(NC)-While your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms silently go about their business day-in and day-out - unless there is danger - the company that sells the most of these life-saving devices in Canada is busy finding ways to make them better and last longer.
Market leader Kidde says it has recently introduced two advanced combination smoke and CO alarms that are Canadian firsts. These new "intelligent" combo alarms react more quickly to real fires while at the same time are better able to differentiate between false alarms and the real thing. One unit is battery powered, while the other is hardwired with a battery back up in case of a power outage.
They take direct aim at a major consumer complaint of all alarms - that they go off too easily if you burn the toast or the turkey.
For carbon monoxide alarms, consumers often find it confusing that they need to be replaced every seven years while smoke alarms need replacing every 10 years. So in both these new Kidde combination alarms, the smoke and carbon monoxide sensors feature the same 10-year lifespan and 10-year warranty.
"Innovations that make alarms smarter and last over 40 per cent longer are an industry breakthrough," says Carol Heller, a home safety specialist at Kidde. "We have been protecting Canadian families since 1917 and with technology advancements such as these we will continue to do so."
More information and fire safety tips are available online at www.kiddecanada.com and www.safeathome.ca.
As someone who lives in the west Calgary area, and consequently, does a lot of business there, I’ve been given the opportunity to get to know the area very well. One of the neighbourhoods that I’ve really enjoyed spending time in is Aspen Woods, Calgary. The area is rich with creature comforts that are conducive to family life, and in my latest article, Living in Aspen Woods, Calgary: A brief guide to this west Calgary neighbourhood, I’m going to focus on what makes this thriving community tick.
Exceptional properties in Aspen Woods, Calgary
Aspen Woods, Calgary is a newer residential development. The very first construction dates back to early 2001. The neighbourhood was designed with the goal of becoming a high-end luxury community and if you’ve ever considered purchasing property here you’ll know that the homes for sale in Aspen Woods fit the bill.
Homebuilders in Aspen Woods, Calgary have focused on exclusively building single-family homes and acreage estates. The spacious lots have given rise to upscale homes, which in turn have lent to an affluent community. The average price for a home in Aspen Woods, Calgary is nearly $1.5 million, some of the acreage estates boast more that 5,000 sq. feet of living space, and the lot sizes themselves can be as big as half an acre.
There are still several homebuilders in Aspen Woods that are laying the groundwork for pre-sale homes. For those interested in purchasing property in Aspen Woods, they’re able to work with the builders to design their own custom home.
Amenities in Aspen Woods, Calgary
Aspen Landing, Calgary’s newest shopping destination is situated on the southwest corner of the Aspen Woods neighbourhood. Prior to its construction there very few options for retailers and service providers in the area but the addition of Aspen Landing, is serving to bring a downtown-like shopping experience to the suburbs of west Calgary.
Some of the shops and services at Aspen Landing include: Aspen Landing Dental, Diner Deluxe, and a number of specialty stores that can all be found here on their website.
To learn more about Aspen Landing and its mixed-use village type concept, check out the video below:
The Westside Recreation Centre, located across the street from the Ernest Manning High School, regularly features a number of family friendly activities and fun things to do all year round. Since 2000, the Westside Recreation Centre has hosted one of the city’s most prized places for swimming, rock climbing, and a fully furnished gym.
In the event of Aspen Woods residents needing more than these community fixtures has to offer, they can count on the fact that they’re only a short trip from the downtown Calgary area and all that it holds.
Click here for a virtual tour of an Aspen Woods, Calgary, Alberta home.
Click here for more details regarding this fantastic Aspen Woods listing.
So if you and the family happen to be looking for a new home in west Calgary, know that the Aspen Woods are can cater to your needs. Whether it’s the luxury homes or the local amenities that catch your eye, Aspen Woods homes for sale have an undeniable appeal. To get in touch with me personally and learn more about Aspen Woods real estate, I can be reached at:
Website: http://totalhomemarketing.ca/
Email: georgebyma@shaw.ca
Direct: (403) 690-2020
There are a million and one reasons to consider when deciding whether to rent or buy in west Calgary. The factors range from your stage in life (i.e. your age and marital status) to more defined factors like your net income. But whatever the factors affecting your next move are, it can be plain tough when deciding whether renting or buying is going to benefit you and your family in the long run. In my latest article “To rent or buy in west Calgary?” I’m going to talk about some of the pros and cons of renting versus buying your new home.
Points for renting
Everyone would like to own a home, but that’s not in the cards for everyone—at least not at first. There are a bunch of reasons why renting can be advantageous.
If you have a job that requires you to travel often, it is very beneficial to rent your home. By purchasing a property in Calgary, you’re locking yourself into a commitment with far reaching implications that can undoubtedly affect your financial stability down the road.
Some landlords give tenants the ability to rent to own in Calgary. What this means is that if you initially don’t have enough money for a down payment but you can afford rent, the homeowner will allow rent payments to go towards the down payment on that home. This is a great option for people who don’t have either the cash for a down payment or good enough credit history to be approved for a loan. And to further that point, renting is one means of improving your credit score.
Renting a home in West Calgary has the potential to save you some money. By renting, you’re liberating from various fees associated with the actual property itself and the maintenance of it. For example, if you’re renting a home and the central heating gives out on you in the dead of the winter—it’s the landlord’s responsibility to get that fixed for you as soon as possible.
Points for buying
No matter how you slice it, buying a home in west Calgary is going to be a large, if not the largest, purchase that you’ve ever made. Investing in west Calgary is a dream of many; however, that doesn’t mean that many possess the means to do it. Albeit, for those that do there are quite a few advantages to buying a home in Calgary.
Houses for sale in west Calgary have a relatively high price point. There are many reasons why west Calgary homes are as expensive as they are, such as: their proximity to the downtown area, the abundance of amenities and recreational space found in the area, and the large lot sizes.
Certain pockets of west Calgary housing are located as little at 20 minutes away from the downtown Calgary area. The simple fact that much of the west Calgary natural space has been deemed a conversation area means that there is a limit to the amount of new developments that will be springing up in the area. The restraints imposed upon new developments suggest that current west Calgary homes will only appreciate in value.
West Calgary neighbourhoods feature many attractions and amenities that are conducive to the family lifestyle. As a family living in west Calgary, it’s uncommon that you’ll need to travel beyond your neighbourhood. That said, buying a home in west Calgary guarantees that you’re never far from what you need.
Select neighbourhoods in west Calgary feature homes that are nothing short of mansions. Estate homes in Calgary tend to lend to an affluent community where you won’t find as many renters as you will homeowners. Examples of which can be found in Aspen Woods, Springbank Hill, and Wentworth, Calgary.
You may have heard that the Calgary real estate market is in a period of transition. Homebuyers across the city are taking advantage of the situation and using it as an opportunity to enter the market. If you’re one of these people, or are curious about renting in west Calgary, you can reach me at:
Website: http://totalhomemarketing.ca/
Email: georgebyma@shaw.ca
Direct: (403) 690-2020
• Before you post pictures, think about whether they give away too much information about you. For example, does that shot show your street name or license plate in the background? Avoid geo-tagging photos. Most smartphones and many digital cameras automatically attach the exact location where a photo was taken, which can give away your address or let criminals know that you're on vacation, making your home a target for break-in.
• Don't mention things like going away on vacation, big purchases or events that include your address in your status updates.
• Never include banking information - not even the name of your bank.
Remember, taking simple precautions online can protect you from major headaches down the road.