SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 7A
Improve privacy & security at home
L
iving in close proximity to one’s
neighbors has its benefits. But
many homeowners would no doubt
admit that privacy at home is a good
thing.
Whether homeowners are enjoying
their yard in spring or summer or sim-
ply want their in-home activities to be
less obvious to neighbors, their priva-
cy is a year-round concern. If privacy
is a concern, homeowners can take
certain steps to ensure their homes
stay or become the sanctuaries they
were designed to be.
limits others’ ability to see inside the
house. Switch to more opaque window
treatments when using interior light-
ing more often, as gossamer draperies
may still make it possible for outsiders
to understand what’s going on inside
the home if people and items are back-
lit.
For those who do not want to com-
promise natural light, frosted windows
can satisfy a desire for privacy. Win-
dows can be purchased with frosting
in place, and home improvement re-
tailers sell various products that can
create a frosted look.
Window Treatments
Windows allow natural light to en-
ter a home, but windows also enable
neighbors and others to see into a
home. If thieves are the ones looking
inside, wide open windows present
a security issue. Window treatments
are an effective way to add privacy
to a home. Closing curtains or blinds
Fencing &
Perimeter Plantings
Privet hedge, arborvitae or Italian
cypress are fast-growing evergreens
that provide privacy around a home
for homeowners who do not want to
install traditional fencing. These trees
also provide a natural habitat for var-
ious yard animals. Layering various
plants of different heights and textures
also can create a more natural and less
imposing look.
Fencing remains a viable option to
create privacy and stop noise pollu-
tion. Privacy fences come in various
materials, colors and sizes, enabling
homeowners to choose styles that fit
their landscapes.
Pergolas &
Enclosed Patios
Homeowners who like to entertain
outdoors may want to make their out-
door living spaces more private. Per-
golas allow light to filter through but
obstruct direct view of patio activity,
especially when combined with some
gauzy draperies hanging on the sides.
An enclosed patio or three-season
room can be a worthwhile addition
for homeowners who like to enjoy
the great outdoors without being in
Fencing and well-placed plantings can improve privacy for homeowners.
the elements or on display for neigh-
bors. Structures vary from screened-in
porches to greenhouses to removable
gazebos. Potted plants or trailing vines
can soften the structural edges and
help the privacy devices blend in with
the natural surroundings.
Personal tactics
Homeowners who do not want their
neighbors or others knowing what
they’re up to in their free time can lim-
it what they share through photos and
descriptions on social media. Doing so
also cuts down on neighbors’ curiosity.
Safety tips for grilling season Tips to making delicious ice cream
People have been cooking
meals over open flames since
the discovery of fire. Even today,
when there are so many ways
to cook a meal, many still insist
there’s nothing better than the
taste of food cooked on the grill.
The Hearth, Patio & Barbe-
cue Association (HPBA), which
tracks industry trends, points
out that one-third of consumers
plan to use their grill or smok-
er more often this year. Even
though grilling is widely asso-
ciated with summer, a growing
number of people are embracing
year-round grilling.
HPBA’s CEO Jack Goldman
has said, “Barbecuing is no lon-
ger just a pastime, but an inte-
gral part of the North American
lifestyle.”
Seven in 10 adults in the Unit-
ed States own a grill or smoker.
With so many people firing up
their grills, it’s important to rec-
ognize the importance of grill-
ing safety. Here’s how to stay
safe.
• Only grill outside. Propane
and charcoal barbecue grills
should only be used outdoors.
Grills should be placed well
away from the home. Keep grills
away from deck railings, eaves,
overhangs and tree branches.
• Keep the grill clean. Thor-
oughly clean the grill pri-
or to first use, and
keep it tidy all
year
long.
Grease or
fat buildup
can ignite
and cause a
fire.
• Always
attend
the
grill. Grill distrac-
tion-free and keep an eye on
the food being cooked. Simply
stepping away for a few mo-
ments can lead to a fire or acci-
dent.
• Start fires safely. Charcoal
and gas grills may be lit using
electronic starters that do not
require fire. If using starter flu-
id, only do so on charcoal, and
do not add more fluid or other
flammable liquids after the fire
has ignited.
• Check for gas leaks. Wheth-
er the gas grill is hooked up to
a propane tank or the natural
gas supply of a home, ensure
that the hoses or tanks are not
leaking. Apply a light soap-and-
water solution to hoses to see
if they bubble from leaking
gas.
• Keep baking
soda nearby.
Baking soda
can
con-
trol grease
fires, but it’s
also helpful
to have a fire
extinguisher or
a bucket of sand on
hand for other types of fires.
• Watch children and pets.
Keep children and pets at least
three feet away from grilling ar-
eas.
• Wait for the grill and coals to
cool. Practice safety around the
grill until all coals are cool and
the grill is no longer hot to the
touch. Only then should the grill
be moved or relocated.
Grilling is a passion that is en-
joyed throughout much of the
year. Safely cook outdoors by
heeding safety guidelines.
Screening Presented by:
Siuslaw News & KCST & KCFM Coast Radio
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Two Showings @ City Lights Cinema
1:30pm • 6:30pm
Ice cream is a favorite dessert
across the globe. The average
American consumes more than
23 pounds of ice cream per year,
says the International Dairy
Foods Association.
Even though a trip to the lo-
cal ice cream parlor can yield
many different opportunities
to indulge, making ice cream at
home is easier than one may be-
lieve. Also, creating homemade
ice cream can be a fun way to
experiment with unique flavors
and textures. It is easy to cus-
tomize concoctions based on
what everyone likes best. Mak-
ing ice cream also is a fun way to
bring the family together with
the reward of a tasty prize for all
of the effort. Here are some tips
for making ice cream at home.
• Buy quality ingredients.
Choose fresh, high-quality in-
gredients. Real vanilla beans or
extract can produce better flavor
than imitations. Select in-sea-
son berries and other fruits and,
if possible, use organic milk. All
of these ingredients will blend
together for fresh flavor.
• Freeze equipment early.
Making ice cream at home allows for endless custom flavors.
Cold equipment is necessary
to produce ice cream. Store the
bowls of an ice cream maker in
the freezer to keep them frozen
and ready for when the mood
strikes to make a batch of ice
cream.
• Keep mix-ins small. Mix-
ins, like cookie pieces or cake
crumbs, can add a different di-
mension to ice cream. Chill the
ingredients and make sure they
are small, such as the size of
chocolate chips. Add them after
the ice cream is entirely frozen.
• Watch alcohol usage. Al-
cohol can create a tipsy ice
cream experience, but adding
too much can interfere with ice
cream’s ability to freeze. There-
fore, use alcohol sparingly.
• Store ice cream smartly. A
shallow container can keep ice
cream softer. Also, cover the
surface of the ice cream with
plastic wrap to prevent ice crys-
tals from forming.
Homemade ice cream will last
for roughly a week in the freez-
er.
The whole process can be a
challenging yet tasty endeavor.
Sponsored by:
A C O M M U N I T Y- O W N E D E L E C T R I C U T I LI TY
Tickets are FREE*
Admission tickets are required
and available at
City Lights Cinema 1920 HWY 101
*Only 230 tickets available, fi rst come, fi rst served.
Limit 4 per person.
Representatives will be available for a
Q&A after each showing.