Make an Investment the Whole Family Can Play With

 

Air hockey is a game that is easy to understand and caters to everyone in the family, from ages 5 to 99. Kids love the action in the game and parents love a game that gets the kids away from video games. It also helps that the kids burn a little energy playing air hockey.

That’s why air hockey is becoming popular again and many homes are investing in tables.

For a few years, the air hockey table trend was leaning toward furniture style tables, but in 2019, the trend has been leaning toward the commercial, arcade-style tables. These aren’t too expensive, and they are easy to bring into the home.

While the basic game of air hockey hasn’t changed much since its inception in the ’70s, today’s manufacturers have dressed up the game to appeal to the kids and the families that buy them.  That means automatic scoring with music and crowd noise has become the norm, and colorful playfields with cool graphics have added lots of appeal.

Air flow on an air hockey table is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), and today’s tables operate more as an air tunnel effect, meaning rather than blowing the air directly up from the bottom, tables are now blowing the air from the side into a chamber and then circulating the air so it’s not pushing straight back. That angles the air and creates a bit of a vortex, creating consistent pressure, which allows the table to breathe more evenly.

Other innovations in air hockey tables of late include enhancements in lighting effects, such as lights flashing on and off when goals are scored and LED pucks and pushers that light up. Sound effects have been improved as well, with the sounds of crowds cheering and mimicking of the announcer being added to many tables. Then there’s game music paired together with cascading light effects bringing additional excitement to the game.

Larger, heavier pucks and ergonomic pushers are both staples with air hockey today. The former keeps the puck from flying off the table so much, while the latter prevents or reduces the risk of hand and wrist strain while allowing harder hits to the puck.

Whether you’re moving into a new home or just want to add some excitement to your house, adding an air hockey table can bring in loads of fun.

Money Skills Every High School Graduate Should Know

 

Learning doesn’t stop after high school, especially when it comes to financial lessons that will set the stage for financial freedom for years to come.

If you’re getting ready to send your child off to college, the military or straight into a job, set them up for success by ensuring that they know the following money skills:

How to Use Credit Wisely
Getting your first credit card after high school isn’t impossible, but it can be difficult. Parents can help by adding their child as an “authorized user” on their own credit card. This is a great way to help build your child’s credit by continuing to pay your bills on time. Just remember that your own bad money habits could negatively impact your child’s credit score, as well—so make sure you’re in a good position before adding your child as an authorized user on your credit card.

The ultimate end goal is for your child to get their own credit card and begin building their credit score by paying bills on time and not carrying a balance on the card. This will likely lead to a higher credit score, which will pave the way to better rates on loans—and to better credit card terms.

How to Create (and Stick to) a Budget
As your child prepares to fly the coop and become financially responsible, teaching him or her how to keep track of the amount of money that comes in—and where that money is being spent—is a good way to show them where their money goes. It will also go a long way toward showing them if they’re spending more than they earn. Budgeting is a lifelong skill that can also help your child stay out of debt by teaching them to cut out “extras” so that they can afford to buy basic necessities.

There are many ways to create a budget, so play to your child’s strength and take advantage of pen and paper, a computer spreadsheet, or one of many budgeting apps that are available today.

How to Manage a Checking Account
While your child may never write a physical check, opening a bank account and knowing how to balance a checkbook are important skills when it comes to money management.

To truly set your child up for success, turn off overdraft protection to avoid fees and enforce budgeting—and set up low-balance alerts. Banking apps can help with a lot of this, so be sure to take advantage of everything your bank offers.

How to Safely and Securely Make a Mobile Payment
Your children most likely already know more about money-transfer apps than you, but as a parent, it’s your job to remind them of the security steps they should be taking when making mobile payments. If they haven’t done so already, help your child set up multifactor authentication, as well as a pin—and remind them to only engage in mobile payments with people they know.

The Importance of Setting Up a Retirement Account
If your child is heading out into the corporate world and jumping into a full-time job, they’ll most likely be given the opportunity to open a retirement account by their new employer. Whether their funds are matched or not, it’s important that your child understand the value of compound interest so that they can see how their money grows over time.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

 

Fire extinguishers can save lives and property, but many people might not know how or when to use the protection devices, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. To help ensure you’re better prepared for a fire emergency, the agency offers the following tips:

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher
There are five primary types of fire extinguishers, each designed to put out different kinds of fires:

• Class A. For use with ordinary materials like cloth, wood and paper. Often found in homes and businesses.
• Class B. For use with combustible and flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, oil and oil-based paints. Often found in homes and businesses.
• Class C. For use with electrical equipment like appliances, tools or other equipment that’s plugged in. Often found in homes and businesses.
• Class D. For use with flammable metals. Often found in factories.
• Class K. For use with vegetable oils, animal oils and fats in cooking appliances. Often found in commercial kitchens.

For the home, choose a multipurpose fire extinguisher that covers Class A through Class C for fighting all three types of common house fires. Most home improvement stores carry multipurpose A-B-C models. In addition to fire extinguishers, every household should have working fire alarms and a fire escape plan.

When to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers are designed for small, confined fires, not large ones that are growing. Before using an extinguisher, make sure the fire is contained in a single object, such as a pan or wastebasket. Alert others in the building that there’s a fire, and have someone call the fire department. Before proceeding, make sure you are physically able to handle the fire extinguisher, safe from the fire’s toxic smoke and have a clear escape route.

To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS:

• Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.
• Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
• Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

If you’re unsure about whether it’s safe to use a fire extinguisher–and for all other fire situations–alert others, leave the building, and call 911 from a mobile or neighbor’s phone. Safety should be the top priority, and it’s essential to follow your instincts and know when to get out. As such, it’s not recommended that children use fire extinguishers.

The Importance of Maintenance
To ensure fire extinguishers are ready in case of an emergency, make sure to regularly check them for the following:

• Easy access in an emergency. Be sure nothing is blocking or limiting your ability to reach the extinguisher.
• The recommended pressure level. Many extinguishers have gauges that show when pressure is too high or too low.
• Working parts. Make sure the can, hoses and nozzles aren’t damaged, dented or rusted.
• Remove any dust, oil or grease that might be on the outside of the extinguisher.
• Guidelines and instructions. Some extinguishers need to be shaken monthly, while others need to be pressure tested every few years.

If you would like fire extinguisher training or have any questions, contact your local fire department.

Check Your Central A/C Unit Now, Avoid a Repair Call Later

 

Few household maintenance routines pay off better than checking out your central air conditioning unit before the hot weather sets in. Preparing the unit for heavy duty now will not only save on energy costs, but will up your chances of staying cool all summer and avoiding an emergency service call.

Air conditioning experts suggest these routine tips for ensuring trouble-free performance:

Turn off power to the unit. Turn off the switch and unplug the unit to allow for safe handling.

Clean or replace the filter. Most likely located behind the air return grille on the wall or ceiling in a central part of the house, the air filter can accumulate dirt, dust and allergen particles over the winter months. This makes the system work harder than it needs to, and costs in terms of efficiency and utility dollars. If the filter is disposable, replace it, and keep a couple more on hand for replacement every two months during use. If the filter is reusable, clean it in a large container filled with warm water and dish soap. Then spray it with a garden hose to remove any remaining particles and let it dry before replacing it.

Clean the coils. Remove the front cover of the A/C unit outdoors. Spray some air conditioner cleaner onto the coils and allow it to work per product instructions. Then spray with a garden hose to rinse off the cleaner and use a soft rag to dry the coils.

Check the coil fins. Inspect the coils for any damage, and use a fin comb or gentle manipulation to straighten out any coils that may be bent. Be careful, because the fins are delicate and can be easily damaged if too much pressure is applied.

Replace the grille and plug in the power. Turn on the switch and get ready to enjoy a summer of trouble-free cooling.