What do you need to do if you want to improve the safety and functionality of your home? You may not think that your home has a lot of safety hazards, but you might be surprised at how many people get hurt at home every year. Particularly if you have older people in your home, or if you have people in your house with disabilities, you need to pay close attention to your safety and functionality. What are a few tips you should keep in mind? 

Target The Lights In Your Home

If you have an older home, it may have incandescent light bulbs in it. Pay attention to the lights in your home, and make sure they maximize the light in every room. If the bulbs are too dim, it may be a challenge for you to see where you are going, particularly when the sun goes down. Consider swapping out the lights for LED light bulbs. You can not only make it easier to see but also reduce your electricity bills.

Remove Trip Hazards

You should also try to remove trip hazards from your home. Falls are one of the most common reasons why people get hurt, so try to remove objects that you might trip over. For example, if you have area rugs, you may want to tuck the tassels underneath. That way, you have a much lower chance of tripping on them.

Install Grab Bars In The Bathroom

You may also want to consider installing some grab bars in the bathroom. Bathroom floors can get wet, making it easier for people to slip and fall. This is particularly true in the shower and bathroom. By installing some grab bars, you have an extra way to stabilize yourself when you are bathing. This can reduce your chances of falling and striking your head, shoulder, or hip.

Make Your Home Safer And More Functional With These Tips

From time to time, you should do a comprehensive evaluation of your home to see how you can improve your house’s safety and functionality. This can make a significant difference in the value of your home while also reducing the chances of someone falling and getting hurt. 

Filed under: Real Estate by Julie Woodward
Comments Off on How Can You Increase The Safety And Functionality Of Your Home?

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
No Comments »

More often than not, what starts off as a rainstorm can quickly give way to flooding, if the rain is relentless. During these times, the danger is always imminent and your safety depends on your ability to act quickly to keep yourself and your family safe. Part of safety includes basic knowledge regarding flood conditions, as well as essential safety practices that will help you to avoid drowning and other dangerous situations.

Personal Safety in Floodwaters

Protect yourself from all the germs, contaminants, insects or snakes that could be harmful to you by wearing the right protective gear. Floodwater is filled with contaminants that include sewer water, chemicals, insects, and wildlife. The best protection comes from making sure that you’re wearing the right clothing, shoes, masks, etc. to deal with floodwaters. Waterproof boots with steel toes, waterproof work gloves, goggles, safety glasses or masks, a protective head cover, long-sleeved shirts, and pants should be worn when cleaning an area that has been flooded. Sometimes respirators need to be used if fumes from chemicals or sewage are present. You are not only protecting yourself from contaminated water, you are also attempting to protect yourself from dangerous bugs, snakes, and other animals that may be present in flood waters.

Walking & Moving Water

Never walk through moving water. It doesn’t take much to slip and fall. In fact, as little as six inches of water is enough to cause you to lose your footing. However, if walking through water is inevitable, use a stick to check the ground ahead of you for firmness and walk wherever the water is not moving.

Driving During a Flood

It’s best not to drive in flooded areas, even if the water looks relatively shallow. The condition of the roads can become weakened after being underwater for a period of time. The weight of a car may cause a road to collapse. It’s also dangerous because flood waters can be electrically charged as a result of fallen power lines and underground power lines. However, if you are forced to drive in a flooded area, get out of the car immediately if floodwater surrounds your car. Move to higher ground as quickly as possible.
Deaths and injuries occur all the time as a result of flooding. Many people feel confident when it comes to driving and navigating high waters during a flood. However, there are many dangers, both seen and unseen, that you should be aware of. More often than not, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Protect yourself by wearing the right clothing and avoiding floodwaters as much as possible. Keep in mind that driving and walking can be dangerous during these situations, and should be avoided if possible.

Filed under: Blog by Julie Woodward
No Comments »

Some natural disasters can be forecast — hurricanes, snow storms and, in some cases, flooding. Other disasters occur unexpectedly, such as tornadoes and earthquakes. 

As a homeowner or renter in Port Aransas , it’s a safe idea to prepare for disaster or unexpected emergency. Every home should maintain a ready, working emergency kit for such a time.

Here are some items to include in your home’s emergency kit :

• Waterproof Container : Store items in a locking, plastic container
• Battery-Powered Radio : A small radio can receive weather updates and emergency broadcasts. Pack extra batteries, or use a hand-crank radio, instead.
• Light Source : Pack multiple flashlights and many spare batteries. LED flashlights are more expensive than “older” flashlights, but won’t lose battery power as quickly. Pack candles and matches, as well.
• Water : Pack bottled water, storing larger bottles in a cool, separate place. Add several bottles of sport drink for variety, if desired.
• Food : Pack non-perishable food such as canned fruits and vegetables; protein sources such as peanut butter or canned tuna; crackers and cookies; nuts and dried fruits. Remember to pack a can-opener, if needed. Include plastic utensils, if necessary.
• Blankets : At least two blankets should be packed. Consider packing multiple sets of clothes, for different temperatures and seasons.
• First-Aid Kit : A proper first-aid kit should include antiseptic, bandages, aspirin, an ace bandage, and allergy medicine for allergic reactions.
• Emergency Contact List : Include a list of your local utility companies; phone numbers at which to contact friends and loved ones; and, your primary care physician’s number.

After packing your emergency kit, make sure to store it in an easy-to-reach location away from power lines, power sources, and any place that may be “extra dangerous” during a crisis. For example, storing an emergency kit in a garage or a shed may be safer than storing it in a basement or in a bedroom closet.

In an emergency, a little bit of preparation can go a long way. Be prepared and be safe.

Filed under: Around The Home by Julie Woodward
No Comments »