How Do I Choose the best Fireplace for my Home?

The question “How do I choose a fireplace for my home?” Is one that has popped repeatedly in my head over the many years. The reason I am asking this question is that I am not fond of how outdoor fireplaces appear and often I am unable to see why someone would want to purchase one. Although wood and brick fireplaces may not seem appealing to many people There are a few things to think about when looking for outdoor fireplaces. 

For instance, Relevance is very important when it comes to fireplaces. There are numerous brands to choose from and each has its own distinct features. There are ceramic-based fireplaces which add color to your home however there aren’t any log fireplaces with firewood burning. With all the options there, you must look at what the particular model will do for you before deciding on it.

What are some great features of fireplaces?

The appearance is another crucial aspect to be considered. The appearance of brick and wood fireplaces can be quite elegant but concrete fireplaces are more basic and functional. Select the kind of fire you’d like to have – one that gives off warmth and a beautiful appearance or something that simply is attractive. You could consider adding a mantel piece to  the design of your fireplace if have large living spaces you would like to showcase.

You’ll also need to add some decorative elements for your fireplace. I generally avoid the baseboard type, as they tend to be flimsy and don’t have much capacity for heat, however they can give a distinct aesthetic to your space. If you’re going for an authentic appearance perhaps you’d like to consider the addition of a mantel to your fireplace’s baseboard. Otherwise, consider adding accessories like a hearth rug or ornamental piece. You don’t want your fireplace to look like something out of a horror film!

What are the various types of fireplaces? 

Another thing to think about is the substance from which the fireplaces are built. The most popular kinds of wood for fireplaces are redwood, cedar and pine. While these materials are among the most durable but they also come with the most expensive. If you’re searching for a lower-cost option that is not only attractive, but also affordable you should consider bamboo fireplaces.

The final thing to think about when trying to figure out which fireplace for my home is the design of the fireplaces. Many people prefer square fireplaces. However, if square isn’t a good fit for your space, try seeking out round fireplaces. No matter what type of fireplace you decide to choose, make sure that it’s sturdy and has adequate ventilation.

What are the latest trends in fireplaces?

Not to be left out the design of fireplaces is essential. While aesthetics are crucial however, functionality is equally important. If you are looking to install the fireplace in your home that blends with the surroundings, you should look for fireplaces that have clean lines and sleek designs. Forms of fireplaces that are rounded, graceful, or simple can make your house blend into the environment better. It is possible to create a modern appearance by choosing fireplaces which are unique or geometric.

These tips can assist you in choosing the perfect fireplace for your home. Remember to focus on the look, ventilation and the material used in the fireplaces. Also, you should consider the sizes, shapes and designs of fireplaces. After you have considered all of these aspects you should have no problem choosing the perfect fireplaces for your home.

People are strange. They just won`t drink enough water.

They somehow think that other liquids, especially those with some level of alcohol in them, are better than the sacred elixir that they are. They are? Yes! We are mostly water! And we use water! So Dammit, why won`t we drink enough water?

I`m constantly amused at the health revival stories on YouTube of people who drink ionized water. All sorts of miraculous cures are attributed to the drinking of what they claim is alkaline ionized water… but frankly, when I look at them, the vast majority of them were very unhealthy people to begin with – before they began to drink this `special` water. And 8 glasses of ANY kind of water is going to radically improve their wellbeing.

And of course, they all make money by saying their cure was due to their brand of water. It IS MLM after all!

Not that I`m against ionized water.. I`m just against having to pay $5000 to get it!
So here`s a thought.

 What if…

..just drinking sufficient water – not Pepsi, not Coke, not Gatorade, not orange juice… WATER was the real reason for their health revival? After all in his book, Your Body`s Many Cries For Water Dr Feyrood Batmanghelidj demonstrated conclusively that in the absence of other medicine, water alone affected amazing healings on the battleground of the Iraq-Iran war.

Dr. B. believes chronic dehydration to be the cause of many conditions including asthma, allergies, arthritis, angina, migraine headaches, hypertension, raised cholesterol, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, depression, and diabetes in the elderly.

According to Dr. Batmanghelidj, the body possesses many different thirst signals. A dry mouth is not a reliable indicator of your body`s water needs. He describes a variety of more reliable ones, and helps you learn to understand when your body is calling for water. In this way, he claims you can prevent, treat, and cure a variety of conditions of ill health, at no cost, with what he calls nature`s miracle medicine: Water. He explains how much water one needs to drink a day to stay healthy, and why tea, coffee, and sodas are not good substitutes for water.

Whatever you are doing, wherever you are, hydration is critical for your health, including the health of your bones. What`s more, sstudies have now confirmed that water plays a crucial role in building strong bones.

Five easy ways to know if you’re drinking enough.

The attitude: be aware.

Adequate water intake = health. Dehydration negatively impacts the body’s thermoregulation, its capacity for physical activity, cognitive and kidney function, the digestive and cardiovascular systems, and your skin.1 It also negatively affects your bones (more on that later).

Water is two hydrogen atoms attached to a single oxygen atom. It`s indispensable since we can only survive a few days without it.

Modern diets often include sources of water that contribute to our hydration. Some foods, such as strawberries, watermelon and cabbage and many others are more than 90% water. Many beverages are water-based. However… the best way to stay hydrated is by drinking just water.

The Effect Of Age On Thirst And Hydration

Hydration should be a part of your daily routine no matter your age or condition. It`s not natural (but it seems natural!) that as we age we drink less, so we do need to become more proactive about it.

If we compare the relationship between thirst and fluid ingestion between younger and older people found that after water deprivation, we can see that older persons experience less thirst and hence drink less fluid than younger people. Older people are therefore more likely to fail to replenish their body’s supply of water, leaving them dehydrated. Dr Abram Hoffer worked in a canadian mental Institution. One day he was asked to administer electrotherapy to an old schizophrenic patient. The man was OLD. He applied the pads.. nothing happened. He did it again.. nothing.

The man was so dehydrated that electricity could not pass into his body. And he was.. just.. alive! So although we can survive with incredibly small amounts of water in the body, we can`t also expect to be healthy.

We should keep sipping water throughout the day, even when we don’t feel thirsty.
We should know how to tell when we’re dehydrated, so that we can take immediate action. We need to know the signals – Headaches, fatigue, muscle spasms, and dark urine are the obvious ones.. but there are more it;s good to be aware of.

1. Skin Elasticity

Pinch a little bit of your skin on the back of your hand between two fingers. Pull it up gently, then let go. It should immediately return its former position, smooth against your hand. This is a simple measurement of skin turgor or elasticity.

If you’re dehydrated, the skin will remain in the pinched position, or return more slowly than usual.

This simple test can tell whether you need to up your water intake.

2. Confusion: I`m not stupid, I`m dehydrated!

Dehydration affects the brain. Even mild levels of dehydration can disrupt mood, concentration, and cognitive function. Dehydration impairs performance on tasks, affecting short-term memory, perceptual discrimination, arithmetic ability, visuomotor tracking, and psychomotor skills.

If you are feeling lost, confused, or losing the ability to concentrate, t it may bea sign of dehydration. Slow down.
Drink water, Dammit!

3. Dog Breath

Bad breath, or halitosis, can indicate that you’re not getting enough H2O.

Why? Simple. Your body reduces saliva production. Saliva affects the number of bacteria in your mouth. It`s those bacteria that cause bad breath. Not enough water = increased bacteria levels in your mouth = Dog breath

Drink more water, Dammit!

4. Food Cravings

In a national study of almost 10,000 participants, researchers found a direct relationship between inadequate hydration and elevated body mass index (BMI) or obesity.

The study (once again) confirms that dehydration causes overeating. Sometimes when our body is trying to tell us to drink water, we interpret the signal as hunger and eat instead.

If you are regularly craving food, perhaps your dehydration is playing games with you. Adequate hydration can clear up the cravings, keeping you healthy and your weight down.

Drink water, Dammit!

5. Sweating Slows or Stops

Water understands its vital nature. Unfortunately is can`t talk.
Fortunately, your body will do just about anything to keep water when supplies are running low. One strategy is turning off your sweat glands. This can indicate severe dehydration. It may even be a marker of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Seek help immediately and start hydrating as soon as possible, especially if you feel faint, confused or hallucinatory.

What about Water and Bones?

What is your mind`s eye picture of a bone?
Let me guess.
It`s something hard, and dry. Brittle.

I`m sure most people don`t think of bone as `wet`.

But believe it or not, Mr Ripley, water is one of the main `íngredients` of bone, plus apatite mineral and collagen protein.

Without sufficient water, the mechanical properties of bone are negatively affected as well as bone quality.

We now see more studies demonstrating that dehydration actually causes an increase in bone damaging stress hormones – such as cortisol.
So not only do you need adequate hydration to build bone… dehydration is also actively harming your bone mineral density.

We talk to people every day at AlkaWay about water.
Usually it`s about the right sort of water to drink, and yes, we know that you can supercharge your water with alkaline minerals and molecular hydrogen for many, many health benefits. But we often don`t have the chance to talk to people (convince them!) of the absolute necessity of drinking enough water. Drop by. We just might change your mind.

Think of your prize possession; your car. You lavish money, love and more money on it because not only does it give you emotional support, it also opens the world to you. And you know that if you don`t. all that money you spent on it will be lost on ultra-expensive repairs.

So.. would you buy cheap oil for your car? Would you run it with constantly low oil in the sump? Why then do you do this with your body`s many cries for water“?

Drink Water, Dammit!

PS: And if that`s not enough, think about trying to overcome chronic inflammation without sufficient hydration.

While the effects of dehydration are often ignored or overlooked by med professionals, the link between hydration and inflammation seems obvious. Healthy inflammation is the body’s defense against invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins in the environment. This defense is incomplete without the water needed to carry these negative factors out of the body. Isolating these invaders does no good if they are then left to sit within the body and allowed to er.. rot. Which in turn, causes a repetition of the inflammation designed to remove these negative influences and increases the possibility of this inflammation becoming chronic.

PPS: And if that`s not enough, latest science links ALZHEIMERS` with chronic inflammation!

Drink Water, Dammit!

Ian Blair Hamilton is the founder of AlkaWay and the inventor of the Primal Water system, the Ultrastream

Data Security Rule Overview

The FTC Data Security Rule, which was established under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, requires financial institutions and other businesses that deal with sensitive customer information to implement a comprehensive security program. This rule applies to mortgage brokers, payday lenders, collection agencies, finance companies, credit counselors and non-federally insured credit unions among others.

The deadline for compliance with the FTC Data Security Rule is June 9th of 2023. Financial advisors and other industries should take this deadline seriously as failure to comply can lead to significant penalties and loss of consumer trust. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that consumers’ personal information remains secure from unauthorized access or disclosure.

To comply with the FTC Data Security Rule requirements, businesses must conduct a risk assessment and develop appropriate controls based on their level of risk. In addition to locking file cabinets, cybersecurity is the biggest threat. They must designate a qualified individual who will be responsible for overseeing their security practices, a role which IronHand Cyber Security plays to its clients. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) should also be implemented when accessing sensitive data in order to prevent unauthorized access in case passwords are compromised. Additionally, testing should be conducted regularly by staff members or third-party service providers to identify potential vulnerabilities or security events that may compromise sensitive data.

Overall, implementing strong security practices not only helps businesses stay compliant but it also builds trust between them and their customers while reducing the likelihood of costly breaches or leaks of sensitive data. Financial advisories, and other businesses dealing with personal information, should utilize all available resources at their disposal. They should maintain effective security programs that protect both themselves and consumers alike.

The Importance of Compliance for Financial Advisors and Other Industries

Financial advisors and other industries must comply with the FTC Data Security Rule to ensure the security of customer information. This rule requires companies to implement a comprehensive information security program that includes appropriate security safeguards. A comprehensive security program should cover all aspects of a company’s business operations, including relationships with contractors and employees.

One key requirement of the FTC Data Security Rule is multifactor authentication for access controls. This adds an extra layer of protection for sensitive data such as credit cards and Social Security numbers. Travel agencies, motor vehicle dealers, non-banking financial institutions, and other businesses that handle sensitive information are also subject to this requirement.

To maintain a strong security posture, companies should regularly assess their security systems and train their personnel on proper security procedures. The FTC provides guidance on how businesses can manage external risks by identifying foreseeable risks through risk management processes. The guidance of a cybersecurity firm such as IronHand can give a company the personalized plans and expertise necssary to navigate all the possible safeguards and endpoints where security threats can occur.

To avoid penalties for non-compliance, it is essential that companies take steps to secure disposal methods when handling sensitive data and possess factors necessary for effective implementation of compliance requirements under this rule.

Key Requirements of the FTC Data Security Rule

The FTC Data Security Rule outlines key requirements that businesses must adhere to in order to protect sensitive customer information. One of the main requirements is periodic reassessments of security measures, ensuring they remain effective and up-to-date. Dollar amounts are also a factor, as businesses must ensure that their security measures are appropriate for the amount and type of customer information they handle.

Access to customer information is another critical aspect of compliance with this legal requirement. Businesses must have proper security features in place to prevent unauthorized access of this data. Additionally, providing security awareness training for employees can help them understand their role in maintaining a secure environment and protecting against unfair practices.

Multi-factor authentication is an important component of meeting these security requirements, with different types of authentication factors available depending on the nature of the provision services being offered. Regardless of industry or specific exemption status, all businesses should prioritize consumer protection basics by implementing concrete guidance from cybersecurity consultants regarding electronic information resources management, disposal processes including deletion protocols when disposing of any unwanted customer data, along with penetration testing so that customers’ personal details do not fall into the wrong hands.

Best Practices for Securing Sensitive Data

To ensure the security of sensitive data, it is essential to have strong environmental controls systems in place. This includes physical security measures such as access control and surveillance cameras, as well as technical safeguards like firewalls and intrusion detection systems. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments are necessary to identify potential areas of weakness that could allow for the penetration of databases.

A recovery plan should also be established in case a breach does occur. This plan should include procedures for containing the breach, notifying affected parties, and implementing remediation efforts. Regular refreshers on these procedures can help ensure they are effectively executed in the event of an actual breach.

Qualified personnel with administrative capability must oversee all activities incidental to securing sensitive data. They should be trained on consumer data privacy safeguards and aware of deceptive practices that may compromise this information’s integrity or confidentiality—competition counts when it comes to protecting customer information across industries, especially financial services, which is subject to further regulations. Finally, dispose of customer information securely using shredding machines or other methods recommended by Federal Register guidelines.

By following these best practices for securing sensitive data across business systems—from finance charges at franchised auto dealerships to real estate settlement services—they can improve their overall cybersecurity posture while providing better practices. This maintains consumer trust levels among stakeholders who rely upon sound industry-wide compliance programs against unauthorized use of customers’ biometrics and personal data.