Kids today are as tech-savvy as they come. It seems that they can navigate smartphones and tablets before they can even walk. With electronic tablets providing access to so much unregulated content, though, it can be challenging for parents to embrace this technology for their children. A tablet specifically designed with kids in mind can be a great way to allow your little ones some independence while knowing that they’re safe online....

Even in our hyper-digital age, instant photography has made a big comeback. After all, what’s better than a picture you can hold in your hands to document a moment you want to remember? Fujifilm, the Japanese photography company, has been embracing instant photography since long before we all started snapping pictures on our smartphones, but its Instax Mini 9 camera makes it easier and more fun than ever to commemorate the good times with friends and family....

GenTap’s Cooler Shock Dry Packs are designed to eliminate the need for ice. The three-pack can replace 18 pounds of ice and once the gel packs reach 18 degrees, they change from a solid to a liquid, rendering them colder than ice. GenTap claims that their Cooler Shock packs remain cold for 24 to 48 hours, but we had to try them for ourselves and see. Keep reading for our assessment of the ice packs’ setup process, size, design, freeze time, and performance....

Indoor air contains pollutants and particles that can affect your health. Everything from cooking and cleaning to outdoor air and dust can contribute to not-so-clean indoor air, but there are ways—like using an air purifier—to limit them. At its most basic level, an air purifier works by sucking the air in your home through a series of filters, and then circulating the purified air back into the room. This process is repeated several times per hour to ensure the air remains clean....

Growing Conditions Light: Persian shield thrives in dappled light to full sun. It partly depends on your latitude and the strength of light. Plants exposed to too much sun will not develop their full leaf color, so if they look washed out, move the plants to a shadier place. Water: Persian shields need regular moisture throughout the year but not tremendous amounts. Drainage is important for a well-grown plant. Do not allow them to sit in soggy trays....

Plant Characteristics Santolina chamaecyparissus goes by several common names, including gray santolina, ground cypress, holy herb, lavender cotton, and petite cypress. Lavender cotton is generally hardy in zones 6 to 9. Plants in raised beds with sharply draining soil may be hardy to zone 5. Plants that sit in mushy dense soil throughout winter thaws and freezes are less likely to perennialize. With proper care, your plants should attain a height of one to three feet, spreading about three feet across....

Be cautious about where you grow your hostas indoors, as they are toxic if ingested by dogs or cats. The hosta genus is comprised of many species and cultivars, ranging from delicate plants with tiny leaves to giants that are several feet across. Thus, there is a hosta appropriate for just about any space you have available. Experienced growers generally report better indoor results with the varieties that have thicker, glossier leaves....

Circuit breakers and fuses are safety measures that protect homes and people from fires, electrical shock, and appliance and property damage. Read on for more information on the different types of circuit breakers, what happens when a breaker trips, and the most common causes of electrical problems. Types of Circuits Standard: Simple breakers come in two types: single-pole (most common) and double-pole. Both stop the current from overloading and short circuits, preventing wires from overheating....

Further, you might be tempted to squeeze it to see if it’s ripe, but some tomatoes are damaged if you handle them too forcefully. With a little bit of wisdom, though, you can determine whether your tomato is ready for the picking or should remain on the vine a little longer. Surface Shine and Hue The first way to tell if your tomato is ripe is to check if the skin has turned from a dull, matte surface to one that is glossy and slightly shiny....

When cleaning clothes, it is the combination of the mechanical energy of agitating the fabric, the thermal energy of temperature of the water, and the chemical action of the detergent that performs the task. But how does a top load washer provide that agitation? How Does a Top Load Washing Machine Work? While design features and the number of cycles offered on washers vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and there are a variety of price ranges, the basic workings of the two types of top load washing machines in the United States are the same....

In this guide, learn the key factors you need to know in order to pick out your carpet with confidence. Read on to get an in-depth look at how you can choose the best wall-to-wall carpet for your home. Before Replacing Your Carpet Carpet can last anywhere from 5 to 20 years, depending on the quality of the carpet and how much foot traffic it experiences. According to Hubert, “the life of carpeting depends on many factors, primarily carpet quality, padding quality, foot traffic, and care....

History The first mention of lace fabrics came during the sixteenth century in Europe. There were originally two different ways to make lace-by needle using a single needle and thread or by bobbin using many threads to plait the design. Originally made from linen threads, lace making has evolved to using everything from cotton or synthetic human-made fibers to metallic threads. For centuries, the leading centers of lace-making were Italy, Flanders, and France....

When it comes to buying a blanket, you might think there’s nothing to it–just choose the color you like in the right size for your mattress. Although choosing the right blanket is fairly straightforward, there’s a little more to it than that. Our guide will walk you through some things to consider before buying one, from materials to the type of blanket you just might want to nestle up in....