Virtual Reality meets marine science in 360⁰

1st June 2016

This is a 360⁰ video. Use you mouse or device to look around the scene. This video is also available at Vrideo and 360Heroes

Harnessing technology popularised by the computer gaming industry, AIMS scientists are jumping in to explore the immersive technology of 360⁰ video as a supplementary tool for underwater video survey methods.

This exciting new video technique removes the limits of the traditional video frame, allowing viewers to explore an entire recorded scene as if they were there. While the most popular uptake of this exciting platform has been within the entertainment and gaming industries, the technology has enormous potential within marine science with a number of projects, such as the Catlin surveys, already recording 360⁰ still images.

Over the past 30 years, AIMS has collaborated in pioneering video survey techniques that are now used all over the world. Current methods such as the baited remote underwater video (BRUVS) and towed video methods are a valuable way of capturing and archiving information from the field and are used regularly for AIMS coral reef health monitoring, benthic habitat mapping and population studies.

Video has a number of advantages over human observers. Cameras can journey far deeper for longer periods than divers, and the information is consistent regardless of camera or conditions. The footage can also be archived for future use and be accessed by a range of expertise.

However, unlike divers, they are restricted to a relatively limited field of view. What happens beyond the frame of the camera is largely unknown. Using this new approach, researchers will have entire panoramas providing contextual information that can be stored and revisited for further analyses months or years later.

“360⁰ video provides us with a greater capacity to determine ‘cause and effect’ from our marine survey videos” explains AIMS Visual Systems Researcher Scott Bainbridge. “Using our current video methods, we can see, for example, that a particular coral on the transect is stony white, but we can’t see what might have caused that. Using this new technique, we can potentially see the Crown-of-thorns starfish nearby that has eaten that coral. 360⁰ video recreates what a diver can do; to be able to both focus on a small area but still be aware of the surrounding environment. The potential for unlocking this extra contextual information is incredibly exciting”.

In the future, this platform can be seamlessly integrated with current high-resolution techniques using data fusion. With 360⁰ video providing the overall context, researchers can “drill down” into features or creatures of interest with ever-increasing detail, all from the one interface.

An AIMS diver carries a 6-camera, 360⁰ video rig on the Great Barrier Reef

The immersive video platform is currently created from six, wide-angle action cameras held in a specially designed rig to capture an entire sphere of vision. The videos are then stitched together using dedicated software.

Viewers can choose to watch the videos in a number of ways. "The full immersive power of the technology is utilised by watching the videos on a dedicated headset, which gives the viewer the impression of being physically present during the scene and in the science" says Patrick Buerger,AIMS@JCU PhD student and 360⁰ video science filmmaker. “This immersive experience is a great science communication tool, and allows the public, our stakeholders and other researchers to become involved in our research activities. Using the headset, viewers turn their head to discover another part of the scene. They can also view the video on their mobile phone, or on a computer, using the mouse to ‘spin’ their viewpoint.

A student dives virtually on the Great Barrier Reef at a recent discovery day at AIMS in Townsville. Off-the-shelf headsets provide a fantastic, immersive experience for 360⁰ videos.

Still in its infancy, AIMS scientists are discovering how to best incorporate the platform with current techniques, including the current video-less manta tow method developed for our Long-term Monitoring Program. Scientists are also solving how to efficiently analyse and manage the large volume of data and files captured by this technique. 

Source :aims.gov.au

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Townsville sector reefs continue to improve since Cyclone Yasi – latest monitoring report now available

8th June 2016

Coral cover was very high on Rib Reef that had the highest coral cover recorded since systematic manta tow surveys began in 1986. Coral cover across the sector was variable.

Mid and outer-shelf reefs within the Townsville Sector of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) continue to show signs of recovery, 5 years after suffering significant damage during Cyclone Yasi in 2011. The latestLong Term Monitoring Program (LTMP) surveys report that the key coral reef health indicator, live coral cover, has increased on 11 out of the twelve reefs surveyed since the previous surveys in 2014 and 2015. Coral cover on seven of these reefs is the highest it has ever been since they were first surveyed by manta tow, over 30 years ago.
 

Despite this upward trend, the surveyed reefs did not escape recent warm ocean conditions that recently affected the Great Barrier Reef. Bleaching was apparent on all reefs and was highest on the outer reefs, where between 10 to 30% of the coral community has bleached. This level of bleaching is consistent with other reefs surveyed in the central sector of the GBR. Coral loss (mortality) as a result of bleaching was, at the time of the surveys, very low.

While not currently experiencing crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) outbreaks, low numbers of the coral-eating starfish were present on the reefs in this sector. Small adult COTS were seen on 2 of the twelve reefs surveyed, which indicates the starfish are recruiting to the area. COTS numbers are expected to increase in coming years, as reefs to the north are currently experiencing outbreaks. COTS outbreaks typically move southward along the Great Barrier Reef.

For detailed information, read the latest report for the Townsville sector here. 

The AIMS Long Term Monitoring Program has been collecting valuable information from across the Great Barrier Reef for over 3 decades. It provides a large-scale, systematic overview of changes to the coral communities of the Great Barrier Reef, and is used by scientists and management to better understand coral reef dynamics over time.

Visit here for more information about AIMS monitoring programs on the Great Barrier Reef and other tropical marine ecosystems.

Source : aims.gov.au

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Nature’s history books all tell the same story

13 June 2016

Lines of change - coral cores, tree rings and fish ear bones are all showing the effects of climate change. Image: AIMS/UWA/WA Fisheries.

Annual growth rings found in trees, corals and even fish ear-stones have shown that climate change has the same, wide-ranging impact on life, whether at sea or on land. This is according to an international team of scientists who found that annual growth rates over the past two decades were very similar for species collected from both coral reefs and the savannah of northwest Australia.

The result, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, provides critical insight into the future of life both on land and at sea. By examining the effects of past climate change, the scientists are better able to predict survival and health of species under present day climate change. For example, during El Niño years – periods with less rain and cooler seawater – growth was slower in all study species, but during La Niña years, when it’s warmer and wetter, growth rates increased across all species.

However, the authors caution that because events such as La Niña are becoming more extreme under present day climate change, their impacts today may differ from those historically. For example, in the summer of 2011, higher sea surface temperatures had disastrous effects, killing fish and bleaching corals.

The growth bands in fish ear bones (top), trees and coral cores tell the story of past climates. Scientists have found they are telling the same story. Image: A.O'Donnell (UWA), J.Lough (AIMS); and J.Ong (AIMS/UWA).

Most importantly, the study showed that different species, even from different environments such as coral reefs and savannahs, respond in the same way to climate phenomena. This means that historic data from one species can be used to explain patterns in others. Given the large historical archives of fish ear-stones, coral cores and trees rings held in collections worldwide, there are many further opportunities to expand this research and improve climate models going forward.

The paper "Evidence for climate-driven synchrony of marine and terrestrial ecosystems in northwest Australia" by J. Ong et al. is published in Global Change Biology. 

Source : aims.gov.au

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Limiting global warming to save coral reefs

Limiting global warming to save coral reefs

23rd June 2016

Extensive coral bleaching on many of the world’s reefs over the past two years has highlighted their susceptibility to thermal stress with global warming already at 0.9°C to date.

“Climate is changing rapidly for tropical coral reef ecosystems which are already showing their vulnerability, even with relatively modest increases in global average temperatures observed to date,” says Dr Janice Lough, Senior Principal Research Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science and Partner Investigator with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies in Townsville.

The early 2016 mass coral bleaching, that significantly affected the northern Great Barrier Reef of Australia, was linked to the 2015-2016 El Niño.  El Niño events typically result in warmer than normal sea surface temperatures across large parts of the tropical oceans – home to coral reefs. 

The magnitude of natural climate variability has, however, been compounded by global warming. 

A global index of thermal stress (when temperatures exceed the normal seasonal maximum) at 42 reef sites has tripled in intensity since the late 19th century recording 1.3°C during the 1877-1878 El Niño, 2.8°C in 1997-1998 (another major global bleaching event) and 3.9°C in 2015-2016. 

“This is clear evidence that global warming is increasing the intensity of thermal stress events on tropical coral reefs,” says Dr. Lough.

Dr Janice Lough, AIMS Senior Principal Research Scientist

Coral bleaching at Scott Reef, northwestern Australia in April 2016.

Tropical sea surface temperature reconstructions, developed from annually-banded massive coral skeletons, herald a new era for coral reefs. The combination of these results with recent observations, show that 1998 and 2016 were the warmest years for the world’s reefs in at least the past 400 years.

“Over the last 18 months we have observed the impacts of thermal stress causing bleaching of coral reefs across the planet. It is becoming clear that if we are to avoid increases in the number and severity of bleaching events, we need to limit global warming to well below 1.5°C.”

Dr Janice Lough will deliver the plenary presentation, 'A changing climate for coral reefs' at the 13th International Coral Reef Symposium in Hawai'i on Thursday.

Source : aims.gov.au

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Small Fixtures Make a Big Design Impact

Small Fixtures Make a Big Design Impact 

(NewsUSA) - When considering lighting design, chances are you picture major fixtures like ornate chandeliers, groupings of colorful pendants or elaborate track lighting. However, even small fixtures, such as portable lamps, can transform a room, according to the American Lighting Association (ALA).

Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the ALA and associate professor at the University of Kentucky's School of Interior Design, says, "With the proper light bulb and shade, a lamp can provide effective task lighting while also serving as an important decorative element in a space."

It is important to view a lamp as a piece of the overall whole, not the only source of lighting in a room. One or two lamps cannot effectively illuminate a large space if they are the primary light source. Think of table and floor lamps as lighting accessories that create layers of light throughout a room.

Layering Your Lights

"Layering of light means there are multiple types of lighting fixtures in a single space," says Rey-Barreau. "For example, in addition to recessed and decorative lighting at the ceiling, table and floor lamps can provide lighting for dark corners."

The difficult part of deciding which lamps work best for your space may be choosing from the nearly infinite range of types and styles available.

Focusing on Bulbs

While in the past, table and floor lamps typically used incandescent bulbs, the introduction ofLED light bulbs now provides a better option. LED bulbs are five to six times more efficient than incandescent bulbs and can last 25 times longer, making them both money and energy savers.

"It is important to choose the correct color temperature of the bulb," Rey-Barreau says. "Incandescent and halogen bulbs all have the same warm color temperature, which is a measure of how visually warm or cool a space appears. LED bulbs are available with different color temperature ratings, and consumers sometimes make the mistake of choosing a color that appears too cool or bluish."

Bulb packaging includes detailed information about light output, wattage consumption and color temperature. Rey-Barreau suggests choosing a color temperature in the 2700K to 3000K range, which will match the color of incandescent and halogen bulbs.

Your local ALA-member store has a large selection of lamps, as well as trained professionals to help you find the perfect fixture for your home. More information is available online at americanlightingassoc.com.

Give Your Kitchen a New Look With a Lighting Update

Give Your Kitchen a New Look With a Lighting Update 

(NewsUSA) - A simple, inexpensive lighting update can completely transform your kitchen from dull to dynamite.

According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), good lighting design makes kitchens more functional, as well as more enjoyable, relaxing and suitable for entertaining.

"Good lighting is vitally important in kitchens," says Jeff Dross, corporate director for education and industry trends for Kichler Lighting. "Perhaps more work in the home is done in the kitchen area than any other room, and having improper lighting would be tantamount to candles in a warehouse or flashlights on a factory floor.

"Food preparation is a vital, though sometimes tedious, task performed virtually every day," Dross continues. "Cooking in a poorly illuminated space only increases the drudgery and the danger. Good lighting adds to the overall space, and increases the pleasure in using said space."

The very fact that kitchens are spaces where people spend a lot of time makes them valuable areas when reselling a home, as well. For this reason, many experts agree kitchen renovations are among the best ways to boost the value of your home. Along with bathrooms, kitchens are an integral part of the home to virtually everyone.

Unfortunately, when it comes time to updating kitchens with a new look, lighting does not always get the attention it deserves. According to Dross, this is to the detriment of home design.

"Lighting is as important a design element as wall coverings, flooring and countertops," says Dross. "It can make an average kitchen look great and elevate a fabulous design to perfection. Need to increase the visual size of a room without tearing down a wall? Add lighting above the cabinets and at the toe-kick space.

"The importance of good, high lumen output for task (under-cabinet) lighting cannot be over emphasized," Dross adds. "Wall-mounted cabinets create shadows on countertop work surfaces. The only way to alleviate those shadows (and the accompanying dark spots on the cutting board) is with under-cabinet lighting."

Another factor to keep in mind relates to energy usage, and by extension, your power bill. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that American consumers use electricity for lighting the kitchen more than any other room in the house. So, to save electricity costs, invest in energy-efficient lighting in the kitchen.

To see the most up-to-date fixtures and shades, and to consult with a professionally trained lighting expert, visit your local ALA-member retailer, or go online to americanlightingassoc.com.

Thermal Imaging Camera Helps Find Hidden Damage in Your Home

Thermal Imaging Camera Helps Find Hidden Damage in Your Home

(NewsUSA) - Spring is in the air, which means it's not only time to start deep cleaning your home, but ensuring it's protected against damage caused by Old Man Winter.

For homeowners who have gone through especially harsh weather (a shout-out to the Northeast and New England seems to be in order), the spring thaw that occurs from record-breaking snowfall can result in irreparable water damage if not taken care of properly.

For roofs, it's important to check for ice damming. This happens when snow on the upper portion of your roof melts and freezes on the lower half, creating a wall-like formation around the gutter. Water then becomes trapped behind the ice dam and can leak into your home. In addition, water-stained ceilings, drywall and damp areas in the basement, cracks in concrete floors and musty, wet odors can also mean trouble and should be checked.

To help find these sometimes-hard-to-see signs, you might want to consider investing in a thermal camera. This pocket-size device plugs into smartphones and puts technology that was once unaffordable into consumers' hands.

It works like this: all objects radiate heat or "infrared light" that can be seen by true thermal cameras even in the absence of visible light. While this technology has primarily been used by law enforcement and the military, one company has brought the cost down to an affordable price for the everyday consumer.

Seek Thermal, a California-based technology company, has created a thermal camera that works with a free app to turn invisible heat energy into an image that can be seen from your phone or tablet. This, the company says, allows homeowners to easily expose and record water damage, so something can be done about it before having to make costly repairs.

For one Boston custom home builder, the Seek Thermal camera has made a difference in how he approaches his business.

"With the Seek camera we're able to isolate the exposure without cutting holes in the sheetrock," says Chris Rapczynski, president of Sleeping Dog Properties. "Now, with the thermal imaging camera, we're able to quickly walk in, assess whether the water has infiltrated a wall cavity, and all of that can be done in minutes.

"Having a thermal imaging camera bridges the gap between applying some effort and having certainty the effort that's been applied is the fix," says Rapczynski. "And the clients just want the fix."

For more information, visit www.thermal.com.

How to Make Outdoor Spaces as Beautiful and Comfortable as Indoors

How to Make Outdoor Spaces as Beautiful and Comfortable as Indoors 

(NewsUSA) - While making the inside of your home beautiful is naturally a focus, there's so much to be gained from an outdoor space. Beautifully designed and decorated, outdoor areas not only expand upon actual "livable" space but enable you to enjoy your home al fresco -- and the good news is, you don't have to sacrifice style or the comfort of the indoors.

With everything from sofas and sectionals to colorful Moroccan-inspired floor rugs and outdoor chandeliers, one home-furnishings retailer is bringing both style and comfort from the indoors out. And with signature designs from its outdoor collection available in stores across the country and hundreds of furniture plus accessory options on its website, Arhaus is placing a world of outdoor décor options at your fingertips.

"We have something for everyone, for every style, for every space, and designs are made to weather the elements," says Gary Babcock, chief creative officer for Arhaus.

Here are some key pieces to recreate rooms outdoors:

Classic wicker. "Wicker never goes out of style," says Babcock. Choose from a number of different looks by the retailer -- including occasional seating, as well as dining and accent tables. "Add a conversation piece to the setting," suggests Babcock, referring to a wicker wingback chair in a chic herringbone pattern.

Antique inspirations. European antiques inspired several aluminum designs by Arhaus -- from a Greek klismos chair to an English library-looking sofa with matching chair, chaise and end and coffee tables. "Stuart is the most traditional [aluminum] collection with an x-back design," says Babcock. Stuart features a chaise for two with shade overhead and privacy draperies.

Slipcovered upholstery. "We took our coziest upholstery collections and redesigned pieces to sit outside," says Babcock. Slipcovered in easy-to-care-for fade-resistant Sunbrella/Outdura fabric and underneath, cushions are guaranteed to fend off mold and mildew, and frames are "marine-grade" -- hence, waterproof and worry free.

Mixed materials. Reconstructed stone, lighter and more durable than concrete, is mixed with everything from metal to reclaimed elm and teak to create tables at varying heights and widths for any outdoor occasion.

Decorative accessories. Like any interior, accents pull everything together -- even outdoors. Consider a beautiful floral or awning striped rug, a patterned pouf, a mix of colorful accent pillows and handmade pottery in different shapes, sizes and finishes. For outdoor lighting, there's Arhaus' Claudette Chandelier, among other options.

For more information, visit www.arhaus.com.

6 Myths About Pet Allergies

6 Myths About Pet Allergies 

(NewsUSA) - By gaining a better understanding of the allergies caused by pets, you may be able to find a healthier coexistence with your furry friend.

According to The Humane Society, 62 percent of American households have at least one pet. Yet, an estimated 31 million Americans are allergic to animals, including up to 30 percent of those who have asthma. Here's what you should know about pet allergies:

Myth 1: It's only pet hair that causes allergies to flare up.

Not true. Pet hair is a nuisance and causes allergies, as it contains saliva or other pet proteins. Allergic reactions to pets are actually caused by pet proteins contained in pet dander, such as microscopic skin flakes, saliva and urine. Overactive immune systems in those with allergies attack these otherwise harmless substances.

Myth 2: Continuous exposure to animals will eventually desensitize you to them.

Not only is this not true, but in some cases the opposite is true. If you have a confirmed allergy to animals, it usually will not get better through increasing exposure. In fact, it may get worse.

Myth 3: With the right pet breed, allergy problems go away.

Not true. All cat or dog breeds produce dander. However, some breeds are believed to be better for allergy sufferers than other breeds. Typically the best breeds are those that shed the least fur and/or are the most frequently bathed. Also, smaller dogs produce less saliva than do bigger dogs.

Myth 4: Small animals are not a problem for allergies.

Wrong. Hamsters, guinea pigs, birds and other warm-blooded mammals can also trigger asthma and allergies in people with allergies to animal dander, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Myth 5: Outside the home, you shouldn't have pet allergies.

Not necessarily. Because of their microscopic size and jagged shape, pet allergens easily stick to clothing and other fabrics and are carried to other locations. Animal dander -- in sufficient levels to cause allergies -- can be found in many public places such as the workplace, classrooms and hospitals, according to the American Lung Association.

Myth 6: An air purifier will help with pet allergies.

It depends on the air purifier. Only a high-performance air purifier can help. Some allergy sufferers report that small, low-quality air cleaners make little or no difference at all. However, many allergy sufferers report that their IQAir air purifier, in combination with improved cleaning methods, has reduced or completely eliminated their allergic reactions to pets in their homes.

For more information, visit the IQAir website at www.iqair.com.

Weatherizing Your Home Can Mean Big Benefits

Weatherizing Your Home Can Mean Big Benefits 

(NewsUSA) - The volatility of Mother Nature this year has served as a reminder that electric and gas bills can get out of hand quickly -- especially when a home isn't properly weatherized.

"The U.S. Department of Energy suggests homeowners spend nearly 50 percent of their utility bills on space heating and cooling, with heating accounting for the largest portion of money spent," said Stephen Wagner, assistant category manager at ShurTech Brands, LLC, the marketers of the Duck brand. "With so much spent, it's important to take measures to save energy and money. Something as simple as weatherizing can help block air leaks and drafts, helping to keep energy bills low."

The good news is that if you haven't already weatherized, it's not too late. The following tips will help prepare your home for not only freezing temperatures but also the warmer summer months:

* Start with the attic. The top of the house tends to be forgotten as a source of energy loss. To combat this, Duck brand Attic Stairway Covers can help seal attic stairway openings by helping to block drafts, saving energy all year round. These pop-up covers are flexible and lightweight, easily repositionable to allow attic access and simple to assemble and install.

* Check the windows. As houses age, window casings loosen and become drafty. To add a barrier between your home and the elements, consider the Roll-On Window Kit from the same brand. The crystal-clear shrink film requires no measuring and provides an airtight seal over interior window frames, creating an insulating air space between the film and window glass.

* Make sure doors are properly sealed. Not only does weatherizing the bottom of doors help prevent drafts, it also protects from dust, insects and pollen during warmer months. Duck brand Double Draft Seal is designed to work on a variety of floor types and has a patented design that offers two layers of protection from drafts -- straps hold the seal in place while it "hugs" the bottom of the door from inside and outside.

* Consider the walls. You might not know this, but energy loss can also come from sources such as electrical outlets and switch plates on exterior walls. Socket Sealers prevent drafts by acting as a buffer between the outside temperatures and your home's interior.

* Fill cracks and gaps. For stationary components, caulk is the appropriate material for filling cracks and gaps. Around windows and doors, weatherstripping, such as Duck brand window and door weatherstrip seals, provides a barrier against the elements, helping to insulate your home. For those who live in extreme temperatures, try a Heavy-Duty Weatherstrip seal made with EPDM rubber.

For more information, visit www.duckbrand.com.

Light Up Your Landscaping Like a Pro

Light Up Your Landscaping Like a Pro 

(NewsUSA) - Summer months are quickly approaching, and many homeowners are getting lawns prepared for cookouts, family gatherings and entertaining late-night porch hangouts.

According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), proper outdoor lighting is just as essential for a beautiful landscape as are a lush lawn, bright flowerbeds and manicured shrubs.

Jeff Dross, corporate director of lighting education and industry trends for Kichler Lighting, recently explained that homeowners are opening up to new ideas with landscape lighting.

Use Indirect Light

Dross says homeowners have begun to shift toward indirect light for their landscaping, which essentially uses a source to reflect the light emitted by the light fixture. This creates more of an atmospheric tone, allowing the light to spread across a wall off the side of a house more effectively. Indirect lighting will illuminate flower beds, gardens, bushes or other decorative landscaping art. Additionally, the light will bounce off the ground and create a nicely lit walkway around flowerbeds.

The Shift Toward LEDs

LED light bulbs are beginning to dominate the landscape lighting industry. For the majority of homeowners, outdoor lights and landscape lighting are typically left on longer than other home lighting, which makes LEDs the more affordable and logical option.

Additionally, LEDs can be manufactured in much smaller sizes, which give homeowners more options to use them in unique spaces. Dross explains that LEDs are so small, they can be used as application lighting, as well as for aesthetic purposes. Hardscape designs are easy to mesh with LEDs, because the style creates both a passageway lighting source and indirect lighting for stone or brick landscapes.

Go Simplistic

One significant trend in landscape lighting is simplicity and cleanliness. What this means is more homeowners are choosing to go with fewer ground fixtures to illuminate their entire home. According to Dross, residents who simply align their light fixtures along a walkway in a very orderly and organized fashion are providing a lot of unnecessary light and wasting energy.

Going for a more simplistic design can still highlight plants and flower beds while giving just enough light to illuminate a backyard or around a patio. Also, homeowners are moving toward fewer lumens in light fixtures. This allows the light beam to spread more efficiently and even out the overall light sources.

To learn more about landscape lighting, visit a nearby ALA showroom, or go towww.americanlightingassoc.com.

Spring Cleaning Made Easy to Help Tackle Inanimate Allergens

Spring Cleaning Made Easy to Help Tackle Inanimate Allergens 

(NewsUSA) - While the spring season might be synonymous with cleaning your home, it doesn't mean that you're tackling it in the right way. So, if you're concerned about the allergens in your home, getting rid of a dust bunny (or two) and Fido's ferocious dander may not be enough.

In fact, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) supports this claim, stating, "When it comes to cleaning, many people may actually be doing it wrong, stirring up the very allergens they are trying to remove from their homes."

However, while keeping up with cleaning is vital for controlling indoor allergens, there is such a thing as being too diligent.

Take Jesse Tyler Ferguson, an actor on the hit show "Modern Family," who lives with allergies himself. Ferguson thought that obsessively cleaning his space was the way to go.

"Everyone knows I'm a neat freak, [but] I learned from AAFA that, like most of America, I was actually doing some things wrong and stirring up allergens instead of removing them," he said. "Now I look for Certified asthma and allergy-friendly products like Febreze Fabric Refresher Allergen Reducer (Unscented) and Swiffer Dry Dusters and Sweepers (Unscented) to help me clean the right way and reduce common allergens in my home."

The asthma- and allergy-friendly Certification Program was created by AAFA and the international research organization, Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), as the first program of its kind in the U.S. in order to reduce confusion about product claims targeting the asthma and allergy market, raise standards for these products, encourage innovation in the production of these products and raise issue awareness about asthma and

allergic diseases.

With these things in mind, Laura Dellutri, cleaning expert and author of "White Couch with Kids?" and "Speed Cleaning 101," offers the following tips revealing the places inanimate allergens -- from pollen, pet dander and dust mite matter -- may be accumulating and some cleaning advice that can help you remove them:

* Window dressing. Everyone cleans their windows, but few remember to dust window blinds and drapes -- places that can be havens for dust mite matter and other inanimate allergens. Using a Swiffer Duster (unscented, of course) can trap inanimate allergens two times more than a typical dusting cloth and three times more than a feather duster because it picks up dust and locks it away with thousands of flexible, fluffy fibers, designed to reach into nooks and crannies.

* Favor your fabrics. You may clean your couches, decorative pillows, upholstered furniture and carpets with a quick vacuum, fluff of a pillow or dusting. But spraying these hard-to-wash fabrics with something like Febreze Fabric Refresher Allergen Reducer (unscented) can help reduce inanimate allergens that can become airborne from fabrics as well. This nifty product reduces up to 95 percent of inanimate allergens like pollen, pet dander and dust mite matter that can become trapped in fabrics and soft surfaces.

* Clean smarter, not harder. Technology can be a beautiful thing, and it has revolutionized household cleaning with lots of gadgets and tools that make cleaning easier, faster and more effective. For instance, when it comes to removing inanimate allergens from your wood floors, using a Swiffer Dry Sweeper to trap and lock the dirt and dust, is two times more effective than a typical dusting cloth.

For more information, visit febreze.com and swiffer.com.

Bee Safe While Gardening to Protect Pollinators

Bee Safe While Gardening to Protect Pollinators

(NewsUSA) - Stinging insects such as bees and wasps play a vital role as pollinators that maintain the national food supply. However, a multitude of factors, including the lack of available natural habitats for foraging pollinators, diseases, harmful mites and improper pesticide usage, have threatened pollinator health in recent years.

As a result, many people have realized the importance of protecting pollinators and even developed gardens geared toward providing safe sources of nectar and pollen. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) wants to remind homeowners that while creating pollinator-friendly habitats is largely beneficial for both people and pollinators, it is important to keep in mind that some stinging insects can pose significant health and safety risks. In fact, stinging insects send an estimated 500,000 people to the hospital every year.

People with known allergies to insect stings or with asthma should be especially careful around pollinators, as stings could trigger a potentially life-threatening reaction. There is also a common myth that bees and wasps can only sting once before they die. This only holds true for some species of stinging insects, and people should always be cautious around hives and nests. If a person comes in close contact with a stinging insect, swatting at it will often provoke it to become more aggressive. The best course of action is to remain calm and slowly walk in one direction until the insect loses interest.

Maintaining a garden that serves as a welcome oasis for wild bees or community bees that are being raised by local professionals is a great way to protect pollinators. Without proper beekeeping training, however, homeowners should never allow stinging insects to take up residence on their property.

If a hive is spotted in or around the yard, a pest management professional or professional beekeeper should be contacted to safely remove it and, if possible, move it to a safe location where the bees can be allowed to thrive without posing any dangers to the public. If the hive is located in a building, utilizing a professional is also critically important to ensure every part of it is removed; any leftover combs could contain honey that can ferment and cause serious damage, as well as attract pests to the property.

For more information on stinging insects and the best ways to protect pollinators while keeping your family safe, visit www.pestworld.org.

Want a Cleaner Home? Easy-to-Clean Carpeting Is Key

Want a Cleaner Home? Easy-to-Clean Carpeting Is Key 

(NewsUSA) - Many homeowners love carpeting. Its look and comfort, in addition to its insulating qualities, make it an essential home-decorating element. The fear, however, can be the stains left behind, such as the red wine that accidentally slipped from someone's hand one holiday party or a pet that didn't quite make it outside.

In the event mishaps like these occur, it pays to have carpeting that is made from material that you know is worry-free and easy-to-clean. Mohawk Flooring, for example, offers just such a product.

"SmartStrand Forever Clean is the toughest, easiest to clean carpet on the planet," says David Duncan, Mohawk Flooring's senior vice president of marketing. "It really is the perfect carpet for families with kids and pets. Using the most advanced fiber innovation, it offers the highest level of beauty, comfort and performance available so you can live life worry-free."

Amazingly, SmartStrand is the first new fiber to be introduced in over 50 years, and is the only carpet that boasts durability and permanent, built-in stain resistance. As a result, it should be unsurprising that it is the highest-rated carpet for consumer satisfaction, cleanability and durability.

The difference, according to Duncan, is that it's the first carpet to combine built-in stain protection with a nanotechnology spill shield.

"Made out of triexta, a greener, more eco-friendly fiber, this fiber is the easiest to clean because it repels and prevents spills from absorbing into the carpet," says Duncan. "Thus, it cannot become a stain."

Mohawk says it has tried to minimize its usage of natural resources, which in turn has enabled the company to reduce its energy consumption of its carpets while creating a fiber that is long-lasting, and resistant to the toughest stains. Top that off with a carpet that can be easily cleaned with water and mild detergent -- no harsh chemicals or cleaners needed -- and you have a much more environmentally friendly flooring option.

For all the parents and pet lovers out there, know this: It's just a matter of time before gravity forces an unwanted mess onto one of your floors. And when it happens, you'll surely rest easier knowing that it'll be easy to clean.

For more information, visit mohawkflooring.com/foreverclean.

Simple Steps to Safeguard Your Second Home

Simple Steps to Safeguard Your Second Home 

(NewsUSA) - Owning a second home has many benefits: a potential rental income and a relaxing, reliable getaway, to name a few. However, second homeowners also must consider the challenges of maintaining a property left vacant for long periods of time.

Potential water damage is a key element of concern for homeowners who leave a second property for long periods. For example, a power failure and loss of electricity in the winter might result in frozen and broken pipes in a vacated summer house. An unsuspecting homeowner or renter could cause a flood by turning on the water. Home monitoring systems, such as the FloLogic System, are designed to provide remote monitoring of the water flow in a home. A sustained flow of water, whether from a pinhole leak, running faucet or flooding appliance, prompts the FloLogic System to send an alarm and shut off the water supply, so the homeowner can identify and address leaks before major damage occurs.

Many insurance companies offer reduced rates to homeowners who install the FloLogic System. Find out more about how the FloLogic System can give you peace of mind as you manage your vacation home by visiting www.flologic.com.

In addition to preventing water damage, owners of second homes can protect their property with these other simple strategies:

Protect the Pipes

For second homes in areas where the temperature dips below freezing, reduce the risk of a frozen pipe by leaving the heat running at 58 degrees Fahrenheit. Homeowners also should consider draining toilets, pipes and hot water tanks before leaving a vacation home for a long absence.

Protect Your Property

Be sure all windows and doors are locked and skylights and ventilation shafts are closed. Bring outdoor furniture inside. Secure bikes, boats and other similar items in a garage or shed. Move electronics, such as TVs and computers, away from windows.

Prepare for Power Surges

Unplug electrical appliances, including toasters and washing machines, for safety in case of an electrical surge.

Manage Your Mail

Be sure the post office has the correct forwarding address and the date on which to start forwarding your mail to an alternate location.