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Dan and Rachael Polakovic London Ontario Real Estate Professional

What Do You Think??

Dear Clients Past and Present:

My company and I strive to provide the best service possible but, as former Mother of the Year, Louise Heath Leber, once said, "There's always room for improvement, you know, it's the biggest room in the house!"

If you see any specific areas in which you think we could improve our service, I'd really appreciate hearing from you.

Feel free to call anytime, or just jot a comment or two right on the bottom of this letter. Your opinion matters to me and your input will make a difference. I guarantee it!

Thanks for taking the time to help me improve.

All my best,

Dan and Rachael Polakovic

Sales Representatives

Realty Executives Elite Ltd Brokerage London Ontario

www.two-realtors.com

Is Your Home Making You Sick?

Is Your House Making You Sick?
Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

Many people spend a large portion of time indoors - as much as 80-90% of their lives. We work, study, eat, drink and sleep in enclosed environments where air circulation may be restricted. For these reasons, some experts feel that more people suffer from the effects of indoor air pollution than outdoor pollution.

There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. These include combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides and outdoor air pollution.

Health Concerns

Infants, young children and the elderly are a group shown to be more susceptible to pollutants. People with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular illness or immune system diseases are also more susceptible than others to pollutants.

Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures. These include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person's exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified.

Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or some respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.

Identifying Air Quality Problems

Some health effects can be useful indicators of an indoor air quality problem, especially if they appear after a person moves to a new residence, remodels or refurnishes a home, or treats a home with pesticides.

Another way to judge whether your home has or could develop indoor air problems is to identify potential sources of indoor air pollution. Although the presence of such sources does not necessarily mean that you have an indoor air quality problem, being aware of the potential sources is an important step toward assessing the air quality in your home.

Finally, look for signs of problems with the ventilation in your home. These may include moisture condensation on windows or walls, smelly or stuffy air, dirty central heating and air cooling equipment, and areas where books, shoes, or other items become moldy.

Out With the Bad--Source Control

Usually the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions. Some sources, like those that contain asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed; others, like gas stoves, can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions.

Ventilation Improvements

Another approach to lowering the concentrations of indoor air pollutants in your home is to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. Opening windows and doors, operating window or attic fans when the weather permits, or running a window air conditioner with the vent control open increases the outdoor ventilation rate. Bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors also increase the outdoor air ventilation rate. It is particularly important to ventilate properly while you are involved in short-term activities such as painting, paint stripping, operating kerosene heaters, cooking, welding, soldering or sanding.

Air Cleaners

There are many types and sizes of air cleaners on the market, ranging from relatively inexpensive table-top models to sophisticated and expensive whole-house systems. Some air cleaners are highly effective at particle removal, while others, including most table-top models, are much less so. Air cleaners are generally not designed to remove gaseous pollutants.

Start Breathing Easier Today!

  • Ban indoor smoking.
  • Improve the ventilation in your bath and laundry by installing exhaust fans.
  • Use natural cleaning compounds and air fresheners, such as real flowers and plants.
  • Dispose of opened paint cans and leftover solvents promptly and properly. Don't let cans of paint or cleaning solvents sit in your basement or garage.
  • Have a pair of shoes that you wear only for yard work and keep in the garage.
  • Have your home checked for radon.

Reducing Exposure to Carbon Monoxide

  • Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
  • Purchase a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
  • Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
  • Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
  • Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
  • Choose wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards.
  • Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
  • Have a professional inspect, clean and tune-up central heating system annually.
  • Repair leaks promptly.
  • Do not idle the car inside garage.

Know Who To Call

MOVING! Sometimes I think it should be a four letter word!

The exhiliration of your purchase soon fades and your closing date approaches. You become nervous and your "To Do" list seems endless.

With appointments with lawyers and mortgage companies, movers and the endless amounts of packing you hardly have time to think about who you have to call and be notified of your move.

Here is a list of important things to think about prior to or just after your move.

1. All utility companies need to be notified to cancel your current service (if applicable) and to ensure the service at your new home is in your name and begins on the day you take possession. Your lawyer may or may not do this, so it is always a good idea to take the extra step and ensure it is done.

In the City of London the companies that need to be notified are:

Union Gas of London (this is the company in London Ontario that supplies the gas to the property. i.e. for heating etc)

1 888 774-3111 www.uniongas.com

London Hydro (this is the company in London Ontario that provides the hydro to the property)

519-661-5503 www.londonhydro.com

Union Energy Reliance ( this is the company in London Ontario that provides the rental service of the water heater. Some homes do not use this service. However, commonly the water heaters are rented.)

1-888-RELIANCE utilities for home purchase www.reliancehomecomfort.com

Prior to closing ( about the week before.. earlier is just fine too. )

2. Home Insurance

Essentially this should be done prior to your purchase becoming firm. You want to be satisfied with your rate and terms prior to making your purchase decision. If you currently have a car or tenants insurance the company you are currently insured under will most likely give you the best deal for having more then one policy with them. If not here are a few suggestions of insurers in the City Of London that you may consider. Check the websites below to find a local agent near you.

State Farm

statefarm canada www.statefarm.ca

The Cooperators

london insurance companies www.cooperators.ca

We do not endorse any of these companies. They are given just as a suggestion to you. A good idea, if you do not have an insurer that you trust to contact them or check your local yellow pages.

3. Don't forget all of the services that you cannot live without! Your phone (both land and cell phone lines), cable, internet.

4. Think of anything you receive by mail (well that you need or want to have sent to you.. leave the solicitors behind) Credit card companies, your bank and other financial companies, magazine subscriptions, newsletters etc

5. Remember to notify your employers and the governement. Now in the City of London you are able to change the address of your driver's license and Ontario Health Card at a kiosk. These can be found in White Oaks mall for example. To change the address on your vehicle ownership you must visit the Ministry of Transportation to do so.

The list of people is literally endless. But don't worry... you will get to them all. As a safeguard you may want to visit a Canada Post outlet in the city. The offer a service that will re-direct your mail from the date and name of your choice from the old address to the new address. The cost is minimal and can be set up for up to a year. This way if anything comes to your old address Canada Post will automatically re-direct the mail to the new address for the specified amount of time. This way anyone you have forgotten will not get a return to sender and you will have extra time to let everyone know.

www.canadapost.com canadapost

So take deep breaths! You are almost there.

And always remember.. if you need help with anything, or if you have any questions. Please feel free to contact us anytime.

HAPPY MOVING DAY!! And Congratulations!!

Dan and Rachael Polakovic

Sales Representatives

Realty Executives Elite Ltd Brokerage

London Ontario

519-854-7626

rachaelpolakovic@rogers.com

www.two-realtors.com

Know The Difference

Symptom

Cold

H1N1 Flu

Fever

Fever is rare with a cold.

Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.

Coughing

A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.

A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches

Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.

Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.

Stuffy Nose

Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.

Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.

Chills

Chills are uncommon with a cold.

60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.

Tiredness

Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.

Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu.

Sneezing

Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.

Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.

Sudden Symptoms

Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.

The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache

A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.

A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat

Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.

Sore throat is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.

Chest Discomfort

Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.

Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu.

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.

The Truth About The H1N1 Vaccine

With the approval in Canada of H1N1 vaccine and the imminent launch of mass vaccination efforts in the provinces and territories, Canadians may have questions. Here are some answers:

Q: How many shots of H1N1 vaccine will I need?

A: Anyone 10 and older needs only one shot.

Q: How many will my children need?

A: Children six months to nine years need two half-dose shots, given at least 21 days apart. Infants under six months of age cannot be vaccinated.

Q: I don't like needles and I see in the U.S. that people are getting a vaccine that is sprayed up their nostrils. Can I get the nasal spray vaccine in Canada?

A: No. The company that makes that vaccine, MedImmune, only recently applied for a licence to sell their seasonal flu vaccine in Canada. That application is still in the licensure process, so they cannot sell any flu vaccine in this country yet. In any case, Canada is only buying H1N1 vaccine from one supplier, GlaxoSmithKline. GSK's vaccine is injectable.

Q: Will there be enough vaccine for everyone?

A: Canada ordered 50.4 million doses of vaccine, enough to give 75 per cent of the country two doses. The order was placed when it wasn't yet known that one dose would suffice. That order should be more than enough to protect everyone in Canada who wants to be vaccinated.

Q: Can I get the shot right away or do I need to get in line behind people who are at higher risk?

A: In the early days of the rollout, supplies may be limited and authorities will ask in big centres that people identified as "at high risk" come to the front of the line. The federal government expects about four million doses to be in the possession of the provinces and territories by the end of this week, and two to 3.5 million more each week after that.

Q: Who is at high risk?

A: The World Health Organization has recommended health-care workers have priority access to the vaccine. Canada drew up a priority list that includes health-care workers, pregnant women, young children, people living in remote communities and adults with chronic conditions.

Q: I'm hearing a Canadian study says getting a seasonal flu shot could increase my risk of catching swine flu. Is that true?

A: At this point, no one knows. The study hasn't been published and researchers in several other countries haven't seen the same thing when they look at their data. To be on the safe side, most provinces and territories aren't offering seasonal flu shots until after they give pandemic vaccine. Some are making an exception for people 65 and older, who are at high risk from seasonal flu but lower risk of H1N1 infection.

Q: Can I get a seasonal flu shot this year? Can I get it at the same time as I get the H1N1 shot?

A: The timing of seasonal flu shot programs varies by province and territory. But the Public Health Agency of Canada says it's OK to get both at the same time, if they are given in different arms.

Q: I am allergic to eggs. Can I get a flu shot?

A: The vaccine Canada is buying is produced in eggs. People with egg allergies are generally told not to take flu shots. But Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. David Butler-Jones, says the egg residue left in the vaccine after purification is small and that people with egg allergies who want to get an H1N1 shot can do so. He says, though, they should do it in a setting where they'll be cared for if they develop a reaction to the vaccine.

Q: Will I have to pay for an H1N1 shot?

A: No, your tax dollars already have. The federal, provincial and territorial governments are footing the bill for this program.