Home-Made Fire Preparedness

     Prevention is better than cure - but when we speak of disasters, preparedness is the key to prevent them. 

     One of the most dreaded disasters that can happen in a household is catching a fire. It can cost you the most important things in your life - your home and everything inside it, and even your life or the life of your loved ones. And the worst part is, no one knows when this accident could occur. It's definitely a visitor no one wants to welcome.

"Let me in or I'll burn your house down."

     You don't want your lovely home to turn into ashes so you need to be always prepared in case a spontaneously combustible object in your house decided to ignite itself and your whole living room or your neighbour decided to have a little campfire using everything in your building as fire wood.

"That's hot. Totally not cool."

     Here are some helpful tips to prepare yourself against fires in your home:

What fire extinguisher to buy?

     Did you know that not all fire extinguishers can put out all kinds of fire? Fire extinguishers have several types.  The most widely used is the one that puts out most solid fires such as paper, wood, plastic, etc. However, there are also fire extinguishers made specifically to extinguish flammable liquid such as petrol, paraffin and oil. There is also an extinguisher that is intended for fires involving electrical apparatus and one that is intended to extinguish fires caused by cooking oil and fat. It's best that you check the labels before you buy a fire extinguisher for home use.

Not all fire extinguishers are created equal.

Where to put fire extinguishers?

     Now that you have a suitable fire extinguisher that can kill different types of fire effectively, you must put them on the most appropriate places inside your house. Basically you need to put them throughout your house and on all levels. Depending how large the total area of your home is, put one fire extinguishers along hallways, outside the bedrooms and bathrooms. It is very important that you put one in your kitchen because that is where your stove is located (I hope). However, put it near the stove, not directly below it because you don't want to go ducking under the flames when a stovetop fire occurs. 

Locked, loaded and ready to go!

     It is not everyday that you use a fire extinguisher (and we all hope it stay that way), so there is a chance that the one positioned in your kitchen right now which you bought ages ago is no longer working. Be sure that every fire extinguisher in your house is full and always ready for battle. If you are using a battery-operated extinguisher, make sure to check it regularly and change the batteries every so often. 

"I can still take on the he-(cough) heat!"

What to do in case of fire?

     Although fire extinguishers are a good way kill fire, there are a lot more ways to prevent and control it: 

• Install smoke and heat detectors so you can be notified and you can have a lot of time to escape and  salvage anything that you can in case of fire.
• Create an escape plan for the whole family. Indicate escape routes from each room of the house.
• When a kitchen fire occurs, do not put out grease fire with water. Baking can be used alternatively.
• Make sure the whole family knows the telephone number of fire-fighting authorities so you can notify them immediately in case of a house fire.
• Participate in community activities such as fire drills, fire-prevention seminars, etc.

Credits

Story based from:

http://www.hgtv.com/homekeeping/9-fire-safety-tips/index.html

Photos from:

http://ranger-pathfinder-notes.blogspot.com/2011/05/fire-in-hole-art-of-scout.html

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/File:500_burning_building.jpg

http://www.allfireextinguishertypes.com/fire-extinguisher-types/

http://jolita.us/page/2

The First Rezt & Relax Showflat Tour

     There's a song that goes something like, "If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't I paint you?". The person who made that song wanted to create the perfect description of the love of his live through a picture but no matter how hard he tried, it still can't be enough.

     A picture paints a thousand words, and we have a lot of pictures to show our designs but, much like the song, sometimes it can't be enough... So we decided to get on a bus and throw a Free Showflat Tour.

     With 20 participants, the tour started at 10 in the morning. Every one was excited because this is the first Showflat Tour that will be conducted. Before riding the bus, the participants were given a "goodie bag" with a lot of surprise gifts inside.

First destination: the 5-Room HDB flat in Sengkang.

Mr. Wilson Teh explaining the benefits of the design of the wall.

     Rezt & Relax designer Arthur Poh designed this flat. Mr. Wilson Teh and Mr John Foo explained each functionality of the house. Starting with the living room, Mr. Wilson Teh explained the design of the walls, ceilings and floors. He also gave some tips on how to properly design the living room. 

Mr. John Foo explaining the use of "green design"

     Mr. John Foo also discussed some important things to remember when getting an interior design service from any ID company. He gave tips on how to make the design beautiful without spending much such as re-laminating the door instead of getting a new one and the difference of using an LED lights and halogen lights.

     Designers Xavier Wong, Adam Gun, Gary Chua and Ivan Lim also answered the questions of the participants. Touring each room in the house, they explained the important mechanisms of each furniture.

Designer Xavier Wong 

Designer Adam Gun

Designer Ivan Lin

Designer Arthur Poh

     The participants also enthusiastically shared their insights to the design of the house and had a little chit chat with the owner. 

Xavier with the house owner

Next Destination: 5-Room HDB flat in Yishun.

     The two showflats that were visited are different from each other in a lot of ways. The owner of the Yishun showflat is a young couple with no kids and the goal of the design of the house is to create a condo-like environment. This showflat is very space efficient, stylish and very much portray the personality of its inhabitants.

     The Yishun showflat has a remote-controlled functionality. You can open and close the curtains in the bedroom through a remote control. There are also a lot of storage spaces but they are carefully hidden so that they conserve space as well as add to the overall sleek design of the house.

The shoe rack saves a lot of space. When closed, the door serves as a full-body mirror.

     The lighting inside the house creates a warm and cozy environment which is perfect for the young couple living in it. 

Mr. Wilson Teh demonstrating the effect of the light strips in the living room.

     One of the things that the participants appreciated is the wall which has a very unique texture.

Wall in the living room / dining room

Bedroom wall

Mr. Wilson Teh with the house owners

     All in all the first Showflat Tour of Rezt & Relax is a success. Everyone learned a lot about interior design and its effects to the lifestyle of the people living inside the house. The participants were also inspired to create a more efficient and comfortable space in their own homes through proper interior designs. Looking at the actual design rather than in photos is a very big advantage especially for those who are considering to get ID services. 

     For those who did not make it to join this tour, don't fret because there will be another Rezt & Relax Showflat Tour soon. Watch out for our announcements! =)

First Home Sweet Home

     The first time is always going to be the hardest. And when you're moving in to your new home, this statement can never seem to be a lot more real. 

     Buying (or renting) your own HDB flat or a condo unit or a landed property and finally moving in to it can be considered as one of the most liberating experiences in one's life. For a single person, it gives the feeling of freedom and independence. For couples, it gives a feeling of security and it marks the start of living together as a family. Before daydreaming of how you are going to live your life in your own house, you must come up with a plan on how you can transform an empty shell of your new house in to a warm, cozy and inviting home. 

     How can you be able to get through all the things to do when moving in to your new home and still be breathing after it's all done, you might ask. Here are some suggestions that you can try.

To bring or not to bring.

     Days or even weeks (or months, depending on how sentimental are you) before you move in to your new sanctuary, start arranging your old stuff that you want to bring with you. A lot of people are having problems with throwing old stuff away because of its sentimental value. However, you must remember that you are starting a new chapter in your life and it is important that you start fresh as you start over. Get rid of at least 25 to 50 percent of your old things. Of course you don't have to necessarily throw them away. You can actually earn money from them by having a garage sale. If most of your old stuff are still working just fine, you can donate them to charity. This way you can have that peace in your heart that your favourite chair will give comfort to another person. 

"I know your new owner will take care of you. (sobs)"

The bedroom is where the heart is.

     Or at least 1/3 of it. The bedroom is where you sleep and rest and read books or watch TV. It practically is a home inside a home for some people and it is imperative that you start decorating your new house from this room. Buying as much as you can afford for this area is very worth it but don't be very excited to the point that you over buy stuff for your bedroom that you clutter its space. Buy the most expensive bed that you can see (the most expensive that you can afford, of course), decorate your windows and add mirrors especially if your room is space constrained. Tell your designer to paint the walls to the colour that will complement your  beddings. Also tell your designer if you are an early worm or a night owl. If you always wake up early then your bedroom must look light with bright colours and translucent treatment. On the other hand, if you are the type of person who sleeps during the day and stays awake at night then your room should have more deeper and darker shades of colours. Either way it should always be comfortable for you.

"Good morning, bright ray of sunshine!"

Mixing may not necessarily be matching.

     When you go to retail stores, do you notice how they persuade you to buy a set of furniture or anything in a set? Of course it is nice to see a couple of items in your house with the same styling but you don't want  your room to be generic and (gasp!) lifeless. If you buy everything in sets, you don't really get to inject your personality in them because it already has its own. When matching and mixing furnitures in a room, always consider the balance of colours and proportions. A tiny-winy table in a huge room will surely look awkward and you don't need awkward for your new home, do you? 

Unless you can pull off a fabulous mix and match like this one.

Don't buy like the world is going to end tomorrow.

     Because you are excited to move in to your new home, you felt the urge to buy everything that you think will look good for the overall decoration of your house. After you move in you realize that your big blue sofa does not quite go well with your pumpkin wall. It is advised that you live in your new house for at least two months before you do any major purchases. It takes time for you to realize what furniture goes well in what room and what parts of the house need renovation. Buy things gradually and you will see how you slowly transform your home into a more stylish sanctuary. 

Who knew this sofa could look better outside?

Credits

Story based from:

www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/6-tips-for-decorating-your-first-home/index.html

Photos taken from:

www.myscrapchick.com/collection_small2.htm

www.redbubble.com/people/dondavisuk/works/2852464-old-teddy-in-his-old-chair

www.reztnrelax.com/portfolio.php