7 Tips for Pool Safety

clip_image001(1)

It is summer and with summer comes outdoor activities like swimming in pools. Swimming pools are great sources of exercise, family gatherings and generally enjoyment. However, swimming pools are potential hazards in any home if proper pool safety is not practiced.

The Centers for Disease Control report that here in the United States, on average, 3,536 people died from drowning annually from 2005 to 2014, which equates to 10 deaths each day. These are astounding numbers as most homeowners use their pools for approximately 4 months which results closer to over 29 deaths per day of swimming pool use. It is also important to know that most of the deaths were children.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that an average of 4,900 people received emergency care for injuries suffered in a swimming pools or spas each year from 2011 – 2013.

There are some simple tips to remember with pool safety. Read More


Closing Out a Home Improvement Project

Closing Out a Home Improvement ProjectWhen your home improvement project is done, crack open your libation of choice and enjoy it!  Share it with family and friends. You worked hard at putting it all together, you might as well celebrate a little, or a lot depending on the home improvement project and the details of the project. Read More


Backyard Wedding: What you need to do to Prepare For Them

This is a beautiful time of year for weddings. Hosting a backyard wedding is a very personal experience. A backyard wedding can also provide cost less than a traditional wedding. One thing to keep in mind when hosting a backyard wedding is you still need execute on all the details to make sure your event goes off Read More


Should you Buy a Fixer Upper Infographic

When it comes to buying homes, some people like to consider buying a fixer upper that they can update themselves. Before you decide that a fixer upper is a choice for you, this infographic from Credit Sesame and Column 5 helps you decide whether a fixer upper home is right for you.  It takes into consideration time, budget and home improvement experience.  Budget can be a major factor when buying a home that needs a lot of repairs and potentially a complete overhaul. Budgets can easily get out of control Read More


Home Improvement Projects, What I like, Versus What I can Afford

home improvement projects

Another age old conundrum with home improvement projects is the trade off of what I like versus what I can afford. Everyone struggles with this reality where finances and costs are pulling one side of your brain, versus the emotional trigger of I really want and like “this” to be a part of my project.

One method in helping resolve this debate in your head, or worse yet with your spouse, is to have developed a detailed budget for each item in your project.  As an example, you might have a patio project that includes 10 key items like the following. Read More