can also consider fixing or upgrading your home’s siding. In fact, U.S. demand for siding is expected to rise 3.1% each year through 2021 — all the way to 101.5 million squares.

2. Tint, Frost, or Glaze Windows

Some of your home’s windows may be awkwardly placed or sized, making blinds and curtains less than ideal. Tinting, frosting, and glazing are all options that remove or lower the visibility of the inside of the home while still allowing light through the glass. This is also a good solution if you’re not a fan of placing drapes or blinds over your windows. You can contact double glazing window Bristol professionals for window installation services.

Between 2 and 3 million temporary restraining orders go into effect in the United States each year. Lowering or even removing the option to see the inside of the home from the exterior may even help keep those inside a bit safer. If you’re still concerned about your safety, contact your local police department.

3. Put Up a Privacy Fence

Privacy isn’t just for your home itself — it can also extend to your backyard activities. An estimated 80-90% of the applications zoning committee experts in the U.S. receive are for outdoor privacy fences. Fences are a great way to create a visual break in your outdoor space and separate your property from the green space belonging to your neighbors. Privacy fences in particular are fantastic for keeping eyes off of your family’s outdoor activities.

Before you decide to install a fence, however, you may need permission from your local HOA. Be sure to stay within all height and placement requirements when building your fence and hire a fencing contractor for best results. You can also look into other solid fencing styles and decide which fits your aesthetic the best while still giving you the privacy your want.

The Bottom Line

Privacy is something that many people take for granted, but for those of us concerned about privacy, a few small upgrades can make a world of difference. If you’re looking to increase your family’s sense of privacy while at home, be sure to contact the right professionals and get estimates for the work needed. Simple upgrades such as installing blinds or curtains, tinting or frosting windows, installing shutters, or putting up a privacy fence around your backyard will vastly increase your sense of safety and privacy while in your home.