Showing posts with label
Safety Tips For New Homeowners.
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Showing posts with label
Safety Tips For New Homeowners.
Show all posts
There's nothing like owning your own waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks! There's something truly special and unique about waking up every morning and being able to enjoy the Lake directly from your private dock. As the owner of a waterfront home in Sunrise Beach MO (or any of the surrounding Lake towns), however, you are responsible for doing your part to keep yourself, your family, your guests, and your neighbors safe.
In honor of National Water Safety Month, your Lake of the Ozarks real estate agents are here to offer a few important reminders for keeping everyone safe at and surrounding your waterfront home.
Safety Reminders For Owners Of Waterfront Homes
1. Have Your Dock's Electrical Wiring Inspected Periodically
If the electrical wiring on your dock is not up to code, not grounded properly, or in a state of disrepair, it can create a serious danger for anyone swimming around or near your dock. If the wiring is not in good condition, it can send electrical currents into the water, endangering swimmers as well as marine life. Hopefully all the wiring on your dock is in good condition, but it is always best to have it inspected by a professional to make sure.
2. Store Plenty Of Life Jackets On Your Dock
Children ages 7 and under are legally required to wear a life vest while on the water, but it is a good practice for children (and even adults) to have life vests on - or at the very least, immediately accessible - when playing in or around the water. If your life vests are stored somewhere in your house, you or your guests may forget to bring them down to the water with them. It is generally a better idea to store them on your dock or in your boat (or both).
3. Keep Life-Saving Materials Handy
Life jackets aren't the only life-saving materials you should store down on your dock. You should also have at least one of the life-saving mechanisms typically seen at public pools, such as a rescue hook, life-saver ring on a rope, or a reaching pole. You can use this tool to pull a swimmer back to the dock if they are in need of serious assistance.
4. Never Let Children Swim Unattended
Even if they are strong swimmers, you should never let your children go down to swim in the Lake without adult supervision. Accidents can happen in an instant, and it is often impossible to see a child in need of help after he is already submerged under the water. For increased safety for your children (and added peace of mind for you), it is generally best to designate a responsible adult to supervise the children as they play in the water.
Contact Us To Find Your New Waterfront Home At The Lake!
As long as you follow these common-sense safety reminders, you should be able to enjoy a fun, happy, and safe season on the water. If you are interested in buying a waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact Eagle's Nest Realty, Inc. today! Our experienced team members would be more than happy to help you find the property that will best meet your needs. Visit our website to get started: www.EaglesNestRealty.net
When you buy a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, protecting your family should be a top priority - even if you only have a family of one. Safety for new homeowners encompasses several different facets, such as protecting yourself from burglary and reducing your risk of fire. Installing a home security system can be great, but there are other easy, cost-effective strategies you can use as well. Eagle's Nest Realty, Inc. is here to help you protect your family with these simple safety reminders.
PROTECTION FROM BURGLARY
1. Change Your Locks
The previous owners will have turned over their two house keys to you at closing, but you can never be sure who else they gave a key to while the house was theirs, nor can you be sure what happened to those extra copies. Just to be safe, we recommend changing the locks on the doors of your new home so you can be confident that the only people with access to your home are the ones whom you give keys to directly.
2. Introduce Yourself To Your Neighbors
When you're traveling, having someone close by to inspect your home if necessary can be a great asset. Shortly after moving in, make it a point to walk down your street and introduce yourself to your new neighbors. Exchange phone numbers and make sure they know that they can always feel free to contact you if they need something. Extending this offer will encourage them to do the same.
3. Lock Your Windows And Doors
This may sound like an obvious tip, but you might be surprised how often burglars access homes simply because the doors or windows weren't locked. A percentage of the population never lock their doors. While it is more common for these people to live in rural areas, some urban and city dwellers also neglect to lock their doors. Because there are so many people who leave their houses unlocked, many burglars will pass by a locked home in search of an easier target. Don't let that target be your property!
4. Don't Announce Your Absence
In today's increasingly digital age, more and more people are posting updates about their impending vacation on social media or sharing pictures from their trip while they are still away. Unfortunately, these types of news blasts are practically an open invitation to anyone of nefarious intent to break into your home while you're away. Keep your home safe by waiting to post about your travels until after you have returned. It's also a good idea to ask the post office to hold your mail and newspaper deliveries until you return.
5. Get A Dog
Good news for pet-lovers! Dogs offer a great level of protection for your home while you're away at work. If your dog barks when a stranger approaches the home, the stranger will probably leave to look for a quiet, unoccupied home. They don't want to risk the dogs giving away their position or - worse - biting and injuring them. If you are willing to consider sharing your home with a dog, your property may be much more protected.
PROTECTION FROM FIRE
6. Check The Batteries In Your Smoke Detectors Regularly
House fires are one of the leading causes for property loss/damage, personal injury, and deaths that occur in the household. Your smoke detectors are your first line of defense against these hazards, as they can provide you with the early warning you need in order to escape. Check your smoke detectors every few months to ensure that all batteries are installed and working properly. If the battery is beginning to weaken, replace it immediately.
7. Keep Fire Extinguishers On Hand
In the event of a fire, having a fire extinguisher easily accessible can mean the difference between a small episode and a devastating house fire. Safety experts recommend keeping a fire extinguisher on every floor of your home. They also recommend keeping an extra one in both the kitchen and the garage, as these are the two primary locations for the start of house fires.
Stay Safe, Everyone!
As your trusted real estate agent in Sunrise Beach MO, your safety is one of our top priorities as well. We will do everything we can to help you find a property that will keep you and your family safe. If you are moving to the Lake of the Ozarks and in search of a new property, contact Eagle's Nest Realty! We would love to help you find your dream home.
