Each year, fires kill more Americans than any other natural disaster. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 80% of fire deaths occur in residences. While no home can ever be completely fireproof, I have some suggestions to help reduce your risk of fire:
Smoke Detectors - the number one way to provide home fire safety! Does your home have smoke detectors? How many? There should be at least one in every bedroom! When did you test them last? Test them now! Schedule it so you test them frequently! If your smoke detectors require batteries replace them on a regular basis. Time change is coming and that when most people change their batteries.
Appliances - use them wisely. If you smell unusual smells or the appliance over heats, or you see sparks these are warning signs to shut it off, unplug it and replace it! Another important reminder, unplug the appliances that are not in use - not only is this important for fire safety but also good for your energy bill.
Circuits & Extension Cords - Never overload circuits or extension cords. Don't place cords or wires under rugs, over nails, or in high traffic areas.
Portable Heaters - allow at least three feet of space from any combustible materials. Turn them off if you leave the room or are sleeping! Use with extreme caution!
Fireplaces - never leave a fire burning when you are not home. Use a fire screen, and be sure your chimney is cleaned annually.
Fire Extinguishers - you should have at least two fire extinguishers in your home, with one in a designated place in the kitchen. Cooking fires are the leading cause of both home fires and home fire injuries in the U.S.
Candles - extinguish them before going to bed or when leaving a room.
Smokers - always use an ashtray and exercise caution. Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths in the U.S.
Heating System & Dryer Vents - properly inspect and maintain them on a regular schedule.
These are just a few ways that you can make your home a safer place from fire. More information can be found on the U.S. Fire Administration's website, www.usfa.fema.gov, or by contacting your local fire department.
Susan
A freshly painted room can give a new look and feel to your home. Fresh paint is a great selling point, too.
However, it is important to do the job correctly. Here are few tips to help you save time, money and get good results!
Before you start:
Turn off electrical power to the room and remove the cover plates on switches and outlets.
Remove window hardware - if necessary.
Cover wall lighting fixtures, or remove them.
Remove door knobs and strike plates at the latch.
If you don't remove all of the furniture be sure to cover and protect it; moving all furniture to the center of the room is helpful too.
Protect the floor with a heavy duty drop cloth - be sure to use more than a "thin" sheet - if you drop or spill be sure the drop cloth will hold the spill.
Patch any holes - use a putty knife and wall-patch compound. Allow it to dry overnight. Be sure to sand repaired area, then clean area so no dust remains.
Wash the walls from the bottom up using TSP (available in most hardware stores). Rinse walls with clean water and a sponge. Allow walls to dry before taping. Protect molding, windowsills with painters tape. Make sure tape is flush with molding for best results. Use tape where you desire a straight line and/or patterns or decorations for different colors of paint.
Finally - apply the paint! Experts recommend using a primer before adding your final color. For best results paint in the following order: ceiling; walls, baseboard trim, door, door trim, window trim.
Happy Painting!
As we enter the dog days of the summer we often wonder "what should we do?" or "Gee! We haven't done anything yet this summer!" Well here are a few suggestions for you of things happening in Orange County between now and Labor Day! Hurry, time is flying by fast!
FARMERS MARKET orange.cfbf.com
August 20, 2009
August 27, 2009
September 3, 2009
September 10, 2009
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
A California-certified farmers' market where genuine farmers sell fruits, nuts and vegetables directly to the public. Every farmer who sells at a certified market is inspected by the county agricultural commissioner to make sure he/she actually grows the commodity being sold. Lot A.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COSTA MESA SPEEDWAY costamesaspeedway.net
Orange County Harley Davidson Night
August 22, 2009 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Great Labor Day Car Cruise
September 4 -6
Amateur Afternoon Racing and Speedway/Sidecars
September 12, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
August 22, 2009 - August 23, 2009
CROSSROADS OF THE WEST GUN SHOWS www.crossroadsgunshows.com
Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
Sunday 9 am - 4 pm
The West's largest and highest quality show in town!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
August 26, 2009 5 pm - 11 pm
Charity Plant Auction & Chili Cook-Off
This a charity event for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Enjoy chili tastings all night and participate in live and silent auctions which will raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities and other charites associated with the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers Orange County chapter. Admission is $5.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
August 28, 2009 - August 30, 2009
GEM FAIRE gemfaire.com
Friday, Noon-7 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Gem Faire, established in 1989, has become a world renowned marketplace for the finest in gemstones, beads, jewelry, minerals, fossils, meteorites, lapidary equipment, metaphysical items and much more at the lowest prices in today's market.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
August 29, 2009 - August 30, 2009
WAREHOUSE SALE thewarehousesale.com
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
August 30, 2009
BRIDEWORLD EXPO
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Southern California's largest gathering of wedding exhibits, planning ideas, fashion and fun. Admission is $10.
It is time to say Hello to August! And with it's arrival we can look forward to the "dog days of summer" and thoughts that put a smile on the face of parents and sense of dread in kids - Back To School!
Over the next several days I want to talk about Back to School Safety, Hints & Tips! Not only for the students in your life but for parents too!
Today we will focus on safety:
Go over important information with your child - do they know their address; phone number (all the numbers they need to reach you or other realatives); do they know who it is okay to accept a ride with; do you have a code word to "authorize" some one different to pick them up from school; is it okay for them to leave campus for lunch; safety issues about riding with their friends - many states have newer laws about who can be in a car with a newly licensed driver, be sure you know these laws.
Plan a safe route to school, choosing the most direct way with the fewest street crossings. Tell your child to stay on this route and review safe street crossing procedures. Teach your child all traffic safety rules and remind him or her to be especially careful during bad weather. If possible, your child should always walk or bike to school with a buddy. If your child is driving to school for the first time, be sure they know what to do in the event of an accident; bad weather; giving rides to friends; snow routes; how to approach high water areas. Everyone should be extra aware of school zones and areas that are well traveled routes between schools and neighborhoods!
College bound students:
Check with your insurance carrier about "renters" insurance - every policy has different coverage for dorm room contents.
If your student is going out of state do they need different/additional auto insurance?
Medical insurance, what is your coverage where your student is going to college? Is there an on-campus facility they can use and what are the charges - where is the nearest Emergency Room and do they accept your insurance. Discuss with your child what constitutes a trip to ER and what constitutes a trip to the campus nurse (if there is one) and if and where they can go in for a "routine" office visit. Remember dental visits/needs too. Flu shots? Swine Flu Shots?
Talk to your child about "sharing" prescription medication.
Be sure they have emergency contact information with them, in their cell phones, in their purse or wallet. Do you know how to reach them on campus? Their friends cell phone numbers?
Okay, a quick giggle to end with:
Victoria returned to school in fine form, causing a ruckus from day one. Her teacher called her mother after only one week to tell her that her daughter was misbehaving.
"Just a minute there," said her mother. "I've had her for three whole months, and not once did I call you to complain when she acted up."
Every now and then I find I have a little time on my hands and want to try something new, so I look on the area websites and see what I can find that catches my eye, will allow me to step out of my comfort zone. Today is one of those days!
How about a Feng Shui class? This subject always intrigues me, and you know I find if I move one or two things it really does seem to make a difference.
Here is the class description:
The arrangement and contents of an environment affect the flow of vital energies that then influence all aspects of life, from money matters to romance. Learn to direct that flow in this introductory workshop on Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of harmonizing within the home or workplace. Instructor: Elliot Tanzer.
There are 19 seats available for this class, yes I know it is tomorrow night, but it is worth a try!
Irvine Fine Arts Center Member: $36. If you are an Irvine Resident but not a member the fee is $39
Must be at least 18 years old to attend.
Be bold, try something different, broaden your horizons!
Happy Learning,
Susan
Exceeding clients expectations while assisting with purchasing & selling dream homes in Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, as well as other Orange County communities.
What a privilege it is to work as a REALTOR in Irvine, California! Being a REALTOR in Southern California allows me the opportunity to meet interesting people every day and to serve my clients with integrity. It's been quite a few years now, but I clearly remember moving here from the East Coast. It felt like a foreign land! Now I have the opportunity to share what I love about our part of the country with people who are moving here for the first time. Orange County is so diverse--each city offering its own advantages--and every community with its own distinct flavor. I am grateful to be living here and to have my kids grow up in such a fascinating place. We get to enjoy the fantastic year-round climate and all the outdoor activities available, as well as experience so many different cultures. Come for a visit, or stay a while. You'll never be bored.
For information on the the process of purchasing a home in Orange County, contact me for a copy of my book, "How to Make Your REALTOR Get You the Best Deal - Southern California Edition." I think you'll find this a great place to live!
I've been a REALTOR here in Orange County for over ten years, and my background is in property management and marketing. In addition, I taught business classes on the college level for six years. My degree is in business administration, and I graduated from the Interior Designers Institute. I'm part of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, an Accredited Buyers Representative, and Internet Certified Professional (e-Pro).
Here are some details:
Education & Personal Information:
My emphasis is in selling residential and investment properties in Irvine, Tustin, Newport Beach, and the South County cities including Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, and Laguna Niguel.
I enjoy helping buyers find their first or next home! It is a thrill to be with a family when they walk in and just know they have found their dream home.
"You know we did a lot of research and searched for a long time to find the right buyer's agent. We just want to say we love our new home. Thank you for finding it for us the minute it came on the market. Your perseverance, watchful eye, and contacts in the business enabled us to purchase our dream home at a great price in an extremely tight market. Thank you again for going the extra mile".
Jim and Mayu M
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What a great experience it was to have you represent us as a buyers' agent when we moved down from the Pasadena area. You suggested a great neighborhood and then found a home that was not even on the market. Your help and networking has made the transition to our new community a very smooth one for our entire family."
Michael and Sarah
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Thanks so much for all your help in finding and buying my beautiful new home! You were great through the whole process--the people you recommended all worked out wonderfully. It was reassuring to know that you were right there with me and for me every step of the way."
S. Gardner
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We want to extend our warmest thoughts of appreciation to you for all the hard work you did for us. You wrapped your arms around us and took care of all our needs and fears finding not just a house for us, but a "HOME" for our family. You never gave up. It is a great comfort to see somebody out there representing and protecting the buyer."
David and Jaynette
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Thank you so much for all you did to help us find and purchase our new home! You were there when I needed you, spending hours going through listings and discussing alternatives to make our dream of owning a home in Irvine come true. You had great vision and foresight--just what I needed to see the potential that our new home has for future growth and expansion. Thank you once again for all of the support and guidance."
Gail Shendelman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We are so thankful for you and how you helped us find the perfect house. It is more than we could have ever hoped for or dreamed of. You are amazing, and we appreciate all the thoughtful things you have done to make our search and our move go smoothly."
Mike and Debbie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We are very grateful to you for all your work in finding our perfect first home. All the time and effort you put into working for us--and all the fun we had--is so appreciated. We are so excited about our new home, and we feel so happy to have you in our lives."
Paul and Missy
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
