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There's nothing quite like a warm, crackling fire in the fireplace to up the cozy factor during the holiday season, and all winter long. If you're asking yourself “Are fireplaces safe?” you've come to the right place. There are things you can do to minimize the dangers, and we're going to walk you through them to educate you about fire safety. Click here to read more about fireplace safety: Fireplace Safety Tips | Foremost Insurance Group
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Is your hard-working kitchen getting cluttered and unmanageable? If you need more storage, but every cupboard, shelf, nook and cranny is filled, it's time to take a second look at your use of space. Chances are you can reorganize and reclaim more storage than you ever thought possible.
Well-planned cabinets, drawers and shelves maximize space, save steps and eliminate frustrating searches for necessary kitchen tools and gadgets. An organized kitchen doesn't cost a lot of money, but does require a practical plan to keep items handy and easy to reach. Here are a few ideas to help make efficient use of your kitchen space and create some new storage areas as well. Clear the Clutter Your kitchen holds an awesome amount of stuff. The more stuff you collect and store in the kitchen, the more you have to manage. It makes sense to get rid of anything you don't need or want anymore. Reducing clutter is a must. If you do nothing else to organize your kitchen, do this. A well-designed, folding step stool is an indispensable tool for your reorganizing strategy. Choose one that helps you access storage space without requiring much of its own. Be sure it's sturdy and can easily hold your weight while you're stretching and reaching into upper cabinets, shelves and closets. Pick a starting point and begin at the top. Work one shelf, cupboard or drawer at a time and remove everything you find. Most items you run across will require a decision, so group your “stuff” into categories. For each item, ask yourself:
Remember these tips:
To make the most of potential kitchen storage, think beyond the individual cabinets, shelves and closets to every available inch. A careful inventory of existing space can help you plan how to use it effectively. Start your planning process by searching for unused or underused spaces. Examine all surfaces, including the area above or below appliances, behind doors and unused floor space. Grab a notebook and pen and make a list of any potential storage spots or areas that can be better organized.
Now that you've cleared out the clutter and discovered a few new storage areas, it's time to take your final step toward creating an efficient, well-organized kitchen. Think of your kitchen as a single room with three separate work centers: preparation, cooking and cleanup. Keep in mind where, what and how you use an item before you put it back into each cabinet or drawer. Easy access and return is important. If you can get to something and return it to its designated space without a hassle, the chance of your kitchen staying organized is greater. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
How to Arrange a Food Pantry When your pantry or food storage cabinets become packed with food that isn't sorted or organized, you will eventually have a huge mess on your hands. The pileup of ingredients can be avoided without spending a lot of time or effort. It just takes about an hour from start to finish. Start by emptying pantry shelves and moving everything to boxes or a nearby countertop. Clean shelves with warm, soapy water and wipe dry. Before you put things away, think about how you will fill prime and non-prime spaces. For example, prime, eye-level shelves should be reserved for your items used most often.
Kitchen Storage and Organizing Resources
Insulation plays a leading role in keeping a house cool during hot seasons and warm during cold seasons. This protection from radiant heat and cold drafts helps you to save energy and money in the long run.
If you are interested in insulating your house, here are some useful tips from The Family Handyman that will help make your DIY project a success. You can check out a full article on mastering the art of installing home insulation below from Foremost ( Farmers) Insurance. Tips on installing home installation | Foremost Insurance Group Moles don't come above ground often. But when they do, they make their presence known. Unfortunately, the renovations they make aren't always the most desirable.
Click on this link to read more about how to rid your yard of these pesky varmints: A Guide on Getting Rid of Moles | Foremost Insurance Group Solar panels can be economically and environmentally sound, and they’re more accessible than ever. According to one research firm, U.S. homes and businesses installed a new system every four minutes in 2013. But, is solar power right for you here in {city, state or region}? To help you address the question, here are five things to think about before making the switch:
Renewable power – it can help protect your from rising energy costs and even power outages, not to mention the good it does for the environment. Just be sure to consider your options and all the costs involved before making the leap. Content provided by Safeco Insurance. When I think of fall, the first images that pop into my head are colorful foliage, apple cider, Halloween, cold weather and shorter days. While the season is an exciting time for many people across the U.S., it can be a dangerous time for your pets! Between the sudden drop in temperatures, holidays and first few months of school, there are plenty of environmental factors to keep in mind when it comes to protecting your furry friends. Here are some seasonally-relevant precautions to remember when your pet is playing outside, or simply wandering inside of your house!
Remember to contact your local veterinarian right away if you believe your pet has ingested something toxic, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. If you have any other helpful tips, feel free to share them in the comments below! Sources: by The Foremost Creative Team Regular maintenance will keep your siding looking new and lasting longer. Why is it so important to regularly maintain your siding? Like the skin on your body, there are two main purposes that siding fulfills: appearance and protection. It protects your home against natural elements and pests, adds stability to the frame of your home, helps insulate and it also adds character to the outside of the home. Although there are several different types of siding you can choose from for manufactured homes, the three most popular include metal siding, like aluminum or steel, vinyl siding or a natural wood siding. And each kind of material needs to be maintained differently. Washing Give your home a good washing for a fresh new look. Note: Don't wash wood siding. Heavy exposure to water might result in decay, chipping, bowed or expanded panels, disintegration or shrinkage. Read below to learn about proper maintenance for wood siding.
Vinyl Siding
Wood Siding Cedar, Cypress and Redwood sidings are popular siding choices that offer natural beauty to the outside of a home. But wood siding requires more upkeep than most siding because of its natural surface. With regular maintenance and care, you can prevent damage and keep your wood siding looking beautiful for several years.
Aluminum Siding Keep aluminum siding looking like new with a regular cleaning every six months to prevent oxidation and/or corrosion over time. For metal siding, oxidation and corrosion are common problems that wear and tear at the outside of your home. Taking care of these problems as soon as they occur could save you from having to replace your siding altogether. Corrosion Corroded areas leave dark spots on the siding. These are caused by moisture being exposed to the metal surface for extended periods. Check for rust-colored stains in places that tend to stay wet longer, such as under eaves or recessed entryways. If you find corroded areas, be sure to get rid of the spots before they spread further. For both aluminum and steel siding, sand out the corrosion blisters down to the bare metal, then spot prime with an anti-rust primer. Oxidation Oxidation leaves a white chalky film on the siding that can dull the exterior of your home. Keep your siding clean to prevent oxidation from forming. If your siding looks faded from oxidation, contact a professional manufactured home washer. A professional can clean your house in less than an hour with high-pressure hoses. Scratches Keep a minor scratch on your metal siding from becoming a major problem.
Painting Metal Siding Apply a fresh coat of paint to the siding of your home to keep it looking like new. If you need to paint just one panel, consider taking that panel to an auto body shop to be painted. They should be able to match the color. If you plan to paint the whole exterior of the home and want to tackle the project yourself, wait for a calm and overcast day to paint. Paint needs to dry slowly and the sunlight and wind will only speed up the drying process. Prepare to paint:
Before you're ready to apply an oil-based metal paint primer, the siding needs to be completely dry. Mix one gallon of the oil-based paint primer with one pint of paint thinner. Tint the primer to a lighter shade of the paint color you choose. The primer will help the new paint adhere to the surface and provide an extra color coat. Let the primer dry completely before adding the next coat of paint. Use an acrylic-based, latex exterior house paint over the primer. A high volume of acrylic resin in the paint will make the paint job last longer. Invest in premium paint, brushes and roller covers. Bargain paint is no bargain if you're looking for better coverage, longer wear and a more washable surface. How much paint do I purchase? To compute the amount of paint needed, multiply the height of the house times the entire perimeter. Do not subtract for windows because this area will roughly equal the trim, eaves and soffits. Divide the total square footage by the number of square feet per gallon cited on the label of the paint. Summer’s Here in Texas – What to Do With the Kids? It’s the age-old question that parents in Texas face every year: How do we keep the kids occupied this summer? Well, there are always the biggies, such as theme parks or camping. But, with work and other obligations getting in the way, not to mention your budget, you can’t always get away from home. So, we here at First Community Financial Group have compiled a list of some activities that are both educational and fun — and that your kids are sure to enjoy! Art Projects There are a number of ways you can encourage the young artist in your family, from programs and offerings at local museums to do-it-yourself art projects. Try these ideas from The Artful Parent, a website focused on encouraging art and creativity in children:
Science Activities Have a budding scientist around the house? Try these basic projects from PBS:
Reading — It’s Not Just for School Encouraging your kids to read over the summer can help them when school gets back in session, so don’t miss an opportunity. You can share the newspaper in the morning, or simply read the cereal box at breakfast. Even a few minutes a day can have a big impact. You might also consider the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge, a free online program for children from May 4 to September 4. Last year more than a million kids from 29 countries took part, and this year’s program features free book lists, a sweepstakes and the chance to set a world record. Of course, there are thousands of things you can do with your kids in [city, state or region] over the course of the summer. If these ideas aren’t up your alley, consider summer camp, local music and sports programs or volunteering in the community. Summer will be over before you know it, so make the most of it! Even a small leak can become a major problem, so knowing what you’re covered for and how to prevent water damage are equally important. The below tips should help uncover any potential water problems down the road and keep your property dry. Check appliance hoses. Standard hoses are not as durable as they used to be. Replace rubber hoses with steel-braided hoses. This is a low cost fix that can save thousands in water damage. Broken tiles in the shower can allow water to leak into the walls or on the floor. Replace cracked tiles and re-grout when needed. Run dishwasher and washing machine only when you are home. If a leak occurs, you can turn the appliance off right away. When on vacation, turn off the main water supply to your house. Keep storm drains near your house clear of leaves. Install a gutter guard. This can prevent a rooftop disaster caused by drain clogs, and also prevents flooding by water that isn’t carried away from the house. Install a water pressure gauge. An inexpensive gauge can prevent damage caused by water pressure that’s too high. Pressure should be between 60 and 80 PSI. For many of our neighbors in Livingston and East Texas, summer means more than sunshine and vacations. It also means working in the yard - often with tools that can be dangerous if not used properly. Each year about 400,000 people are treated for injuries from lawn and garden tools, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Don't let your landscaping efforts land you in the hospital! Follow these handy safety tips. Tool safety tips from the U.S. CPSC
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