Concern that the world could be on the brink of the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years escalated Sunday as France, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Spain reported potential new cases in which people had been infected with swine flu and Canada confirmed several new cases. In the U.S., where 20 such infections have been confirmed, federal health officials declared a public-health emergency and are preparing to distribute to state and local agenciesa quarter of the country's 50 million-dose stockpile of antiviral drugs. Meanwhile, in hard-hit Mexico, where more than 80 people have died from what is believed to be swine flu, the government closed all public schools and canceled hundreds of public events in Mexico City.
The toll from the swine flu epidemic appears to be stabilizing in Mexico, the health secretary said late Tuesday, with only seven more suspected deaths. But an outbreak of the virus at a New York school showed it is capable of repeated jumps between humans — meaning it can keep spreading around the world.
The positive news came even as the first two countries announced travel bans on flights from Mexico, the center of the epidemic, and as confirmed cases were reported for the first time as far away as New Zealand and Israel, joining the United States, Canada, Britain and Spain.
The new virus is suspected in 159 deaths and 2,498 illnesses across Mexico, said Health Secretary Jose Cordova, who called the death toll "more or less stable" even as hospitals are swamped with people who think they have swine flu. And he said only 1,311 suspected swine flu patients remain hospitalized, a sign that treatment works for people who get medical care quickly.
Cuba became the first country to impose an outright ban on travel to the epicenter of the epidemic.
Argentina soon followed with its own ban, and ordered 60,000 visitors who arrrived from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. in the past 20 days to contact the Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, Mexico was eliminating reasons for tourists to visit. On Tuesday, the pyramids and all other archaeological sites were put off limits nationwide and restaurants in the capital were closed for all but take-out food in an aggressive bid to stop gatherings where the virus can spread.
"Border controls do not work. Travel restrictions do not work," said WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl, recalling the SARS epidemic earlier in the decade that killed 774 people, mostly in Asia, and slowed the global economy.
Instead, they say, governments should do more to provide medical help to people with swine flu symptoms, since the virus is proving to be treatable if diagnosed early.
Experts on epidemics said these kinds of government interventions are ineffective, since this flu — a never-before-seen blend of genetic material from pigs, birds and humans to which people have no natural immunity — is already showing up in too many places for containment efforts to make a difference.
Cordova said many of the people crowding hospital waiting rooms complaining of swine flu symptoms actually suffered from other ailments — and many of those suspected of having the virus were treated and sent home.
"You can see the total of new cases," Cordova said, pointing to bar charts that showed a rise and fall. "In the last days there has been a drop."
Cordova said that with U.S. help, new testing facilities in Mexico will soon have the capacity to test 150 samples a day for the new strain of swine flu. Currently, it must send samples to the CDC or Canadian labs, which is the main reason why only 26 of the 159 deaths have been definitively confirmed to be swine flu.
Meanwhile, Cordova said health workers have begun using a less specific quick test, and will immediately administer anti-viral medicine to anyone with the general class of flu that includes the new strain.
Another focus is preventing people from gathering in groups where mass contagion could result. Mexico City's mayor ordered restaurants to limit service to takeouts and deliveries, and closed gyms and swimming pools and restricted access to many government buildings.
In New York, there were growing signs that the virus was moving beyond St. Francis Preparatory school, where sick students started lining up at the nurse's office days after some students returned from Cancun.
At the 2,700-student school, the largest Roman Catholic high school in the nation, "many hundreds of students were ill with symptoms that are most likely swine flu," said Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden. A teacher was one of 28 confirmed cases. And a nearby school with siblings at St. Francis was shut down as well after more than 80 students called in sick.
"It is here and it is spreading," Frieden said.
Rachel Mele, a 16-year-old at the school, saw her fever break Tuesday for the first time in five days. It had been hovering around 101 since the terrifying night when her parents rushed her to the hospital.
"I could barely even catch my breath. I've never felt a pain like that before," Mele said. "My throat, it was burning, like, it was the worst burning sensation I ever got before. I couldn't even swallow. I couldn't even let up air. I could barely breathe through my mouth."
Scientists hope to have a key ingredient for a vaccine ready in early May, but it still will take months before any shots are available for the first required safety testing. Using samples of the flu taken from people who fell ill in Mexico and the U.S., scientists are engineering a strain that could trigger the immune system without causing illness.
"We're about a third of the way" to that goal, said Dr. Ruben Donis of the CDC.
In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. The strain responsible for the 2009 swine flu outbreak in most cases causes only mild symptoms and the infected person recovers fully in a few days.
Of the three genera of human flu, two are endemic also in swine: Influenzavirus A (common) and Influenzavirus C (rare).[2] Influenzavirus B has not been reported in swine. Within Influenzavirus A and Influenzavirus C, the strains endemic to swine and humans are largely distinct.
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Monday, 13 April 2009
Kidnapped US captain freed, Thai soldiers spray gunfire at protest
Navy SEAL snipers on the fantail of a destroyer cut down three Somali pirates in a lifeboat and rescued an American sea captain on Easter Sunday. The surprise nighttime assault in choppy seas ended a five-day standoff between a team of rogue gunmen and the world's most powerful military.
Richard Phillips was taken hostage Wednesday by pirates who tried to hijack the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama. The Vermont native was held on a tiny lifeboat that began drifting precariously toward Somalia's anarchic, gun-plagued shores. The lifeboat was about 25-30 yards away and was being towed by the Bainbridge at the time, he said. The pirates had agreed to the tow to move the powerless lifeboat out of rough water.
The rescue was a dramatic blow to the pirates who have preyed on international shipping and hold more than a dozen ships with about 230 foreign sailors. Phillips was not hurt in several minutes of gunfire and the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet said he was resting comfortably on a U.S. warship after receiving a medical exam.
A fourth pirate surrendered after boarding the Bainbridge earlier in the day and could face life in a U.S. prison. He had been seeking medical attention for a wound to his hand and was negotiating with U.S. officials on conditions for Phillips' release, military officials said.
Aboard the Bainbridge, sailors passed along a message from Andrea Phillips to her husband: "Richard, your family loves you, your family is praying for you, and your family is saving a chocolate Easter egg for you, unless your son eats it first."
Thai soldiers sprayed automatic weapons fire into the air and threw tear gas to clear protesters blocking roads in the capital in the pre-dawn darkness Monday. Demonstrators responded by hurling at least one gasoline bomb and 70 people were reported injured, most by tear gas.
Some injuries were reported from incidents in the two areas, but an exact number was not immediately available by authorities.
The red-shirted demonstrators are supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who want new elections, saying Abhisit's four-month-old government took power illegitimately. They also accuse the country's elite - the military, judiciary and other unelected officials - of undermining democracy by interfering in politics.
Abhisit appealed Monday to the demonstrators to return to their homes, saying the government was using "the softest measures possible" against them.
"All the work I am doing is not to create fear or put pressure or to harm any group of people. It's a step by step process to restore order and stop violence," he said on nationwide television.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the "situation in Thailand is being brought back under control."
"In the next few hours, several security measures will be established ... to secure major ports, international airports and infrastructure," he said.
Richard Phillips was taken hostage Wednesday by pirates who tried to hijack the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama. The Vermont native was held on a tiny lifeboat that began drifting precariously toward Somalia's anarchic, gun-plagued shores. The lifeboat was about 25-30 yards away and was being towed by the Bainbridge at the time, he said. The pirates had agreed to the tow to move the powerless lifeboat out of rough water.
The rescue was a dramatic blow to the pirates who have preyed on international shipping and hold more than a dozen ships with about 230 foreign sailors. Phillips was not hurt in several minutes of gunfire and the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet said he was resting comfortably on a U.S. warship after receiving a medical exam.
A fourth pirate surrendered after boarding the Bainbridge earlier in the day and could face life in a U.S. prison. He had been seeking medical attention for a wound to his hand and was negotiating with U.S. officials on conditions for Phillips' release, military officials said.
Aboard the Bainbridge, sailors passed along a message from Andrea Phillips to her husband: "Richard, your family loves you, your family is praying for you, and your family is saving a chocolate Easter egg for you, unless your son eats it first."
Thai soldiers sprayed automatic weapons fire into the air and threw tear gas to clear protesters blocking roads in the capital in the pre-dawn darkness Monday. Demonstrators responded by hurling at least one gasoline bomb and 70 people were reported injured, most by tear gas.
Some injuries were reported from incidents in the two areas, but an exact number was not immediately available by authorities.
The red-shirted demonstrators are supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who want new elections, saying Abhisit's four-month-old government took power illegitimately. They also accuse the country's elite - the military, judiciary and other unelected officials - of undermining democracy by interfering in politics.
Abhisit appealed Monday to the demonstrators to return to their homes, saying the government was using "the softest measures possible" against them.
"All the work I am doing is not to create fear or put pressure or to harm any group of people. It's a step by step process to restore order and stop violence," he said on nationwide television.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the "situation in Thailand is being brought back under control."
"In the next few hours, several security measures will be established ... to secure major ports, international airports and infrastructure," he said.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Obama first visit as president in Iraq, Raul Castro meets US lawmakers
On a trip shrouded in secrecy, Barack Obama flew into Iraq on Tuesday for a brief inspection of a war he opposed as a candidate and now vows to end as commander in chief. "There is still a lot of work to do here," he said.
His gleaming white and blue Air Force One touched down hours after a car bomb exploded in a Shiite neighborhood of the capital city, a deadly reminder of the violence that has claimed the lives at least 4,266 members of the U.S. military and thousands more Iraqis since March 2003.
Obama's motorcade rolled past troops standing at attention, en route to a meeting with several hundred men and women among the 139,000 American forces stationed in the country.
Raul Castro met with six visiting members of the Congressional Black Caucus for more than four hours, his first face-to-face discussions with U.S. leaders since he became Cuba's president last year.
Castro, who holds the rank of four-star army general, wore a business suit instead of his trademark olive-green fatigues for the closed-door meeting that ended around midnight.
"I'm convinced Raul Castro wants a normal relationship with the United States," California Democrat Barbara Lee told The Associated Press after the meeting. "He's serious."
"We talked about all the issues necessary to normal relations between our two countries," Barbara Lee said. "It was a constructive dialogue."
She said the delegation would report back on the talks to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and would also prepare a detailed look at everyday life in Cuba for President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Delegation members said they discussed topics as such as increased U.S.-Cuba trade and better cooperation in combating drug and human trafficking — but "we did not talk about specifics," Lee said during a Tuesday news conference.
Illinois Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush said he found Cuba's president "to be just the opposite of how he's being portrayed in the media."
"I think what really surprised me, but also endeared to him was his keen sense of humor, his sense of history and his basic human qualities," Rush said, adding that at times, the meeting's participants chatted "like old family members."
The Cuban government issued a statement calling the encounter "a broad exchange of ideas on many topics, with emphasis on the future evolution of bilateral relations and economic ties after the arrival of a new U.S. administration."
Lawmakers in both houses of the U.S. Congress have proposed a measure that wipe out bans on travel to Cuba except in extreme cases, effectively lifting a key component of the embargo. The visiting representatives said they would support those efforts.
His gleaming white and blue Air Force One touched down hours after a car bomb exploded in a Shiite neighborhood of the capital city, a deadly reminder of the violence that has claimed the lives at least 4,266 members of the U.S. military and thousands more Iraqis since March 2003.
Obama's motorcade rolled past troops standing at attention, en route to a meeting with several hundred men and women among the 139,000 American forces stationed in the country.
Raul Castro met with six visiting members of the Congressional Black Caucus for more than four hours, his first face-to-face discussions with U.S. leaders since he became Cuba's president last year.
Castro, who holds the rank of four-star army general, wore a business suit instead of his trademark olive-green fatigues for the closed-door meeting that ended around midnight.
"I'm convinced Raul Castro wants a normal relationship with the United States," California Democrat Barbara Lee told The Associated Press after the meeting. "He's serious."
"We talked about all the issues necessary to normal relations between our two countries," Barbara Lee said. "It was a constructive dialogue."
She said the delegation would report back on the talks to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and would also prepare a detailed look at everyday life in Cuba for President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Delegation members said they discussed topics as such as increased U.S.-Cuba trade and better cooperation in combating drug and human trafficking — but "we did not talk about specifics," Lee said during a Tuesday news conference.
Illinois Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush said he found Cuba's president "to be just the opposite of how he's being portrayed in the media."
"I think what really surprised me, but also endeared to him was his keen sense of humor, his sense of history and his basic human qualities," Rush said, adding that at times, the meeting's participants chatted "like old family members."
The Cuban government issued a statement calling the encounter "a broad exchange of ideas on many topics, with emphasis on the future evolution of bilateral relations and economic ties after the arrival of a new U.S. administration."
Lawmakers in both houses of the U.S. Congress have proposed a measure that wipe out bans on travel to Cuba except in extreme cases, effectively lifting a key component of the embargo. The visiting representatives said they would support those efforts.
Sunday, 5 April 2009
European leaders praises Obama 's new Afghan strategy
European leaders enthusiastically praised President Barack Obama's new Afghan strategy at a NATO summit Saturday but held their ground on a central disagreement and offered only military trainers and extra security forces for upcoming elections.
Afghanistan is seen as a crucial test of the power and relevance of the alliance, which was founded at the height of the Cold War to counterbalance the Soviet Union and now is struggling against a rising insurgency far beyond its borders.
The escalating war has highlighted doubts in Europe about the ability of NATO's 58,000 troops to stem the Taliban insurgency. Worries about casualties and costs have contributed to opposition to a conflict many Europeans see as an unnecessary distraction during economic crisis.
Violent anti-war protests that marred the alliance's 60th anniversary celebrations were a stark reminder that much of Europe has no appetite for the other, costlier half of Obama's Afghan equation: more combat troops.
"I am pleased that our NATO allies pledged their strong and unanimous support for our new strategy," Obama said. "We'll need more resources and a sustained effort to achieve our ultimate goals."
Obama called that "a strong down payment" on both Afghanistan and NATO itself at the end of a gathering celebrating the 60th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Obama's new strategy has him adding 21,000 U.S. troops to an American force of 38,000.
Among countries resisting U.S. appeals for more combat troops were France, which on Saturday rejoined the alliance as a full military partner after decades of being a nonmilitary member, and Germany.
Obama weighed in on a controversial new law in Afghanistan, his remarks underscoring his administration's shift away from a U.S. focus on building democracy in the country.
Asked about the law, which a United Nations agency says makes it legal for men to rape their wives, Obama called it "abhorrent." He also noted that Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said the law will be studied and possibly sent back to parliament for review — and that the NATO conference's closing statement specifically states that human rights should be respected.
But Obama said pointedly that, while improving conditions in Afghanistan is a commendable goal, people need to remember that the primary reason U.S. troops are fighting there is to protect Americans at home from terrorist attacks.
As for new troops, the White House said NATO countries agreed to send more personnel, including about 3,000 on short-term deployments, to help stabilize Afghanistan before elections in August. An additional 1,400 to 2,000 will provide training for Afghanistan's national army.
Obama said those figures should not be considered a ceiling, suggesting more could be sought and offered at some point to confront a threat that he emphasized endangers Europe as well as the U.S.
"We'll need more resources and a sustained effort to achieve our ultimate goals," he said.
Afghanistan is seen as a crucial test of the power and relevance of the alliance, which was founded at the height of the Cold War to counterbalance the Soviet Union and now is struggling against a rising insurgency far beyond its borders.
The escalating war has highlighted doubts in Europe about the ability of NATO's 58,000 troops to stem the Taliban insurgency. Worries about casualties and costs have contributed to opposition to a conflict many Europeans see as an unnecessary distraction during economic crisis.
Violent anti-war protests that marred the alliance's 60th anniversary celebrations were a stark reminder that much of Europe has no appetite for the other, costlier half of Obama's Afghan equation: more combat troops.
"I am pleased that our NATO allies pledged their strong and unanimous support for our new strategy," Obama said. "We'll need more resources and a sustained effort to achieve our ultimate goals."
Obama called that "a strong down payment" on both Afghanistan and NATO itself at the end of a gathering celebrating the 60th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Obama's new strategy has him adding 21,000 U.S. troops to an American force of 38,000.
Among countries resisting U.S. appeals for more combat troops were France, which on Saturday rejoined the alliance as a full military partner after decades of being a nonmilitary member, and Germany.
Obama weighed in on a controversial new law in Afghanistan, his remarks underscoring his administration's shift away from a U.S. focus on building democracy in the country.
Asked about the law, which a United Nations agency says makes it legal for men to rape their wives, Obama called it "abhorrent." He also noted that Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said the law will be studied and possibly sent back to parliament for review — and that the NATO conference's closing statement specifically states that human rights should be respected.
But Obama said pointedly that, while improving conditions in Afghanistan is a commendable goal, people need to remember that the primary reason U.S. troops are fighting there is to protect Americans at home from terrorist attacks.
As for new troops, the White House said NATO countries agreed to send more personnel, including about 3,000 on short-term deployments, to help stabilize Afghanistan before elections in August. An additional 1,400 to 2,000 will provide training for Afghanistan's national army.
Obama said those figures should not be considered a ceiling, suggesting more could be sought and offered at some point to confront a threat that he emphasized endangers Europe as well as the U.S.
"We'll need more resources and a sustained effort to achieve our ultimate goals," he said.
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
8 tips to improve your home in tough times
1) Solar panels
Depending on your climate, solar energy can be harnessed to reduce energy costs to zero, and in some cases allow a homeowner to sell energy back to the grid. While a photovoltaic system isn’t cheap (they can run more than $10,000), tax credits are offered for 30% of costs up to $2,000.
2) Geothermal heat pumps
If you install a heating system that relies on the ground or groundwater as a means to heat a home, the government pays out a big credit. So long as the system meets Energy Star requirements, homeowners can get reimbursed for 30% of their expenditures, up to $2,000. Since geothermal pumps are capable of drawing 70% of their energy directly from the ground, with the other 30% coming from the electrical grid, they also significantly reduce heating costs.
3) Fuel cells
Fuel cells, which are popular in Japan, work a bit like batteries in that they depend on chemical reactions to create energy. Often powered by hydrogen, they're highly efficient, but they often cost between $15,000 and $20,000. Residential fuel-cell systems qualify for a 30% tax credit, up to $1,000 per kilowatt of power that can be produced.
4) Biomass stoves
These are exactly what they sound like: stoves that burn bio-materials as opposed to fossil fuels. By purchasing a stove that can run on corn or sawdust, for example, homeowners get a product that's 10% more energy efficient, and also qualifies for a $300 tax credit.
5) Windows
Tax credits for 10% of costs up to $500 are available for energy-efficient windows. These are panes that prevent heat transfer, keeping the house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Look for windows with thermal reflectivity, a type of smart film.
6) Water heaters
One of your home's largest energy guzzlers is your water heater. Wrapping it in fireproof insulation saves tremendous amounts of energy, but to really save big, install a tankless water heater and receive a tax credit of $300. Through a system of coils, the unit heats water on demand, is more energy efficient and takes up considerably less space. Costs for the system and installation can run between $600 and $1,400.
7) Trees
It sounds simple, but planting trees can reduce your energy costs up to 40% in warm climates by blocking sunlight and reducing the need for air conditioning. If you live in North America, the east and west sides of your home are exposed to the greatest amount of heat in summer months. Some hotter areas, such as Sacramento, Calif., give out free trees to reduce the strain on the grid during summer months.
8) Roofs
Toppers should be built with a vapor barrier for the attic, a ridged vent that lets a little air in and out. This keeps moisture from being trapped, reducing the chances of mold and keeping insulation most effective. A 10% credit up to $500 is available for roof improvements using metal Energy Star-certified roofing materials.
Depending on your climate, solar energy can be harnessed to reduce energy costs to zero, and in some cases allow a homeowner to sell energy back to the grid. While a photovoltaic system isn’t cheap (they can run more than $10,000), tax credits are offered for 30% of costs up to $2,000.
2) Geothermal heat pumps
If you install a heating system that relies on the ground or groundwater as a means to heat a home, the government pays out a big credit. So long as the system meets Energy Star requirements, homeowners can get reimbursed for 30% of their expenditures, up to $2,000. Since geothermal pumps are capable of drawing 70% of their energy directly from the ground, with the other 30% coming from the electrical grid, they also significantly reduce heating costs.
3) Fuel cells
Fuel cells, which are popular in Japan, work a bit like batteries in that they depend on chemical reactions to create energy. Often powered by hydrogen, they're highly efficient, but they often cost between $15,000 and $20,000. Residential fuel-cell systems qualify for a 30% tax credit, up to $1,000 per kilowatt of power that can be produced.
4) Biomass stoves
These are exactly what they sound like: stoves that burn bio-materials as opposed to fossil fuels. By purchasing a stove that can run on corn or sawdust, for example, homeowners get a product that's 10% more energy efficient, and also qualifies for a $300 tax credit.
5) Windows
Tax credits for 10% of costs up to $500 are available for energy-efficient windows. These are panes that prevent heat transfer, keeping the house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Look for windows with thermal reflectivity, a type of smart film.
6) Water heaters
One of your home's largest energy guzzlers is your water heater. Wrapping it in fireproof insulation saves tremendous amounts of energy, but to really save big, install a tankless water heater and receive a tax credit of $300. Through a system of coils, the unit heats water on demand, is more energy efficient and takes up considerably less space. Costs for the system and installation can run between $600 and $1,400.
7) Trees
It sounds simple, but planting trees can reduce your energy costs up to 40% in warm climates by blocking sunlight and reducing the need for air conditioning. If you live in North America, the east and west sides of your home are exposed to the greatest amount of heat in summer months. Some hotter areas, such as Sacramento, Calif., give out free trees to reduce the strain on the grid during summer months.
8) Roofs
Toppers should be built with a vapor barrier for the attic, a ridged vent that lets a little air in and out. This keeps moisture from being trapped, reducing the chances of mold and keeping insulation most effective. A 10% credit up to $500 is available for roof improvements using metal Energy Star-certified roofing materials.
Decor tricks for your closet
1) The smallest area of your house deserves some decorating too. Try painting one or all of the walls or adding some stripes.
2) There's no room for avalanches in any closet, so stick to this trusty rule of thumb: Never stack more than two boxes high. This way, you'll be able to hold one storage container while sifting through the other.
3) Distance can be a good thing. You both need a personal area so your dry cleaning and same-hued clothes don't merge into one unisex mess. Don't have built-in boundaries? Create your own zones by hanging damask drapes or decorative beads.
4) Closed storage keeps the closet well-dressed. Use overhead space for off-season items. Prevent confusion by labeling boxes "his" and "hers."
5) Look for super-slim velvety hangers to keep your clothes in perfect condition and create more space.
6) Discard: Clothes with stains, holes, and other damages shouldn't be sold or donated. Go ahead and toss 'em.
7) If you have empty wall space, hang a bag rack at eye-level to keep all your accessories in line.
8) In over your head with a collection of heels, flats, and flip-flops galore? Try stacking see-through shoe drawers. They fit together with a simple click, and the drawer-like design lets you swap shoes without all the fuss.
9) Switch out your off-season wardrobe to make space. Vacuum-seal systems will protect your items from dirt, odor, and moisture and can triple your storage space.
10) Before putting anything away for the season, make sure it's cleaned and any broken zippers or holes are repaired. The last thing you need come the first chilly day next winter is to pull out a coat with three missing buttons.
11) Make sure you have an adequate light source. Consider using low-voltage lighting, which is the most energy-efficient option.
12) A full-length mirror on a wall or your closet door does the extra job of making your space feel even bigger.
13) Grab a lavender satchel to deodorize your clothes and give your closet a fresh scent. The sweet aroma lasts even longer than cedar.
14) Try a rug for a comfy and fluffy foundation. Measure your closet space before you buy to be sure you come home with the perfect size.
15) Little touches can make a big impact. Decorative knobs or antique coat racks can add chic and stylish sensibility.
2) There's no room for avalanches in any closet, so stick to this trusty rule of thumb: Never stack more than two boxes high. This way, you'll be able to hold one storage container while sifting through the other.
3) Distance can be a good thing. You both need a personal area so your dry cleaning and same-hued clothes don't merge into one unisex mess. Don't have built-in boundaries? Create your own zones by hanging damask drapes or decorative beads.
4) Closed storage keeps the closet well-dressed. Use overhead space for off-season items. Prevent confusion by labeling boxes "his" and "hers."
5) Look for super-slim velvety hangers to keep your clothes in perfect condition and create more space.
6) Discard: Clothes with stains, holes, and other damages shouldn't be sold or donated. Go ahead and toss 'em.
7) If you have empty wall space, hang a bag rack at eye-level to keep all your accessories in line.
8) In over your head with a collection of heels, flats, and flip-flops galore? Try stacking see-through shoe drawers. They fit together with a simple click, and the drawer-like design lets you swap shoes without all the fuss.
9) Switch out your off-season wardrobe to make space. Vacuum-seal systems will protect your items from dirt, odor, and moisture and can triple your storage space.
10) Before putting anything away for the season, make sure it's cleaned and any broken zippers or holes are repaired. The last thing you need come the first chilly day next winter is to pull out a coat with three missing buttons.
11) Make sure you have an adequate light source. Consider using low-voltage lighting, which is the most energy-efficient option.
12) A full-length mirror on a wall or your closet door does the extra job of making your space feel even bigger.
13) Grab a lavender satchel to deodorize your clothes and give your closet a fresh scent. The sweet aroma lasts even longer than cedar.
14) Try a rug for a comfy and fluffy foundation. Measure your closet space before you buy to be sure you come home with the perfect size.
15) Little touches can make a big impact. Decorative knobs or antique coat racks can add chic and stylish sensibility.
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