The Property Shop at the Lake: Helpful Tips For Homeowners

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

4 Kitchen Safety Tips For Thanksgiving

It's almost Thanksgiving, which means your kitchen will probably get a bigger workout today and tomorrow than it's gotten in the last several weeks combined! By the time you're finished preparing the turkey, stuffing, casserole, and pies, you will be more than ready to sit down and enjoy the feast you have prepared.

While you're thinking about what to prepare for this Thanksgiving, it's important to also spend some time thinking about how you're going to be safe in the kitchen. According to the NFPA, more kitchen fires happen on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year. Our real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to help you and your family stay safe this Thanksgiving with these kitchen safety tips.

Tip #1 - Stay In The Kitchen
Unattended cooking is often recognized as the leading cause of kitchen fires. If you have food on the stove top, it's very important that you stay in the kitchen. If you have a turkey in the oven, stay in your home and check on the turkey frequently to make sure everything is as it should be. By keeping a close eye on things, you will be able to react quickly if something should happen.

Tip #2 - Keep The Kitchen Floor Clear
Tripping over pets, young children, bags, and toys can be hazardous even on the safest of days - but tripping over them while you're carrying knives or hot pans can be downright dangerous. Keep everyone safe by making sure the kitchen floor is clear from potential tripping hazards. When you're carrying knives or hot plates, be sure to move slowly and carefully - you never know when a small child or pet may cross your path!

Tip #3 - Don't Leave Children Unattended
Keeping young children out of the kitchen entirely may be the safest option, but many kids like to help out with the Thanksgiving preparations as much as they can. Hot pans and liquids can cause serious burns, though, and children can get underfoot easily. If you are going to have children in the kitchen while you're cooking, make sure you designate a responsible adult or teenager to keep an eye on the kids and make sure they aren't putting themselves or others in danger.

Tip #4 - Keep Knives And Electrical Cords Away From The Counter's Edge
It's no secret that children like to get their hands on things. If you have knives or electrical cords near the edge of the counter, they may pique the interest of a passing child. For everyone's safety, it is best to keep dangerous objects at the back of the counter, out of reach. This will also make them less likely to be accidentally knocked onto the floor.

Happy Thanksgiving!
From The Property Shop At The Lake's family to yours, we hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! If you are interested in touring some of the homes for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks while you're here visiting family, let us know! Our team of Lake of the Ozarks REALTORS® would be honored to show you around.

The Property Shop at the Lake

2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 693-1100

(573) 480-7760

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Monday, November 2, 2015

6 DIY Interior Home Painting Tips

Giving your walls a fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest ways to breathe new life into your home at the Lake of the Ozarks, revamp your interior decorating strategies, and possibly even increase the value of your property. You can hire professional painters to do the work for you, or you can save a few bucks by doing it yourself. If you're thinking about doing your home painting yourself, these quick tips can help you paint like a pro.

6 Home Painting Tips

1. Tape All The Perimeters Carefully

Taping can be incredibly time-consuming, but it's worth taking the time to do it well. Use painters tape to line the edges along the ceilings, door frames, window frames, baseboards, light switches, and electrical outlets. If applied correctly, the tape will help you avoid getting the fresh paint in places it shouldn't be. Doing this extra work in the beginning will make a huge difference in the long run.

2. Prepare The Surface Before You Begin Painting

The urge to begin painting immediately can certainly be strong, but it's important to make sure all proper preparatory measures have been taken first. Wipe your walls down to rid them of any dust or cobwebs, and fill in any holes, chips, or dents. If you paint (or prime) without first making sure your walls are properly prepared, the paint may have trouble sticking to the walls.

3. Don't Skimp On The Primer

If you are covering up a bold, bright, or dark color, primer will be your best friend. Primers come in neutral colors such as white or beige and are used to "prime" the walls for your new paint. Primer is much less expensive than paint, so you may want to apply several coats of primer before the new paint. By applying more coats of primer, you may be able to get away with fewer coats of the actual paint.

4. Cover The Floor In Drop Clothes

Some of the paint won't make it from the tray or cup all the way to the wall; a lot of it will fall to the floor in little (or big) drops. Rather than stressing about getting dried paint up off the floor, be proactive and cover the floor in drop cloths. If you don't have official drop cloths to use, old sheets or towels will work just as well.

5. Invest In A Telescoping Extension Pole For Your Roller

Painting the sections of wall that are within arm's reach is one thing, but painting the sections that are out of reach is another thing entirely. Many people use stepladders, but continually climbing up and down and readjusting the stepladders' position can become very tedious. Opting for a telescoping extension pole for your paint roller can make your job much easier.

6. Store Your Materials Temporarily By Covering Them In Plastic Food Wrap

If you're working on a paint job that will take you several days, you shouldn't have to clean everything up and wash out all of your brushes every single day. Instead, wrap your brushes and other tools tightly in plastic wrap to create an airtight seal. Once sealed, place the brushes in the fridge overnight. Pull them out of the fridge about thirty minutes before you plan to begin painting the next day, and they'll be ready to go!

Looking For A New House At The Lake? We Can Help!

If you're looking to buy a new house at the Lake of the Ozarks, let the team at The Property Shop At The Lake know! Our team of talented Lake of the Ozarks REALTORS® has the expertise and the skills you need to find a beautiful home for an affordable price. Contact us today to get started!