Knowing that today’s homes burn faster than ever, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced “Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out” as the official theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, October 8-14, 2017. Experts say you may have as little as two minutes (or even less) to safely escape a typical home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds.

Fire chiefs from France, the United Kingdom, and the United States gathered in Quincy, Massachusetts at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Urban Fire Forum (UFF) to listen to first-hand accounts of some of the biggest emergency response incidents over the past 15 months, including hurricane response in Texas and Florida, the Grenfell Tower fire in London, and the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando.

Halloween is creeping up on us. The rush is on to find the perfect pumpkin, the spookiest costume, and the best candy for trick-or-treaters. However, along with all this excitement comes potential fire hazards related to seasonal decor and costumes. Fortunately, fire risks can be avoided by following the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Halloween safety precautions.

"I use music as a way into writing; it's a bit of Pavlovian self-programming, and particularly handy if you've got a full day and only narrow windows in which to write. You teach yourself that a particular piece of music means work, and your brain will generally go along. It makes the transition from shopping list to fiction much faster and smoother, at least for me."

"Lines is my fifth novel, and it is the most formally challenging work I've written."

"Every song is a portal into the past, a chance to connect with countless mundane moments from before: where you were, what you felt, who you were with when you happened to be listening to the same thing."

"I didn’t listen to music while writing the manuscript, but I was attuned to its musicality. "

"I’m always on the lookout for songs that include a gear-change moment in them: so useful for figuring out those climactic moments in a short story where a turn happens."

"For an artist who departed way too soon, at age 49, Daniel Dumile aka MF DOOM also left behind a huge body of work for us to dissect, reflect upon, and enjoy from here ‘til eternity."

"The Berlin Trilogy of Bowie albums (Low, “Heroes,” and Lodger) were a huge thematic and aesthetic influence on these books, especially his nods back to early 20th century futurism."

"For this playlist, I’ve strung together some favorite songs that reflect the subject matter and themes of the stories and that serve as fuel for my creative process."

"...while I’m writing I need total silence, but even so, the music shares such a similar landscape with the text it’s hard to believe it wasn’t present from the beginning."

"My characters are real to me somewhere out there in the world and this is the soundtrack to their life."

They come and they go into our bookstores and libraries and out again without a whisper of awards or significant praise. Yet the true mark of whether or not you are opening up your child to the world is to show them books made internationally. Today we celebrate translations. Even the weird ones. I take that back. ESPECIALLY the weird ones!

The earliest American picture books had only one goal: To provide some form of moral instruction. These days books with clear messages are exceedingly common. The ones that do it well? Much rarer. Here are the 2018 titles that knew what they were doing this year.

Every year I try to keep an eye out for any children's book that gives ample attention to photographs in some way. Thanks to advances in technology and printing, it's never been easier to make books with photographic images. Yet despite this, few come out. Today's list is a small one, but I'm grateful that each and every single one of these books exists.

Interestingly, 2018 turned out to be a very strong year for folktales, fairy tales, and religious stories. Why? Well, look closely and you'll see that this is nothing so much as a gathering of small publishers. It's like I always say. The more the big guys consolidate, the more cracks and fissures remain for the little folks to sneak through. Here then are the titles published in 2018 that really stood out and shone:

What one person might consider "odd" could easily be another's cup of tea. It's important, then, to clarify that I don't see "odd" as a bad thing at all. It's healthy for a kid to see a book written for their age level that's outside the norm and dares to get a little bit freaky.Here then, are the 2018 titles that dared to be strange in some way. May they inspire others in the future!

Poems used to be the sole property of April a.k.a. Poetry Month. Now that's changing. Publishers are rapidly putting more faith into the poetry books they produce. So let's take a look at what we saw this year, and the wide range of topics that were touched.

I think you've heard me say before that in many ways easy books are the most difficult titles to write. They are most perfect when they are most simple. And they are most simple, when they limit their text complexity. Can you make complex characters and plots with such small words? You can. These did.

Perhaps my favorite episode of this podcast in a long time. We talk about Thurl Ravenscroft, odd Grinch theories, like the fact that his heart may expand and shrink regularly, if the chimneys are essentially pneumatic tubes, and that the Jim Carrey Grinch film had a key party in it.

Older than easy but not yet novels. The fact of the matter is that while Easy Books are hard to write, Early Chapter Books are hard to categorize. They're also ideal bedtime books for older children, which means that with the European imports you get a lot of experimentation. American early chapter books are pretty much just written to please. Here then are the books written with 6-9 year olds in mind.

This year, ALA established the first Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT). Long gone are the days when we would pooh-pooh anything with a panel or a little sequential art. And so, in celebration of their status, I cast aside the "graphic novel" moniker. Long live, comics! Long live, panels! And long live speech balloons!

One year after Creative Commons (CC) hosted an exploratory Open Culture Roundtable, in Lisbon, Portugal, which initiated the Towards a Recommendation on Open Culture (TAROC) global initiative, nearly 50 stakeholders from all continents gathered again for a strategic workshop, in Lisbon in May 2024. In this blog post, we share a snapshot of key highlights.

The post A Quick Look at the CC Strategic Workshop on Open Heritage appeared first on Creative Commons.

“Violette Heymann, 1910” by Odilon Redon (French, 1840–1916), The Cleveland Museum of Art, Hinman B. Hurlbut Collection ,CC0. Creative Commons’ Open Culture Platform is supporting 25 institutions in opening up access to their collections by the end of 2025. Members of the Platform community will be working together to create a policy template, conduct outreach,…

The post Moving Institutions Toward Open—Building on 6 Years of the Open GLAM Survey appeared first on Creative Commons.

Image by Mario Jr. Nicorelli is licensed via CC BY-NC 2.0 Over the past weeks, the CC board and team have been working behind the scenes on our strategy refresh. We are excited to share our progress as we enter the community engagement phase of the refresh and explain how you can contribute to the process.…

The post CC Is Refreshing Its Strategy. Here’s Why Your Voice Matters. appeared first on Creative Commons.

“Eight eyes. Engraving after C. Le Brun” by Charles Le Brun is licensed via CC0. The intersection of AI, copyright, creativity, and the commons has been a focal point of conversations within our community for the past couple of years. We’ve hosted intimate roundtables, organized workshops at conferences, and run public events, digging into the…

The post Questions for Consideration on AI & the Commons appeared first on Creative Commons.

Launched in 2018, the Creative Commons Certificate program has trained and graduated nearly 1800 people from 66 countries. The Certificate program offers in-depth courses about CC licenses, open practices, and the ethos of the Commons. Our staff is constantly inspired by our community of Certificate alumni, accomplishing incredible things. In this interview, we were delighted…

The post CC Certificate Alumni Making a Global Impact appeared first on Creative Commons.

In May 2024, CC organized a strategic workshop in Lisbon to develop a roadmap for future action to advance our work towards a UNESCO instrument on open cultural heritage. In this blog post, we share the full report and some of its key highlights.

The post CC strategic workshop reveals big opportunities for open access to cultural heritage appeared first on Creative Commons.

“Eagle Traffic Signals – 1970s” by RS 1990 is licensed via CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.. At the intersection of rapid advancements in generative AI and our ongoing strategy refresh, we’ve been deeply engaged in researching, analyzing, and fostering conversations about AI and value alignment. Our goal is to ensure that our legal and technical infrastructure remains…

The post Six Insights on Preference Signals for AI Training appeared first on Creative Commons.

“Power Grid” by Ram Joshi is licensed via CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. We’re proud to announce Creative Commons’ Legal Tools have been reviewed and accepted into the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA) DPG Registry. The DPGA is a multi-stakeholder initiative, endorsed by the United Nations Secretary-General, that is working to accelerate the attainment of the UN…

The post CC Legal Tools Recognized as Digital Public Goods appeared first on Creative Commons.

Creative Commons (CC) is proud to launch the TAROCH Coalition (Towards a Recommendation on Open Cultural Heritage), a collaborative effort to achieve the adoption of a UNESCO standard-setting instrument to improve open access to cultural heritage. We are grateful to the Arcadia Fund for supporting this initiative. Below we share an overview of TAROCH and…

The post Creative Commons Launches TAROCH Coalition for Open Access to Cultural Heritage appeared first on Creative Commons.

Keeping your Dutch oven in tip-top shape is easier than you might think. I've discovered some foolproof methods that'll make cleaning this versatile cookware a breeze. Whether it's enameled or cast iron, I've got the lowdown on keeping it looking like new.
Spills, stains, and burnt-on bits can seem daunting, but they're no match for the right cleaning technique. I'll walk you through the steps to

The post Easy Dutch Oven Cleaning Guide: Preserve Your Cookware appeared first on Unclutterer.

Keeping your refrigerator's water dispenser clean ensures that the water you drink is fresh and safe. But let's face it, cleaning it can be a bit tricky. I've got the lowdown on the simplest and most effective way to get the job done.

The post Easy Guide: Clean Your Fridge Water Dispenser appeared first on Unclutterer.

We've all been there: you're about to heat up your favorite meal, and you notice your microwave is splattered with remnants of meals past. It's not just unsightly; it can also affect the taste and smell of your food. That's why I'm here to share my go-to tips for getting your microwave sparkling clean without a fuss.

The post Quick Microwave Cleaning: Safe & Easy Steps appeared first on Unclutterer.

Discover essential tips for maintaining a clean and hygienic dish rack in our latest article. Learn about the right cleaning methods, frequency, and products to keep your dish rack germ-free. This guide is a must-read for every homeowner seeking a healthier kitchen.

The post Ultimate Guide: Keep Your Dish Rack Sparkling Clean & Hygienic appeared first on Unclutterer.

Discover efficient methods on how to clean and maintain your garbage disposal. Keep it running smoothly with our expert cleaning tips and routine maintenance guide. Understand the importance of a well-maintained garbage disposal and how it can save you from costly repairs.

The post How to Clean and Maintain a Garbage Disposal: Your Ultimate Guide appeared first on Unclutterer.

Discover how to effectively clean and disinfect cutting boards at home. This article provides step-by-step instructions, recommending safe and natural cleaning agents to ensure a germ-free kitchen. Explore our best tips for extending your cutting board’s lifespan today!

The post The Best Way to Clean and Disinfect Cutting Boards: Your Ultimate Guide appeared first on Unclutterer.

Explore tips and techniques for deep-cleaning your kitchen tools and gadgets. Learn how to sanitize your everyday cooking utensils effectively, ensuring a healthier cooking environment and longer-lasting kitchenware. Perfect for home cooks and hygiene enthusiasts.

The post How to Clean and Sanitize Kitchen Gadgets and Tools: Your Ultimate Guide appeared first on Unclutterer.

Discover simple yet effective methods to remove coffee and tea stains from mugs, maintaining their shine and cleanliness. Our article offers practical steps and household products you can use, helping you enjoy your beverages stain-free. Goodbye, stubborn stains!

The post The Best Way to Remove Coffee and Tea Stains from Mugs: Foolproof Methods Revealed appeared first on Unclutterer.

Uncover the top cleaning tools for every kitchen task in our detailed guide. From scrub brushes to microfiber cloths, we outline the best ways to keep your kitchen spotless. Learn how to clean smarter, not harder, with these proven tips and tricks.

The post The Best Cleaning Tools for Every Kitchen Task: Your Ultimate Guide appeared first on Unclutterer.

Cast iron cookware is a staple in my kitchen, and if you're like me, you treasure these pieces for their durability and versatility. But let's face it, cleaning them can seem daunting. You've probably heard a lot of dos and don'ts that make the process seem more complicated than it needs to be.
I've mastered the art of maintaining my cast iron's seasoning and ensuring it lasts for generations. Whe

The post Easy Cast Iron Cleaning: Maintain Your Skillet appeared first on Unclutterer.

Chipotle’s new chief executive is Scott Boatwright, a familiar face and name, given that he’s served as the interim CEO since August following former CEO Brian Niccol’s surprise decision to lead a turnaround at Starbucks. And while Boatwright, 52, will get a significant pay boost in his new…

AI-powered search engine Perplexity says it’ll begin experimenting with ads on its platform starting this week. Ads will appear in the U.S. to start, formatted as “sponsored follow-up questions.” (E.g., “How can I use LinkedIn to enhance my job search?”) Paid media will be positioned to the side…

Shares of Indian food and grocery delivery firm Swiggy rose 2.5% in their trading debut on Wednesday, after its $1.4 billion IPO last week, but pared initial gains on concerns about its path to profitability. The stock listed at 420 rupees ($4.98) on India's National Stock Exchange, compared to…

What’s worse than getting broken up with over text? Getting broken up with over summarized text. Apple rolled out its Apple Intelligence suite of AI tools in October, and one feature has made headlines over and over again for its absurdity: Apple Intelligence notification summaries. What it is:…

Dogecoin shot higher on Tuesday night, extending its postelection surge after President-elect Donald Trump formally announced the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, which he referred to as "DOGE" in his statement. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, former Republican…

Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will co-lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency, an entity Trump indicated will operate outside the confines of government.

Robin Zeng, the billionaire founder of CATL , aims to reinvent the world’s largest battery maker as a green-energy provider and to slash the cost of developing electric vehicles, upending the economics of the industry that has powered its growth.