Author: Courrier Laval News

A recent survey found that while four out of five Canadians are aware of how smart home technology can make it easier to manage their energy consumption, only one in five have adopted these tools in their home. You can ask your contractor to elaborate on these four basic questions to help you better understand smart home technology. What do smart home technology products do? Smart appliances and fixtures are ones that can be controlled and monitored remotely and, through machine learning, will detect and adjust to your lifestyle automatically. This means you can turn the lights on or off…

Becoming a new parent is truly one of the greatest joys in life. It can also be exhausting and at times feel all-consuming. Here are a few ways you can take some time back for yourself while you adjust to life as a parent. Listen and learn Make feeding time multi-tasking time. Turn on your favourite podcast or an audiobook, or binge that series you’ve been hearing so much about. If the sound disturbs your baby, connect some headphones or turn on closed captioning and hit mute. Enlist the kids If you have older children, get them to help out…

Vacations should be the stuff of dreams. But if you’re lucky to travel as a family with kids and maybe even grandparents in tow – along with everyone’s competing wants and needs – then a smooth trip can feel like an uphill battle. Here are some tips to make this adventure your best one yet. Keep kids in the loop Surprises are overrated when it comes to vacations. Is it worth the potential meltdowns? Kids have little control over their lives day-to-day and their regular routines help them feel comfortable, confident and safe. Talking through each step of your trip…

As camping continues to boom in Canada, Parks Canada has released a reservation system designed to allow more people to camp than ever before by aiming to address website failures and limit the number of campsites individuals can reserve. But, did it actually work? User reviews have been mixed, and spots in Canada’s most popular parks still sold out within moments this year. But even if would-be campers missed the boat on national and provincial park campsites, they aren’t entirely out of luck. Canada has a wealth of privately-owned campgrounds that may have last-minute availability. Private campground ownership ranges from…

Firing up the barbeque is synonymous with summer. While warm weather brings much to look forward to, it’s also a reminder to brush up on grilling safety measures. Eighty per cent of Canadian households own a grill or smoker, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association so, it’s important to take safety precautions. Check out these four grilling safety tips before putting on your apron. Grill outside and away from structures. Position the grill well away from anything that can catch fire – like siding, deck railings and overhanging branches. Always make sure it’s set on an even surface in…

While it might not be the first item on your packing list, safety while travelling is just as important as it is at home. Whether heading to the beach or a cool mountain retreat, simple precautions can help you enjoy your vacation from check-in to check-out. One consideration that may slip through the cracks for many travellers is the threat of carbon monoxide. Commonly known as CO, it is an odourless, invisible and poisonous gas. CO can be emitted by fuel-burning appliances such as water heaters, stoves, furnaces and more, and it can only be detected by a CO alarm.…

As you get older, you may have wondered why you’ve seemed to get sick with colds or other viruses more often, taken longer to recover, or suffered complications to existing health conditions. From childhood, our immune system matures, and we build up immunity to help protect us from many common viruses. This resilience built in youth gradually declines until around age 50, when the risk of infection and more serious complications starts to be more noticeable. As a result of our naturally weakening immune systems, older adults are more likely to face severe symptoms and potential hospitalization from infections that…

With fewer tools at your disposal than typically found in your kitchen, camping invites you to be more creative when you cook. It’s easy to fall into the routine of making the same simple recipes for your whole camping trip, so why not pull out your camping stove and elevate the traditional s’mores to a treat everyone will remember for years to come? You can even try this recipe at home in your own kitchen – it’s a great activity to involve the whole family. S’mores French Toast Sandwiches Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients 1 French bread…

Canadians have certain rights when it comes to dealing with banks, and opening a bank account is one of them. You can open a bank account at any federally regulated bank even if you don’t have a job or don’t have money to put in the account right away. The bank must, however, be able to confirm your identity through proper identification. If you’re not a Canadian citizen, you may still be able to open a bank account with the proper identification. But banks do have the right to refuse to open an account in certain situations. For example, if…

With car theft on the rise across the country, many owners are looking for solutions to help keep their vehicles safe. While many auto thefts are out of the owner’s control, upgrading your car with additional security measures may provide peace of mind. Here are some ways to curb theft and protect your vehicle this summer. Install a steering wheel lock: Steering wheel locks are one of the best ways to deter someone from potentially stealing your car. With dozens of affordable options on the market, curbing auto theft has never been easier. Be sure to do your research to find…