If you are interested in carpeting your home or just specific areas in your home, it pays to know what is available and what will work best for your home before you go to the store. This way you can narrow down your search and save time, as there are nearly limitless choices when it comes to carpeting. Before we list carpet types and their attributes, be aware that carpeting your stairway will generally cost between six and nine dollars per step. If you prefer a carpet runner, this cost will be significantly higher. In regards to padding, it does extend the life of your carpeting and increases the overall comfort factor. It is completely worth the investment! Always replace your old padding with a new one, because carpeting manufacturers will not honor their warranty with an old pad underneath their new carpeting.

• Plush/Cut-Pile Carpet – Saxony plush is very popular because it is soft with short tufts. It does not wear as well as berber or other high level loop carpets.
• Berber – Has a high-level loop with a nubby texture. It wears very well, although is harder to clean.
• Wool – The most expensive type, but it is comfortable, durable and resistant to dirt. Direct sunlight can fade it.
• Synthetic fiber – It is made of artificial materials. Mostly made of nylon, it is cheaper than wool and is durable. Sunlight can damage it.
• Olefin – Cheap, but less durable than nylon. It is pre-treated to resist fading, but can be damaged by heat and sun. It is a very good choice for basements.
• Acrylics – More expensive than nylon, but more closely resembles wool and it resists fading.
• Sisal – A natural fiber derived from the cactus plant. It is very strong and durable, but is extremely rough in texture.

Most people keep safety knowledge filed away in their heads, but what every household really needs is an actual checklist that can be posted and referred to yearly to keep everyone safe. Here are some tips and reminders about some of the things that may not be so obvious:

• Fire Safety includes keeping pot and pan handles turned away from the outside of the stove when cooking, so they can not be bumped into.
• Keep all space heaters at least one foot away from anything that is flammable, such as furniture, draperies, even people.
• Never store propane tanks indoors.
• Electrical safety includes never putting electrical cords across doorways or under carpets.
• Never plug major appliances into extension cords; separate outlets only.
• Consider an electrical inspection for your home. 400,000 fires per year are due to faulty electric wiring.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms periodically and change batteries yearly.
• Devise a home fire escape plan that includes more than one exit and that every family member knows about.
• Teach children to call 911 from a neighbor’s phone in the event of a fire.
• Affix rugs to the floor to avoid slipping.
• With children in the home, always attach brackets to bookshelves.