As the sun sinks below the horizon, bats release their footholds and drop headfirst from their perches. In a dark mass of beating wings, they emerge from caves and crevices to hunt for prey. They navigate through the night skies guided by sonar. Considering their unusual nature, is it any wonder that bats have found their way into the mythology of so many cultures?

Odds are that some day your home will be broken into. In fact, over 450,000 Canadian households were burglarized in 1998. The best way to minimise your risk of becoming a victim is to become aware of what burglars look for. By eliminating any vulnerable points of entry and taking some security measures, you can reduce your chances of becoming a crime statistic.

What is childhood without the ability to explore and turn imagination loose on everyday household items? A cardboard box can become a spaceship or a fort. An attic becomes a Spanish galleon loaded with treasure. Kitchen dishes are ferried away for use in dinner parties serving invisible royalty. It is natural for children to explore their world with all their senses. However, this can mean they also venture into dangerous situations in the home.

Just off the west coast of Vancouver Island lies the convergence point of three tectonic plates: the Juan de Fuca plate from the south, the Explorer plate from the north and the North American plate to the east. When a 6.8 magnitude earthquake began to rumble 30 miles below Olympia, Washington on February 28, 2001, Bill Gates was on a stage in downtown Seattle, telling hundreds of people about the benefits of XP software. The stage began trembling, but Gates remained calm.

Mice may seem harmless enough, yet these tiny creatures, a mere 20 grams (1/16 of an ounce) or less, can gnaw through anything from wood to wiring, contaminate food stores, and spread potentially deadly diseases. Homeowners who spot mice or the telltale signs of their presence, are well advised to take action. Where there is one mouse, there is bound to be more, possibly many more.

For the price of approximately $30 per month for a renter to insure an apartment to $200 per month for a homeowner to obtain coverage, insurance can ease the loss of a home and possessions in the event of fire, theft, flood, etc. This is a small price to pay considering the replacement value of our possessions and the cost of homes today. Although most people understand the importance of home insurance, many do not have the right coverage. In some cases, the coverage is not adequate following a major renovation or a large purchase. In other cases, changes in living and working arrangements require changes in an insurance policy. Let's explore some of the factors you should consider in relation to your home insurance.

In a matter of minutes fire can consume a lifetime of memories and treasures. Our homes are our refuge from the world, a place of comfort and joy and yet we often invite the potential for fire into every room. These hazards may be a physical object but they can also be a result of our actions and habits. Knowing the risks and how to avoid them can help ensure you and your home stay safe.

How would you feel if you consumed a great meal then learned afterward that the cook did not wash his hands after sneezing and a hairy dog had slobbered and wagged its way through the kitchen looking for a snack? If that was a restaurant kitchen, it would be closed down by the health department! Yet that's not so uncommon in our homes.

Over the last 75 years, hundreds of chemicals have been created and introduced into the environment. Our air, water, soil, and food indicate that certain chemicals have lasting and often detrimental effects on the natural environment and on our health. Despite these grim facts, many of us unknowingly use toxic chemicals on a regular basis. Household cleaners and other everyday products create harmful environments within our homes.

As the Canadian population ages, many elderly individuals are faced with the decision whether to stay in their homes or move into facilities that provide extended care. Counselors suggest that moving should be considered when seniors experience difficulty caring for themselves and experience a feeling of isolation about their situation. The reality is that many seniors do not want to leave the security of their own homes. Fortunately, there are viable options that support a safer home environment and in turn a more independent lifestyle.

According to Statistics Canada, almost 9 out of every 1,000 people were victims of break and enter in 2002. This number includes two types of crimes: robbery and home invasion. There is one main difference between burglars and home invaders: burglars wish to avoid confrontation with homeowners whereas home invaders typically rely on personal contact to gain entry to a residence. Due to this personal contact, home invasions pose a greater risk of violence. The following are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your property.

When parents first entrust their children to the care of a babysitter, it can be a worrying experience. They wonder if the children and their home will be safe. Will they return home to find a disaster area? Will the children respect a new person in charge? Leaving children in someone else's care is a necessity for most parents whether for work reasons or merely to spend some time together as a couple. Two things will make the process less stressful: knowing how to find a good babysitter, and providing all the information and instruction they will need - without scaring them away!

If a disaster occurred would you know what to do to protect yourself and your family? If you had to leave your home, would you have food, water and other supplies to last the three to four days it may take for emergency assistance to arrive?

Each year, beloved dogs and cats are injured or die after ingesting common foods, household cleaners, medications, and other substances. Their inquisitive and playful natures also make them prone to get into other types of trouble. Consider, for example, how irresistible a dangling electrical cord can seem to a kitten or a puppy. As well, a new plant may look inviting and tasty yet be poisonous. Homeowners can help to keep their pets healthy and happy by being aware of some dangerous items and situations.

There is no mistaking the distinctive burglar's mask and tails rings of the raccoon. These fascinating creatures are a common sight in urban areas. On warm summer evenings, families with broods of four or five young can be seen shuffling across streets, wandering through backyards and alleys in search of food and shelter. Their tiny paws are very dexterous allowing them to perform such tasks as peeling cobs of corn and even opening doors. The raccoon population has grown as natural predators including coyotes have lost their natural habitats. Unfortunately, as raccoons and humans cross paths with increasing frequency the outcome is not always positive.

It may surprise you to hear that the quality of the air inside your home is often worse than it is outdoors. In the average home, dust, allergens, chemicals, smoke, and other pollutants can reach dangerous levels. These unwelcome ingredients in our indoor air can contribute to drowsiness, headaches, memory loss, and lung disease among other problems. Ironically, changes in home construction to improve energy efficiency have contributed to the problem. If a home does not have an effective air exchange system in place to bring fresh air inside, stale, unhealthy air can become trapped indoors. Since it is not economical to keep the windows open during cold weather, homeowners have two options: reduce the sources of pollution within your home and clean the air.

Pets are an important part of life for many people. We adopt them as family; we feed, spoil and play with them; and we take them into our homes. That last point can be the most difficult one to adapt to for both pet and owner. To pets, the home is a place fraught with dangers such as hot stoves and chemical cleaners, and places and things that are off-limits. Most need regular access to the outdoors. Likewise, many owners are allergic in varying degrees to pet dander (skin flakes) and must cope with the shedding hair and odour that commonly accompany cats and dogs. How do we enjoy feline and canine companionship while making home life more pleasant?

Centimeter for centimeter, the squirrel, a tiny furry mammal no taller than a tulip, can do a surprising amount of damage. Most people think of squirrels as happily flitting from tree to tree, gathering nuts for the winter hibernation. When holes appear in lawns, gardens fail to sprout seedlings, or a damaged wire triggers an electrical fire, the last creature they suspect is the winsome squirrel.

Everyone dreads the idea of a fire destroying his or her home. It's hard to imagine the treasured possessions accumulated over a lifetime turned to ashes and charred remains. Even more difficult is coping with the irreplaceable loss of loved ones. Fortunately, much of this could be prevented. The number of reported fires in houses with smoke alarms is 10 times less than in those without alarms.