DIY Life

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Far East Brokers and Consultants Inc., has announced a voluntary recall of about 750 log swings, due to a fall hazard posed to consumers if a missing nail connecting the back of the log chair to the seat separates from the seat while in use. Far East Brokers has received six reports of the log chair separating, including three reports of minor injuries.

Manufactured in China and sold at Grand Union Family Markets, Ingle's Markets, VG's Food Center, Plumb's Valu-Rite Foods, and Central Shoprite stores from February 2008 through May 2008 for about $150, the recall involves a log swing that hangs from a log frame. The swing seats two people. Please see the CPSC press release for more details.

Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled log swing and return the disassembled parts to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, contact Far East Brokers and Consultants at (877) 695-8354 or visit the firm's website at www.fareastbrokers.com.

Does one of the doors in your house swing opposite from how you think it should? Maybe every time you open it inward you're struggling to close it again inside that tiny bathroom, or maybe you open it outward, and almost push yourself down the stairs.

Whichever way your door opens, sometimes they just don't seem to make sense. I would tend to assume that the decision is made, and we're stuck with the way the door was installed, but apparently this isn't the case at all.

You can change the swing direction of a door. Reader's at GardenWeb offer their tips. Here's what you'll need:

• Screwdriver
• Vice
• Wood-glue
• Measuring tape
• Wood chisel

You'll have to switch the hinge and latch sides, then touch up any holes or damage left behind. You might also have to adjust the height or cut the door slightly if it needs to now clear carpet. This is a simple job, but it will require two people, just for the sake of balancing and measuring.

You don't have to live with it swinging the wrong way just because a previous owner made the wrong choice; it can be changed quickly and easily.

Each week, Diane Rixon brings you Avant Yard, a look at all your lawn and garden could be. Diane shows you how to give life to everything inside your fence. We promise that your yard will be the greener "other side" and the neighbor's envy to boot. Alright, we don't really promise, but you get the idea.

Is there a dead tree in your yard? Let it live on -- repurpose it! Here are a bunch of suggestions, with an emphasis on projects that are both easy and inexpensive.

LEAVE IT ALONE
1. Leave it standing. If it's not a danger to people or structures on your property, of course. Let it be a home for birds, bugs and assorted critters.
2. Leave it standing and turn it into yard art -- hang colored bottles from the branches or string it with colored lights that change with the season.

CUT IT UP
3. Use planks for fencing.
4. Build a big brush pile, which is a fantastic refuge for wildlife.
5. Use it for garden mulch. You will need to hire a mulching machine or mulching service for this, however.

My sister has a wooden tree swing in her yard. The children love it, often choosing it over the metal swing set that sits nearby. It's a nice place to sit and watch the children play, or just swing for a while, taking in the crisp autumn air. The wooden swing was there when they moved in. It probably had years of enjoyment before them, and they will leave it for the next family, I'm sure. If you think this would get the same kind of use in your yard, why not build one yourself?

Jon Vivian teaches us how to build a sturdy wooden tree swing. He refers to the swing as something "your children and grandchildren will remember you by." He says that you don't need any major carpentry skills. It's a project the whole family can get involved in. After the break I'll tell you how.