It’s downright impossible to even contemplate the likes of Halloween or Thanksgiving without the notion or reality of pumpkins coming to mind.

In fact, for a fruit/vegetable (do you know which one it is) that is so much a part of the fabric of mid- to late fall, there’s actually quite a bit about pumpkins that you probably didn’t know.

Well, if it makes you feel any better, neither did we – until, that is, we undertook a little skullduggery on the internet. Here’s what we uncovered to both “amaze and delight” you (pumpkins are fruits, by the way, not vegetables):

• Pumpkins were not always pumpkins. According to our research, the original name for pumpkin was “pepon”, the Greek word for “large melon”. Later on, it morphed into “pompon” by the French only to have the English rename it the “pumpion”. (Is that sort of like a pumpkin and onion rolled into one?) The large orange fruit we know today as “pumpkin” was so dubbed by early American colonists and, all these hundreds of years later, the name has stuck.
• Whose idea was the jack-o’-lantern? For that answer, we travel back in time to Ireland where turnips, potatoes, beets, and such were carved and lit up to ward off evil spirits. Once Irish settlers started landing on the shores of America, they soon realized that it’s just plain easier to carve up a pumpkin. Plus, they reasoned, the bigger size was bound to be more effective in shooing evil spirits away from their premises.

• “Take this pumpkin and, if you don’t feel better, call me in the morning.” Back in the 1700’s, physicians prescribed pumpkin to cure a whole host of ailments and conditions – everything from a snake bite antidote to ridding one’s skin of freckles.

• Where would you start a pumpkin farm? Someplace where the growing conditions are just right, of course! And apparently they’re just right in Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California – the four largest pumpkin producing states in the country. Each year, more than 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkin are harvested in the US.
• Step aside, pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie wasn’t always the favorite result of cooking up some of that delicious fruit. And neither were pumpkin breads, muffins, or even pumpkin flavored beer. Instead, and while it was still called pumpkin pie by European born American settlers, they would carve the middle, fill it with milk, honey, and spices, and then bake it. You know what? That’s one largely forgotten tradition that might be worth reviving.

And now you know, courtesy of your friends at Absolute Air where we wish you a happy and healthy fall season filled with tasty pumpkin treats.

A fireplace can add charm, elegance, ambiance and of course, warmth to any home. But before you light that first log and relax by its warm glow with family and friends, make sure that both your fireplace and chimney are in safe working order.

Here are some important things you should do before using your fireplace for the first time this or any season:

Hire a chimney sweep. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you have your chimney swept by a qualified professional at least once a year to remove soot and debris that could pose a fire hazard for you and your loved ones.

Make sure the cap on your chimney is secure. Capping the chimney helps prevent rain, snow, birds, squirrels, and debris from entering. If the cap is missing or damaged, have it replaced or repaired.

Thoroughly examine the firebox. Check for cracks, gaps, or signs of wear in the lining of the firebox. If you notice that the lining has deteriorated and the steel body beneath is visible, call a professional to repair it. Otherwise, excessive heat can build up inside your fireplace, causing permanent damage.

Make sure the grate is sized for your fireplace. It should be no more than two-thirds the size of the fireplace opening. A larger grate might tempt you to pile on more wood and build a larger fire, which can overheat your fireplace and cause serious damage.

Inspect the fireplace guard. A mesh metal screen or glass fireplace doors help prevent errant embers from shooting out of the firebox. Check for cracks or other signs of damage and repair or replace it if necessary.

Remember, safety first. Keep a fully charged and ready to use fire extinguisher nearby. Always open the flue before you start a fire and close it when not in use to save energy. And never leave a fire burning when you leave the house or turn in for the night.

As thoughts turn to fall and winter, here’s another timely tip from Absolute Air: contact us today for annual preventative maintenance for your home heating system. It’s the right move for ensuring a season’s worth of improved performance, a reduced likelihood of repairs, lower utility costs and, once again, added safety.

What does “home” mean to you? For most of us, it’s that one special, nurturing place where we retreat to after a long day, make memories, and celebrate life. Unfortunately, it’s also where millions of children are injured or exposed to toxins on a daily basis.

So in honor of National Childhood Injury Prevention Month (September, 2015), here are 8 ways to make your home the safe haven for your children that it should be.

1. Prevent scalds by lowering the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and always test the water temperature yourself before putting your child in the tub or shower.

2. Guard against falls by installing carpeting or runners on stairs. And make sure your stairway has a sturdy handrail on at least one side.

3. Lock up poisonous items such as bug sprays, household cleaners, and medications.

4. Secure large pieces of furniture to the wall with anti-tip safety brackets or straps.

5. Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of you home.

6. Test your home for radon (an odorless, invisible radio-active gas that is believed to be the leading cause of cancer in non-smokers) every two years, or after a renovation.

7. Make home updates safely. Opt for low VOC-paints, cordless blinds and window coverings, and have your 1978 or older home tested for lead and asbestos before starting any major renovations.

8. Keep your indoor air as healthy as possible by cleaning or replacing air conditioning and furnace filters regularly, maintaining the humidity level between 30-50% (depending on the season), and not allowing anyone to smoke in your home.

You know what else September is? The perfect month to have preventative maintenance performed on your home heating systems by Absolute Air, your complete resource for home heating, air conditioning, duct cleaning, and more. With annual preventative maintenance, your system will run better, last longer, and operate more energy efficiently – and that means a reduction in your home heating costs. To schedule service, contact Absolute Air today.

After a hectic week of work, appointments, extra-curricular activities, and everything else today’s busy families contend with, there’s nothing quite like a weekend with nothing to do but relax. That is, unless you’re a home owner. And then, chances are, your weekends are filled with endless projects and honey-do lists.

That’s why you might be interested in the following building and remodeling materials, each of which is pretty much maintenance free, which gives you more true free time.

Quartz Countertop – In addition to being durable, anti-microbial, and scratch resistant, quartz is also non-porous which means it never needs to be sealed (unlike the ever popular and similarly-priced granite).

Laminate Flooring – Easy to install, modestly priced, and super easy to maintain, laminate flooring comes in countless styles and finishes that can suit any home. It can even mimic the look and feel of exotic hardwoods and pricier natural stone.

Paint – One of the easiest ways to transform a space, today’s paint options are more durable than ever. Look for scrub-able paint for those areas of your home that are prone to finger prints and stains.

Cabinets – Whether you prefer solid wood, laminate, or melamine, choose slab front or shaker style cabinets if you want really want them to be maintenance free. Ornate moldings are pretty, but a hassle to keep clean with all those nooks and crannies

Fiber Cement Siding – Less expensive than wood, fiber cement siding is rot proof, insect proof, and fire proof. Plus it’s dimensionally stable and won’t warp or put stress on paint finishes as the weather changes.

Composite Decking – With color and design options that mimic the color, texture, and grain of real wood, composite decking won’t fade, chip, or splinter like real wood and will stay beautiful for years to come with very little maintenance.

The next best thing to maintenance free is repair free, and we can help provide repair free performance for your home heating and cooling system preventative maintenance. If it’s been a year or more since service was last provided, contact Absolute Air today, and we’ll give you one or two more things to stop worrying about.

These days, it seems like there’s a holiday or observance for everything. For instance, did you know that May is National Egg Month? That’s right, an entire month celebrating the “incredible, edible egg”! May also happens to be National Hamburger Month, which is only fitting since it is also National BBQ Month.

But along with the often silly and fun observances, we also have those that aim to make the world a better place. Like National Family Month.

Celebrated during the five weeks between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, National Family Month encourages families to spend more quality time together, to reconnect, and to recognize the importance of family involvement in shaping the lives of children.

So in honor of Family Month, here are a few simple ways spend more time with the youngest members of your family.

Put a ban on electronics for a week (or even a day). The fewer the distractions, the more present and “in the moment” we can be with our loved ones.

Eat dinner together. Talk about your day, share your plans and achievements. If dinner doesn’t work, aim for breakfast. Just enjoy good food and conversation every chance you get.

Learn something new together. Get everyone out of their comfort level by trying something new. Art classes, yoga, indoor rock climbing, or bird watching – tons of possibilities!

Start a new tradition. Perhaps every Sunday is family dinner day, or the last Friday of the month is pegged for a backyard (or living room) campout.

Cook together. Better yet, try making new dishes from around the world. Get your kids involved with the menu planning, shopping, and prep. The older ones can even be responsible for making the entire meal.

Reach out. Teach your kids the importance of family by staying in touch with yours. In this day and age, distance is no excuse for not keeping in touch with loved ones.

At Absolute Air, we support family togetherness in our own unique way, bringing higher levels of indoor comfort, convenience, and safety to every customer we serve. If we haven’t already, we hope to earn that opportunity with your family, as well.

Absolute Air offers quality air conditioning services in forney tx and crandall . We have other indoor air quality solutions, too.  Contact us today for details or to schedule installation.