Bryan and Donna French - REALTORS - CENTURY 21 Almar & Associates 19700 Cochran Blvd Port Charlotte Florida 33948 - Cell 941-661-1183 - Fax 941-624-3285

Make moving fun for the whole family with these 5 family tips

Moving can be a stressful experience for adults and children as well, but it doesn’t have to be! See below for five tips on how to make moving a positive experience.

1. Talk the talk - Communicate with your children and encourage them to discuss any apprehension they may have about moving. Brainstorm and find solutions to alleviate any fears. Remember, technology makes it easy to keep in touch with old friends with video chats, emails and social networking sites.
2. Explore your surroundings - Go for a family bike ride and learn what your community has to offer. Check out the local ice cream parlors, bike paths, dog parks, hiking trails or specialty restaurants. Familiarize your children with the neighborhood so they are at ease.
3. Take out and stay in - Plan a family sleepover at the new house, even before the furniture is shipped. This will be an adventure for the whole family and together time in the new home often makes children feel more secure and less overwhelmed in their new surroundings.
4. Designer room - Give your children paint color options so they can decide on the color scheme of their bedroom. It may be helpful to set aside a special box with their favorite things from their old room to incorporate into the new space.
5. Integrate - Involve your children in local teams and activities. Most moves take place at the end of the school year, so by enrolling your children in clinics, camps and sports you are providing them with an opportunity to make friends with future classmates.

Be fire-safe in your home this winter

Residential fires occur most in winter. Several factors contribute to the rise, including an increase in cooking and heating in addition to flammable holiday decorations. See the ten fire prevention tips below:

1. Maintain carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on a regular basis and test the batteries.
2. Skip the candles and opt for battery-operated candles instead.
3. Remove flammable materials from around the cooking area and never leave the area unattended.
4. Keep a live tree watered, when it dries out, remove it from your home. Artificial trees should be flame retardant and the decorations non-flammable.
5. Have your chimney, fireplace, wood/coal stove, furnace and any other alternative heat sources checked by a pro. Space heaters should not be left on or in proximity to flammable items.
6. Invest in LED lights and only use the recommended amount.
7. Read and follow the directions and safety precautions of portable heaters.
8. Don’t overload outlets and use power strips.
9. All lights and holiday décor should be turned off before leaving your home or going to sleep.
10. Look for any exposed wires, frayed appliance cords or loose connections.

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