One more Simple SAFETY tip

If you've read the June REO newsletter - you'll see it's all on safety this month.

Here's one more simple, yet smart tip!

Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr.'s office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. 

Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. 

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

This would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. Older people should think about carrying their car keys with them in case of a fall. All they have to do is activate the car alarm and then others close by will know there's a problem.

Please pass this on even IF you've read it before. It's a reminder.

Please share this with all the people in your life.

Think Twice Before Getting A Pet!

At Real Estate Options we are VERY pet-friendly.  But, before you jump in and get a pet - you should make sure you can truly afford one.  In 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, we Americans as a whole spent over $60 BILLION on our critters.

Some pets are less expensive to maintain than others.  Did you know the MOST EXPENSIVE pet to own is a rabbit?  Bunnies come in as the most expensive pet to feed and maintain at $730 per year!

Here's how other animals rate in cost per year:

Fish - $35;  Small Dog - $355; Small Bird - $200; Large Dog - $650; Cat - $495; Medium Dog - $470; Guinea Pig - $635 and a small mammal (like a gerbil) - $300.

If you decide to get a pet while you are living with us - be sure to get permission first. You will need to sign a Pet Agreement and pay a one-time pet deposit.  While we can rent to any dog breed, there are a handful of dog breeds that require that you also have Renters Insurance that covers the dog.  Of course, Renters Insurance is a smart decision whether you have a dog or not -- but that's a whole 'nother blog for another day!  If you do make the decision you CAN afford a pet - you are in for a lifetime of love, joy and fun! 

Teach Your Children Well

Take on "The Great Utility Challenge" with your children.

Pull out your utility bills and make your older kids an offer: If they're able to reduce monthly costs by 15%, you'll split the savings with them. You'll be amazed by how quickly the lights are turned off in rooms they're leaving, and how everyone is happy to put on a sweater and turn the thermostat down.  This challenge teaches your child that it takes money to live.

Talking Trash!

Freeport's Annual Bulky Waste Pickup Starts on November 14th.

This annual service is totally separate from your regular weekly garbage pickup.  You must make arrangements with your regular trash hauler (Gill's Freeport Disposal (815-233-5644) or Moring Disposal (815-233-9216) ) to sign up.  There will be a $51 charge per residence to help the city offset the cost of the program.  When you call to sign up you will need to provide your water and sewer account number, address and phone number (the charge will show up on your water bill).  There are limits to the amount of trash that can be disposed of in this program.  Each participating home may place four (4) bulky furniture items along with one (1) cubic yard of miscellaneous bulky waste at the curb (one cubic yard is the equivalent of six 30-gallon containers). 

The deadline for making arrangements with the appropriate hauler is November 12th.

 

Here is a list of what is considered acceptable items for the Bulky Waste Pickup:

Couches, sleeper sofas, major appliances, coffee/end tables, kitchen tables, sectionals (limit one), rocker/recliners, mattress/box springs, baby cribs, dressers, pillows, picture frames, foot stools, baby swings, grills, lamps, small area rugs, child car seats, push mowers (you must drain the fuel first), bicycles/tricycles, boxes and small items, swing sets (disassembled into 4' sections).

Here is a list of unacceptable items that you should NOT put out:

Dehumidifiers, tires, air conditioners, plate glass windows, water heaters/softeners, mirrors, cement, rock, brick, riding lawn mowers, auto batteries, open dry paint cans, car parts, or liquid waste.

This is a great time to take advantage of cleaning out your larger waste for a very reasonable cost.

BOO to you!

So the funniest costume I've heard of this year so far is: a guy wearing a t-shirt that reads: "GO CEILINGS!"  Can you guess what he is?

Have a safe and spooky Halloween!

October is Fire Prevention Month

     There are always more residential fires in the winter months because more residents are using supplemental heat sources (some safe, ...some not so safe) during the colder months.  Be sure all your smoke detectors and CO detectors have fresh batteries and test them to make sure they work.  A properly functioning smoke or CO detector could very well save your life! 

     Our local fire department says if you know someone who doesn't have smoke detectors, let them know.  They will come out and install them free of charge! 

     There should be at least one smoke detector on every level of your home. Replace batteries at least yearly and test them at least monthly.  Ensure that everyone in your household knows 2 ways to get out of every room and pick a designated spot to meet outside your home in case of fire. Practice your plan at leaat twice a year. 

     Simply put, you should always maintain your smoke detectors as if your life or the life of someone you love depends on them, some day it just might.

At Real Estate Options - we are VERY pet-friendly!