4th of July Safety Tips

It's the 4th of July weekend! Time for fireworks, BBQ's and trips to the pool, lake or beach!


As much fun as the 4th of July can be we want to make sure you review these safety tips before beginning your celebrations.  Staying safe is the most fun of all!

Fireworks:
- Know your local laws on fireworks - what's okay to play with and what can get you in trouble
- Never let children play with fireworks
- Always follow the instructions on the fireworks packaging
- Have water nearby for emergency situations
- If a firework doesn't seem to work - don't try and relight it
- Never throw or point fireworks at anyone
- Never mix alcohol use and fireworks
- When done with fireworks, soak used ones in water and place in metal trashcan

If attending a community fireworks display use extreme caution when driving and parking. Look for pedestrians.

Grilling:
- Make sure your grill is located in an open space outdoors and away from any flammable materials
- An adult should always be supervising a lit grill
- Use grill tools designed to keep hands and arms away from the grill
- Make sure the grill is properly cleaned and cooled when not in use

Follow some basic safety tips and make sure this 4th is the best celebration yet!

Shoe Storage Ideas

Taking your shoes off in the house is one of those often talked about but seldom done household rules.  It's just too easy to run inside with your shoes on and go about your day.

BUT!

Don't do it!

A new study by a professor of pharmacy at the University of Houston finds that the bottom of our shoes is one of the dirtiest surfaces around. Shoes carry dirt and a host of bacteria that can cause infection and disease.

Wiping your shoes on a mat is a start but not good enough as you may just be picking up whatever the last person left on the mat.

So what to do with those shoes at the door?

Here are a few ideas thanks to our friends at Pinterest.

Natural Bug Repellants

Enjoying the outdoors doesn't mean having to learn to coexist with bugs and pests. It also doesn't have to mean spraying your home with expensive and potentially harmful chemicals.

Check out these natural ways to keep bugs at bay.

1. Choose your plants wisely. Many plants are known for their bug repelling qualities such as:

• Peppermint - Spiders, Mosquitoes and Ants
• Basil - Mosquitoes and Flies
• Lavender - Moths, Flies, Fleas
• Lemongrass  - Mosquitoes, Ticks

2.  Get rid of fruit flies by setting out a bowl of vinegar and dish soap.

3.  Create a wasp trap by filling a jar with 6 oz of vinegar, 2 tbs of sugar and 1 tsp of salt.

4. Keep mosquitoes away by cutting a lime in half and placing cloves all over the soft surface. Cut the bottom of the limes to keep them standing up straight.

5.  Spray ants with water and salt to keep them away.

Summer Safety - Sun Smarts

The sun just seems to shine a little hotter in the south. While that makes for great front porch sweet tea, it can be hard on the rest of us.

Enjoy the outdoors but keep these tips in mind to protect yourself from the sun's rays.

The sun is strongest during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  If you find yourself outside during these hours make sure to use protective sunscreen and take plenty of breaks indoors.

Look for a sunscreen above 30 SPF that protects against UVA and UVB rays - also known as broad spectrum.

Sunscreen needs to be reapplied regularly. Follow the directions especially after swimming or strenuous exercise.

Consider wearing lightweight clothing with UV protection built in. Hats are important to keep the sun off your face and neck.

Create your own shade when necessary. Bring along umbrellas or a pop-up tent.

Don't forget to protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses and encourage children to do the same.

Infants are especially vulnerable to sun exposure so make sure they are fully dressed in protective clothing and out of the sun whenever possible.

UV rays are present even on cloudy days so don't let the lack of sunshine fool you! Keep up your sun smart protection.

Looking to Buy? Act Quickly!

Home buying isn't a decision to be entered into lightly. But, if you've done your research, looked at your budget and decided that now is the time - don't miss out by waiting too long!  The current housing market has limited inventory and rising prices. The faster you act the more house you'll get for your money.

According to the recent research from Realtor.com, low inventory and high demand have pushed housing prices up 10% from last May - with no signs of stopping.

Javier Vivas, manager of economic research at realtor.com says this is the "fastest-moving spring housing market in decades".

His research shows that homes are selling 5 days faster than this time last year and 2 days faster than last month.

So what does that mean for you?

If you've found a house you like and don't want to lose - act now. Contact the builder and begin the process of writing a contract and qualifying for a loan. Having a pre-qualification letter already in place from a lender will make your offer quickly rise to the top in a competitive market.