10 Kid-Safe Home Tips

10 kid-safe home tips to help mom worry less

By Scot Meyer of SwitchYard Media

The typical house can be a dangerous place for small children. Child-advocacy group Safe Kids USA says that every year, an average of 2,096 children in the United States die from injuries suffered at home.
The good news: That average has declined for the past 20 years, the organization says, and that trend can continue if parents take some simple precautions.
Here are 10 trouble spots to be aware of and tips for making sure home sweet home is also a home safe home.

1. Install a window guard

© Scot Meyer

Each year, falls from windows kill 12 children younger than 10 years old and injure an additional 4,000, Safe Kids USA says. These falls are most common in big-city apartment buildings, but the American Academy of Pediatrics' Healthy Children website recommends that parents install guards on all windows above the first floor in suburban houses, as well.
"You also need to think about which window in each room you would use as an emergency exit in case of fire, and make sure whatever device you use on that window has a quick-release mechanism," says Meri-K Appy, president of Safe Kids USA.
Safe Kids USA says that fatal window falls declined by 35% in New York after the city passed a law requiring guards in windows of all apartments with children 10 or younger.

2. Add a gate to your stairwell

Photo courtesy of Baby Bodyguards

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents install stairway gates  to prevent falls. Appy says parents should place them at the top and bottom of the stairs.
Each year, about 103 U.S. children die from falls, and more than 2.3 million fall-related injuries are reported, Safe Kids USA says.
In addition to falling down stairs, infants are at risk from falls from furniture and from baby walkers, which the pediatrics academy recommends that parents not use.

3. Lock ovens and kitchen drawers

Photo courtesy of Dorel Juvenile Group

Parents can install special locks and knob covers that are designed to keep toddlers from opening the oven, turning it on or activating burners on the stove.
Most kitchen drawers and cabinets also should be secured, says Frederick Ilarraza, co-founder and president of New York baby-proofing firm Baby Bodyguards. It's OK for parents leave one drawer — far from the stove — unlatched for a child to explore, however, he says. This drawer can contain kid-friendly items, including plastic containers and plastic and wooden utensils.
"But you shouldn't allow (children) to play with pots and pans, because they won't differentiate between the pot they are allowed to play with and the one on the stove with steam coming out of it," Ilarraza says.

4. Turn down the heat

© Serenethos

The most common burn injuries for children younger than 4 come from hot liquid or steam, Safe Kids USA says. Although most scald burns are from hot foods and liquids spilled in the kitchen, hot tap water accounts for about 25% of scald burns and causes more hospitalizations and deaths than other liquid burns.
To prevent scalding in the kitchen and bathroom, parents can set the thermostat on their water heater to 120 degrees. Those who want an extra level of safety, or who don't have access to their building's water heater, can install special faucets and shower heads that shut down the flow when the water gets too hot.
"Young children's skin is thinner than adult skin," Appy says. "What might just feel uncomfortably hot to us can badly burn a child."

5. Ensure your smoke alarm works

© Lasse Kristensen

Every bedroom should have a smoke alarm, as should any common area within 10 feet of the kitchen. Each floor of your home also should have a carbon-monoxide detector.
The National Fire Protection Association says that about 3,000 people die in the U.S. each year because of fires, and children younger than 5 are 1.5 times more likely to die in a home fire.
The association's research shows that nearly two-thirds of home-fire deaths were in residences with no working smoke alarms. Data from 2009 show when a smoke alarm was present during a home fire but did not go off, the failure was because of a dead or discharged battery 22% of the time, and the battery was missing or disconnected 53% of the time.

6. Tie down bookcases

© Scot Meyer

Small children like to grab and climb, and those instincts make large pieces of furniture and other heavy objects dangerous.
"File cabinets have a mechanism that prevents more than one drawer from being opened at a time, but dressers and changing tables do not," Ilarraza says. "Bookcases can seem secure and are, so long as they are bottom-heavy. But once a toddler removes the bottom two shelves of (its) books, the piece becomes top-heavy and easily toppled."
To prevent toppling, parents can buy straps to hook bookcases, television stands and dressers to the wall. These are available where other child-proofing products are sold.
It's also wise for parents to put heavier items on lower shelves or place safe items in which children are interested on the bottom, so kids won't be tempted to climb.

7. Install bumpers on sharp edges

© Scot Meyer

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends removing sharp-edged or hard furniture from rooms where children play and installing bumpers on coffee tables and other hard edges throughout the house.
Ilarraza says that corners are especially dangerous because they can create puncture injuries. "Toddlers seem to have strong magnets in their foreheads that attract coffee-table corners," he says.
Soft foam corner protectors cost a few dollars.

8. Keep kids away from water

© Darren Epstein

Unintentional drowning was the leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1 to 4 in 2007 and the No. 3 cause for children ages 5 to 9, the National Center for Health Statistics says. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also says that more than 20% of the 3,443 drowning victims that year were 14 or younger.
Children can drown in less than 2 inches of water, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Thus, bathrooms should be off-limits to unattended young children, who can drown in bathtubs, toilets and even in pails of water.
Parents also should surround their swimming pool with a fence that is at least 4 feet high on all sides and that has self-latching gates.

9. Place cords out of reach

© mypokcik; Stephen Coburn

Young children are at risk for strangulation and suffocation around the house, says the American Academy of Pediatrics, which urges parents to place baby cribs away from windows.
Cordless window treatments are a good idea, the academy says. If that is not possible, shade cords should be tied high and out of reach and not knotted together.
Electrical cords can be hazardous, too. Baby Bodyguards says that while many people realize the dangers of cords that dangle near a crib, they think nothing of putting plug-in baby monitors near or inside the crib. "They work just as well and often better from the other side of the room, where your child can't reach the cord from the crib," Ilarraza says.

10. Cover electrical outlets

Photo courtesy of SafetyCaps, www.safetycaps.com

Young children love to poke and prod, so it's a good idea to cover all electrical outlets to reduce the risk of shock.
"Most parents know to place caps in electrical sockets," Ilarraza says. "Unfortunately, many of the socket caps on the market today are the size of a quarter (and are) a choking hazard.
Ilarraza says he recommends a product called SafetyCaps, which are larger, so children cannot get them lodged in their throat. The caps also have holes to allow air to pass.
Surge-protector covers also are available.

© Carl & Ann Purcell/Corbis, Sylvie Bouchard/Alamy

Homeowners: 13 summer dangers and how to stay safe

By Leah L. Culler of MSN Real Estate

Summer is here. So what does that mean for you, your home and your family?
Beware.
Sure, summer means ice cream, pool parties and family vacations, but it's also full of danger. And nothing ruins a neighborhood barbecue like a house fire, drowning or severed limb.
We're not trying to scare you, but it's important to know what's out there so you can protect yourself and your home. Here are 13 summer home dangers and how to guard against them.

 The Lawn Mower

© Charlie Schuck/AGE Fotostock

Mowing the lawn is a weekly ritual for many in the spring and summer, but it sends nearly 80,000 Americans to the hospital each year, according to a 2006 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study. Researchers say the most common injuries are caused by debris, such as rocks and branches, propelled by the mower's spinning blades.
"These are machines with sharp blades spinning at 160 mph just inches away from our feet and hands," says author David Bishai of the Bloomberg School. "We have got to respect the dangers and use common sense."
Here are a few lawn-mowing safety tips from Bishai:

• Wear goggles, long pants and closed-toe shoes with soles that offer good traction.
• Clear the yard of debris before mowing.
• Wear protective gloves when servicing the mower or changing blades.
• Never service the mower while it is running.
• Do not carry passengers on riding mowers or tow anyone behind the mower.
• Do not allow children younger than 16 to operate a riding mower.
• Store lawn mowers in an area that has minimal traffic and that children cannot access.

 Extreme Weather

© Exactostock/SuperStock
Depending on where you live, summer can bring some nasty storms.

Tornadoes: Residents of Tornado Alley — the area between the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains — probably know that tornado season can last throughout the summer, bringing winds of up to 300 mph. Unlike in "The Wizard of Oz," a tornado probably won't pick your home up and plop it down elsewhere without doing some serious damage. Protect your home from tornado damage with this online checklist from The Weather Channel.
Hurricanes: Those of you on the southern and eastern coasts of the U.S. know the threats of hurricane season. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a short checklist to help you prepare your home before a hurricane hits.
Wind and hail: Even if you don't live in a hurricane or tornado zone, wind and hail from summer storms can do some serious damage. In 2010, damage caused by wind and hail cost State Farm Insurance and its policyholders more than $3.2 billion, says Holly Anderson, a State Farm spokeswoman. She also says that homeowners should consider impact-resistant roofing to limit damage.
Lightning: If lightning strikes your home, it can fry your electrical system, destroy equipment and even set your house on fire. Read "If lightning strikes, is your home ready?" to learn how to protect your home.

 A House Fire

© John A. Rizzo/Photodisc/Getty Images

A lightning strike can set fire to your home, but the likelihood of that is slim compared with more common summer sparks, such as outdoor grilling and fireworks.
According to firesafety.gov, nearly 10,000 Americans are injured by fireworks each year, and 5,000 are injured by charcoal, wood-burning and propane grill fires. Anderson, from State Farm, says July is the peak summer month for insurance claims related to smoke and fire losses. The average cost for such a claim between 2005 and 2009 was $23,548, she says.
Protect your home and yourself by following a few fire-safety tips:

• Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
• Always have a bucket of water, a fire extinguisher or both nearby.
• Dispose of hot coals properly; douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.

Find more tips and information at firesafety.gov, which compiles information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Fire Administration. If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, you can find more home-protection information on the FEMA website.

A Ladder

© Cultura Creative/Alamy

A clear summer day may seem like the perfect time to climb a ladder to fix that loose shingle on the roof or to trim that eyesore of a tree. But a fall from that height can cause serious injury or death.
The CPSC says that 164,000 ladder-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms in the U.S. each year. Your best bet may be to have a professional handle any home project involving great heights, but you can take precautions to keep your ladder climb as safe as possible:

• Be sure your ladder has slip-resistant feet.
• Be sure the ground under the ladder is level and firm.
• Keep your body centered on the rails at all times; do not lean to the side while working.
• Do not step on the top step of the ladder.

  Digging A Hole

  
  

  © I love images/Photolibrary
  Before you get out a shovel to plant a tree or install a mailbox, you must find out if and where utility lines are buried in your yard. When struck, underground gas and power lines can cause serious injury or death.
  Khrysanne Kerr, vice president of communications for the Common Ground Alliance, says that more than 19 million miles of pipes, wires and cables are buried. They provide vital services such as energy, water and enhanced 911 service. The CGA works to prevent damage to underground utilities and to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
  Digging without knowing what's underground can cause serious harm, but it can also disrupt vital services and cause costly damage.
  Homeowners who are planning a project that involves digging should call 811, which will route the call to a local center. Local utility companies will then visit your property to mark the approximate location of underground lines, pipes and cables.
  "Making a phone call to 811 is by far the easiest damage-prevention tactic (that) anyone who intends to dig can make," says Bob Kipp, CGA president. "Homeowners need to exercise caution and make the phone call and not a judgment call."

  The Heat

  
  

  © Novastock/Photolibrary
  
  Between 1979 and 2003, heat-related illnesses killed 8,015 people in the United States, more than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined, the CDC says.
  Sweating is the body's natural way of cooling itself, but it may not be enough in extreme heat or long exposure.
  So what can you do?
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Seek air conditioning to keep cool.
• Pace yourself.
• Monitor people at high risk, including the elderly and young children.

In some places, a hot day can turn paved roads into "streets of fire." Metal surfaces, such as car doors or a shed in your yard, also can get extremely hot.
Arizona Burn Center studies found that contact with hot pavement in the summer is a leading cause of foot burns in small children in the Southwest. One study showed that pavement temperatures in Arizona are hot enough to cause second-degree burns within 35 seconds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Always wear shoes if you'll be walking on potentially hot surfaces, and don't touch metal surfaces that have been in the sun for a long time.

Power Tools

© Sylvie Bouchard/Alamy

Every year, emergency rooms treat 36,000 people for chain-saw injuries and thousands more for injuries caused by power hedge trimmers or weed trimmers, according to CDC estimates.
Any time you're using a power tool, wear protective gear, head to toe. And don't decide you're going to tackle that downed tree in the backyard after a few Coronas. Power tools and booze don't mix.
Here are a few fact sheets on power tools from the CPSC.

Bugs

© MedicalRF.com/Corbis

About 2 million Americans are allergic to insect stings, and many of them are at risk of life-threatening reactions, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Each year, insect stings cause at least 50 deaths and send more than 500,000 Americans to the emergency room.
Stinging insects such as bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are most active in the late summer and early fall.
Other potentially harmful bugs include ticks, which can cause Lyme disease; mosquitoes, which can spread West Nile virus; scorpions; and a few types of spiders.

Your Garden

© Plush Studios/Getty Images

The plants, flowers and trees in your yard may provide food for your family, sweet-smelling flowers and beautiful landscaping. But some of them may be dangerous. Did you know, for instance, that eating the leaf blade of the rhubarb plant can lead to convulsions, coma and even death? Know what's growing in your yard and in nearby areas and make sure your family members know never to eat a plant they find. That goes for mushrooms, too.

Here's a chart from Texas A&M University's AgriLife Extension Service that identifies some of the most common poisonous plants.

Your Swimming Pool

© Carl & Ann Purcell/Corbis

According to the CDC, most accidental drownings of children ages 1 to 4 occur in residential swimming pools. While your pool may add value to your home and offer relief from the summer heat, it can also put your family at risk.
The best way to keep your pool area safe is to install a fence to prevent anyone from falling in accidentally. Supervise your children at all times when they are in a pool.
Also be aware of any rivers, lakes or other bodies of water near your home, and exercise caution any time you are in or around them. Wear life jackets and know the weather forecast before you go swimming; a sudden change in weather can put you at risk.

Tetanus

© Ian Logan/Getty Images

Did your parents tell you not to run around barefoot outside, warning that you'd step on a rusty nail and get tetanus?
These days, most people have been vaccinated against tetanus, but people do still get it, and it can be deadly. And rusty nails aren't the only things to avoid.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Clostridium tetani, the bacteria that cause tetanus, are found in soil, dust and animal feces. When the bacteria enter a wound, spores may produce a powerful toxin called tetanospasmin, which actively impairs your motor neurons, or the nerves that control your muscles.
Your best protection is to ensure that you and your family are up-to-date on tetanus shots. It's probably also a good idea not to step on any rusty nails.

Pesticides

© Javier Larrea/age fotostock/Photolibrary

Everyone deals with pests in and around the home, whether those pests are bugs, weeds or bacteria. But some pest-control products come with dangerous side effects.
If you're using pesticides, you can limit your exposure to the potentially harmful substances and their impact on you, your family and your pets. Read more about minimizing your exposure on the National Pesticide Information Center's website (PDF).
You also can limit the use of pesticides by trying "integrated pest management," which is an environmentally sensitive approach to pest management.

The Sandbox

© Juniors Bildarchiv/Photolibrary

That sandbox you built in the backyard has given your kids hours of enjoyment and may even make your home more appealing to potential homebuyers. But danger could be buried in the sand if neighborhood cats have decided to use it as a litter box. 

That's right: Cat poop is not only gross, it's dangerous.
Cats may host a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii; it can cause a disease called toxoplasmosis, which can affect the brain, lungs, heart, eyes and liver. It can be deadly for people with weakened immune systems.
If you want to protect your family and embark on a home-improvement project at the same time, build a sandbox cover and keep the sandbox protected so that it doesn't become a giant litter box. Teach your kids to always wash their hands after playing in the sandbox.
Find more information about toxoplasmosis on the National Center for Biotechnology Information's website.

Celebrate National Homeownership Month: Reasons to Own

by The KCM Crew on June 23, 2014 in Infographics

How to Keep Your Electricity Bills Cool this Summer

By Kate Rogers

Published May 27, 2014

FOXBusiness

• 

   After a brutal winter, most Americans are embracing the warm weather. But summer heat brings higher electricity bills thanks to increased regulation on the coal industry.

According to reports, tighter regulation on coal, which powers about 40% of the nation’s energy, will cause electricity prices to increase by about 4% this year. This is the highest increase since 2008. And over the next several years, energy prices are expected to increase by about 13% come 2020.

Last year, the average summer electricity bill was about $395, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Here are a few simple tips to help shave down costs ahead of the summer season:

No 1: Manage your Consumption
Making small changes to your living habits can bring significant savings to your cooling costs. Programming your thermostat to a higher temperature when not at home can help reduce your bills along with keeping shades down to let in less sun heat.
Another option is turning to gadgets like the Nest thermostat to manage temperatures in the home. Nest is a smart thermostat that allows users to zone their homes and control temperatures via their phone. Nest also learns what temperatures owners prefer.
“If you already have a programmable thermostat, you don’t necessarily need to update to a Nest,” says Julia Scott, founder of BargainBabe.com. “But turning down your thermostat in small increments can help you to save on your electricity bill.”
Nest retails for about $250, and the company’s website claims it can cut down electricity bills by about 20%.

No. 2: Use Energy-Smart Appliances
If you are in the market for a new air conditioner or refrigerator, consider buying an energy-smart model. They use less power and may be tax credit eligible. Check out Energystar.gov for more information on energy-efficient appliance and possible tax breaks.
“It’s a no-brainer,” Scott says. “Also, consider dusting the bottom of your refrigerator coils to help them run more efficiently. If it’s covered in dust, it has to work harder to release that heat.”

No. 3: Clean Out Air Conditioner Filters
Experts recommend cleaning out air conditioner filters once a month, either on your own or hire a professional.
“If they are covered in fuzz and dust, they can’t cool the air as much,” Scott says.

No. 4: Look for Leaks and Cracks in Home
Make sure your house is properly sealed in order to keep the cool air that you are paying for in. You can do this yourself by walking through your home and finding cracks and leaks in windows and baseboards, or you can pay a professional to come in and indetify any leaks. Fill any holes with rubber or caulk, available at your hardware store, Scott recommends.
“Do anything you can to fill these leaks and cracks. There’s a huge debate out there [on the topic of green homes] of whether you should install solar panels, or just make your home an airtight box. Sealing your home will help you see a drastic reduction on your electric bill.”

No. 5: Use Power Strips
All of the gadgets you leave plugged in during the day, called the “phantom load”, are increasing your utility bills, Scott says.
She suggests using a power strip with about five to six different plugs and connecting gadgets in one strip. This way, you can either turn the entire strip off when you leave the house for the day, or find a “smart” model that only turns on when you want it to.
“It’s great because we all forget to turn off our appliances,” she says.

How to Sell a Home in the Summer-10 Sizzling Summer Home Selling Tips

How to Sell a Home in the Summer

10 Sizzling Summer Home Selling Tips

By Elizabeth Weintraub

 If You Sell Your Home During the Summer

Not everybody can wait until fall. Sometimes people need to sell during the months of June, July and August. They might be transferred to a new job in another state or be experiencing other pressing "life" issues that could necessitate an immediate sale. Here are a few things you can do help attract a summertime buyer who might be leaning instead toward lying in a hammock and sipping lemonade.

Mow the Lawn Twice a Week Don't ask me why but grass grows faster in the summer. Don't explain it to me, either, because I don't want to think about photosynthesis or chlorophyll. Your hair grows faster in the summer, too. Every other lawn cutting, try mowing on the diagonal to add dimension and curb appeal.

Create Summer Curb Appeal Curb appeal is what makes fairy-tale land leap from the pages of a landscaping book and into your front yard. Curb appeal creates lust, happiness and contentment. Trim the bushes. Plant flowers. Scatter mulch. Paint your house number on the curb. Sweep the walk. Make your entrance welcoming and warm.

Decorate With Summer-Influenced Accents Look around your yard for color inspiration. White is a pure summer color. Vivid blues have a calming affect. You can sweep away the cobwebs of winter by replacing accent pillows or throw rugs with brighter, summer hues.

Bring the Light Inside If you have heavy drapes, remove them. They tend to make rooms look smaller anyway by encroaching on space. Pull all your blinds to the top and tape the strings underneath. Consider tie-backs if you don't already have them for holding open lighter drapes / curtains. The only time you would leave blinds closed is if there was an undesirable element on the other side of the window, i.e. a neighbor's trash can, and even then, open them slightly.

Go With the Flow of Summer Due to daylight savings in most states, it stays light outside longer. Some people like to skip out of work early on a Friday. You might find buyers are more interested in touring your home in twilight hours, just after the dinner hour.

Move the Home Outside Where I live, in Sacramento, it doesn't rain in the summer. We can move perfectly good living room furniture to the back yard. Not only does moving out furniture free up more room inside the home, but it creates an outdoor living space with items you already own. It's an illusion created for a buyer that says yes, you can own this lifestyle, too.

Deliver the Sparkle Gold or silver or brass or pewter? Doesn't matter. Mix them, if you like. Old rules don't apply. Metals are summery. Vases, picture frames, mirrors, utensils, goblets, hanging planters to garden gnomes.

Supply Summer Treats and Drinks For me, in California, summer means red-and-white checkered tablecloths, potato salad, hot dogs and mustard and roasted corn-on-the-cob. Every part of the country has its own summer food traditions. In Maine, summer might mean juicy blueberries and clams. Fill the sink with ice cubes and chill bottled water for guests.

Utilize Natural Scent Sparingly Sometimes, people go hog wild with the air fresheners. Vanilla is a popular scent but it can overwhelm sensitive noses. Try filling the air with natural fragrances such as those from cut roses or honeysuckle vines.

Control the Air Temperature The only thing worse than a stuffy room on a hot day is a hot room. Circulate air. Even if you have to place floor fans about the home, keep the air moving. Turn down the AC to a notch below your comfort zone if the air outside is hotter than your comfort zone. Not so cold that your visitor's arm hair stands up. But chilly enough that they don't want to go back outside.

Reasons to Own

Buying a Home: The Cost of Living

Whether you are a first time buyer or a move-up buyer, you should look at the projections housing experts are making in two major areas: home prices and mortgage rates.

PRICES

Over 100 economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists were recently surveyed. They were asked to project where home prices were headed. The average value appreciation projected over the next twelve month period was approximately 4%.

MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES

In their last Economic & Housing Market Outlook, Freddie Mac predicted that 30 year fixed mortgage rates would be 4.8% by this time next year. As of last week, the Freddie Mac rate was 4.14%.

What does this mean to you?

If you are a first time buyer currently looking at a home priced at $250,000, this is what it could cost you on a monthly basis if you wait to buy next year:

If you are a move-up buyer currently looking at a home priced at $500,000, this is what it could cost you on a monthly basis if you wait to buy next year:

Bottom Line

With both home prices and interest rates projected to increase, buying now instead of later might make sense.
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ATTENTION: If you are a real estate agent looking for more information to share with your buyers as to why now is a great time to purchase, sign up for a Free 14 Day Trial of KCM and download the Summer Edition of our 11-page eGuide,Things to Consider When Buying A Home.