Staying safe on Halloween is what makes it so much fun – so we’ve put together a quick list of basic Halloween safety tips for Port Aransas Families.

Halloween Safety Tips for Port Aransas Families

• Plan your trick-or-treating route ahead of time, especially if you’re going to be in an unfamiliar area or if kids are flying solo while you stay behind to hand out candy.
• Make sure your kids’ costumes are bright and reflective, and if they didn’t come that way, add reflective tape.
• Put your kids in comfortable shoes. (Okay, this one’s just to save you from carrying the kids on the return trip… we learned this one the hard way.)
• Skip masks and opt for face makeup instead; masks can hinder your child’s ability to see and breathe.
• Opt for flexible accessories (like swords and magic wands).
• Stick to well-lit areas, and don’t knock on doors where the porch light isn’t on.

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas or on North Padre Island?

Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll begin searching right away.
While you’re here, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more!)

In the meantime, check out these great subdivisions in Port Aransas:

Filed under: Blog by Julie Woodward
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When you’re getting ready for Halloween, it pays to have a little inspiration guiding you through the pumpkin-carving process.
If you’re not particularly artistic, you’ll be glad to know that most of these designs are user-friendly!

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas or on North Padre Island?

Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll begin searching right away.
While you’re here, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more!)

In the meantime, check out these great subdivisions in Port Aransas:

Filed under: Blog by Julie Woodward
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Whether you’re bringing in your whole family for the holidays or you’ll be traveling to others’ homes across the country, fire safety is incredibly important during the holidays.
We consulted with a few experts, and here’s what they said.

Fire Safety When You’re Not Home

Nearly half of all electrical fires in the home are from:

• Faulty electrical outlets
• Outdated appliances
• Light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage
• Damaged or misused extension cords
• Dirty space heaters (or those that are poorly positioned)
• Outdated wiring

When you’re gone, unplug everything. Don’t leave your Christmas lights plugged in, and if you can, unplug major appliances, as well.

Fire Safety When You Have Guests

According to Medline Plus, there are a few steps you can take while you’re home and when you have guests to help prevent fires, too:

• Don’t leave the stove or oven unattended when they are on
• Don’t let children use kitchen appliances unsupervised
• Don’t smoke in bed
• Make sure your electrical appliances and cords are in good condition

The American Red Cross has a great Fire Prevention and Safety Checklist you can use to help teach your kids about fire safety, too.

Other Fire Safety Links You May Find Helpful

• Fire Safety (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
• Home Fires(Department of Homeland Security)
• Heating Safety(National Fire Protection Association) Also in Spanish
• Wildfires(National Fire Protection Association)
• Sparky’s Firehouse(National Fire Protection Association)

Filed under: Blog, Fire Prevention, Home Fires by Julie Woodward
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Whether you’ve just moved into your new Port Aransas home or you’re still looking for the perfect fit, you’re well aware that Thanksgiving is right around the corner—and if your home is the gathering place each year, these tips can help make the holiday celebration run more smoothly.

Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner? Here’s What You Need to Know

First things first: plan for the kids’ table. Since the earliest Thanksgiving, children have been ushered off to their own table so the grown-ups can have a bit of elbow room (and not worry about spilled drinks or short attention spans). You can set up a simple but fun kids’ table that keeps them occupied while you discuss politics with Uncle Joe or talk about work with your cousins by:

• Covering the table with brown craft paper
• Providing crayons in a plastic cup at each place setting
• Using a basket filled with activity books, stickers, and plenty of paper as a centerpiece

Now that the kids are set, you can work on setting up for the adults.

Labeling Your Dishes

You won’t have to rattle off your recipes for your guests if you label each dish with key ingredients (including those that can induce food allergies). Identify meatless options, those that contain heavy spices, and others that people will want to know about so everyone can enjoy the meal.

Put Centerpieces Elsewhere

You’ll have more room on the table—and give your guests more breathing room—if you relocate centerpieces when it’s time to eat. Put them on the fireplace mantel, the buffet, or even tuck them away in the kitchen.

Send Leftovers Home With Your Guests in Style

Stylish takeout boxes and disposable containers are the way to go if you’re sending your guests home with leftovers. Besides, you won’t have to worry about getting your plates back!

Are You Looking for a New Home in Port Aransas or North Padre Island?

Whether you’re looking for a home for sale in Port Aransas or North Padre Island, we’d love to help you find the perfect place to live.
Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
In the meantime, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more!)

Filed under: Around The Home, Blog, Holidays, Thanksgiving by Julie Woodward
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