Celebrate Safely This Fourth of July

July 4^th is a popular time for barbecues and picnics all in the name of celebrating the United States’ independence from England way back in 1776. And of course, no July 4^th gathering is complete without fireworks.  But remember—they can be extremely dangerous if not handled and set off properly.

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 230 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month leading up to July 4^th. More than 50% of their injuries are burns, with 36% of those injuries on the hands or fingers.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends these tips for using fireworks safely:

•          Always designate a responsible adult to supervise any firework activities. Children should never handle or ignite fireworks.
•          Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save the drinks until after the fireworks are over.
•          Always set off fireworks outdoors in an open area, away from buildings, people, and vehicles. Keep a bucket of water and hose nearby.
•          Never try to relight a “dud” firework.
•          Wear the proper safety equipment.
•          Don’t experiment with homemade fireworks; leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.
•          Many children light sparklers, but they pose their own dangers. Make sure the correct end is lit, dispose of spent sparklers in a bucket of water, and do not pick up a sparkler that is in the bucket.
•          Do not set off any fireworks near pets.
•          If you’re planning to set off fireworks at a backyard picnic, make sure your pet is in a safe room inside the house to minimize their exposure to the sound.
•          Make sure your pets are wearing their ID tags in case they escape during a fireworks display.

Visit fireworkssafety.org for a complete list of tips and other information on fireworks safety.

Do you light fireworks on July 4^th? Would you add any other safety tips to this list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Moving On, Moving Out: Getting Ready to Put Your House Up for Sale

Moving is a big undertaking.  It can be very emotional—it’s hard to leave the place where you and your family created so many memories. There’s packing up your belongings, relocating to your new home, and settling into the new space. And you still have to get your old house ready to go on the market.  

But there are a few steps you can take to make the whole process of selling your house a little bit easier.

Decide whether you’ll use a real estate agent. If you’ve never sold a house before, you probably aren’t too familiar with the ins and outs of the industry, including the jargon that’s second nature to agents. True, an agent gets a commission once your house sells (usually 10-20%), but they should be acting in your best interest as the seller. An agent can also act as the middleman between you and potential buyers, scheduling showings and open houses, answering any questions, and negotiating offers.

Fix what needs fixing. Like most homeowners, you probably have a long list of household repairs that you just never got around to fixing. If you’re getting ready to sell your house, now’s the time to start checking things off that list. Touch up any faded or chipped paint, fix leaky faucets, tighten loose doorknobs, and tend to the countless other chores that you meant to do over the past few months.

Spread the word. Once your house is ready to be sold, get the word out. Start with your family, friends, and co-workers, then go bigger. Luckily social media has made it easy to promote anything in a matter of seconds. Use all of your resources to sell the house as quickly as you can!

Remember—it’s just business. Back to the first point—selling a house can be an emotionally grueling experience, especially if it’s someone’s childhood home.  It helps if you can keep your emotions in check and think of the sale as a business deal. It might not be easy, but it can make the process smoother in the long run.

Have you sold your home? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments below!

Flag Day: Do's and Don'ts for Displaying the American Flag

June 14 is Flag Day, a day to show your patriotism and display Old Glory proudly! This holiday’s origin dates back to June 14, 1777, the day the stars and stripes were officially adopted as the flag of the United States.

But don’t just display the flag—be sure to display it properly. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs website, there is protocol for displaying the American flag correctly:

• Flags should only be displayed from sunrise to sunset; they can be displayed at night if they are illuminated.
• Flags should be displayed on or near the main building of public institutions, schools during school days, and at polling places on election days.
• Flags should not be displayed in inclement weather unless you're flying an all-weather flag.
• They should be displayed often, but especially on state and national holidays and special occasions.
• When displayed with other flags (such as that of a state) on the same staff, the American flag should be on top.
•  Flags should always be carried or displayed vertically and held aloft, never horizontally, so that it can be seen completely.
•  Flags should never touch the ground or floor.

It is also disrespectful to place anything on the flag, including insignia, letters, or any kind of design. American citizens should always stand respectfully when the flag is displayed at a ceremony or passing you as part of a procession. Anyone not in uniform should stand at attention and face the flag with your hand over your heart. Uniformed members of the military should offer a salute.

When a flag is worn out or otherwise unfit to be displayed, it should be retired in a respectful way; usually by burning. Visit va.gov for a complete list of guidelines on how to properly display and dispose of a flag.

Do you have a special place where you display the stars and stripes on Flag Day? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Keeping Little Ones Safe In Your Home

Summer—the season of pool parties, picnics, barbecues, graduation parties, weddings, and any other excuse for a get-together you can think of.  If you plan to host some of these events in your home, make sure you’re prepared for any small children on the premises. If your kids are older, chances are you don’t give a second thought to household dangers, but if you look closely, you’d probably find dozens. (Of course, if you have small children, every square inch of your home is already baby-proofed.)  But if it’s not, below are just a short list of chemical and safety hazards that could be lurking in or around your home:

Cleaning Supplies

Laundry detergent packets, dishwashing liquid, bottles of bleach and other cleaners…you probably use these products regularly, and their bright colors, interesting scents, and attractive packaging are all lures for young children.  These items should be kept out of reach, preferably in a locked cabinet or other storage area.

Medications

The bright colors of liquids and tablets can be irresistible to little ones, who often mistake them for candy. Unfortunately, this is one mistake that can have devastating consequences. Just like cleaning supplies, all medications should be tightly sealed and stored well out of reach of curious little hands.

Cords and Electrical Outlets

It’s easy to forget about the numerous cords that we try to conceal under tables and in corners, but crawling babies can easily find them and think they’re fun to play with. The same goes for electrical outlets—sticking tiny objects into these units is just too tempting for little ones to resist. Make sure to invest in plastic outlet covers to protect small fingers and keep items besides plugs away from the outlet.

Choking Hazards (small toys, etc.)  

You probably don’t realize how many small objects are strewn around your home. For instance, kids’ toys can be a goldmine of choking hazards. Think Legos, action figure and doll accessories, or any other toys that come with little pieces. Babies and toddlers are especially prone to sticking everything in their mouths and they are surprisingly clever at finding the most unlikely things, so be extra diligent about checking for small items on your floors and around your furniture.

Pools

Pools are great for relaxing and cooling off on a hot summer day, but they can also be very dangerous. The pool area of your backyard should be fenced in; the only entrance should be a gate that locks, and it should be locked anytime a responsible adult is not supervising all swimmers.
This post offers more suggestions for keeping your backyard pool area secure. 

Entertaining should be fun and relaxing for you as well as your guests, no matter their age. How do you keep the little ones in your life safe when they visit you? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!