How To Make Your Home More User-Friendly

Saturday, March 1, 2003

How To Make Your Home More User-Friendly (NAPSA)—When remodeling or building a new home, homeowners can choose products designed to make their homes safer and easier to live in. A new trend called “Universal Design” aims to make households more accessible by creating environments that adapt to a family’s changing needs. This could mean installing extra-wide doorways in a house where the residents may require wheelchairs or walkers, or other changes where there are small children. User-friendly designs, such as non-slip flooring and cabinet shelves that roll out for easier access, are both examples of universal design at work. So is installing lever door handles. Whether one’s hands are full of packages or groceries, or if a medical condition, such as arthritis, has made opening doors moredifficult, lever door handles require less force to open than traditional doorknobs. One area of the home where universal design can make a big difference is the bathroom, says Ken Martin, senior director of product marketing for Delta Faucet Company. “A few subtle improvements can makea big difference towards enhancing overall safety and convenience for everyone, regardless of age or physical condition,” he says. For example, Delta offers a selection of ADA-compliant lever faucet handles that can be operated with less than five pounds of force. In addition, the company introduced the industry’s first hands-free electronic residential faucet. Just like the electronic faucets found in airports and ' : - @ For child safety, a hands-free electronic faucet can be pre-set to a kid-safe temperature. It’s also a breeze for youngsters to use. When they wavetheir hands underneath the faucet, it automatically turns on. other public spaces, the Delta e-Flow™ automatically turns on when an individual places his or her hands under the spout. “Lever faucet styles and handsfree faucet designs are easier for older adults to operate than more traditional faucet handles,” says Martin. “Parents will appreciate these designs as well, because they makeit easier for children to turn the faucet on/off. In addition, the e-Flow comes with the ability to pre-set water temperature limits to prevent youngsters from turning the water too hot.” By incorporating universal design elements like these into their homes, consumers can make a lasting investment that will help guarantee their family’s comfort for years to come.

--- PHOTOS ---

File: 20190801-054820-20190801-054818-56102.pdf.jpg

--- FILES ---

File: 20190801-054818-56102.pdf