Potomac Vista Fireplace Safety Tips

December 6, 2012 By windsor

Fireplaces are warm and cozy, and add a special touch to your home décor; however they also add safety responsibilities.
When using your fireplace, please keep the following safety precautions in mind:

o Make sure that the flue is open before you start the fire. The flue can be opened by a lever that is located behind the screen.

o ‘Warm’ the flue before igniting the fire. This will start the updraft and prevent smoke from entering your apartment.

o To warm the flue we suggest placing a piece of newspaper in the flue and igniting it.

o Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace with the opening closed to prevent hot embers from jumping out while the fire is going.

o Use dry, seasoned wood. Never burn green wood, treated lumber or wood that is painted.

o Use a small amount of paper or small pieces of wood to start the fire. If you twist the paper into a compact tube first, it will burn longer, giving the logs a good start. Paper and/or kindling wood placed under the grate containing the log is usually enough to get a nice fire going.

o Never use combustible liquids such as Kerosene, turpentine, lighter fluid, or gasoline to start or accelerate a fire. Invisible vapors from these liquids can cause an explosion.

o Don’t use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in the fireplace. Roaring fires may ignite creosote, a toxic chemical that accumulates on chimney walls.

o If you use artificial logs, carefully follow the directions on the package. Do not break apart an artificial log or use more than one at a time.

o NEVER LEAVE A FIRE UNATTENDED.

o Never close the flue if hot ashes are still burning. Ashes can smolder for many hours and can rekindle to the point of igniting the room.

o After the ashes cool COMPLETELY, please discard of them properly.

o Do not use the fireplace as an incinerator.

o Remember to keep matches out the hands of children.

At your request, Maintenance can be available Monday-Friday between 9:00 AM-4:30 PM to review the proper procedures when using the fireplace to ensure you are using it correctly.
Please contact the management office if you have any questions or would like to arrange an appointment with maintenance to show you how to use the fireplace.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Windsor at Potomac Vista Management

Filed Under: Life at Windsor at Potomac Vista Apartments Tagged With: Fireplace Safety Tips, Notice, Residents, Tips

Healthy Living Tips

April 13, 2012 By windsor Leave a Comment

Changing your eating habits can do more than trim your waistline. With the right ingredients you can lower your cancer risk and potentially increase your lifespan. Learn more about the 5 foods from alternative health expert Dr. Andrew Weil's ultimate eating plan. For Dr. Weil's food pyramid, click here. Added to Articles on Tue 11/02/2010

1. Cooked Asian Mushrooms (Serving size: Unlimited)

Mushrooms contain immune system boosting compounds, helping to prevent illness. At less than 100 calories per cup, they’re good for your diet too. But be careful, you’ll lose the benefits if they’re not cooked well. Here are some varieties to try: shitake, maitake, oyster and enoki.

2. Whole Soy Foods (Serving size: 1-2 servings a day)

When you’re shopping, look for whole soy foods over isolated soy protein powders like fake meats with soy isolate. Try eating tofu, tempeh, soy milk, edamame and soy nuts. They’re good sources of protein and help guard against hormonally driven cancers, such as prostate cancer and breast cancer.

3. Cruciferous Vegetables (Serving size: Unlimited)

Cruciferous vegetables belong to the cabbage family. What’s great about these greens is that they protect against cancer. Look for cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, bok choy, kale and brussels sprouts.

4. Healthy Fats (5-7 serving a day; 1 serving is equal to 1 teaspoon of oil)

Not all fats are bad for you – some types actually protect your heart, like omega-3 fatty acids. If you’re looking to increase your intake of good fats and cut out the bad ones, make sure you add these to your grocery list: hemp seeds, flaxseeds, walnut oil, olive oil, hazelnut oil and omega-3 eggs.

5. Whole and Cracked Grains (3-5 servings a day; 1 serving is 1/2 cup cooked)

The good types of whole grain products are ones where you can actually see the grain or large chunks of grain. These foods won’t raise blood sugar the way products made with flour and sugar do. Stock up on basmati rice, wild rice, brown rice, buckwheat, barley, groats and quinoa.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Food, Health, Healthy Living, Tips

Healthy Living Tips

March 20, 2012 By windsor Leave a Comment

Our state of the art fitness center is available for your use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in our effort here at Potomac Vista to promote a healthy living lifestyle.