http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/interior-design/sparkling-blinds-in-no-time.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/interior-design/sparkling-blinds-in-no-time.html Thu, 12 Feb 2009 04:10:16 -0600
Due to the position of blinds, they are prone to collect a lot of dust and debris, so the best way to keep them looking good as new is simply to clean them regularly. This should be a fairly straightforward task and cleaning instructions depend on which material your blinds are created from.

Begin the blind cleaning process by dusting to get rid of any debris. The dusting attachment on your vacuum cleaner is an effective means of getting rid of all the unwanted dust. Vacuum each side of the blind to make sure you get all the dust from the front and back, and if you have a Venetian or shutter style then make sure you vacuum in between each slat.

If you do not have a vacuum cleaner or dusting attachment then use a dry cloth to dislodge any unwanted dust particles - static cling dusters are also particularly handy as they attract dust and are clean and easy to use. Avoid feather dusters as they are likely to simply spread the dust around even more, making such cleaning tasks more difficult.

If your blinds are lightly marked then use a damp cloth or some antibacterial wipes to remove the offending stains. For material blinds use warm water only, and apply a mild soap to clean any stains on the fabric.

If you have metal blinds then make sure you don’t apply too much pressure when cleaning them, as they are easily bent and will only cause permanent damage. If you find it easier, you can remove the whole metal blind, lay it out flat and clean with a hose or bucket of water. Whatever you do, don’t clean wood or fabric blinds this way as the water will ruin them.

What's more, use some furniture polish and a dry duster to polish faux wood blinds - dusting the blinds thoroughly will repel dust. It is also possible for some types of polish to come with anti-dust ingredients, which could possibly help in the fight against dust and debris. However, lemon oil is a natural alternative if you don’t like to use chemicals in the home.

Alternatively, rubbing a tumble dryer sheet over wood or metal window blinds works well to repel dust and dirt and should minimise the frequency at which you have to do a thorough clean of your window blinds. With so many cleaning tips available, there really is no reason not to keep your window blinds looking new.

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Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/why-is-electrical-safety-in-the-home-so-vital.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/why-is-electrical-safety-in-the-home-so-vital.html Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0600
Practicing electrical safety is, therefore, not only vital for saving your life, but also your home and its contents. And, whilst it is not possible to completely eradicate the possibility of fire, there are certain elementary precautions you can take, to limit as far as possible, the likelihood it will happen.

According to experts, many fires start at night so it’s imperative to be aware of what to do before going to bed. This includes switching off and unplugging any appliances not being used, such as mobile phone chargers. Portable heaters or electrical fires should never be left on overnight and the doors to all rooms should be closed.

Ensuring all your electrical appliances comply with the relevant safety standards is another must. This means looking out for the CE mark, the BEAB mark, the BS safety mark or British Standard number when you buy electrical equipment. It also pays to be cautious of second-hand electrical items, since a study into their safety concluded that one in four does not meet the required standards.

When establishing if your home is at risk, there are certain fundamental factors to be aware of. For example, pay attention to issues like hot plugs and sockets, flickering lights, or frequently blown fuses. These can potentially indicate problems like loose wiring.

Furthermore, cords should never be run under carpets or furniture, since they can easily overheat and ignite a fire. Frayed or split power leads are another issue to be conscious of: damaged ones should not be covered over with tape, but replaced immediately.

It is also imperative that you fit smoke alarms around your property. It is a fact that out of the 55,800 domestic fires in 2006, 25,800 failed to have a smoke alarm in the fire area. They should be tested every week to ensure they work and the battery should be replaced annually.

Having adequate home insurance is also crucial. Fire is one of the most destructive elements and if one breaks out in your home, regardless of how big or small it is; this will cause exceptional damage. And, whether your carpet has been melted due to a too-hot heater, or your entire house has burned down, you need the right insurance to financially protect yourself and your family.

There are a range of policies dealing with UK home insurance and it is worthwhile having one in place that will cover you for such eventualities as fire and replacement of damaged electrical items. Therefore, allowing you to protect your home, and yourself.


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Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/aviation/the-astronomical-rise-of-low-cost-air-travel.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/aviation/the-astronomical-rise-of-low-cost-air-travel.html Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
The deregulation of the airline industry in America and Europe reduced the barriers of entry for start-up airlines wishing to compete against the national carriers. The legislative changes implemented in the early nineties created an equally competitive basis for low cost carriers to compete from and have acted as a catalyst for the rapid expansion of the ever growing sector. The main beneficiary of the development has been the general public, who have enlarged horizons to aim for as a result of cheap travel to explore the wider world.

Increasingly people are beginning to evaluate their work-life balance and make positive changes to manage their personal satisfaction. This has been marked by a rise in part-time working in higher and more skilled roles. The combination of people valuing their spare time more highly and the reduction in the cost of air travel has seen more people then ever before going away for foreign breaks to venture towards new locations and enjoy new experiences.

So, whether you'd like to soak up the basking sunshine of the Mediterranean, go skiing on the exhilarating slopes of the Alps or indulge in some shopping in the bustle of an Italian city, low cost operators can take you to your desired retreat; and regardless of the length of your trip you're sure to find a wide range of destinations to suit your budget.

If you take advantage of the availability of cheap flights and travel, it can be beneficial to use the same hotel chain continually on overnight stays as you may be eligible for membership of a hotel loyalty program which will reward your repeat custom. These schemes were once the preserve of high-powered international businessmen and flight crews, but thanks to the lower cost of travel everyone can take advantage of a loyalty program as they can now afford to travel more regularly.

Further airline deregulation is opening the skies up further and the world shall shortly see the launch of several low cost carriers operating between America and the UK, crossing the Atlantic 'pond' daily, - just like the early attempt by Sir Freddie Laker to do so in the 1970s. This time low cost operators are here to stay and international air travel has never been so accessible.



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Andrew Regan is a part time writer and journalist.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/credit/credit-cards-and-your-expandable-wallet.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/credit/credit-cards-and-your-expandable-wallet.html Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
The growth in technology since the inception of credit-cards has allowed transactions to be made anywhere on the globe, giving travellers a hassle free way of buying goods and services whilst in foreign lands and reducing the chances of being a victim of crime by removing the necessity to have large sums of cash in their possession.

Retail stores now hold sales throughout the year - a change from the past where they were held at a predetermined time of year and allowed shoppers to save up in order to splash out during sales and take advantage of great deals. Many stores now offer the facility to get instant credit, thus equipping modern shoppers with the financial ability to fully benefit from such impromptu opportunities and pay back the cost over a period of time to suit their financial situation.

When you pay with a credit card, the retailer is given the full amount of the purchase by the credit-card company, who then in turn record this against your account balance. You are sent statement of your account at the end of each month which details all your transactions, and asked to make a minimum payment, as agreed with the company. If the card holder does not clear the balance they will be charged interest on the remaining sum. The amount of interest to be charged varies widely depending on which supplier you use.

Increasingly, the design of UK credit cards and the artwork they feature have become important to those who have them. There is a diverse array of facades in the public domain including cards with animals, racing cars, sports teams and even celebrities on them!

Some credit-cards offer you loyalty bonus schemes where you receive points for every pound you spend on your credit card and can be redeemed for monetary vouchers to spend in your favourite high-street stores or other rewards such as discounted airline travel or hotel stays. Similarly, for those who wish to do some good for the wider community, some credit-card suppliers offer to make donations to well known charities in whenever you use your card.

There are a number of attractive credit card deals available offering initial low rates of interest or even periods of interest free spending to lure customers to sign up to their services. However, after a fixed period the level of interest usually increases, so with many suppliers fighting to gain your custom it is well worth shopping around to compare the many different credit cards on the market, to ensure you get the best deal out there.


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Andrew Regan is a part time writer and journalist.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/sports/rugby-world-cup-2007-kicks-off-this-friday.html http://www.articletrader.com/sports/rugby-world-cup-2007-kicks-off-this-friday.html Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Defending world champions England will be hoping to put recent dismal performances behind them and turn on the style for the competition which sees them in a qualifying pool pitted against Samoa, Tonga, USA and the mighty South Africa. However, the bookies think the team doesn’t have a hope quoting England at 28-1 to repeat their 2003 triumph and making them sixth favourites for the trophy. New Zealand are runaway odds-on favourites to be the eventual tournament victors, with South Africa second favourites but way behind in the betting at 13/2.

The other home country representatives Wales and Scotland are even less fancied than England and considered real long shots, but Ireland fare better - one spot above England in the pre-tournament betting. Recent performances from both Wales and Scotland have been poor and, like England, still have much to do to win over their own fans.

Despite the tournament being nominally based in France some of the games are to be played in Cardiff and Edinburgh, giving British rugby fans the opportunity to sample the thrill of the World Cup without travelling abroad. However, if you want the full experience you‘ll have to base yourself in France; and if you intend to travel throughout the country to see the games you’ll need to consider how you are going to get from venue to venue.

But, whether you wish to avidly follow one particular team or you just fancy a trip to the World Cup to experience the atmosphere and take in some top quality rugby then you need to get organised now. If you are planning to take in some games, securing car rental during the rugby world cup will probably be the last thing on your mind as you consider how your team will perform, where you are going to stay and how many Euros to take; but it will get ever more difficult to secure last minute car rental in France in an area where games are being played in the latter stages of the competition. So, if you are thinking of attending games you should try to organise your car hire for the Rugby World Cup as far as possible in advance.

Securing car hire in France is relatively simple and can be done online or by phone before leaving the UK, however getting reasonably priced accommodation at some of the more popular venues may prove relatively challenging as many hotels were booked up months ago. With over 10,000 campsites in France the ideal solution may well be to pack a tent and benefit from the flexibility of being able to pitch up within a reasonable distance from the major venues.

Whether you travel to the World Cup in the UK or France, or just watch it on the box, it promises to be a fantastic tournament, and you never know the bookies just might have it all wrong.


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Andrew Regan is a part time writer and journalist.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/2007-edinburgh-fringe-festival-biggest-ever.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/2007-edinburgh-fringe-festival-biggest-ever.html Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
An estimated 18,626 performers worked the famous Fringe making up 31,000 performances at over 2,000 shows. This year's numbers are the biggest yet with more and more people travelling from all over the world to come and see what all the fuss is about.

But it wasn't all good news for the organisers; larger crowds have brought with them criticism as well as profits. Some say that the rapid increase in the size of the festival has reduced the quality of the acts, but Fringe director Jon Morgan disagrees. It is his opinion that the nature of the festival is all accepting, but does not result in slipping standards. On suggestions that organisers regulate or ban shows he claims that would be an act against the spirit of the festival, which began as a completely free event.

Morgan adds: "To suggest I should have control over the size of an open access festival is wrong and against the principles of the Fringe."

All criticism aside, the numbers clearly indicate that the people that attend are happy to come and brave the crowds around Edinburgh and that the festival will continue to draw these numbers and possibly more in the future. Sure the huge quantity of big name comics and acts that made up this years fringe is overwhelmingly large, but it is clear that the event has become big enough to accommodate the professionals as well as giving the little guys a chance to shine.

As the size of the festival increases, so do the visitors as the worldwide press takes more notice, publishing stories and reviews in countries all over the globe. Like any world renowned event that draws in a huge amount of visitors, people need to plan ahead, especially in a smaller city such as Edinburgh. Making reservations in advance means more choices and better deals to be found online and through agents. Hotels in Edinburgh are booked up to a year in advance by those anticipating the sheer numbers that will travel to Edinburgh during August.

The ability to book accommodation online, and in some cases a year in advance, is quite a feat. Bookings for the festival have also gone online with record numbers of tickets purchased over the internet this year. The half-price hut was also a popular spot for those last minute purchases and saw a 50% increase in sales this year. With all the new innovations in the festival every year, those who book now are bound to be greeted by new festival treats for 2008 with peace of mind that they are all set for the next year's festival season.


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Andrew Regan is a part time writer and journalist.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/the-flood-of-home-insurance.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/the-flood-of-home-insurance.html Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
In the past few years buying home and contents insurance has become easier with most insurers offering quotes and the option of purchasing online. Price comparison websites attract many people interested in finding the cheapest quote. However, the cheapest may not always be the best, as many people that suffered in the floods discovered. Many insurance policies come with a list of exclusions meaning they don't pay out in certain circumstances, such as accidental damage.

When choosing insurance it's a good idea to get a hold on the big picture of what you want and need to insure. Consider all of the potential incidences that could befall your property, such as fire and natural disasters such as flooding and storm damage. Then there is contents insurance; basic insurance for the contents of your house is likely to have exemptions, so it's best to take note of what each policy offers and more importantly if you have any possessions that are of particular importance or value. Many insurers offer special add-ons for contents policies such as sports equipment and home garden cover.

Comprehensive understanding of your insurance policy is ever more important as costs are expected to rise 10% following the recent floods. Although the flooding may have been a factor in the price hike, a spokesman for one insurer said it was due to the general increase in costs for making home repairs. Premiums have hardly risen over the past ten years so it should not come as a surprise that rates will be raised now.

With insurance rate rises imminent, many people are bound to shop around more when choosing home insurance but should always double check the exact policy details before selecting any policy.

The Environment Agency reported the floods in June and July have been the worst experienced in the past 60 years. Experts predict that the world will experience an increasing amount of severe weather events in the future which makes home insurance more important than ever.


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Andrew Regan is a part time writer and journalist.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/games/grandma-can-wii-play-now-consoles-target-family-gaming.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/games/grandma-can-wii-play-now-consoles-target-family-gaming.html Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
These past few Christmases have bucked the trend with the release of SingStar and Buzz games on the Sony PlayStation 2, not to mention the success story of the Wii. In each of these cases it seems that the main barrier to non-gamers, namely the complicated control systems, has been bridged by innovations in user inputs. For SingStar anyone can pick up the microphone and start singing - the main problem lies in whether they can sing in tune!

What was seen as a haven for gamers became an accessible forum for budding singers who had their sights set on the pop music industry. Practising alongside their idols, every singer is comfortable with a microphone in their hands and the success of SingStar proves this.

It was this innovation that led to the creation of a new input to accompany the Buzz series of games. For anyone that has ever watched a quiz show and thought they'd be able to do better, now is their chance. Buzz, with its simplified controller and multiple rounds of random questions based on TV game show formats, has allowed all the family to gather around the TV and be a part of the entertainment. It is not uncommon to see parents revelling in the delight of triumphing over their children in an arena normally renowned as belonging to the kids. Since the original music quiz version there have been another seven Buzz titles (with more in the pipeline) including versions specifically for younger children, realising the goal of inclusive gaming across generations.

Not to be out done and taking things one step further, Nintendo developed their most recent console with this 'gaming for the family' idea at the core of the project. The end result was the release of the Nintendo Wii with its distinctive controller and advertising campaign all new to the video game market.

We've all seen the adverts that focus on lots of people of all ages, genders and nationalities playing, especially family groups all enjoying the game of choice, but the focus is not on the game anymore, it is on the people playing. This is no gimmick; the Nintendo Wii has outsold its Sony and Microsoft counterparts and bares no sign of losing popularity any time soon.

On the internet you do not have to look far before you come across forums extolling the Wii for bringing new avenues of joy to family get togethers. From pensioners to youngsters, the intuitive controls have brought the whole family to the video game arena and it's been such a success that one chain of retirement homes in the US has implemented the Nintendo Wii games system into the everyday life of residents after a grandchild brought in their new toy to show their grandma!


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Andrew Regan is a part time writer and journalist.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/vegetarians-qualify-for-cheaper-life-insurance.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/insurance/vegetarians-qualify-for-cheaper-life-insurance.html Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
"The life insurance industry needs to acknowledge the impact of life expectancy as a result of opting for a vegetarian lifestyle and reduce premiums accordingly." She added. The figures on the possibility of being affected by certain cancers and heart disease are borne out by numerous studies including the China Health Project, the Dickerson and Davies study of 1986 and the Taber & Cook report of 1980. The sum of all this research came up with the now widely accepted facts that vegetarians eat less saturated fats and more polyunsaturated fats due to shunning red and white meat. They also tend to have a higher intake of fibre than meat-eaters, and have an increased intake of antioxidant nutrients such as the beta-carotene form of vitamins A, C and E.

All of that leads to a reduced occurrence of heart disease and less incidence of bowel and prostrate cancers than amongst meat-eaters, thus leading to this UK life insurance first of discounted premiums for vegetarians.

The innovative scheme which is underwritten by life assurance and insurance giant Liverpool Victoria is offering a typical saving of £307 per year to a non-smoking male paying back a £100,000 20-year mortgage. And to qualify for the discount you don’t have to shun all meat, as those who eat fish but no white or red meat still qualify for the policy.

There are estimated to be 2.2 million people in the UK who have not eaten red or white meat during the last twelve months and AFI research has shown that there are a further 1.26 million planning on quitting meat-eating before summer 2008. It will certainly pay for those people to compare life insurance policies carefully against the AFI scheme to see if they can get rewarded for their choice of lifestyle.


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Andrew Regan is a part time writer and journalist.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/entertainment/movies/breaking-in-to-mass-media-production.html http://www.articletrader.com/entertainment/movies/breaking-in-to-mass-media-production.html Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0500
The impact the media has on our views and on society as a whole has become much more profound in recent years and this is reflected the in the answers of these children. However, despite the strong desire to be part of celebrity culture, very few people will actually end up on the big screen. But the growth of the media industry which has developed from TV, film and magazines to all sorts of web based initiatives means there are jobs to be had in the media sector with many smaller independent companies all chasing a slice of the production pie.

Breaking into film and TV is nothing if not an incredibly daunting task. Small, independent start-up production companies know the steep and slippery slope they must climb to get work from some of the bigger names in the business in the hopes of making a bigger name for themselves. It's a hard grind, but there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for some of these independent companies - charity.

The Research Centre (TRC), a Glasgow and Manchester-based independent charity launched in 1998 to provide training and industry-related events for the TV industry and partly funded by Channel 4, are offering four Scottish independent TV production companies the chance to make more overseas contacts which has the potential to expand their work exponentially.

News of this certainly has been music to the industry's ears. The great divide between the big wigs in need of production companies and the up-and-coming small independents is not desired by either party. This program gives the companies the chance to work with industry professionals that would have been close to impossible had it not been for this TRC programme. The programme is now in its third year.

In addition to a trip out to Hollywood, California, the production companies will also receive informative monthly sessions with industry experts who will discuss issues relevant to the industry. This kind of training is invaluable to those who receive it and is also another way to network and make those vital connections that before would have been out of most small companies' reach.

But what does this say for all of those production companies left in the dark and those outside of the UK? Unfortunately those production companies are ineligible for this star treatment, but the creation and continuance of this programme implies that smaller production companies are being given more attention and it's possible that other countries may follow the TRG's lead and start a similar programme.

Small TV production companies everywhere, like Burberry in Australia and thousands of others, must be keeping close attention to these schemes hoping to learn from their counterparts and maybe one day get the same opportunity.

The interest in British formats has grown in recent years which TRG hopes will give their independent companies more of a boost when connections are made with the US market. Hopefully the trend in giving charity the independents a helping hand will catch on and we will see more of these schemes in the future.


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Andrew Regan is a part time writer and journalist.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>