Safe-Home.com

Question about the Safe Home Duo Air Purify Furnace Filter 16 x 20 x 1 In.

Answer: I recommend the Safe Home air purification furnace filter because it is so effective. This is a dual filter that consists of a polyester pre-filter, a central core of activated carbon and a polyester post-filter. This is in a steel frame. The polyester extends slightly beyond the metal  frame so the filter seals very tightly in the slot. That way allergens, gasses, etc. cannot go around the filter edges.

The white polyester outer layer first receives the air flow: it removes pollen, mold spores, and other common allergens. The second layer features FormaldaSorb™ (potassium permanganate) and activated carbon that traps odors and hazardous gasses, such as formaldehyde, ammonia, and others. These are emitted by cleaning chemicals, paint, particle board, and other household items. No other one inch furnace filters are as effective at removing dust mites, mold spores, pollen, odors, cleaning chemicals, ozone, paint fumes, and common gasses like formaldehyde which triggers asthma and allergies.

Safe Home Duo Filter Features:

• Dimensions: 16" x 20" x 1"
• Captures up to 95% of common household allergens
• Eliminates odors from pets, paint, cooking, and more
• Uses high density carbon and advanced compounds
• FormaldaSorb™ traps hazardous gasses
• Highly effective and affordable

Change the Duo at least every 3 months. Some conditions may require more frequent changes due to increased pollutants. Examples: furry pets, construction work, painting and smoking.

There are other filter sizes from which to choose as well. These include 12 x 12 x 1, 12 x 24 x 1, 14 x 14 x 1, 14 x 24 x 1, 12 x 25 x 1, 14 x 30 x 1, 20 x 20 x 1, 10 x 25 x 1, 20 x 30 x 1, and 24 x 24 x 1.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the Grandpa Brand Oatmeal Soap and the Vermont Soapworks Oatmeal and Lavender Soaps

Answer: Many people find a bar soap with oatmeal to be not only an excellent bath soap but also an excellent facial bar soap. Spas often offer baths in oatmeal based soaps. Many find that oatmeal soap helps to relieve skin irritations, reduce inflammation and heal rashes as well as help with sunburn pain.

The Grandpa brand oatmeal soap is an all vegetable oil oatmeal  bar soap individually packaged in a box. This natural oatmeal soap soothes, softens and gently exfoliates for a more youthful looking skin. This bath bar soap is mild enough for the most sensitive complexions, yet effective enough for your entire body, oatmeal soap bar is one of Grandpa's favorite bar soaps.  Women using Grandpa's oatmeal soap find it effective as a facial soap and a bath bar. The gentle exfoliate of the oatmeal helps to remove dry, dead skin letting skin look smoother and more youthful. Each bar of soap weighs 3.25 oz. Ingredients: coconut oil, palm oil, purified water, vegetable glycerin, rolled oats, essence of oats. This soap is made in Kentucky by the parent company of Kirks, the hard water bar soap that is also exceptionally mild and all vegetable oil.

Vermont Soapworks chooses to sell what they call eco boxes of soap. This saves on packaging waste. Vermont soaps are all organic. A box contains 7 cut but unwrapped bars that contain USDA certified organic oatmeal soap scented with natural lavender and rosemary extract . This, too, is an all vegetable soap. The oils are all organic: palm, coconut, olive and palm kernels. The natural lavender and natural rosemary extract add a soothing aroma, very light but there. This is our premium dry skin care soap, back by popular demand of our customers. High glycerin. Handmade. Slow to melt and recommended especially for dry skin care. Made by Vermont Soapworks in Vermont.. Net weight: approximately 21 ounces for 7 bars total.

The benefits of both soaps are no animal testing, all vegetable oil, premium oatmeal, high glycerin and gentle for dry and all other types of skin. The oatmeal in the soap helps to soothe minor skin irritations. The Vermont soap is all organic. We do sell the Grandpa brand in a case of 24 bars which saves money and shipping costs over several individual orders. We also offer a sampler of the Grandpa soaps which contains two bars each of the Patchouli Soap with Aloe Vera, Unscented Baking Soda Soap, Oatmeal Soap, Shea Butter Siap and Orange Essence Soap . These are individually boxed and make a nice hostess gift or stocking stuffer.

I hope this answers your questions.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the Amaircare HEPA Filter Air Purifier Model 3000.

Answer: Usually the HEPA is changed every 2 to 3 years depending upon where the air purifier is used. What is as important is to wipe off the outside of the metal cabinet regularly and to change the pre-filters and inner filters regularly. Typically the outer filter is changed every 3 to 4 months and the inner filter every 6 months. The outer filter is made from foam and can be washed with detergent and water. The inner filter is made from a pure carbon blanket media that removes VOC's (volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde, paint thinner, etc.) and is not washable.

Americair manufactures its own Amaircare® brand HEPA filters in Canada. Filament is bonded to air filter media for structural support and even pleat spacing. After pleating, filters are enclosed in protective screens and cast in food-grade plastisol at both ends for a 100% air seal. 100 square feet of HEPA filtration material captures the smallest particulates. Each Amaircare HEPA filter is then tested for 99.97% efficiency, with a laser particle counter.

The Amaircare 3000 HEPA filter is a 16 inch cartridge filter that also fits the Amaircare 3050 and and Amaircare 4000. (These units are no longer made.) The same intervals should be followed for the other Amaircare air purifiers which include the Amaircare 2500 and the Roomaid with the VOC canister filter or with the standard HEPA and pre- and post-filters. There are also VOC cartridge filters that can be added to all these air purifiers.

Important: Always replace a HEPA air filter if an air purifier is turned off for more than 3 to 5 days. HEPA is a medium in which bacteria, viruses, etc. can grow if moisture collects in the filter media. Constant air flow keeps the HEPA filter media dry and free of such contaminants.

Thank you for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the Xtra Fresh Air XFA-1500

Answer: The Xtra Fresh Air XFA-1500 replaces the Solaire unit that we previously sold. (If you need replacement bulbs for the Solaire, we have those available. Yes, you can install this unit and it will fit all cold air return air ducts. Where it goes in in the duct work nearest to the air filter.

The X-tra Fresh Air Purifier is a UV-C germicidal light element device that is set to turn on when the blower on your HVAC system is on. For best results, leave the blower running all the time. At a minimum, run the unit during summer if you live in a humid environment and use central air.

• UV-C Germicidal Lamp Element: Produces cleansing rays similar to solar rays. Bathes cold air return (duct work) of central heating and cooling systems with germicidal UV-C rays!
• Power Cord: Fast, Easy, Convenient. No hard wiring required. Plug Xtra Fresh Air into the nearest 110 volt outlet. Power cord is 9 feet long with 2-prong plug.
• O3: Generates super Oxygenated Air (O3) in a scientifically-proven, safe, balanced concentration of 20 to 30 parts per billion (PPB) to purifier and freshen your household air … odors are destroyed, not masked.
• Secure-hold Magnets: Simple installation and maintenance as magnets securely hold the Xtra Fresh Air unit in place no screws, and a simple fast cleaning and bulb replacement.

The only maintenance is a yearly change of the germicidal bulb. The bulb may appear to be working but it has lost its ability to provide UV-C and O3.

Along with the Xtra Fresh Air, we recommend installing an Envirosept electronic furnace filter panel if your panel size is one inch thick. These units come in dozens of sizes. Just see what size replaceable filter you are using and purchase accordingly. Just slip into the filter opening, plug into a nearby outlet and begin to work. Change filters every few weeks to monthly depending upon your needs. Here at the office, we change ours out every two to three weeks because of all the printers in use.

Thank you for your questions.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about controlling mosquitoes with mosquito traps.

Answer: Propane mosquito traps all work basically the same. The heat and moisture generated by the trap mimics the attractants of a perspiring human body i.e. carbon dioxide (CO2), moisture and body temperature (thermal imaging. The color, shape and airflow through the trap plus an additional attractant, octenol in the case of the Koolatron units also draws mosquitoes to the trap. Octenol can be hung from the other units as well. The best time to start a trap is when the first mosquito eggs are hatching. The goal is to capture the females before they reproduce again. Draining water from ponds or low lying areas or adding mosquito preventatives helps as female mosquitoes return to lay their eggs. The women wants the blood, not the males!

There are three kinds of larger traps sold by Safe Home Products. The all electric trap, the propane and electric which requires electricity to run the fan and the all propane.

Woodstream propane mosquito traps use no electrical power other than batteries, replaceable or rechargeable. Koolatron traps include all three types.

For early June 2010 thru July 1, 2010,  the MK-14 trap is being sold as a special summer bonus with free octenol plus a free propane tank cover.

The propane only traps have the advantage that you can move them downwind from your outdoor play areas. All that we sell protect up to about 1 acre except the electric one which is about 1/2 acre.

The Mosquito Magnet Executive Mosquito Trap by Woodstream has a patented Counterflow™ Technology that lures, captures and controls mosquitoes. This is a sophisticated unit with Smart Technology: 5 different user-friendly setting options plus 4 fuel savings modes to reduce propane use. The Mosquito Magnet® Executive can automatically start-up/power-down by itself using a rechargeable battery when the temperature reading is above or below 50° degrees. And you'll know when the battery is low, the propane is out or even when the propane nozzle is clogged. The self-contained mosquito net is rigid for better performance of the mosquito trap.

The Mosquito Magnet Independence Mosquito Trap by Woodstream also uses the Mosquito Magnet® patented Counterflow™ Technology and uses 4 C cells. Silent, odorless. Dual-tone color design is proven to attract more mosquitoes.

The Koolatron Mosquito Trap Guardian PRO-Summer Bonus Kit is offered only through June 17, 2010. Then the price increases significantly. Until then, the propane tank cover and extra octenol attractant are also included. This propane only trap, like the Woodstream traps, has a one year warranty. It uses no batteries, only propane.This is a more basic trap: change the propane tank about every 4 weeks, check at 3 weeks.

The Lentek Mosquito Trap Guardian MK12FE requires electricity to run the fan plus propane. This is the least expensive of the propane type units and works quite well although placement is limited by available electricity.

The 20 lb. propane tank and gas for all tanks must be purchased separately. Too hazardous to ship!

Thanks for your question. If you have questions about which one might best meet your needs, please email sales@safehomeproducts.com.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the Deer Off II products by Havahart.

Answer: New and improved Deer Off formulas (sometimes called DeerOff II) are liquids plus OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) listed® and compliant for use in organic gardening. Both are also EPA Registered for direct use on plants, bulbs, flowers and trees. Deer Off contains putrescent eggs solids (4.63%), garlic (.001%) and capsaicin (.001%). The concentrate is the most economical to use. Ideal for repelling deer,squirrels and rabbits. Weather-resistant formula lasts up to 90 days. Deer Off is made from natural and food based ingredients and proven effective by a Rutgers University study. Available in concentrate or ready-to-use battery operated sprayers which can be refilled. Deer Off is more powerful than Deer Off® with 4 times more putrescent egg, 1.5 times garlic and 1.5 times more capsaicin. Capsaicin is what makes chili peppers hot!

To protect your garden/landscaping, Havahart recommends beginning use of the Deer Off or Deer Off II immediately after shrubs, etc. are installed. Unless rainfall is excessive, results should last about 90 days. To supplement the organic compounds, consider adding Yardgard or Deergard ultrasonic repellers around the perimeter of your yard at varying heights for deer, rabbits, etc.

Thanks for your questions.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the Nite-Guard Animal Control Light.

Answer: The Nite-Guard Solar is a new addition to animal control products. Solar powered, each Nite-Guard light flashes a red light on and off from dusk to dawn. Scientific research shows that night animals flee when they see the red flashing light as they fear they have been discovered or are being watched. This completely weatherproof animal pest repeller works best if used in multiples of at least 4 units. Otherwise the animal most likely will enter your yard or property from a direction away from the flashing red.  Each light mounts to flash in only one direction with an approximate 30 degree angle of sight as one moves right or left away from it. This is why multiple units are needed and spacing between lights is needed as well.

If mounted high, the light can be seen for a long distance, depending on the lay of the land. A flat, open area with four Nite Guards placed at 10’ for owls will protect an area 1/2 mile in each direction. Even at 3 feet off the ground a range of several hundred yards' protection is common. A night predator stops the instant he sees the flash. So mount lights according to what you want to keep away. Deer will respond to higher lights than bobcats, raccoons, etc.

For small predators, these are the manufacturer's installation instructions:

For predators like raccoon, opossum and skunk; put lights approximately 25 feet apart, around your entire perimeter (all four sides of the area) and place them eye level to the predators approximately 10-12 inches off the ground. If the area has sides longer than 50 feet, more lights should be used on each side. Face lights outward from protected area.

For deer, these are the installation instructions:

1. Four Nite Guard lights placed on a single stake 4 feet high, each light facing a different direction. Moving the Nite Guard lights and stake every 7 to 10 days is absolutely critical as it breaks the pattern that deer may get used to. You do not have to move them far, 20 or 30 feet is fine, more is better. If you do not move the post with the lights around the deer will begin to “pattern” them in the exact position night after night, thusly losing fear of the flash.

NOTE: Deer are perhaps the most destructive nocturnal animal in modern times, they are also the most intelligent. Deer are very hard to deter from an area and, with the exception of the Nite Guard, will ignore most attempts to stop them from getting at the food that they want. The also act differently than a predator type animal and so we need to approach the placement of the lights differently.

2. You could also use a perimeter type placement against deer, placing lights 100 feet apart and approx. 4 feet high. Again, you will need to move the lights around every 3-10 days to break the pattern. Suggestion: Use the Nite Guard in conjunction with some of the other “weapons” they may already have in their “arsenal” against deer. Most people with deer problems are very well away of the deer’s intelligence and know that they get used to things easily. Use the Nite Guard lights along with some type of “repellant spray”. The deer then will not only “see” the predator (the flash of the light), but they will also “smell” the predator. This can be a very powerful deterrent for those deer that seem impossible to repel. You will be able to outsmart deer and protect your gardens and crops with the Nite Guards!

Some suggestions about deer deterent sprays or granules are: Deer Scram , a granular repellent; Deer Away spray for deer and squirrels by Havahart and Deer Off Deer and Rabbit Spray by Havahart. All three use natural scent repellents.

This is a solar powered unit that is completely weatherproof. Daylight as well as direct sunlight can power the battery. Best results are when the solar panel is mounted to capture the most light.

Thank you for your questions.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the EVA-DRY Dehumidifier Desiccant Silica Gel E-333 and EVA-DRY Mini Dehumidifier EDV500

Answer: The E-333 is designed for up to a 333 cubic foot area which is an area about 6.5 ft by 7 ft by 7 ft. The higher capacity EDV 500 is for up to 500 cubic feet or about 8 ft. x 8 ft. x 7 ft. The advantages over the calcium chloride products are many.

EVA-DRY Dessicant Dehumidifier Features:

1. Renewable: When beads turn pink, plug into a power outlet. After a few hours, the indicator turns blue and the unit is ready to absorb moisture once more
2. Eco-Friendly: Use for up to 10 years,
3. Non-Toxic, Colorless and Odorless
4. Non-Corrosive
5. Child and Pet Safe
6. Spill-Proof: no chance for a mess
7. Will not damage clothes and valuables
8. Uses Silica Gel Crystals
9. Enclosed unit
10. Recharges in less than a day.
11. E-333 about 20-30 days before needs renewing via electrical outlet; E-500 last up to 30-60 days before needing renewing

Use several units and keep closet doors open if you plan to use this in an RV when 120VAC is not available. If you want, just leave units plugged in and when you use your RV, the units will automatically warm to release the water vapor in a few hours. Unplug and place in closets or drawers until you store the unit again.

We also sell the nearly silent EVA Dry electric dehumidifiers which are especially popular in humid areas of the country. There are two sizes, the EDV1100 and the EDV2200, the mid-size electric dehumidifier model. These both use a thermo-electric Peltier module, not a compressor. The 1100 and 2200 refer to the square feet of effectiveness in an open area.

Thank you for your questions.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the Envirosept Electronic Furnace Filter Model 1625.

Answer:  I have two answers, one based upon personal experience here at our Safe Home Products' office and one based upon information from the manufacturer.

At our offices, we have numerous printers plus the dust and dirt that drifts in from the frequent comings and goings into our large warehouse. We tried a fiberglass filter initially and then replaced it with a 1625 Envirosept furnace panel. The amount of dust that collects on desks, monitors, etc. decreased significantly with the Envirosept. We do have to change the filters about every three weeks.  I, too, am allergic to dust plus pollen and more. The EnviroSept keeps the air clean so I'm not sneezing!

Second, the manufacturer, Aqua Air Technologies shares that there is no way to compare the EnviroSept to either the frictional electrostatic filters or the standard fiberglass ones that you throw away. Mike explains that the Envirosept is up to a thousand times more effective under normal operating conditions.  "In theory, the plastic/glass strands are supposed to develop a static electric charge as the air passes through the filter, much like when you comb your hair. However, you need very low humidity to create any type of low level static charge. This charge is quickly lost as soon as the filter collects any dust, which insulates the plastic/glass strands and prevents the generation of any static charge. It would appear that the only benefit these filters offer is that they are permanent. Further, you do have the dirty task of washing these filters every two-three months. In addition, these filters have been known to cause major air restriction problems after several years that may damage your heating/cooling system."

Our unit is 5 years old and we've experienced no problems. The Envirosept units come in many sizes. All the units we sell come with 14 filter pads, enough for most people for at least 1 year.  The power used is minimal and the cost cannot be beat! Changing the filters is easy. Just unplug the panel. Slip it out. Open the clips. Remove the dirty filters, replace into the one inch slot after fastening the clips and plug in. Wipe off the grids with a damp microfiber cloth if necessary and let dry before refilling and replacing.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about suet cakes, suet feeders and seed feeders.

Answer: Paul, views have changed about feeding birds suet. Adding suet means adding more of the clinging type birds for your pleasure. Yes, squirrels can get into suet. There are squirrel resistant suet feeders, too.

Now many bird lovers offer suet all year around. Nesting birds need more energy in the spring. Suet provides it.  For insect eating birds in summer, suet can substitute for insects especially in years when insects are in short supply.  Suet helps birds store fat needed for energy to migrate or to prepare for the cold winter weather and to survive winter in colder climates.

Most suet is made from meat fat, Some regard beef fat from kidneys as the best suet. Suet can also be made from vegetable fat. Suet can be flavored, mixed with seeds, peanuts, peanut butter, berries, etc. or just plain. Suet comes in many forms, netted bells to hang directly from trees, blocks, plugs, pellets which birds can carry back to their nests to eat,etc. There are suet feeders available that are made from coated wire to which birds can cling or perch. Most suet loving birds are cling feeders like woodpeckers. If you plan to feed suet, be well-supplied as once birds discover it, it is eaten quickly.

The birds most seen eating suet are chickadees, woodpeckers, warblers, titmice, kinglets, nuthatches, jays, and wrens. Starlings can be a real pest in some areas: you may want to use a starling resistant suet feeder. that is suited primarily for birds that hang upside down to feed. Likewise, pest squirrels can be better kept away by a squirrel resistant suet feeder.

I recommend that if you buy suet on-line, that you buy a minimum of 6 to 12 blocks, bells, etc. Otherwise your shipping costs will void out any savings or convenience as shipping 6 to 10 pounds cost very little more than shipping 2 pounds.

The choices are too numerous for me to add to this blog. I suggest you search for suet and you'll see the choices we offer.

Thanks for your questions and enjoy your backyard birds.

Sincerely, Barbara