Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Basement waterproofing and refinishing projects took off as people realized they needed to upgrade space for a home office.

Stuck at home in a paralyzing health crisis, people across America finally tackled long-delayed, home improvement projects that are giving a boost to the do-it-yourself and handyman segments of the U.S. economy.

As a result, hardware, home improvement and farm supply stores which the federal government deemed essential businesses have seen a massive surge in demand for tools, paint, lawn and garden goods and treated lumber.

Added to that is a higher demand for cleaning supplies, security systems, safety gear, sidewalk chalk and activity kits for youngsters, said Randy Rusk, national spokesman for Do It Best, a cooperative of hardware, lumber and building materials stores in all 50 states.

But while calls for improvements are pouring in, some merchants worry about what's around the corner in an economy rocked by the pandemic. They are wary of expanding or hiring more employees.

Analysts and marketing experts in the home and hardware industry are cautious, too. They predict a mixed bag in spending through the end of this year, dragged down by little or no construction in some states and nagging uncertainties surrounding the economic toll from the pandemic.

Before the outbreak, spending on home remodeling was expected to post annual growth of 3.9% by the first quarter of 2021.

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Pandemic leads to increase in home improvement - Quad City Times

"I don't understand why it was done so late," Terry said.

Under Phase 3, restaurants and nonessential retail stores no longer have to limit indoor capacity to 50% of what their space can hold but would still have to keep customers 6 feet (2 meters) apart.

Gyms can go from 30% capacity to 75%, and social gatherings of up to 250 people are allowed. Outdoor swimming pools can operate with fewer restrictions at 75% their normal capacity.

The Virginia Department of Health on Tuesday reported nearly 63,000 total cases of COVID-19, with just over 6,200 total hospitalizations and 1,760 deaths.

In explaining his decision to move forward with reopening, Northam said recently the state's percent of positive tests was declining and cited a falling number of people hospitalized with positive or pending cases of COVID-19. He also said Virginia's testing, contact tracing and supply of personal protective equipment were adequate, and that hospitals have sufficient bed capacity.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. For some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and even be fatal.

From the archives: Nostalgia on the menu

Were you a fan of Biff Burger? Did you love The Sweet Life? Late-night fan of Howard Johnson? These eateries, once the haunts of hungry Lynchburgers, now are fading memories.

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In late reversal, Northam moves to keep limits on bars - Lynchburg News and Advance

Sarnia City HallFile photo / /The Observer

Since December, just about every detached, semi-detached and townhouse owner in Sarnia has had the ability to create secondary dwelling units, save for those with septic systems or in areas prone to hazards like flooding.

July 13, partial-service properties with municipal water but not sewage services could get the OK as well from city council.

If passed, the new rules would allow homes with septic tanks to install secondary dwelling units like basement apartments, so long as those tanks can accommodate the additional fixtures, said Stacey Forfar, the citys general manager of community services.

Owners whose tanks cant accommodate the extra can decide whether or not to upgrade their septic systems, she said

But it certainly wont be a barrier on the planning side of things, Forfar said.

Homes in areas prone to flooding will still not be able to build secondary dwelling units.

The overall move is a push towards boosting affordable housing options in the city, and started with select residential areas in 2017 amid ongoing sewer system upgrades.

The option gives homeowners a significant mortgage helper and helps with modest intensification, along with providing affordable housing options, Forfar said.

Sarnia in recent years has seen the need for more housing amid a spike in out-of-town workers, and an increase in international students studying at Lambton College.

Homeless shelters were full in early 2019 and 99 people were housed in local motel rooms with emergency funding.

But few people in Sarnia have taken advantage of the option its open currently to about 85 per cent of detached, semi-detached and townhouse residential properties to add secondary dwelling units, Forfar said.

That may be in part because Sarnias population is on average older than most places in Ontario, she said, noting typically secondary dwelling units are used by younger families as a mortgage helper.

Usage in Sarnia hasnt really jumped through the roof yet, she said. Well see what happens now in terms of next steps.

Affordable housing is also a key component of Sarnias community improvement plan, she said. Public feedback is currently being sought for a plan review and update at speakupsarnia.ca about how the city could improve and revitalize areas including downtown, Mitton Village and Northgate.

Plans are to meet and gather feedback with people in the community throughout July, city officials said.

There hasnt been a great volume of feedback from the community about secondary dwelling units, Forfar said, including from consultations last fall before council approved expanding the program in December.

We didnt find this one to be particularly contentious, she said.

tkula@postmedia.com

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Secondary-dwelling-unit option eyed for Sarnia homes with partial services - Sarnia Observer

Although many governments are still advising against nonessential internationaltravel, a host of populardestinationsare beginning to ease their COVID-19 lockdown measures and border restrictions and are moving toward welcoming tourists back.

On July 1, the European Union announced it would be reopening its external border to 15 countries outside of the bloc in a bid to boost its travel industry.

Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay areall included in the list,along with China, provided it agrees to lift restrictions on EU citizens.

However, the United States, which now has thehighest number of confirmed COVID-19 infectionsin the world, according to Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, was not included.

Meanwhile Caribbean islands like Jamaica have already opened their doors to foreign visitors again, while destinations such as Mexico and Thailand are planning to reopen region by region in the coming weeks.

Travel bubbles are also becoming more popular, with the likes of Fiji, Australia and New Zealand considering following the lead of Baltic states Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, who have lifted restrictions for each others citizens.

If youre one of many travelers eagerly awaiting news on where you can travel to this year, heres a guide to the top destinations making plans to reopen, as well as some of those that are keeping their borders firmly closed for now.

Aruba will slowly reopen to tourists betweenJune 15 and July 10.

Visitors from nearby Caribbean islands Curacao and Bonaire will be permitted to enter first, followed by travelers from Canada and Europe on July 1.

Tourists from the United States will be allowed to visit from July 10.

While it was previously suggested travelers would not be required to to take a Covid-19 test on arrival or prior to traveling, it seemsthis is no longer the case.

Like many other destinations, Aruba is giving visitors the option to either provide a negative test result taken no more than 72 hours before their visit, or receive a test on arrival.

However, the cost of the test, which must be paid for in advance, is the responsibility of the traveler.

The island has also introduced mandatory insurance coverage, theAruba Visitors Insurance, which will cover any expenses if visitors test positive for the virus during their trip.

Nonessential businesses including shopping malls, cinemas, beauty salons and outdoor restaurants were allowed to reopen on May 25, while the island countrys 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew was completely lifted earlier this month.

Restaurants with indoor seating have now been allowed to reopen, although diners must leave before 10 p.m., along with spas, and saunas.

In addition, the department of Public Health has introduced theAruba Health & Happiness Code,a mandatory cleaning and hygiene certification program for all businesses related to tourism in the country.

Bali has been relatively successful in containing its coronavirus outbreak, with less than1,500 confirmed casesand, at the time of writing, a total of 11 deaths.

The Indonesian island now hopes to welcome tourists back by October, provided its infection rates stay low.

Accordingto a statement from Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani, secretary of the ministry, Yogyakarta, situated on the island of Java, is likely to reopen first, along with the Riau islands province.

Balis economy is hugely dependent on tourism and visitor numbers have been rising in recent years, with around 6.3 million people visiting in 2019.

The coronavirus has collapsed the Balinese economy its been a steep drop since [mid-March] when social-distancing measures were put in place, Mangku Nyoman Kandia, a Bali tour guide, told ABC Newsin April. No tourist, no money.

All foreign nationals, except for diplomats, permanent residents and humanitarian workers, are currently banned from Indonesia, and anyone entering the island must undergo a swab test and provide a letter stating they are free of Covid-19.

Its unclear what the entry requirements will be if restrictions are lifted later this year, or whether Bali will accept travelers from regions badly affected by the pandemic.

However, tourism officials have been calling for atravel bubble to be implementedbetween Bali and Australia.

Barbados has announced it will be reopening its borders to international travelers from July 12.

However, visitors will have to adhere to a number of strict requirements.

All tourists from high risk countries will be strongly encouraged to take a Covid-19 test at least 72 hours before departing for Barbados, according to a recent press release from the Barbados Tourist Board.

Meanwhile, those from low risk destinations can be tested a week before visiting the Caribbean island.

Visitors also need to complete an online Embarkation/Disembarkation Card (ED card), which asks a series of health questions connected to Covid-19 symptoms.

Those who dont provide a negative test result from an accredited or recognized laboratory in advance will must take one on arrival, and will be placed in quarantine at their own expense until the results come through. This is likely to take up to 48 hours.

While visiting the island, travelers must comply with local protocols, including keeping a physical distance of one-meter away from others and wearing face masks in public.

Barbados nationwide curfew isdue to be lifted on July 1, while commercial air traffic will resume 11 days later.

UK flag carrier British Airways will restart services to Barbados on July 18, with US airline JetBlue following suit on July 25 and Virgin Atlantic on August 1.

Cyprus is so keen to get its tourism industry back on track, officials are offering to cover the costs of any travelers who test positive for Covid-19 while on vacation in the Mediterranean island nation.

According to a letter shared with CNN, the Cypriot government will pay for lodging, as well as food, drink and medication for tourists who are taken ill with coronavirus during their visit.

The detailed plan was set out in a five-page letter issued to governments, airlines and tour operators on May 26.

Officials have also earmarked a 100-bed hospital for foreign travelers who test positive, while a 500-room quarantine hotel will be available to patients family and close contacts.

The traveler will only need to bear the cost of their airport transfer and repatriation flight, in collaboration with their agent and/or airline, states the letter.

The countrys hotels began to reopen on June 1, while international air travel restarted on June 9.

Once the destination reopens, visitors from only chosen countries will be allowed to enter.

Officialshave issued a list of countriesto be granted access to Cyprus in two separate stages.

Incoming flights from Greece, Malta, Bulgaria, Norway, Austria, Finland, Slovenia, Hungary, Israel, Denmark, Germany, Slovakia and Lithuania will be authorized first.

From June 20, Cyprus will also permit incoming flights from Switzerland, Poland, Romania, Croatia, Estonia and the Czech Republic.

The UK and the US, bothlisted among the nations with the highest numberof confirmed Covid-19 deaths, are noticeably absent.

However, the list is to be expanded to include further countries in the coming months.

Travelers heading to Cyprus will need to provide a valid certificate proving theyve tested negative for Covid-19, while theyll be subject to temperature checks on arrival as well as testing at random during the course of their trip.

The destination has already put measures in place to protect travelers and residents, such as ensuring hotel staff wear masks and gloves, regularly disinfecting sunbeds and keeping tables at restaurants, bars, cafs,and pubs at least two meters (6.5 feet) apart.

Tourism accounts for at least 15% of Cypruss economy.

Tourism brings in around $1 billion in revenue for Egypt each month, so the impact of thetravel restrictionscaused by the pandemic has been significant.

The government suspended passenger flights back in March, while all hotels, restaurants and cafes were closed and a night curfew imposed.

These measures are currently being relaxed, with hotels that meet certain requirements, such as having a clinic with a resident doctor on site, being granted permission to reopen for domestic visitors at a reduced capacity.

But acurfew remains in placebetween 8p.m. and 5 a.m although this isdue to be lifted on June 27 andthe government has made wearing masks mandatoryin public places and public transport.

Although international flights are yet to begin operating again bar a select few routes the cabinet has indicatedscheduled international flights will be allowed to enter from July 1, while foreign tourists will be permitted at the resorts least affected by Covid-19.

We have to prepare, cabinet spokesman Nader Saad saidduring a televised interview last month.

A number of global carriers have expressed willingness to resume flights to Egypt in July, and as a result we are considering a gradual resumption of international flights beginning towards the end of this month and in the first half of July.

France was the most visited country in the world before the coronavirus pandemic.

While restrictions were previously in place on all nonessential travel from outside the Schengen Zone (a grouping of 26 countries which normally have open borders), the measures are due to be lifted for 15 countries outside of the EU, including Australia, Canada and Japan.

At present all travelers who enter France, with the exception of EU citizens, are subject to a compulsory 14-day quarantine.

UK citizens were previously exempt from this measure. However, this was recently amended in response to the UKs decision to apply its mandatory 14-day quarantine, which isset to be amended soon, to arrivals from France.

Although the government has been slowly lifting lockdown measures, withcar journeys of up to 100 kilometersnow allowed and beaches beginning to reopen, officials have previously made it clear the country is in no hurry to ease border restrictions for international travelers..

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe recently announced a$19.4 billion stimulus packageto boost Frances ailing tourism sector.

What is good for tourism is often good for France, what strikes tourism strikes France, he said during a news conference.

The countrys hotels, bars, restaurants and cafs were granted permission to reopen on June 2.

Meanwhile Paris was downgraded from a red zone to a green zone in mid-June andthe city has now reopened.

Frances most visited museum, the Louvre, will reopen on July 6.

Tourism is facing what is probably its worst challenge in modern history, added Philippe. Because this is one of the crown jewels of the French economy, rescuing it is a national priority.

He went on to state that residents can take holidays within France during July and August.

The countrys hotels will be reliant on domestic tourism once they do reopen, as all signs suggest international travelers will not be able to enter for the foreseeable future.

When the lockdown measures soften, French tourists are likely to want to stay close to home in the short term, a spokesperson for French hotel chain Accor told CNN Travel earlier this month.

It will be the moment for them to rediscover their own country and we will be there to welcome them.

Georgia was experiencing a tourism boom before the coronavirus pandemic, withfive million travelers visiting in 2019,a 7% increase on the previous year.

But the country was forced to close its winter resorts and place a ban on all foreign visitors back in March because of the crisis.

Eager to revive its tourism sector, the countrys government had previously said it planned to reopen to international travelers on July 1, but this has beenpushed back until July 31due to a rapid increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in the partner and neighboring countries.

Officials have brought in athree-stage anti-crisis plan, which includes a marketing campaign designed to promote Georgia as a safe destination.

The next stage will allow for domestic travel in special safe tourism zones, while the final stage involves reopening borders and resuming some flights.

We are transitioning to the third stage [of Covid-19 response], which means post-crisis management of the economy and devising plans [on] how to kickstart different sectors, Prime MinisterGiorgi Gakharia said at a council meeting focusedon fighting Covid-19.

[The] tourism sector will be first to which emergency relief measures will apply.

The land of poets and thinkers lifted travel restrictions for travelers from 31 different countries on June 15.

The approved destinations included the 26 EU member states, as well as the UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The revitalization of tourism is important both for travelers and the German travel industry, as well as for the economic stability of the respective target countries, read a statement from a paper calledCriteria for the Enabling of intra-European Tourism,which was issued last month.

The Austria/Germany land border has also reopened travel between Austria and Germany is possible as of June 15 and restrictions around the country are being relaxed.

Visitors from destinations such as Australia and Canada will also be allowed to enter soon due to the EUs decision to lift restrictions on various countries outside of the bloc.

Bars, restaurants and museums have reopened, while some hotels have begun to resume business.

Chancellor Angela Merkel recently announcedsocial distancing rules would continueuntil at least October.

International direct flights to Greeces many holiday destinations restarted on July 1 for travelers from most of the EU and list of14 additional EU-approved countries, with travelers subject only to random checks.

Greece has also extended its travel ban on direct flights from the UK and Sweden until July 15. All information is expected to be updated by mid-July.

The US, Greeces third largest market, is not included on the EU list. Nearly 2 million Americans visited Greece in 2019. The country has been attracting a growing number of US travelers in recent years and was projected to grow further in 2020.

Russia also failed to make the EU list meaning that Greece will enter its peak season without the three countries that in 2019 accounted for about 20% of its tourism revenue.

Greece is also opening its international ports and some border crossings for the first time since the country imposed a strict lockdown over three months ago.

The country is being hailed as one of the safest destinations for holidaymakers in the Mediterranean this summer with under 200 deaths from Covid-19 and less than 3,500 cases in a population of 11 million.

As part of the measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, international travelers are required to fill in a detailed passenger form. The Passenger Locator Form (PLF) will have to be completed online at least 48 hours before entering the country and includes information such as duration of previous stays in other countries during the two weeks prior to travel, and the address of stay in Greece.

Travelers will receive QR codes based on an algorithm that will calculate those most at risk of spreading a coronavirus infection. Authorities will use the QR code to identify passengers who need to be tested upon arrival, Greeces Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said.

Those tested must quarantine overnight pending results. Those who test positive will be quarantined for up to 14 days.

Iceland reopened it borders to tourists on June 15 after recording just under 2,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases.

The move came weeks after the Nordic country banned all foreign nationals, except for nationals of the EU and associated European countries.

Up until recently, everyone arriving from outside the country was required to go into quarantine for 14 days.

However, travelers now have the option to either submit to a Covid-19 test on arrival, provide proof of a recently taken test with a negative result, or agree to a two-week quarantine.

Although the tests are currently free,a $112 chargewill be implemented from July 1.

Visitors will also be encouraged to download the appRakning C-19,designed to help trace the origin of transmissions and available in seven languages Icelandic, English, Polish, German, French, Spanish and Italian.

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International destinations reopening to tourists this summer - WTTV CBS4Indy

Shamsina improves its offer. After six years of existence, the Egyptian start-up, which specializes in manufacturing solar water heaters for disadvantaged communities, is redesigning its product. Shamsina is supported in its project by the innovation laboratory of Harvard University in the United States. The American laboratory incubated the start-up in January 2020, as part of their BuildIt programme.

Shamsina, created by two Egyptian-American entrepreneurs Deena Mouse and Sara Mousa, is developing a new version of its solar water heater, the third in fact, and hopes that its product will be mass-produced. The start-up also plans to create a scalable company that can serve the millions of Egyptian families who currently lack the means to heat water reliably and safely. We plan to start production in the spring of 2021. We will produce our models and moulds and entrust production to an existing plant. Well be able to produce them at the speed, scale and quality we need, says Startup Shamsina.

We will use what we describe as a cross-subsidy model which consists of selling the heaters at a normal price of about $300 (4,840 Egyptian pounds) and also at a reduced price of less than $100 (1,613 Egyptian pounds) for the poorest. Production will be subcontracted to Egyptian factories, the start-up says.

Like the previous versions, the third version of Shamsina solar water heater will consist of two main units: a water storage unit and a solar panel. The new solar water heater technology will be installed on rooftops or other locations with long periods of direct sunlight. The heat radiation from the sun will pass through stainless steel panels to quickly heat the water. The new prototypes insulation will allow the water to stay hot longer than the first two Shamsina solar water heaters, which keep the water hot for only two to three hours. The start-up is thus innovating on traditional flat panel heating by making it more compact and better adapted to local infrastructures.

The idea of setting up the Shamsina start-up was based on an observation. After a field survey, Sara Mousa, the CEO of the start-up noticed that almost half of Egyptian households do not have access to modern water heaters. In several unplanned areas of Cairo, the CEO also found out that families use kerosene lamps, gas tanks and fireplaces on a daily basis to heat water to meet their basic needs such as bathing, cooking and cleaning. These are alternatives, of course, but they are very dangerous because of their negative impact on the health of the population (respiratory diseases). Kerosene, gas and fires are fossil fuels. They therefore emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

The first version of the Shamsina heater was installed in 25 homes and organisations in eight governorates of Egypt. Subsequent prototypes with a capacity of 0.1 m each were built and sold for about $210 (3385 Egyptian pounds) to local families throughout Egypt. To implement this project, the start-up received support from numerous companies and organisations including Yomken, Nebny, Ruwwad and Hand Over. With the launch of Shamsinas new version of solar water heaters, several other households will also see a change in their lifestyle.

Start-up Shamsina has received funding from Davis Projects for Peace, an initiative for all students at Davis United World College Scholars Programme schools in the United States and the American non-profit organization Synergos. The start-up is currently seeking seed funding of approximately $50,000 (806,340 Egyptian pounds).

Ins Magoum

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EGYPT: Start-up Shamsina develops its third version of solar water heaters - AFRIK 21

BELOIT The West Branch school board this week approved repairs to the driveway at the Beloit campus.

The board approved a resolution to proceed with driveway repairs at the middle and high schools at a cost of $49,827. Vasco Asphalt Company will start the stand alone project immediately, with the cost to be covered by the Maintenance Fund.

The board also approved continuation of a sports participation fee for the 2020-2021 school year. Fees will be $75 per student for unlimited sports for seventh- and eighth-grade students and $100 per student per sport for ninth- through 12th -grade students. There is a cap of $200 per student and $400 per family.

Also at the meeting, the board accepted a dry erase board for the high school weight room valued at $860 from DFC Sports & Fitness and expressed thanks to Greg Shaheen for installing two boiler tanks and one new water heater in the district at an estimated labor cost of $1,190 and Scott Tuel, general manager of Ventra Salem, for arranging the donation of over 400 face shields.

In other business, the board accepted the resignation of Jerry Yeagley effective Sept. 1 after 18 years with district, as well as the resignation of Starr (Fisher) Martin as family & consumer science teacher, Rebecca Zeisler as vo-ag teacher and Stephanie Ruark as guidance counselor.

The board also approve Christy Biery as student success liaison paid with funds allocated for the Students Success and Wellness Initiative, Joseph Ginocchi as student attendance & community liaison/suspension coordinator, and Leslie Pierce as a consultant on an as needed basis for no more than 24 hours per week.

Additionally, the board granted supplemental summer conditioning contracts for the 2020-2021 school year to Ken Harris for football, Walt DeShields for girls basketball, Michael Brown for boys basketball and Penny DeShields for volleyball; and approved a stipend for the completion of the CCIP/Federal Programs for Micki Egli, not to exceed $8,500.

The boards next regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 6 at the high school.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. Workers are preparing to start the demolition of an 80-year-old South Carolina public housing complex where two men died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a poorly maintained heater.

The 400 residents of Allen Benedict Court in Columbia were never allowed back into their homes after the bodies were discovered and the neighborhood evacuated in January 2019.

Crews are installing fences around the project and will start removing asbestos, lead and other dangerous materials on Monday, the Columbia Housing Authority said in a statement.

Officials said they hope to have heavy equipment on site to begin tearing down buildings within two weeks and have the project finished by November.

Calvin Witherspoon Jr., 62, and Derrick Roper, 31, were found dead in separate units in the same building. Firefighters immediately checked all 244 homes in the complex and found unusually high gas levels in at least 65 units coming out of water heaters, stoves and other appliances.

Residents were evacuated and never returned as Columbia officials determined it would be better to just tear the complex down.

The Columbia Housing Authority was fined just under $11,000 earlier this year after pleading guilty to 24 safety violations including broken smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers as well as failing to do routine maintenance.

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Demolition of public housing complex where 2 died starts - Winston-Salem Journal

Nothing says summer fun like being on a boat, but boaters, swimmers and marina staff must be aware of the unique dangers in and around the water.

Electricity and carbon monoxide (CO) bring particular risks to the boating world. CO is a deadly gas that is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Often called the silent killer, CO is created when fuels such as gasoline, diesel, or propane do not burn fully. Another potentially silent and deadly hazard is electricity and water. Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) is the result of the passage of a typically low-level AC current through the body with sufficient force to cause skeletal muscular paralysis while immersed in water, eventually resulting in the drowning of the victim. Learning how to protect you and your family from these dangers will make your time on the water most enjoyable.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, all carbon-fuel engines on boats, including onboard generators, produce CO. The most common symptoms of low-level CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Higher levels of CO inhalation can cause death. CO poisoning can also cause you to pass out and fall into the water and drown. A person who is sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before waking and realizing you have symptoms.

Your local firefighters have a few recommendations to protect you from CO poisoning while you are on your boat. The first step to staying safe is to install CO alarms inside your boat and test the alarms before each trip. Whenever the CO alarm is activated, move to a fresh-air location right away and fully investigate the cause.

Larger boats, such as cabin cruisers and houseboats, sometimes have generators that vent toward the rear of the boat. This venting poses a danger of CO poisoning to people on the rear swim deck or water platform. Because of this danger, it is suggested that swimmers avoid the water near rear swim decks or water platforms. Since the exhaust from a nearby vessel can send CO into the cabin and cockpit of another boat, you should always dock, beach, or anchor at least 20 feet away. Traveling at slow speeds or idling in the water can also cause CO to build up in a boats cabin, cockpit, bridge and aft deck, or even in an open area. You should always keep hatches, windows, portholes and doors free from debris so exhaust can vent freely.

While CO may be the silent killer and present a hazard in the air and around the boat, electricity poses a silent threat in the water. Electric Shock Drowning can occur when marina electrical systems leak electrical current into the water. It is important to note that there is no visible warning or way to tell if water surrounding a boat, marina or dock is energized or within seconds will become energized with fatal levels of electricity.

According to Electrical Safety Foundation International, ESD can occur virtually in any location where electricity is provided near water, and the majority of ESD deaths have occurred in public and private marinas and docks. The typical victim of ESD is a child swimming in or around a marina or dock where electricity is present. The electricity that enters the water and causes ESD originates from the wiring of the dock or marina, or from boats that are connected to the power supply at the marina or dock.

In most circumstances, victims do not immediately feel electrical current when they enter or swim in the water around a marina or dock, thus giving the victims the false impression that it is safe to swim. Electricity enters the water when an electrical fault occurs aboard a boat. Often the electric fault occurring aboard the boat is intermittent. For example, the fault that places deadly current into the water may only occur when a light switch is turned on, or when a hot water heater, battery charger, air conditioning unit or other electrical device cycles on. Water can appear and feel safe and in a split second become energized with deadly electricity.

Even though ESD is more common in fresh water, salt water is not completely risk-free. The danger of shock exists wherever there is water and electricity. Depending on the level of the electric current, you may feel tingling or lose control of your muscles, suffer from paralysis and drown. The current can also trigger a fatal heart rhythm. Remember, there is no visual warning or other clue that water may be electrified, and it doesnt take much electricity to cause drowning. In fact, as little as 2 watts can be fatal to a swimmer.

Like many risks, there are steps you can take to prevent this horrible tragedy from happening to you or your loved ones. The best preventative measure is to never allow swimming near the boat, marina, or launching ramp. It is also a good idea to have your boats electrical system inspected annually by a certified marine electrician. Ground-fault circuit interrupters and equipment-leakage circuit interrupters should be tested monthly to ensure functionality. Only use shore power cords that are UL-Marine Listed because they are safe to use near water. Household cords are never appropriate for a boat, at a marina, or on a dock! Verify the location of your main breakers on the boat and the shore power source so that you can respond quickly in case of an emergency.

In an emergency, disconnect the shore power at the breaker, throw a flotation device to the victim, and call 911. Remember to never jump in after someone who is experiencing ESD, because you may fall victim as well.

Your local firefighters are a great resource for learning more about carbon monoxide prevention in your home and on your boat. For more information about Electric Shock Drowning, visit http://www.esfi.org.

This column was written by Jane Perkins, Fire Safety Specialist for the Rhode Island Southern Firefighters League and Captain of the Watch Hill Fire Department. If you would like to see a question answered in this column, please e-mail her at askafirefighter@yahoo.com.

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Ask a Firefighter: Beware the hazards of summer boating - The Westerly Sun

The electric water heater market is slated to observe heavy growth in the coming years owing to the growing electrification rate, majorly across developing economies. Increasing investments by governments towards their infrastructural development would also add up to the overall market growth through the forecast timespan.

Apart from these trends, increasing preference towards the implementation of energy-efficient electric appliances due to the ever-increasing electric bills would further complement industry outlook through 2026.

Similarly, significant improvement in product performance and design would increase the deployment of electric water heaters. Additionally, strong competition among the electric water heater market counterparts would further complement its growth.

Moreover, improvement in crucial issues including dry firing, calcium deposition, and standby heat losses would augment the product deployment. Furthermore, the development of smart water heaters with integrated AI applications and improved UI capabilities would further support product penetration across several sectors.

Europe is known for its extreme climatic conditions, especially during winters. The region has witnessed a significant adoption of water heating technologies over the years. Regulatory norms also play a key role in the regional growth.

The European government has introduced stringent eco-design norms as well as building standards to promote the adoption of energy-efficient electrical appliances. Europe electric water heater market is slated to witness a notable growth owing to strong product demand across both residential and commercial applications.

In addition, product differentiation through extensive features like remote controlling, voice activation, and leakage detection is likely to encourage product deployment in coming years.

Flexible installation and easy repair as well as maintenance of currently used electrical circuits are projected to impel product deployment in the residential sector. In addition, major market players are increasingly focusing on the forward integration of these systems and also provide customers with extensive post-sale services for their convenience.

Moreover, availability of several capacities and designs that are suitable for a number of user demands is pushing the adoption of electric water heaters in the residential sector. The addition of novel technologies with enhanced performance would also add up to the segment growth and augment overall electric water heater market.

All in all, increasing deployment across residential and commercial sectors, stringent government norms regarding electricity usage, growing technological advancements, and a healthy competitive landscape are overtly indicative of massive growth opportunities for the electric water heater market.

Some of the major market players contributing to the overall market growth include Rinnai, Bosch, Bradford, A.O Smith, and Rheem Manufacturing among others.

Some Points From Table Of Content:

Chapter 4 Electric Water Heater Market, By Product

4.1 Electric water heater industry share by product, 2019 & 2026

4.2 Instant

4.2.1 Global market from instant, 2015 2026

4.2.2 Global market from instant, by region, 2015 2026

4.3 Storage

4.3.1 Global market from storage, 2015 2026

4.3.2 Global market from storage, by region, 2015 2026

Chapter 5 Electric Water Heater Market, By Capacity

5.1 Electric water heater industry share by capacity, 2019 & 2026

5.2 <30 Liters

5.2.1 Global market from <30 liters, 2015 2026

5.2.2 Global market from <30 liters, by region, 2015 2026

5.3 30-100 liters

5.3.1 Global market from 30-100 liters, 2015 2026

5.3.2 Global market from 30-100 liters, by region, 2015 2026

5.4 100-250 liters

5.4.1 Global market from 100-250 liters, 2015 2026

5.4.2 Global market from 100-250 liters, by region, 2015 2026

5.5 250-400 liters

5.5.1 Global market from 250-400 liters, 2015 2026

5.5.2 Global market from 250-400 liters, by region, 2015 2026

5.6 >400 liters

5.6.1 Global market from >400 liters, 2015 2026

5.6.2 Global market from >400 liters, by region, 2015 2026

Chapter 6 Electric Water Heater Market, By Application

6.1 Electric water heater industry share by application, 2019 & 2026

6.2 Residential

6.2.1 Global market from residential, 2015 2026

6.2.2 Global market from residential, by region, 2015 2026

6.3 Commercial

6.3.1 Global market from commercial, 2015 2026

6.3.2 Global market from commercial, by region, 2015 2026

6.3.3 College/university

6.3.3.1 Global market from college/university, 2015 2026

6.3.3.2 Global market from college/university, by region, 2015 2026

6.3.4 Offices

6.3.4.1 Global market from offices, 2015 2026

6.3.4.2 Global market from offices, by region, 2015 2026

6.3.5 Government/Military

6.3.5.1 Global market from government/military, 2015 2026

6.3.5.2 Global market from government/military, by region, 2015 2026

6.3.6 Others

6.3.6.1 Global market from others, 2015 2026

6.3.6.2 Global market from others, by region, 2015 2026

More:
Electric Water Heater Market Geographical Segmentation, Comprehensive Analysis to 2026 - Cole of Duty

Things are about to get weird in here.

German luxury cars are renowned for the breadth of their options sheets. On one hand, this means you can get your next BMW 5 Series configured exactly how you want it. On the other hand, it means you'll often wind up paying for extra for seemingly basic things like, say, a spare tire. Now, BMW is raising the ante by making many car options into software services enabled whenever you want them. The disconcerting part? They can be disabled, too.

In a VR presentation streamed from Germany today, BMW ran through a series of digital updates to its cars, including more details on the new BMW digital key service announced with Apple at last week's WWDC and confirming that current model cars will be fully software upgradeable over the air, a la Tesla. The first such update will hit BMW Operating System 7 cars in July. Packages are said to be approximately 1GB in size and will take roughly 20 minutes to install.

But, the most notable part of the day's presentation was the new plan to turn many options into software services. BMW mentioned everything from advanced safety systems like adaptive cruise and automatic high-beams to other, more discrete options like heated seats.

These options will be enabled via the car or the new My BMW app. While some will be permanent and assigned to the car, others will be temporary, with mentioned periods ranging from three months to three years. Some, presumably, will be permanent, but during the stream's Q&A portion BMW representatives demurred on the details.

So, yes, you could theoretically only pay for heated seats in the colder months if you like, or perhaps save a few bucks by only enabling automatic high-beams on those seasons when the days are shortest.

You may recall, BMW already demoed a program like this in 2018 by charging for limited-time access to Apple CarPlay. At the time I called this "next-level gouging" and I wasn't in the minority, the reaction being so negative that BMW eventually scrapped the program.

Yet this new move basically takes that approach and brings it to another level. Imagine pressing the seat heater button only to be prompted to renew your subscription, or having to pay extra to get an engine note on your new M4 that suits your sensibilities. All this is possible -- and likely. And, frankly, ugly.

This "vehicle as a platform" approach may indeed save some consumers money, particularly in the lease-heavy luxury sedan space where average ownership intervals are measured in months, not years. Also, this approach could open the door even further into letting consumers get exactly the specification they want, instead of bundling discrete options into packages in the name of streamlining manufacturing processes.

However, the potential downsides are troubling, particularly when it comes to used car sales. BMW representatives indicated that upgraded features will apply to the car, not the user, but indicated that all the details on used car sales are still being worked out. Again, there are some positives here, like being able to have a better-equipped second-hand car than the original owner, but it's hard to not see this as simply another shot of revenue for BMW in a transaction that might otherwise not involve the company at all.

Tesla recently found itself in hot water for disabling Autopilot on a used car. This is just the beginning, and how consumers react will be key, though at the end of the day this sort of thing feels inevitable. Service-based pricing is taking over everything from what we're watching tonight to what we're having for dinner. Why not what's sitting in our driveway, too?

Link:
Your next BMW might only have heated seats for 3 months - CNET