Home Show in Wenatchee: Feb. 11-13th

Every year the NCHBA or North Central Home Builders Association produces a spectacular home show in Wenatchee, Washington.  There’s a little something for everyone whether you are interested in remodeling, decorating, building, buying or selling a home…they’ve got all the experts there for your questions!  Here’s some info from their website.  Download this COUPON for $1 off admission:

This year, we have a lot of new things going on and are very excited to “get the Show on the road”! The Kid’s Zone by Lowe’s is going to be fantastic this year. Not only will the kids be able to build their own project with a professional from Lowe’s, they can go on a scavenger hunt with their parents or enjoy FREE ice skating on Friday and Saturday. So, if you have kids that are 12 and under, make sure to take them to the Kids Zone by Lowe’s, located in the Crunch-Pak Hospitality Room on the the main floor of the Town Toyota Center!  Workshops and How-to’s that you WON’T want to miss! Come and see what the Master Gardeners have to demonstrate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the show!   Be one of the first 250 attendees on Saturday and Sunday and receive a special Home Show Entrance Bag! These bags will be filled with small gifts, specials and discount coupons from participating sponsors and vendors! These bags will also come in very handy when you need a place to stow away other information and items you gather!  There will be additional event parking available for attendees across the street at Walla Walla Point Park, both parking lots, as well as at Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse. Many thanks to Lowe’s for generously allowing our Home Show attendees to use half of their parking lot for our event!

Christmas Lighting Safety Tips

Image courtesy of Bing: Sparkling Holiday Lights Leavenworth, WA

Christmas decorations and lights really get us in the holiday spirit.  Before you get too far along, check out these safety tips for hanging Christmas lights:

•Only use lights that conform with safety standards and have been tested by a recognized testing laboratory.

•Check each strand of lights for damaged sockets or wires and loose connections.  I best to toss damaged strands and buy new.

•Don’t overload extension cords and outlets!  Only link 3 standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.

•If you must have a metallic tree, don’t decorate it with electric lights.  Electrocution may result.

•Outdoors lights must have exterior use labels.

•Fasten outdoor lights securely.  Use insulated staples or rain gutter hooks. 

•Plug all outdoor lights into ground fault interrupters circuits to avoid potential shocks and blown fuses.

•Unplug lights when going to sleep or leaving your home.

Home For the Holidays: Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Photo from bhg.com

According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), Thanksgiving Day receives the most reports for home-cooking fires, which is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries.  I compiled a list of reminders to make sure your family has a safe and fun holiday.

Watch the stove.  Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires.  Turn off appliances when no one is in the kitchen and set loud timers.

Stay alert! Medicine, sleep depravation and alcohol consumption can all make you drowsy and less able to concentrate on safety.

Remain tidy.  Keep oven mitts, potholders, utensils, food packaging, bags, towels, etc. away from your stovetop and ovens.

Keep a lid on it.  Use a lid to smother small grease fires.  Never use water.

No Falls!  Shovel and de-ice the driveway and walkways to make sure your guests don’t slip on their way into your house.  Shovel out additional areas for parking so your guests aren’t blocking roads.

Don’t overload circuits!  With crock pots, blenders and all the small appliances needed to make the feast you can easily overload the breaker.  Only plug in 2 appliances at a time into a standard duplex outlet.  Using an extension cord to multiple usage will increase the risk of overload.

Know where your fire extinguisher is located.

From our home to yours…Happy Holidays!