Slidell, LA

When it comes to decorating your home, there's a lot more to consider than simply coordinating your window treatments with your carpet. This is especially true if you have children in the home, which presents a whole new concern for keeping them safe and sound.

Take A Look Around

When you take a quick glance throughout your home, what do you see? Is the home decorated for an adult or a child? If your little one is like most, he/she has a lot of energy and isn't afraid to use it. To prevent a hard spill, many families replace hardwood or tile flooring with plush carpet or rugs for a little extra padding. If your child stumbles and falls, the extra cushioning will come in handy.

Do you have any furniture with glass inserts or sharp corners, or do you see a lot of breakables throughout the home? If so, it's time to remove them. You should get rid of any furniture that could be hazardous to your youngster and this includes glass top tables and anything with protruding edges.

Lots Of Locks

When you have children in the home, it's important that you keep all cleaning products locked away in a cabinet and/or out of reach of your little ones. If possible, consider adding an alarm that will alert you if the cabinet is opened.

Most families have a medicine cabinet, which contains either over-the-counter or prescription medication. This area is a serious concern for children and should be locked and out of their reach. It's also important that all medications feature a childproof lid for added protection.

If there is an area of your home or a specific room that your child is not permitted in, place a child gate in the doorway to prevent them from sneaking in while you're not looking. Children are fast, but this is one way to make sure that they are also safe.

Do Not Touch

Children are curious by nature, but there are some common household items that they simply must refrain from touching. These include a fan, paper shredder, space heater, scissors and other sharp objects that could pose a serious risk for your little one. Make sure that these items, along with anything similar, are kept out of reach. All electrical appliances, including hairdryers, styling products and appliances must be stored away from water and out of your child's reach to prevent injury.

Speaking of which, all electrical outlets should be covered with outlet covers and any small items, including marbles and coins, must be picked up and kept out of your child's reach. Because children love to see what they can fit into their mouths, it's important that they not be left alone near these items.

Safety At Play

When your child is outside, make sure that the environment is a safe one. This means that your yard should be completely fenced with a locked gate to prevent him/her from wandering out into the street. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on your child, but it's even better to make sure that he/she is safe if you happen to glance away for a second.

Your home is your haven and, as such, it should be a place where you feel safe. If you want to protect yourself and your family, home safety should be a priority in your life. Here are some ideas on how to deal with some of the most common concerns facing homeowners today.

Do Some Detective Work On Your Detectors

Make sure that your smoke detectors are working and have fresh batteries. It's important to clean them regularly to avoid a buildup of dust and dirt, which may cause them to malfunction or stop working altogether.

Make Sure That Your Security System Is Secure

If your home has a security system, make sure that nobody else has the code. If you purchased your home with the security system in place, have the code changed as a precaution. Just as you would change the locks to prevent friends, acquaintances or family members of the previous owner from entering the house without your permission or knowledge, it's equally important to change the code on your security system.

Obstacles & Falls

Many people die or get injured each year as a result of a fall in their home. Make sure that the way you arrange your furniture and possessions makes it easy for you to move around your home. Be especially careful about where you put low items that you may trip over.

Trailing electric and phone wires can also be hazardous-try to connect appliances to a socket nearby. If trailing wires are unavoidable, arrange them as far out of the way as possible and tape them down with strong electrical tape or something similar.

Keep staircases and passageways clear, and never place a loose rug at the top of the stairs.

Try to organize your storage so that you can reach items you use regularly without having to climb. Don't be tempted to balance on chairs or boxes if you do need to reach something high-use a proper step ladder with non-slip steps, or wait until someone else can help.

SLIDELL CRIME RATES

Relocating to Slidell, La? Finding information about Slidell Crime Rates on the top of your to-do list? You've come to the right place!

For information about Slidell Crime Rates visit:

www.propertypromenade.com; on the menu bar select 'About Slidell - local area info,' scroll down to 'Local Government.' Here you click the link named "Slidell Profile" for information about Slidell Crime Rates, Population Statistics and Economics. You may also click the link to "The City of Slidell Police Department" to view Press Releases, Arrest Updates and Wanted Persons Reports.

Need Help? I'll be happy to assist!

Like to add your association's link to my website? It's simple, give me a call!

Looking forward to working with you!
-Karin :)

Karin Smith-REALTOR
ABEK Real Estate
820 Oak Harbor Blvd.
Slidell, La. 70458
Cell: 985-707-7624

PropertyPromenade.com is a courtesy of Karin Smith - Realtor
Your Source for Slidell, La. Real Estate

Buying Verses Renting A Home

When it comes to a home, you have two options: buy or rent. What is right for one person may not be right for another, which is why it's important to know which is the best option for your individual situation.

Why People Rent

There are a number of reasons why someone may either choose or be forced to rent, including sporadic or unpredictable income, a high debt-to-income ratio, a bankruptcy or foreclosure within the last six months, unpaid collection accounts or judgments, frequent relocating for employment or the inability to save enough money for a required down payment on the purchase of a home.

Maintenance Matters

As a homeowner, you will be responsible for any maintenance or repair issues that arise. This is a big consideration when choosing whether to rent or buy. When you rent, the property owner is responsible for repairs and it may not always be obvious that these issues can be very costly.

How To Know When It's Time To Buy

If you have steady income with a good employment history, can provide a down payment of at least 5-10 percent of the purchase price and are current with all debts, it may be time to consider buying a home instead of renting. In some cases, the cost of rent may even exceed that of a typical mortgage payment.

When deciding to buy, job stability is a big factor. If your job does not require frequent relocation and you plan to live in the home for at least 5-10 years, you may want to consider making the purchase. If you need to relocate after that, you may have enough equity from the sale to use as a down payment on another home.

Home Buyer's Checklist

If you can answer yes to the following questions, you may be ready for home ownership. Your REALTOR® can help you to find the perfect home based on your individual needs.

· Have you been steadily employed for at least one year, but preferably two years?

· Do you plan to live in the home long enough to build equity?

· Can you provide a down payment and still have enough money left to pay for closing costs, utilities and home furnishings?

· Are you current on all debts, including auto loans, credit cards, etc.?

· In addition to any current debts that you may have, can you afford a monthly mortgage payment which will likely include property taxes and insurance?

· Do you have the time to devote to shopping for a home and comparing interest rates from various lenders?

· Have you checked your credit reports for inaccuracies and disputed anything that needs correction with each of the three major credit reporting agencies?

The decision to buy or rent is a very personal one that can only be determined after a careful evaluation of your situation. A REALTOR® can show you the perfect home and a lender can tell you whether or not you can afford it, but it's up to you to make the choice as to whether or not you are ready to make the move. For more information contact Nakisha Brisco with ABEK Real Estate 504.301.7183 or visit www.PinkSkyListings.com.

SLIDELL ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Relocating to Slidell, La? Finding information about Slidell Arts and Entertainment on the top of your to-do list? You've come to the right place!

For information about Slidell Arts and Entertainment visit:

www.propertypromenade.com; on the menu bar select 'About Slidell - local area info,' scroll down to 'Arts and Entertainment.' Here you will find links that will direct you to Slidell, La. Arts and Entertainment Websites.

Need Help? I'll be happy to assist!

Like to add your association's link to my website? It's simple, give me a call!

Looking forward to working with you!
-Karin :)

Karin Smith-REALTOR
ABEK Real Estate
820 Oak Harbor Blvd.
Slidell, La. 70458
Cell: 985-707-7624

PropertyPromenade.com is a courtesy of Karin Smith - Realtor
Your Source for Slidell, La. Real Estate