(NC) Whether it’s in your backyard or a nearby park, lawns provide more than just aesthetic benefits, they contribute to happier and healthier communities. Here’s how:

1. Providing oxygen that we breathe
   Green space are a valuable part of creating clean air anywhere. For example 15 square metres of grass produces enough oxygen for a family of four every day. That can help make a difference to how we feel and breathe.
2. Reducing the warming effect of hard surfaces 
   When the summer heat hits, grass helps keep you cool. Street or sidewalk temperatures may reach 38 degrees Celsius or higher, but grass remains at 24 degrees. Your feet and your home can thank your lawn for lower temperatures.
   
   
3.  Acting as water filtration systems 
   A healthy lawn will slow runoff and allow time for the water to seep back into the groundwater system, rather than overworking municipal storm sewer systems and creating a flood. A 900 square metre lawn can absorb more than 22,000 litres of water.
   
   To provide these benefits, lawns require care. Pesticides are one tool that help protect lawns by keeping weeds and other pests under control. Health Canada regulates every pesticide sold in the country to ensure they do not pose risks to humans, pets or the environment, when used as directed. 

Find more information at croplife.ca

(NC) There’s nothing like a warm fire on a cold day to nurture your soul. But despite its cozy scent, wood smoke contains pollutants that can be harmful, including chemicals and fine particles. Fine particles can penetrate deep into your lungs and bloodstream, sometimes leading to serious health effects or even death.
If you use a wood stove or fireplace in your home, here are some steps you can take to reduce your health risks:

Maintain your stove

• Make sure that your wood stove is well-maintained, vented correctly and working properly.
• Have it inspected by a qualified professional at least once a year.

Clean your chimney

• Clean your chimney and flues regularly, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Use your dampers

• Allow more airflow (ventilation) when starting a fire and close the dampers when the wood is well charred. This technique produces more heat, so you use less wood.

Burn wisely

• Avoid burning wood on days when outdoor air pollution levels are high.
• Only burn dry, seasoned wood. Cut, split and stack wood in a dry area for at least six months before burning it.
• Never burn wood that has been painted or chemically treated; household garbage or cardboard; ocean driftwood, plywood, particle board or any wood with glue on or in it; or wet, rotted, diseased or mouldy wood.

If you are looking to upgrade or install a woodstove or fireplace:

• Choose a low-emission stove
  Install an "advanced combustion" wood stove or fireplace insert to reduce toxic emissions.
• Look for appliances that have a sticker from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This sticker certifies that the appliance emits up to 95 per cent fewer particulates and is up to 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than regular models.

Find more information on keeping a healthy home at canada.ca/healthy-home.

(NC) It seems like everyone is making over their home these days, from small additions to complete teardowns. Although it sounds pricey, there are ways to transform your home while sticking to a budget. Here are some renovation tips to help you get started:

Never underestimate the power of good lighting. 
Nothing says luxurious quite like the perfect mood lighting of beautiful fixtures. From gallery-style recessed lighting to illuminate your artwork, to pot lights built into a rustic piece of reclaimed wood for hanging over your dining table, light fixtures are a fun and functional way to create ambiance and show off your personality.

Accessorize with high-quality investment pieces. 
Achieve an expensive look by carefully curating accessories and decorative items. For example, some plump throw pillows and a plush area rug can elevate your living room. You can also try hanging curtains from ceiling to floor, even if your windows are small — this will elongate your walls and draw the eye upward. Splurge on custom framing to showcase your favourite photographs on a gallery wall or floating shelf.

Learn how to achieve the handmade look for less. 
Anything custom-made says luxury because it’s uniquely tailored, fitting your style and space perfectly. But customizing anything from scratch can be prohibitively expensive. Fortunately, there are many ways to get the same results on a budget.

For premium and tailored cabinetry in your kitchen and bathrooms, try working with Kitch. The company specializes in making high-quality doors, drawer fronts and accessories for popular IKEA systems. The result is fabulous and unique cabinetry that’s personalized for your home, style and organization needs.

Find more design inspiration at mykitch.ca

(NC) If there’s ever a perfect moment to refresh your home, it’s at the start of a new year. Now is the time to reimagine your space with a fresh look that brings you joy. Whatever you’re envisioning, look to these expert décor tips and trends from celebrity designer Amanda Aerin.

Be bold
Looking for ways to upgrade your space and make a statement? Aerin recommends incorporating more colour and patterns into your home decor. This year’s popular shades will be saturated, bold and uplifting, so don’t be afraid to switch things up and step out of your comfort zone.

Curate your look
Aerin says curated home décor is hot on the trend list for 2022. Dress your space with a mix of old and new, incorporating vintage finds, travel treasures or family mementos.

“My approach to design is to create concepts that are visually stimulating, tactile and invoke feelings of happiness and relaxation,” says Aerin.

Mix patterns like a pro
Mixing and matching geometrics with florals is another hot 2022 trend in home décor. Start by choosing your patterned fabric first, then pull accent colours from there for a professional look.

“Mixing and matching colourful patterns and fabrics is the perfect way to add texture to a space. To add more depth to a room and to keep my fabrics fresh, I love Febreze Unstopables Touch fabric spray. The scent is touch activated, so every time I fluff my mix and match pillows, sit on my upholstered furniture or pull open my curtains, I get a burst of freshness for the perfect finishing touch.”

Find more information at febreze.com. 

(NC) Your home is a major investment that comes with plenty of added costs, like maintenance and renovations. The biggest cost is your mortgage, a major expense that might be difficult to pay in tough times.

If you have a mortgage and you’re worried about leaving your loved ones with a mortgage payment in the case that you were to pass away or experience a covered critical illness, optional TD Mortgage Protection might be the solution.

Evaluating whether mortgage protection insurance is right for you is important. Having a mortgage is a long-term financial obligation. You’ve worked hard for your home, and there are ways to help protect it.

If you aren’t sure if you need mortgage protection insurance, ask yourself these three questions:

What would the impact be to my finances if my income was lost or reduced due to a covered critical illness?

A recent TD Insurance survey reveals that one in three Canadians without asset protection coverage think it’s too expensive, and 28 per cent say they do not believe they get the right value for the amount spent. While we all value our homes, we may undervalue mortgage protection insurance, which could pay or reduce the outstanding balance of the insured mortgage in the event of a covered critical illness.

Would my partner or co-borrower be able to afford the mortgage on their own if I were to pass away or suffer a covered critical illness?

As household partners, you’re in this together. If a mortgage was set with two incomes in place, it could be difficult to get by on just one. Consider having a plan in place, like mortgage critical illness and life insurance, before an unexpected covered critical event occurs. There are options available to help you find the right coverage that best suits your budget and needs.

Do I have loved ones who rely on me financially?

Owning a home and having a family comes with the responsibility of ensuring your dependents are safe and protected. Mortgage protection insurance can help you protect your mortgage and home, which could also benefit loved ones who may financially depend on you.

Learn more at td.com.