Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 9, 2018)
6A | SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | SIUSLAW NEWS Summer Home Improvement Create a safe & enjoyable backyard play area H omeowners often aspire to have attractive backyards that look like they belong in a magazine. While these can be picturesque and functional for adults, they may not be entirely practical for homeown- ers who have young children, es- pecially when the majority of the yard is covered with paving stones or concrete. When young children are part of a household, homeowners may benefit by designing yards that are both functional and fun. Incorpo- rating safe play areas for kids is one way to unlock the potential of both big and small backyards. As children run off to enjoy a playground, safety is the last thing on their minds. Kids are most in- terested in scaling ladders to tree- houses or coasting down slides. That’s why adults must take it upon themselves to keep injury preven- tion in mind. When considering playground equipment for the yard, parents need to make safety a priority. A safety group in North America advises parents to follow the “5 S’s of Playground Safety” — surface, structures, site, supervision and safety. • Surface: Parents should assume that children will fall. To lessen the blow of falls, choose playground equipment with a perimeter of six feet of a softer surface, such as sand, pea gravel, rubber pieces or wood chips. This material should be be- tween six and 12 inches deep. • Structure: The structure of the play equipment should be built from sturdy materials. Pres- sure-treated lumber was once the standard, but it’s not advisable for Backyard play equipment should be installed with safety in mind for all ages. kids’ playgrounds, as the chemicals used in the lumber can leach and young children may actually bite or pick at the wood. Use cedar or an- other wood that resists decay. Once the structure is built, inspect it fre- quently for damage. • Site: Look around the landscape for an ideal place to locate the play- set. There should be no obstacles that children can hit while sliding or swinging. Avoid overhanging branches and do not place equip- ment too close to trees or fencing. Try to keep the set out of direct sun- light, which can make components heat up and scald young bodies. • Supervision: Do not leave children alone while they are playing. Pre- vent children from using the playset in an incorrect man- ner. • Safety: Fol- low the direc- tions for in- stallation. Make sure all posts are anchored into the ground securely. Railings should be spaced so that children cannot get stuck between them. Check that metal compo- nents have not rusted and that there is no additional excessive CUBIC FT PRESSURE WASHING As Florence natives who recently returned to the area, Cubic Ft Pressure Washing’s connection with preserving and revitalizing the local com- munity runs deep. Owners Dustin and Ange- la Bukowski understand the strength in community. After living in the Bend, Ore., area for the last 9 years, they are ex- cited to be back on the coast to experience and have an active role in their hometown’s revi- talization. In a coastal environment, structures tend to take a beat- ing from the harsh elements and humid conditions. Our customized service washes away what the weather has left behind and helps to prevent future build-up that can cause irreversible damage. We are prepared to remove algae, moss, lichen, mildew, mold, dirt and grime from any of your home’s exterior structures — including, sid- ing, windows, garage doors, fencing, decks, driveways, concrete, outdoor furniture, walkways and docks. In addition, we also have soft-wash treatments for your roof and more delicate surfac- es. Your home is your biggest investment and we are in the business of protecting that in- vestment. Washing the exterior of your home maintains its structural integrity and often increases its value. We work with you to develop a treatment plan that wear. Be sure that no tools or oth- er dangerous items are left around the yard. Backyard playgrounds should be built with safety in mind. Learn the rules of play equipment and yard safety. Banish mosquitoes Time spent in the backyard on spring and sum- mer afternoons and evenings contributes heavily to the popularity of these times of year. Many home- owners go to great lengths to make their outdoor living spaces as luxurious as possible, only to be bothered by uninvited and bothersome guests: mos- quitoes. Mosquito bites may result in severe skin irritation through an allergic reaction to mosquito saliva. Homeowners can employ several measures to prevent mosquitoes from invading their backyards this spring and summer. • Remove standing water. Stagnant water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, as they can breed in bird baths, pets’ water bowls and empty plant pots that collect rain water. Routinely tipping these items and refilling them with fresh water can prevent mosquito infestations, protecting both hu- mans and pets alike. Homeowners may be unknowingly hosting mos- quito breeding grounds elsewhere on their proper- ties. For example, tarps used to cover pools, auto- mobiles or grills that are not tightly secured can fold up, creating pockets where rain water can collect and give mosquitoes somewhere to breed. Mosqui- toes also may occupy gutters, so they should be rou- tinely inspected. • Keep a well-manicured lawn. Well-manicured lawns are less likely to be breeding grounds for mos- quitoes. Because water plays such a crucial role in the mosquito breeding process, it’s necessary that all potential water sources in a yard be removed. Fallen leaves that are not removed and pockets of soil be- neath trees and plants can collect rain water or water from lawn sprinklers, which can be just enough for mosquitoes to breed. • Use fans. Consumer Reports tested the effi- cacy of oscillating pedestal fans to keep mosqui- toes from invading decks and patios and found that such fans cut mosquito landings by 45 to 65 percent for those sitting closest to the fans. When hosting backyard barbecues, homeowners can set up several such fans on their decks and patios to keep mosquitoes at bay. Mosquitoes are unwelcome guests, but home- owners can take steps to increase the likelihood that their properties stay mosquito-free. Summer Home Improvement stories and photos courtesy of Metro Creative Connection meets your home’s needs and matches your budget. “There are many reasons you may be considering a home washing service; paint- ing, preparing a to-do list or maybe a desire to enjoy your outdoor space again,” Ange- la said. “No matter the inspi- ration, we are committed to making your property look its best while providing you with exceptional service.” Ready to love your home again? Let’s wash it. For more information, call 541-999-4033, visit www. cubicftpressurewashing.com or find Cubic Ft Pressure Washing on Facebook. Finance your dreams with the help of our local lenders! County Transfer & Recycling Drop Box Service, Portable Storage Rentals, On-route curbside recycling (541) 5078 Coastwood Lane, Florence OR. Recycling services & containers available at no cost to our customers. #NotYourOrdinaryBank member 1355 Highway 101 • Florence • www.opbc.com • (541) 997-7121 K IM E RICKSON VP, Manager of Residential Lending (541) 902-9807 kim.erickson@opbc.com M AREE B EERS Residential Loan Officer (541) 902-9815 maree.beers@opbc.com Visit us online: www.TheSiuslawNews.com