The Nuts and Bolts: One-Size-Fits-All Flood Protection System Launches Crowdfunding Campaign

HydroGuard, the First Affordable, One-Size-Fits-All, Flood Protection System To Launch Crowdfunding Campaign This Fall

HydroGuard, an affordable, reusable flood protection system, will launch a campaign on the crowdfunding website Indiegogo on September 17. The campaign hopes to raise £50,000 (≈$84,000) for the product's mass production and global distribution. HydroGuard is a compact flood protection system that uses an intelligent sliding system to adjust to fit any doorway and efficiently keep out rising flood waters.

Unlike other flood protection systems, HydroGuard is able to attach to any doorway without making any permanent alterations to the property. Alternative flood protection systems only fit certain door sizes and require making changes to the property in order to protect the house. HydroGuard's quick and easy installation means it can be installed in minutes and then cleanly removed after flooding and stored until the next use.

HydroGuard creates a sealed barrier across any door and works better than traditional sandbags, which are not reusable due to hygiene issues. Throughout the world, people pile sandbags in front of their doorways to ward off floodwaters. However, sandbags fail to create a waterproof seal to prevent floodwaters from entering homes. HydroGuard creates an instant protective seal against water and debris. It can also be easily removed in the case of an emergency exit from the property.

HydroGuard will begin their Indiegogo campaign September 17. Donations begin at just £1 and for £180 (≈$300), funders can ensure they receive their own HydroGuard to protect their homes from floods. To learn more about HydroGuard and their Indiegogo campaign, visit their website at http://www.hydroguard.co/.

American Home Shield "Summer of Givewaways" Offers $10,000 in Prizes to Homeowners

There are many benefits to owning your own home, but every homeowner also knows that a lot can go wrong, and when it does it can be costly. On average, American homeowners can spend one to four percent of their home’s value annually on maintenance and repairs, according to Freddie Mac. In fact, a 2013 study conducted by Decision Analyst for American Home Shield found that within a 12-month period, the typical household will spend an average of $1,302 on repairs and replacements.

Homeowners looking to upgrade their homes and kitchens can enter to win several new appliances, gift cards and home items in the “Summer of Giveaways” sweepstakes from American Home Shield, the nation’s largest provider of home warranties. Through September 30, 2014, American Home Shield is giving away $10,000 in other prizes and entries for a chance to win the grand prize – a $25,000 kitchen makeover! For official rules and more, visit quote.ahs.com/SummerofGiveAways.

Are Mini Kitchens That Conceal All of the Appliances Safe?

You've seen several mini kitchens that hide all of the appliances in built-in cabinetry or pieces of furniture that look like armoires or cupboards. It's a great idea for small, multitask rooms to have the ability to hide the messy kitchen when it is not being used. It's also an appropriate space saving solution for studio apartments, senior living apartments, extended stay hotel rooms, condo owner's suites and even executive office suites and board rooms.

But how safe are these kitchens that hide powerful heat-producing appliances? Couldn't someone leave a pot on an active cooktop, close the cabinet door that hides the cooktop, walk away and cause a fire? YesterTec addresses this safety with patented, Underwriter Laboratories (UL) Listed technology that allows hot appliances like ovens and cooktops to be safely concealed when they are not in use. Appliances can only operate when they can be seen. When the pocket doors that conceal the appliances are opened, they activate hidden switches that allow the appliances to power up.

Should someone close a door, the power turns off. So now you can hide a completely functional kitchen inside a beautiful piece of furniture (or built-in) and not worry about safety issues that concern building inspectors and insurance companies.

There are a variety of models in YesterTec's mini kitchen line that allow the size, shape and the appliances they contain to be customized by the buyer. Pre-priced styling, material and color choices allow designers to have great creative flexibility as well. In addition, all YesterTec unit kitchens only need 120 volt power to operate their high-powered appliances.

For more information, visit Yestertech.com.