You can buy a CO detector at any home improvement store or major retailer. They vary greatly in price but cost as little as $15. There are a number of features you should consider when making your purchase.  A CO detector should be able to emit at least an 85-decibel sound that can be heard within 10 feet. If you or someone in your house has hearing problems, you may want one that has a louder horn.  Some detectors come in sets and can be connected with each other. When one goes off, the others will as well. This is ideal for a larger domicile.  Check the lifespan of the sensor as they can wear away. Your unit’s sensor filament should last at least five years.  Some detectors offer a digital display that will give you an exact readout of the CO measured in the air. This feature is not necessary but may help you detect harmful accumulations more quickly. For a small apartment, you can use only a single detector but if you have more than 3 rooms, you’ll want multiple detectors. You’ll want to place them strategically in areas where CO accumulates.  CO is lighter than air so it will rise toward the ceiling. Place the detectors on the wall as close to the ceiling as possible.  If your home has multiple stories, you should have at least one on each level. Place one detector near each sleeping area.  Don’t place them in the kitchen, garage, or near a fireplace. These rooms will experience short-term spikes in CO that aren’t harmful and will set the alarms off unnecessarily. The display and sound settings vary greater from brand to brand and model to model so you will need read the manual thoroughly. Most digital displays will provide a number that tells you the amount of CO in Parts-per Million (PPM) and some include a timer to specify the length of the testing time. Many will include a volume adjuster, a backlighting option, and auto power-off feature. The unit should come with instructions to install. Make sure you have the necessary tools while you are out shopping for the detector so you don’t need to make multiple trips.  Make sure you have a sturdy ladder to place them up high on the wall. You’ll probably also need a power drill. The screws will likely come with the unit. Some units are hardwired or plugged in but most run on batteries. The unit should emit a noise when the batteries are low. Make sure you also have at least one spare pack of the necessary battery type at all times.

Summary: Purchase detectors. Consider optional features. Find the right spots. Understand the display and sound settings. Install the detectors. Replace the batteries.


Bowing is typically used in Asian cultures to show respect, honor, or gratitude. A silent bow often replaces the phrase "Thank you." In Asian cultures, you should bow from the hip with your head pointed down. Polite bowing is still common in many Asian countries, but it is not practiced as strictly in America.  Bowing is prevalent to varying degrees in many East Asian countries, but it is most prominent in China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Vietnam. Various nuanced bows are used to express apologies, gratitude, sincerity, deference, and remorse, among other things. The handshake has become a common greeting in many East Asian cultures, particularly in business circles. Bowing may not be appropriate when you first meet someone—especially if he or she is a peer—but it can be a versatile way to convey more complex emotions. A slight bow to show courtesy is usually welcome. Stand straight with your feet together, forming a V with your heels. Clench your hands at your sides, but not too tight. Bend at the waist, but keep your back straight. Open your hands as you bend. Bring your feet together. If you are bowing to an elder, a superior, or someone you respect, look down at their feet when you bow. If you're bowing to someone who does not fit into any of these categories, feel free to look them directly in the eye. Bear in mind that if you look someone in the eyes, it may be taken as a sign of disrespect.  This is especially the case when bowing to older, more traditionally-minded people, especially those who grew up steeped in an East Asian culture. Carefully consider the situation, and be mindful of who you are bowing to. Straighten up, close your hands, and split your feet back into the V. Feel free to make eye contact with the person to whom you bowed.

Summary: Know when to bow. Assume the bowing stance. Bow with your waist, not your neck. Avert your gaze to show respect. Finish the bow.


Using a shovel or hiring someone with a backhoe, remove the top layers of grass and dirt from the marked-off driveway area.  You might want to use a tiller to loosen up the soil and make it easier to dig out. The amount of soil you remove depends on how many layers of soil you are planning.  You should dig 4-6 inches of soil for every layer of rocks you plan to put down. This doesn’t have to be perfect since it will be covered by rocks, but your driveway surface should be pretty level—any areas that are deeper than other areas may lead to water pooling and cause mud puddles that have to be filled in with more gravel later. Use a mechanical compactor, have someone drive over the area with a bulldozer, or drive over the area repeatedly with a heavy vehicle such as a large truck. If you want to prevent grass and weeds from growing through your driveway, you may want to lay a weed barrier underneath your rocks.  Weed barrier is a woven landscaping cloth that allows water to pass through it but does not allow weeds to grow through it, and it is available at most landscaping and home improvement stores. Weed barrier usually comes on a roll.  You should be able to lay the roll down at one end of your driveway and unroll it until you have reached the other end of your driveway. Most weed barrier rolls are 4 feet wide, so you may need to get several rolls.  Be sure the amount of weed barrier you buy matches or exceeds the square footage (length times width) of your driveway. If you are using landscaping timber or bricks to edge your driveway, you may want to place them before the gravel is delivered so that they can hold the rocks in place.  If you do not want a border, you can skip this step.
Summary: Dig out any grass and topsoil. Level the surface of the driveway. Compact the dirt. Lay down a weed barrier. Place your border.