When your power goes out, you can do one of two things. Light candles or switch to your emergency generator. Which one would you rather do?

Is your home ready for a power outage? If you still use candles for light, you likely also see a lot of spoiled foods from a warm fridge. It may be time for you to get a power generator for your home.

Our lives revolve around electrical and digital technology nowadays. In 2017 alone, the average American home used 10,399 kWh. Many people find that their work or chores get put on pause when power outages occur.

To avoid these inconveniences, get a portable generator for your home. Below, we’ll tell you why and how. Read on further for some tips for your generator.

1. Why a Home Generator Matters

How prepared are you for sudden blackouts? Don’t wait until the time you need a generator comes. Prepare for blackouts at home with your own portable generator.

You could be working on a report when the electricity goes out. What can you do?

Without a home generator, your best chance is to wait until the electricity comes back. With a generator at home, you only need to plug some things in. You could then continue where you left off.

This is the case for emergency generators. A standby generator is more convenient. It starts on automatic during a power outage.

This is vital if you’re running a business from home. You don’t need to keep everything powered up. The water and lights, your PC, and the fridge are enough. If you have a few minutes, it might be a good idea to read some home generators reviews, as reviews usually help when you have a decision to make.

2. How Powerful a Generator You Need

Portable generators come in different sizes or electrical capacity. A generator’s electrical capacity tells how large or powerful it is. Find out the power or wattage of the generator you need.

A generator’s power depends on the sum of the loads you want to run at the same time. Make a list of the essential electrical functions you want to power during a blackout. These can be things like the fridge, lights, and such.

Appliances like air conditioners and stoves take up a lot of electricity when they start up. f you plan to use these, you need a generator that can handle the extra power requirements. Most portable generators won’t be able to support these.

There are two wattage ratings for every generator. These are the running wattage and the surge wattage. When you buy a generator, base your pick on the running wattage.

The surge wattage will align with what you need based on your running wattage. Generators have ratings for surge wattage. They should have extra capacity in case your load needs are larger than what you calculated.

There are many home generators for sale that come with different wattages. As long as you make the right calculations, you shouldn’t have too many problems. You can use online wattage calculators or sizing worksheets from retailers.

Considering Your Wattage Needs

When you calculate, consider the kind of load you are powering. There are two kinds: reactive loads and resistive loads. Resistive loads use the same amount of power to start and run.

Reactive loads will need extra power to run the equipment. Often, the extra power is three times the power needed to run it. Examples of reactive loads are refrigerators, well pumps, and power tools.

Determine your basic home power needs with three considerations. One is if you use well water. The other is your heating system and the third is how your water heats.

If you use well or city water, the wattage will be different. Pumps for wells need a generator larger than 240 volts. In other words, powering up a well pump will involve 3800 watts or above.

Your heating system may be electric, via a heat pump, or gas. Gas or oil-forced air systems are good with generators as little as 2500 watts. Base the power you need on the size of the furnace fan motor.

If your furnace is electric, the typical wattage needed is 15,000 watts or more. This is the same with heat pumps. A portable generator cannot power these.

Water heaters have a similar case. For gas or oil-fired heaters use 2500 watts or higher. Electric heaters often will need 4500 watts.

If your home has a smaller furnace and uses city water, 3000 to 5000 watts should be able to cover your needs. A larger furnace and/or a well pump will need a generator of 5000 to 6500 watts.

3. Prepare Your Home for a Generator

After you figure out your load, you need to get your house ready for the generator. The first thing you need to do is to get a transfer switch installed. Below, we’ll explain further what it is and how it works.

A professional electrician should install the transfer switch. Get a hookup installed as well. This is where you will plug your generator from outside.

The next thing you should do is get an area ready for your generator. Clear out space in your shed that’s large enough for your chosen generator. Keep it in a dry and clean place.

When you get your generator, practice installation. This way you know what to do when a blackout happens. It’s best to exercise your generator installation process a couple of times in a year.

What a Transfer Switch Is and Why You Need It

A transfer switch is a device you install to your electrical panel in your home. This connects to the circuits in the electrical panel that you want to power in a power outage. When you use your generator, you have a safe and more direct way to power your appliances.

Generator transfer switches make powering your house easier. You wouldn’t need to run extension cords into the house. Power management is easier since you can turn circuits on or off with a flick.

A transfer switch is a necessity by the National Electric Code for any connection of power to a home. A licensed electrician will install your transfer switch to your home. He will connect it to the main breaker box.

Never backfeed the house’s electrical system. This is connecting your generator to the electrical system without a transfer switch. This violates the electrical code and it is dangerous.

With your transfer switch and generator ready, you can look forward to continuing your work. You can even get a new creative hobby on your smartphone. Charging smartphones take up little power anyway.

4. Plugging It to Your House

With your generator ready outside the house, get the attachment cord you’ll attach to the hookup. Plug it in. Often, you have to twist the plug about 15 degrees to secure the cable.

Move to the other end of the wire. Connect and secure your attachment cable to your generator. If you can, select the voltage you want.

Next, check that your generator has enough oil. Before you turn it on, check that the throttle is in the correct position as well. Depending on where you live, you may need to preheat the engine with the glow plug.

Start the generator as the manual says. Generators have different starting instructions depending on the model and manufacturer. You could flick a switch or pull a starter rope.

With your generator on, go to your breaker. Flip off the utility main and then turn on the generator main. Flip the breakers on your transfer switch one by one.

Enjoy your new source of power during a power outage. Keep track of the dates and duration of power outages with a power outage tracker. This time, you would know how much fuel you need to get until the electricity comes back.

To return to utility power, start from the last step you took. From there, do the reverse order of operations. Your last step is to make sure to let your generator cools down before you put it in storage.

5. Tips for Using and Maintaining Your Generator

The generator makes a lot of noise and heat. If you need silence to work, keep it a good distance from the house. This is also to keep your home from catching fire should go wrong.

Don’t run a power generator inside the house. The generator’s combustion engines produce carbon monoxide. These gases are harmful to your health and can be deadly.

Make sure to make space for the fuel as well. This space for your generator fuel should be a good distance away from the generator itself. Keep it out of the area of flammable objects as well.

Never check the oil while the unit is running. Check the oil level on a monthly basis. Change the oil and oil filter every one or two years.

Change the air filter of your generator yearly. Your manual will have a location of your air filter and how you change it. Make sure to use filters that your generator’s manufacturers approve of.

Discover More Home Tips Today!

Now, you know how to survive a blackout. With a home generator around, you can complete your electrical and digital tasks. We hope you found this post informative and useful.

Does your basement flood when storms come around? Is it dank and moist? Check out these 5 health issues related to basement flooding.

People often imagine domestic violence to only be about parents hurting each other, but recent studies show that it affects even children. A person in a relationship with violence might find it hard to speak up, having had their voice silenced for long. However, it is crucial that one reports such cases to the police to protect not just themselves, but the children involved.

Domestic violence includes sexual, emotional and physical abuse and dominating behaviour meant to incite fear. In some cases, even psychological assault, including stalking is considered domestic abuse. Physical violence is a criminal offence. It is never acceptable even if it was justifiable.  It is behaviour like beating, punching, slapping and shoving. It may also include the use of weapons.

Physical abuse is easy to identify. However, many are stuck when it comes to determining other types of abuse. Any unwanted sexual suggestions, forced contact, forced sexual acts and rape, even some seemingly harmless actions that cause humiliation and pain are considered sexual violence. Emotional violence is when the perpetrator works to demean and degrade you. It extends to threatening comments. Economic and social violence is when one is not allowed to make independent decisions about money and their social life. The perpetrator always wants to be in control.

Domestic violence does not always start with a new relationship. Sometimes a partner evolves to become controlling and abusive. Once abuse has happened, a cycle begins and breaking free becomes difficult.

Understanding AVOs (Apprehended violence order)

An AVO is an order that the court gives against the perpetrator of domestic violence. It is meant to protect the victim from further intimidation, harassment, and violence. All court orders will ban the perpetrator from causing further harm. They come in two types. The apprehended order for domestic violence protects the victim in a domestic relationship while an apprehended personal order is for a non-domestic relationship like with neighbours and co-workers.

Violence orders must be taken seriously. A perpetrator who breaches the violence order faces repercussions in court including a permanent criminal record. For a court to issue either a personal or domestic order, there must be proof of violence.

You can apply for an AVO if you are over 16 years of age and have been a victim of abuse. In most places, the police will help you to fill out an AVO. Sometimes one can also work with a liaison officer for domestic violence cases. The officer is typically trained in family and domestic violence, victim support, procedures for child protection, and the AVO process in court. Sometimes people also apply for an AVO through local courts, but the staff must connect you to a domestic violence officer. (1)

Why you should seek help from a family lawyer

Once the police apply for an AVO on your behalf, the matter is presented to a prosecutor who takes it to court.  The police serve the defendant the application and notify them to attend court. If they do not attend the hearing or were not reachable to be served with the form, the case is postponed, and the police begin looking for the defendant.  An order can last for up to two years or for as long as the victim still fears the defendant.

A family lawyer can help to sort out an arrangement for children and to represent you in court. In the event of a divorce, they help to draft the papers and to sort property problems and child maintenance and support. Sometimes, when the relationship breaks down due to violence, immigration issues may be involved that the lawyer helps handle. Most importantly, an attorney provides legal advice and education throughout the whole process.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” This is a question you were asked a lot when growing up. It is most likely that you sited a career that you had seen on TV or jobs that your parents, older siblings or cool relatives had. However, the older you got, the more realistic you became. Eventually, if you are like most people you settled for whatever job that puts food on the table or pays the biggest bucks. Are you currently living your dream or have you fallen into the category of ‘the money chaser’ or ‘the settler’?  If you feel that you are in the wrong career and would like to change, then this article is for you.

What is the age limit for changing careers?

It’s in the name – a dream that can never be a reality. It is easy to dismiss it as vanity or to chase after the wind, but in the words of Mark Zuckerberg ‘”People can be brilliant or have directly applicable skills, but if they don’t believe in it, then they are not going to work hard.’ Regardless of your age it is never too late to try and venture out into a new career. Yes, it takes a lot of boldness and courage, but the hardest step is the first one. After that, things will slowly start falling into place.

How do you find your dream job?

So, how does one know what their dream job is? Is it a realization that comes to you in the middle of the night as you sleep? Does it take a sabbatical from your job to go and ‘find yourself?’ or is it something that you pay a psychic to find out? Well, it’s none of the above. Finding your dream job takes a little bit of science and psychology. Thanks to tools like HIGH5 strengthsfinder, one can be able to assess their personality and be matched with careers that best suits them.

The science behind looking for your dream job

So, what is the science behind this? We each have different personalities. It is in these inherent characteristics that we find the truth about who we are. Some of us are extroverts, and others are introverts. Putting an extrovert in a job that requires them to fit into a cocoon might drive them insane.

On the other hand, putting an introvert out in the field is unnecessary torture. So a website that assesses your strengths looks into your personality and uses predetermined algorithms to match you to your dream job. Although it may not pinpoint a specific career, it can give you the best options suited for you.

The system used by the website looks at the following:

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What is your personality type?
• What do you wish to achieve your dream job?
• What is your daily routine?

These questions are further explored and the outcomes shared instantly. What a time to be alive! In the past, you would have to schedule time with a guidance counselor and sit for several sessions before the counsellor would give you their best guess at what job you may succeed in. Today, all the information you need is at the click of a mouse.

Live life to the fullest

Life is short, and it is not worthwhile to live it without exploring your full potential. Even if you are good at what you do, but your heart is not in it, then it is all in vain. Why not give yourself a chance to pursue what you would love? Today, take a leap of faith and find out what you are fully capable of.

Taking a summer vacation can be a great way to relax and spend some time with your family during the holidays. Of course, planning a summer vacation can be quite stressful when you have a big family, or you aren’t quite sure where you want to go.

To help you with this, we have put together some top tips for planning your summer vacation. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more.

Choose The Location First

The first thing that you are going to need to consider is where you are going to go. Many Americans like to vacation inside of America and why not – there are so many great destinations to choose from! If you live on the East Coast, then why not think about taking a trip west for some sun? Or you could skip the beach and head to New York City to do some sightseeing.

The destination is the first obstacle and you will need to consider carefully where you can afford to go. Think about your budget not only for the travel but also your spending money while you’re there. You don’t have to travel across the country to enjoy your summer vacation, a few states away will work just as well!

Think Carefully About When To Go

Once you know where you are going to go, you’ll need to think about when you will go. This is your summer vacation, so it is likely that you are going to be going when the schools are out for summer anyway. Of course, vacationing in the summer often means that the destinations will be busy and so this is something that you need to consider.

For many destinations across the USA and Canada, summer comes with great weather and so you will likely have a great time without having to stay indoors because of the rain. If you don’t enjoy the heat, make sure to avoid places like Arizona that have summers that are almost too hot to spend time outdoors in.

Try to be flexible with your dates because the overall cost of the vacation is likely to change depending on when you go. Do some research and find the best time for you and your family to travel this summer.

Travel By Plane

While many people like to drive from state to state, it can often be much easier and time efficient just to book flights and get there sooner rather than later. When you only have a short period of time allocated for your trip, wasting a day or two getting there and back can be disappointing.

Travelling by plane the USA and Canada has never been easier and there are regular flights to many top destinations from airports. Airlines like Porter Airlines offer easy flying for a reasonable price and so you can get your whole family on board without breaking the bank.

If you don’t usually fly to go on vacation, consider this for the next trip you take. You’ll love getting there in a fraction of the time and you might even enjoy the flying experience.

Try A Road Trip

While flying can get you there much faster and can be much more time efficient overall, you should also consider taking a road trip for your summer vacation. This can be a better option for those who don’t just want to visit one destination for their vacation and want to see more along the way.

As long as you have a car that is comfortable to drive in with all of your passengers on board, you can have a really great vacation. If you are going to take your car, make sure that it is road trip ready and that it won’t break down while you’re on your way.

A road trip can be a great experience and the perfect travel solution for those who don’t like flying or can’t afford the cost of a plane ticket for each member of their family. If you have a vacation coming up, consider this method of travel.

Do Some Research

When you are planning your summer vacation, we suggest that you do some research on the destination before you go. In many of the popular destinations around the country, there are so many things that you can do. Forgetting to do some research on the attractions could mean that you miss out on doing or seeing something really exciting when you go. Think about how disappointing it would be to find out that there was a great museum a few yards away from your hotel, but you didn’t realise until you needed to leave!

If you take a look online, you’ll find lots of information about each of the amazing destinations around the world. If you are staying in a hotel, they might even be able to give you some guidance on what to do and where to go once you’re there. Don’t miss out on the important things – do your research and you’ll have a great summer vacation.

Forget The Hotel

Hotels can be very expensive and so our next top tip for planning your summer vacation this year is to forget about the hotel and try something different. When you stay in the USA or Canada, you can take advantage of the amazing villas or Airbnb locations that are available to rent for the duration of your stay.

If you decide to rent a place rather than stay in a hotel room, you’ll not only save yourself some money, but you’ll also have your own space and privacy when you are there. Some locations that you can book even come with private pools and kitchens so you can cook for your family on vacation and relax in the sun this summer. Don’t fall into the trap of booking a hotel – you’ll only waste money and not have the best vacation that you could have.

Book Tickets In Advance

Our final tip for those who are planning on taking a summer vacation this year is to book any tickets for attractions in advance. For example, if you are planning on visiting Florida then you should make sure to get your tickets for Disney World and Universal Studios online before you go. Not only can this save you money when you get there but you also won’t need to stand in a long line just to get your tickets.

Many sites offer the service that lets you book online and some even offer a discount for those buying in bulk. Regardless of the destination, you should be able to find tickets for the best attractions online before you go. Look online, ask your travel agent and make sure that you avoid those long lines once you get there.

Final Verdict

If you are thinking about taking a summer vacation this year, make sure that you follow all of the advice that we have given you in this article. Consider flying to cut out some of the travel time and have a more luxurious experience. You should also make sure to book tickets in advance and skip the hotel. This way, you’ll have a great vacation!

What do you think of when you hear the words psychotic, bipolar, and schizophrenic? Do you imagine a violent, dangerous person or someone with multiple personalities? If so, you may want to understand a little more about these diseases and what being psychotic actually means.

What is psychosis?

The term psychosis is often described as a condition where people lose touch with reality. A person in a state of psychosis may believe imaginary things are actually real and sense things that are not actually there. Psychosis may seem alarming to observers. Patients in a psychotic state may appear withdrawn or act strangely. They may say things that don’t make sense, for example: “Oh, it was superb, you know the trains broke, and the pond fell in the front doorway.”

Despite their absurdity, psychoses are more common than you may think. About three out of 100 Americans will experience a psychotic episode at some point in their lives.

What Psychosis is Not 

Psychosis is a scary word, but it’s important not to assume that a person suffering a psychotic episode is a danger to society. In fact, the person is more likely to hurt themselves than hurt others.

It’s also important to note that, though they may sound similar, psychosis is not the same thing as psychopathy, which in the medical community, is more often referred to as antisocial personality disorder.

Disorders with Possible Psychosis

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that may cause people to experience:

• Delusions and sensory hallucinations
• Reduced emotional and facial expressions, also called flat affect, where the person does not seem quite present
• Reduced interest and enjoyment in everyday life and activities
• Isolation and/or speech
• Trouble with memory, focus, concentration, and making decisions

Schizophrenia is sometimes confused for the condition where a person has multiple or split personalities. However, that condition is called dissociative identity disorder (DID), not schizophrenia.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by extreme mood swings. As a result, people with bipolar disorder go through manic episodes and depressive episodes:

1. During manic episodes, they may feel “high,” be extremely active, think and talk quickly, or do reckless things like going on spending sprees.
2. During depressive episodes, they may feel worried, sad, or tired. They may even think about hurting or killing themselves.

Sometimes, people with bipolar disorder may find themselves affected by psychosis. For example, if psychosis happens during a manic episode, they may have ideas of grandiosity, thinking they’re invincible. If psychosis happens during a depressive episode, they might believe they’re guilty of a serious crime.

Substance Abuse and Psychosis

Certain mind-altering substances have been associated with psychosis. For example, psychosis is associated with chronic methamphetamine use, and about 40% of meth users experience psychosis. Delusions and hallucinations can even last for months or years after a person quits meth. These episodes may also spontaneously recur, triggered by stress.

There is some evidence to suggest that marijuana can trigger psychosis in those who have a genetic predisposition, especially if they start using at a young age. However, further research is required to find definitive answers to questions surrounding recreational drug use and psychosis.

Helping Someone with Psychosis

Psychosis can be scary. It may be comforting to know that it’s rare to start suddenly. There are usually signs and symptoms leading up to a person’s first psychotic episode. These include:

• Worsening grades or work performance
• Isolation
• Paranoia
• Problems thinking clearly and focusing
• Appearing unkempt as personal hygiene gets progressively ignored

Treating Psychosis with Medications

Antipsychotic medications can reduce psychotic symptoms. Within days of the first dose, hallucinations and agitation can disappear, and within a few weeks, delusions may also go.

It’s important that you don’t stop taking antipsychotic medications without the approval of a doctor. Patients usually have to be gradually tapered off their medication. Otherwise, they can relapse if they believe they are well enough to stop taking their medications.

Since antipsychotic medication like aripiprazole and lurasidone has to be taken regularly, you may feel anxious about affordability. Your fears can be mitigated by buying cheap ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) and cheap Latuda® (lurasidone) from international or Canadian pharmacy referral sites that connect U.S. patients to pharmacies abroad. Other countries may have stricter price regulations, resulting in significantly more affordable drugs.

Other Treatments and How You Can Help

If you or a loved one is experiencing early signs of psychosis, it’s important to find help as soon as possible. Early intervention is essential to effective treatment, and untreated psychosis can lead to more serious problems like unemployment, homelessness, and substance abuse.

Programs designed to treat psychosis include coordinated specialty care (CSC). CSC is specifically designed to help people recover from their first psychotic episode. It uses psychotherapy (talk therapy) and a tailored approach to encourage recovery.

Supported Employment/Education (SEE) is another program designed for young adults to get back into work or school. Psychosis can be extremely debilitating to a young person’s success and SEE experts can help connect these patients with educators and employers.

If you know someone with psychosis, try to learn as much as you can about the condition so you can provide non-judgmental support. This may be a scary time for them, but by educating yourself, you can make a difference.

Looking for the perfect rental property can be tricky. Finding a property that’s within your price range, that’s based in the right area, and that ticks all the boxes when it comes to things like decor and facilities is a near impossible task. Add to that the competition between you and other tenants-to-be, and what was once an exciting and enjoyable task becomes a never-ending chore. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to ensure you find the perfect rental property for you.

You’ve likely thought about the things you want from a rental property and your most desired locations, but have you thought about the things you should avoid? For instance, if you’re a single person with a small budget, a large 3-bedroom house in an affluent area is a no-go. Similarly, if you’re not a fan of noise, then renting in an area popular with students might not be your cup of tea. It’s important to fully consider all the aspects of a rental property in order to rule out certain property types and locations. This way, you can spend more time seeking out a property that you know is right for you.

Once you’ve decided on the main requirements for your rental property, you can start thinking about which of your desirable qualities are essential and which ones are less important. You might have spent weeks searching to no avail for a 2-bedroom city center apartment with a balcony and en-suite, but sometimes a bit of compromise is necessary. With demand for rental properties being so high in the UK, there are always other people with the same requirements in mind. Being more lenient with your search will open your mind up to properties you might not have considered before, but that fit your needs perfectly.

Due to the popularity of new builds, more property companies are taking advantage of the appeal of these properties and introducing new developments. UK property company RW Invest, for instance, offers a variety of stylish new-build apartments, some of which even have eco-friendly features. Unlike older properties, new-builds are often less likely to encounter maintenance issues which means less time spent on repairs. If these are factors you consider important, then making sure your rental is a new-build property is a good way to narrow down your search and find your perfect new pad.

Once you’ve found a property you like the sound or look of, make sure you schedule a viewing. It’s a common occurrence for properties to look better online than they do in person, so try not to get too set on a property before seeing it in the flesh. Once you’re at the property, you can gauge your thoughts and feelings towards it and visualize whether or not you could see yourself living in the space. This is also a great time to ask any questions you might have about the listing, your tenant rights, and the next steps if you’re interested in securing the property. As soon as you’re happy with the property and have weighed up all the pros and cons, act fast and secure your dream rental!