Is Your Home Fire Safe for Your Pet?
National Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15th is the perfect time to make sure your home’s fire safety plan includes getting your pets to safety, as well as the people, in the event of a fire. Taking preventable measures can protect your home, your family, and your pets in an emergency situation. Many times our pets are the cause of a fire when we don’t take these precautions. PET FIRE SAFETY TIPS: Extinguish open flames. Wagging tails and curious kitties can haphazardly knock over candles. Consider using flameless candles. Remove knobs from the stove when not in use. Dogs may jump on the stove and accidentally turn a knob with their paw without anyone realizing it. Use plastic or metal water bowls for outside, not glass. Glass can actually heat up from the sun to the point of starting a fire. Keep leashes, collars, cages, and carriers close to the exit(s) on your fire escape route plan. That way you have a better chance of grabbing them as you exit the home with your animal. Garages tend to be a good spot. Fire can happen when you aren’t home to rescue your pet- so you need to have a plan just in case this happens: First, take them to a kennel or family member’s if you plan to be gone for an extended period of time. If you don’t have that option, or aren’t going to be gone long, then make sure your pets are secured in the main living area- this is where firefighters will look for them first (or that you have fire alert window clings, see next). Purchase and place fire alert window clings to help firefighters identify how many pets are in the home, and the rooms they may be hiding in (if your pooch prefers your bedroom to hang out in, cling it to your bedroom window- because it is likely that’s where they will be). Put your phone number on them as well. Determine which family member is responsible for which pet in the event of a fire. Go over these plans and practice getting you and your pets out of your home to safety! Source
Dream Vacation Spots Based on Zodiac Sign
Many factors go into planning a trip: some people prefer a tropical destination while others crave an adventure. If you're looking for guidance on where to book your next trip, astrology can provide some insight. Read on to discover where you should vacation next, based on your zodiac sign. Aquarius - PERUJanuary 20 - February 18 An ordinary vacation will bore you, Aquarius. You need something adventurous and different. You would prefer to go somewhere off the grid, or at least somewhere most people wouldn’t consider. Peru is a good option; particularly, the city of Machu Picchu, because it is located at the top of a mountain in the middle of a tropical rainforest. Pisces - FIJIFebruary 19 - March 20 Pisces are dreamers and want to spend their holiday mentally checked out. As water signs, they are happiest on beach vacations. Try visiting Fiji, the tropical waters of Bora Bora will have a pisces feeling right at home. Aries - HAWAIIMarch 21 - April 19A perfect vacation for an aries would mix challenge with tranquility. The beautiful scenery and challenging trails located on the island of Kauai offers both. The trail along the northshore is not for the faint of heart and takes nearly an entire day to traverse, but the breathtaking view of the ocean and luscious vegetation make it worth it. Taurus - SEDONAApril 20 - May 20 Taurus are the most dedicated, hardworking, and stubborn of the signs. Getting them to take off work and go on a vacation is a feat of its own, so the destination has to be worth it. A weekend stay at a spa in Sedona, Arizona will do just the trick. Taurus will be forced to take a break and relax, and will enjoy the natural scenery of the desert as well. The further out of reach from cell service, the better. Gemini - ITALYMay 21 - June 21 Geminis are constantly bouncing in different directions. They want to do it all on vacation, so a place with options is a must. Italy offers both historical sites including museums and tours, attractions, beaches, wineries, cities, countryside, and more. Gemini will be more than happy jumping from one excursion to the next on this Italian vacay. Cancer - CAPE CODJune 22 - July 22 Cancers need a low-key vacation where they will feel safe, comfortable, and calm. Otherwise, they won’t be able to relax and enjoy their time away. Renting a little cottage in Cape Cod is just what the doctor ordered. Cancer can enjoy a calming beach trip without the crowded beaches, noisy boardwalks, and wild bars and restaurants. Leo - LAS VEGASJuly 23 - August 22 Leo loves to be the center of attention. A trip to Vegas will serve them perfectly when they step out onto the strip and into the spotlight. Plus, Leo’s tend to be both confident and lucky, qualities that will serve them well when gambling in the casinos or hitting the slot machines. Virgo - SOUTH AFRICAAugust 23 - September 22 Active and curious, Virgo is looking for a once and a lifetime trip packed with adventurous excursions. Cape Town, South Africa has just that, with rich history, bustling metropolis, and nearby wildlife reserves. You can’t beat the amazing safari experience. Libra - GREEK ISLANDSSeptember 23 - October 23 Libra’s ideal vacation boasts a combination of bustling social settings as well as time to relax. Libras are natural social butterflies but also enjoy alone time to learn during their travels, about themselves and their surroundings. The Greek Islands, including Mykonos, Santorini, and more pack both secluded seafront getaways and thriving bars and taverns. Scorpio - EGYPTOctober 24 - November 21 Scorpios seek mystery, challenge, and hidden gems, without stepping too far out of their comfort zone. Cairo, Egypt is a great mix of both contemporary and old world wonders. In just a short drive you can experience the Pyramids of Giza, where you’ll get a rich cultural experience, and be back in the city in time for lunch somewhere familiar. Sagittarius - ICELANDNovember 22 - December 21 Sagittarians crave to get away from it all. They do not care about 5 star resorts, getting the best instagram pictures, or doing the cliche tourist stuff. They want a vacation with meaning, one they will never forget. They want to see what the world has to offer and take in the powerful sites. A sagittarius would gladly spend days underneath the aurora borealis in Iceland for just a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Capricorn - TOKYODecember 22 - January 19Capricorns seek a change of pace on vacation. They want to be immersed in a whole new world, rich with opportunity and experiences unlike anything they have ever experienced. If you're a Capricorn, book your trip to Tokyo, Japan stat. The culture shock alone will stimulate all of your senses and provide everything you need to have a great get-away.
Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
June 20th marks the official first day of summer. Is your home ready for the hot and humid months of July, August, and September? Get started prepping your home for the warm weather by following these to-do's on our Summer Home Maintenance Checklist! Empty Standing WaterThe last thing you want is a swarm of mosquitoes on your property, so make sure to drain any standing water. This can range from larger projects like changing pool water, to the smallest projects, like bird baths. Bring out the Summer NecessitiesPlace bug repellent, beach towels, sunglasses, first aid kit, sunscreen, aloe, and any other summer necessities together in a spot near the front door for easy access for everyone in the home to use. Install Screen DoorsReplace glass doors with screen ones to let the fresh summer air inside. Make sure there aren’t any holes, though! Check Play Equipment for SafetyOutdoor swings and playgrounds could have been damaged by winter, weather, moisture, etc. Make sure to check these items, as well as bikes and sporting equipment for safety hazards before allowing family members to use them. Hang a ClotheslineTo save energy in the summertime, you can dry your clothes naturally on a clothesline, rather than in a dryer. If you have a pool, this is also a great place for family members to hang pool towels and bathing suits up to dry. Organize and Put Away School SuppliesThe kids are about to want nothing to do with anything school-related, so before the year is completely over, begin organizing school supplies and papers. Sort through their work and keep only the best. Throw out older supplies that are no longer useful, such as dried up glue sticks. Put the rest in storage. Check HVAC and Cooling SystemsDon’t wait until the heat is here to schedule maintenance for your HVAC system. If you have window units, make sure they are properly installed. Dust ceiling fans and window sills. Check Irrigation SystemsCheck that your irrigation system and sprinklers are working properly. You don’t want plants to dry from not being watered, or any flooding to occur. Set a schedule for your irrigation system so your yard stays fresh and green all summer long. Update First Aid KitsGreat weather means the kids will be playing outdoors more often. Make sure you have band-aids, alcohol wipes, tweezers, gause, burn cream, and more first aid kit necessities in case of an emergency. Clean GuttersIf you haven’t cleaned your gutters recently, make sure to do so. Leaves and other debris can cause flooding during summer storms when gutters aren’t cleared. Sources Cited: Houzz.com
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