Sparks, NV

In a recent tragedy two teenagers died in an apartment fire in Reno. The Fire Department stated that the smoke detector didn’t contain a working battery. Death from fire can be prevented and a working smoke detector is essential to the safety of the people inside. Fire spreads fast and the smoke detector can provide notice before it’s too late. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths in 2005-2009 were in homes with no smoke detectors or no working smoke detectors. About 25% of the smoke detectors that fail to work have dead batteries.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20120305/NEWS/120305014/Officials-Two-children-last-week-s-Reno-apartment-fire-died

During a Home Inspection I always check the accessible smoke detectors. I also comment in my report that the buyers should change the batteries and test them again when they move in. I also suggest smoke detectors be replaced if they are more than 10 years old. They do have a life span and you don’t want to find out its bad when you need it.

In the past one smoke detector was required usually at the hall to the bedrooms. Something is better than nothing but the more the merrier.

Where to put a smoke detector

• on the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the vicinity of bedrooms;
• in each bedroom, as most fires occur during sleeping hours;
• in the basement, preferably on the ceiling near the basement stairs;
• in the garage, due to all the combustible materials commonly stored there;
• on the ceiling or on the wall with the top of the detector between 6 to 12 inches from the ceiling; and/or
• in each story within a building, including basements and cellars, but not crawlspaces or uninhabited attics.

From Smoke Alarm Inspection - InterNACHI http://www.nachi.org/smoke-alarm-inspection.htm#ixzz1oNsB6VX9

Where not to place a smoke detector

• near heating or air-conditioning supply and return vents;
• near a kitchen appliance;
• near windows, ceiling fans or bathrooms equipped with a shower or tub;
• where ambient conditions, including humidity and temperature, are outside the limits specified by the manufacturer's instructions;
• within unfinished attics or garages, or in other spaces where temperatures can rise or fall beyond the limits set by the manufacturer;
• where the mounting surface could become considerably warmer or cooler than the rest of the room, such as an inadequately insulated ceiling below an unfinished attic; or
• in dead-air spots, such as the top of a peaked roof or a ceiling-to-wall corner.

From Smoke Alarm Inspection - InterNACHI http://www.nachi.org/smoke-alarm-inspection.htm#ixzz1oNsvgMcE

If you live in the City of Sparks a new program offers you a free Smoke Detector from the Sparks Fire Department and they will even install it. For information on this program and more fire safety information ilook at the Sparks Fire Department Project Safe page below.

http://www.cityofsparks.us/departments/fire-department/fire-prevention/project-safe-installation-program

I am so excited the Boys & Girls Club here in Northern Nevada is hosting a sporting goods drive this week. Many if us have school aged children involved in youth sports that seem to out grow their sports attire rather quickly and we are left with relatively new, or gently used sports attire wondering what we should do with all of it.

This week we have a place to donate these items and know they will be dispersed to kids who will be happy to have them and who really need them.

The Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows is hosting a sporting goods drive this week.

The Give Back Like Jack Food and Sporting Goods Drive is accepting nonperishable food items and sporting goods from noon to 6 p.m. today through Friday.

Collected food items will be donated to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Sporting goods will be distributed to agencies that serve children in transition.

The drive is held at the club’s Donald W. Reynolds Facility, 2680 E. Ninth St. Details: 775-331-3605.

The Washoe County School District estimates there are approximately 1800 children in Northern Nevada who are living in motels, homeless shelters, or at the Kids Cottage.

Homeless Liaisons with the Children in Transition program work closely with the school district to help identify children who are homeless and need assistance. By donating non perishable food items and sporting goods you will be those who really, really need them!!

The Boys & Girls Club if Truckee Meadows is holding a Sporting Goods Drive this week. Donation details, call 775-331-3605!

Sporting Goods Drive in Northern Nevada

Looking for a home under $100,000 to buy in Sparks, Nevada? This HUD home could be for you!

Sparks Nevada Real Estate Home For Sale:

List price = $84,000

Single story home great for first time home buyers (home is eligible for FHA 203K), investors (this is a great neighborhood for renters & home buyers) and those who are downsizing.

This HUD home features 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms with 1326 sq ft. The home has a converted 2 car garage not included in the sq ft that would make a great bonus room or bedroom as well as den-office built off the rear. The kitchen is spacious with electric range, microwave, dishwasher and large pantry as well as a glass door to a spacious covered deck in the rear yard.

If you are looking for a single family home in a wonderful Sparks, NV neighborhood that is centrally located close to schools. With some TLC this home could become up to date in no time! Sitting on a nice corner lot, the back yard is fully fenced with mature landscaping that provides plenty of privacy.

Listed for sale with Ferrari-Lund Real Estate, as most HUD owned properties in the area do, this one will not last long on the market. Please contact me at 775-846-5424 to find out how you can view this home!

Sparks Real Estate Home For Sale Under $100K

Sparks Nevada Real Estate ~ A new Ferrari-Lund home for sale at Vista Terrace in Sparks ~ Regular Sale

Listed with Ferrari-Lund at a great price of $289,000!

Features include:

Four Bedrooms

2.5 Bathrooms

Three Car Garage

RV Parking/Access

3700+/- square feet

Cul-De-Sac

Game Room

Laundry Room

Pantry

Tile/Carpet Flooring

Gas Range / Double Ovens / Microwave

Views of Canyon

No rear neighbors

School District:

Washoe County

Grade School: Beasley

Junior High School: Mendive

High School: Reed

The Washoe County School District, in collaboration with Northern Nevada's Hamilton Solar Company, recently installed a collective 1.5 megawatt solar power system at Reed High School and North Valleys High School. The system is designed as covered parking car ports for student parking at each high school. The estimated cost for the Reed project was $7 million.

With no "Out-of-pocket" expenditures for the School District, the solar installation was entirely funded by rebates through NV Energ's Generation Program. The savings in electric costs from the two systems is estimated at $270,000 annually. The savings will go into the Washoe County School fund and should go back to the school for teachers, textbooks, supplies, etc.

The public is invited and welcomed to join the Washoc County School District, the City of Sparks Mayor Geno Martini and a few other elected representatives to commemorate the project tomorrow, February 2, 2012, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 p.m. outside Reed High School.

Reed High School is located on the corner of Baring Blvd and Sparks Blvd, in Sparks NV just off I80 and downtown Sparks.

Call 775-353-5700 For Details and Directions