Jason Stewart-Realtor®,ABR® 225-938-0860 - East Baton Rouge & West Baton Rouge

Below is a list of a few Halloween safety tips for the Trick-or-Treaters, Parents and Homeowners.

Trick-or-Treaters

1) Carry a flashlight.

2) Always walk, don't run.

3) Stay on sidewalks (If no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic).

4) Obey traffic signals.

5) Stay in familiar neighborhoods.

6) Don't cut across yards or driveways.

7) Wear a watch you can read in the dark.

8) Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground.

9) Shoes should fit (even if they don't go with the costume) .

10) Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.

11) Carry only flexible knives, swords and other props.

12) Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.

13) Approach only houses that are lit.

14) Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know.

Parents

1) Make your child eat dinner before setting out.

2) Young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.

3) If you buy a costume, make sure to look for one made of flame-retardant material.

4) Older children: Make sure they wear a watch, go in groups and have access to a cell phone.

5) Older children: Should know where to reach you and when to be home.

6) You should know where they are going.

7) Tell your children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.

8) Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspicious.

Homeowners

1) Make sure your yard is clear of things such as ladders, hoses, flower pots etc. that can trip the young ones.

2) Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a Trick-or-Treater.

3) Battery powered candles are preferable to a real flame.

4) If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where the Trick-or-Treaters will be walking or standing.

5) Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.

6) Give out healthy food alternatives such as packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and self-serve packets of popcorn that can be microwaved later.

7) Non-food treats: Plastic rings, pencils, stickers and erasers.

As many of you know the National Flood Insurance Program or NFIP was set to expire September 30, 2010. Congress has unanimously approved a one year extension to last until September 30, 2011. This is great news to home buyers and sellers because it will not disrupt any purchase transactions. Earlier this year the NFIP lapsed and caused many disruptions (homes that require flood insurance) for everyone involved in the buying or selling process.

If you have any questions about this or any other real estate related topics, please don't hesitate to contact me. I hope everyone is having / has a great day and I look forward to helping you any way I can.

Contact info:

Jason Stewart - Professional REALTOR® (225) 938-0860 www.LiveInBR.com "Exceeding Your Expectations" Access Real Estate Group

I was reading an article this morning and came across this quote. I think it is a great quote and want to share it with everyone.

"Don't join an easy crowd. Go where the challenge is great and the emotions are high. Go where the expectations are so strong that they provoke you, push you, and urgently insist that you not remain in one place. That way, you will grow and change." -Jim Rohn

We all need to surround ourselves with people that can help us grow and be the great leaders we are meant to be. I am thankful to work for a great company, Access Real Estate Group, that continues to "push / stretch" me to become the best Realtor & person I can be. If you are not changing, you are not growing.

Have a great day and please let me know what I can do to help you.

Contact info:

Jason Stewart - Professional REALTOR® Cell: (225) 938-0860 www.LiveInBR.com "Exceeding your Expectations" Access Real Estate Group

For Louisiana Residents.

New law prohibits drivers 17 and under from talking on a cell phone while driving unless they are using a hands-free device.

Law against text messaging while driving strengthened. (For all motorist)

In an effort to crack down on distracted driving, police and sheriff's departments across the state can now ticket motorists for composing/sending text messages or using wireless devices. Before Sunday, sending a text message or using a smartphone or laptop to surf the web while driving was a secondary offense, says Sgt. Markus Smith, a state police spokesman. That meant drivers couldn't be pulled over, unless they were committing another offense, such as speeding or driving recklessly. But the Legislature recently moved to make such communications primary offenses; also, drivers 17 and under who talk on a cell phone without using a hands-free device may be ticketed for committing a primary offense. The four new laws that went into effect apply to drivers on any roadways in the state, even when they are stopped at traffic lights. Smith says the goal is to educate the public about the dangers of distracted driving. Drivers who use wireless devices for text messaging, web surfing or other activities face a fine of up to $175 plus court costs for a first offense, and penalties are doubled if the motorist is involved in a traffic accident.

I personally think this is a great law and will help keep our roads safer here in Louisiana.

Click here if you are interested in searching homes on the MLS in Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Ascension, Livingston and the surrounding areas.

I look forward to answering any questions you have regarding real estate, lending,home inspections, home warranties or any other question you may have. Feel free to contact me at any time on my cell or via e-mail. Please let me know what I can do to help / serve you!

Contact info:

Jason Stewart - REALTOR® (225) 938-0860 www.LiveInBr.com "Exceeding Your Expectations" Access Real Estate Group For sale by agent/broker