Independence Day, better known in the US as the Fourth of July, will soon be in full swing with barbecues, backyard games, and fireworks. It became an official holiday in 1870, when Congress approved several national holidays. Here are some other little-known facts about our favorite Summertime holiday: 

America’s Independence 

• July 2 is the actual date that Congress voted to cut ties with England, but July 4 became the official date when all changes to the wording of the Declaration of Independence was finalized and accepted by all members. 

• Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on a laptop.  A laptop desk, that is.  It is still on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. 
• The first Independence Day celebration was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 8, 1776 after the first public reading of the Declaration, with bands and ringing of bells. 
• To protect the lives of the signers of the Declaration, their names were withheld from public knowledge until independence from England was certain.  Otherwise, the men would’ve been hanged for treason! 
• John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration who later became President, died hours apart on July 4, 1826. 

Holiday Celebrations 

• In the years after 1776, July 4th was celebrated with booming cannons and artillery fire.  Once the use of these became impossible because of their age and condition, fireworks took their place. 
• The National Retail Federation tells us that in 2017, Americans spent an estimated $850 million on fireworks alone! 
• Legend has it that the first hot-dog-eating contest was held among friends at Nathan’s at Coney Island on July 4, 1916 to settle a dispute.  The contest is now a national affair and is broadcast live on ESPN! 

• Red, white and blue are out modern-day colors of choice for decorations, but George Washington had his troops adorn themselves with greenery in their hats to celebrate the independence anniversary, reports James Heintze in his book, The Fourth of July Encyclopedia. 
• Bristol, Rhode Island boasts the longest continuous Independence Day celebration, with the first observance in 1785.  The modern-day events include a parade, an orange crate derby, and a drum and bugle corps competition. 

Even if you’re traveling abroad, you’ll find Fourth of July decorations and fireworks available world-wide, thanks to Americans who settled in foreign countries in years past, and our many soldiers who are stationed at bases in other countries, according to International Business Insider.  It’s a celebration that is heard around the world! 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Living in a small home doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or functionality. With careful planning and creative design solutions, you can make the most of every square foot and create a comfortable and inviting living space that meets your needs. Whether you’re downsizing to a smaller home or looking to maximize space in your current residence, here are some smart layout ideas to consider:

1. Embrace Open Concept Living:

2. Utilize Multi-Functional Furniture:

3. Optimize Vertical Space:

4. Create Built-In Storage Solutions:

5. Opt for Multi-Purpose Rooms:

6. Maximize Natural Light:

7. Optimize Traffic Flow:

8. Consider Scale and Proportion:

With smart layout ideas and creative design solutions, you can make the most of your small home and create a space that is functional, stylish, and inviting. Whether you’re maximizing storage, optimizing traffic flow, or embracing open concept living, there are endless possibilities for transforming your small home into a comfortable and beautiful sanctuary.

Ready to get started? Assess your space, prioritize your needs, and experiment with different layout ideas to find the perfect solution for your small home. With a little creativity and ingenuity, you can create a space that feels spacious, organized, and uniquely yours.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

By: Homekeepr

When we’re enjoying the warm weather, our pets usually are, too.  When we’re spending time outdoors with family and friends, we usually include our pets.  Keeping our furry family members safe should always be a priority, and these tips may be a refresher course for some, but it never hurts to make sure all our loved ones are kept out of harm’s way. 

In the Backyard 

• Fencing should be examined to make sure there are no gaps at the bottom, and that all materials are in place and secure.  You don’t want Fluffy taking a neighborhood excursion by himself. 
• The garden and landscaping bring us great satisfaction, and animals like to take a bite of growing things occasionally.  Check these lists for cats and dogs from ASPCA to make sure you keep your pets from chewing on them. 
• Keep any swimming pool chemicals and mechanical lawn tools sealed and out of your pets’ way.  Some of these products have a scent that is enticing to animals, and they wouldn’t hesitate to give them a try.   
• It may sound sensational, but if you have an animal that is a toy breed, or weighs five pounds or less, keep an eye and ear out for any predatory birds.  Owls, hawks, and eagles have been known to attack small pets, mistaking them for a wild meal. 
• Sometimes it’s necessary to leave your dog or cat outside while you’re gone for a while.  Make sure they have adequate shelter to keep them cool, and plenty of cool water to prevent heat stroke or dehydration. 
• Allowing your cat to roam in the yard is great for them, as they are natural hunters, and they find great pleasure in all the sights and sounds.  Keep an eye on them in case they see a bird they’d like to get to know better, or find a snake in the flower bed.  Protecting wildlife and your feline friend go hand-in-hand. 

Out and About 

• Does your dog go with you for exercise while you’re biking or jogging?  Some active pet owners take a water bowl with them, so they can offer a cool drink to their pet, and you can train them to drink directly from the bottle using an adaptor created especially for dogs. 
• Going fishing or water skiing?  Make sure you have a life jacket for them, as well as an overboard plan.  If you think Fido would enjoy jumping into the water, maybe you should leave them at home or at the kennel for their safety as well as your own. 
• vetSTREET offers some great tips for taking your dog to the beach.  Heat, waves, and hot sand can all play a role in just how much fun everyone will have–or not. 
• It’s vacation time, and you’d like to bring your pet with you, so call ahead for information on pet-friendly lodging, and where they can stay for events where pets aren’t welcome. Make sure you have a vehicle safety harness or seat belt for them or their carrier while you’re traveling. 

Summertime brings water fun, cookouts, and don’t forget the insects!  Keep your pets safe from biting insects, and be sure they get a flea and tick repellent treatment and heartworm prevention to avoid any diseases these insects can cause down the road. Pets need to be kept as safe as small children, so take preventive measures so you can have a fun and healthy Summer with the whole family.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Ah, the joy of stepping onto a lush green lawn, feeling the soft blades of grass beneath your feet. It’s the epitome of a picture-perfect garden! But achieving and maintaining a healthy lawn requires effort and dedication. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a newcomer to the world of lawns, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide on the essential steps to a healthy lawn. So, grab your gardening gloves and let’s dive right in!

1. Soil Preparation:

Before you start dreaming of a lawn that would make your neighbors green with envy, it’s crucial to address the foundation – the soil. Testing your soil’s pH levels is the first step. Typically, a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 is considered ideal for a healthy lawn. If necessary, you can adjust the pH by adding lime to raise it or sulfur to lower it. Aerating the soil by removing small plugs of soil will improve water and nutrient penetration, helping your grass roots to breathe.

2. Lawn Seeding or Sodding:

Now that you have prepared the soil, it’s time to choose your method of establishing your lawn – seeding or sodding. Seeding is cost-effective but takes longer to establish, while sodding offers instant gratification with a higher price tag. Whichever method you choose, make sure to select grass varieties suitable for your region and the amount of sunlight your lawn receives.

3. Regular Watering:

Watering your lawn may sound simple, but timing and consistency matter. Watering deeply and infrequently encourages the grass roots to grow deeper, making them more resilient to drought. Early morning is the best time to water, as it allows the grass to dry before nightfall, reducing the risk of diseases. Aim for about one inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation, to maintain a healthy lawn.

4. Mowing Techniques:

Mowing is not just about giving your lawn a neat, trimmed appearance. Proper mowing techniques play a significant role in maintaining your lawn’s health. Set your mower blades to the recommended height for your grass type and avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade length at a time. Regularly sharpen your mower blades to ensure clean cuts, as ragged edges can lead to pests and diseases.

5. Fertilizing and Weed Control:

To keep your lawn vibrant and healthy, providing it with essential nutrients is crucial. Applying a balanced fertilizer, tailored to your grass type and soil conditions, will give your lawn the boost it needs. Follow the recommended application rates and timing on the fertilizer package. Additionally, tackle those pesky weeds promptly. Regularly inspect your lawn for weeds and use a suitable herbicide or opt for natural weed control methods to keep them at bay.

Achieving a healthy lawn is a journey that requires time, effort, and a little bit of know-how. By following these essential steps – from soil preparation to regular maintenance – you’ll be well on your way to having the lawn of your dreams. Remember, a healthy lawn not only enhances the beauty of your outdoor space but also provides a relaxing environment for you and your loved ones to enjoy. So, roll up your sleeves, put on your gardening hat, and embark on this rewarding endeavor. Your healthy lawn awaits!

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

By and photo credit: blog.homekeepr.com

Let’s face it, many times when folks visit the islands they tend to not want to come home from such places.  This is the case typically because the beach is a very relaxing place to be with all the warm air, salt water and sunshine.   What if you could decorate your home to have an island feel?  There are ways to go about turning your home into a tropical oasis.  A few of those ideas are listed below for you.

1. A good way to get started making your home feel like an island paradise  is by beginning to think outside of the box.  Do not be afraid of using bold colors in rooms in which you want to transform.  You can choose bold teal colors that mimic the look of the ocean for your family room then perhaps you can use some wallpaper in your kids’ bathroom that has sea creatures on it.  Don’t worry, as long as you keep it classy, not tacky, you will be able to get away with doing all sorts of wild colors and designs to achieve your beach house feel.
2. Another way to decorate your home to have an island feel is to add some accessories throughout the house that help you achieve the look. Throw pillows with sand dollars and seahorses on them are a great start.  You can even use seashells you have gathered on your trips to the ocean to decorate with.  Putting some seashells in glass vases with a bit of sand in them is a great way to achieve beach décor.
3. One way to give your home an island feel is to use a lot of candles that are scented with tropical scents.  Lighting these daily will help you to feel like you are on vacation when you are sitting in your own home.
4. Lots of ceiling fans throughout your home is another way to create an island oasis inside. You can also use ceiling fans outside on your porch area to take the feel outside.
5. Wicker and rattan is your friend if you want your home to feel like an island. Use it liberally.
6. Using a lot of tropical plants to decorate the inside of your home is another good way to get the island feel you are searching for.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Just hearing or seeing the date, February 14^th, conjures images of hearts and flowers in our minds. Valentine’s Day.  A “holiday” named for St. Valentine.  A day set aside each year to celebrate love.  But how did Valentine’s Day begin?  And who is St. Valentine?

Have you ever wondered how Valentine’s Day got its name?  While it is believed that the name came from a saint, the origins of how it became attached to a day to celebrate love are a bit of a mystery. One legend claims that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome.  When the Emperor during that time decided that single men made superior soldiers than those with wives and children, he outlawed marriage for young men.  Valentine felt this was unjust, so he defied the Emperor and continued to secretly perform marriages for young lovers.  Another story contends that Valentine may have sent the first “valentine” letter while imprisoned in a Roman prison.  He allegedly fell in love with a young girl, possibly the jailer’s daughter, who visited him during his confinement.  It is said that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine”, an expression that is still used today.  While we may never know the true story about St. Valentine, the common theme throughout these stories is that he was sympathetic, heroic, and most significant…a romantic figure.

The origins of Valentine’s Day began with a pagan festival during the month of February. By the end of the 5^th century, February 14^th was declared Valentine’s Day by Pope Gelasius. It wasn’t until much later that the day became associated with love.  During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in England and France that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which added to the idea that the date should be celebrated as a day of romance. While Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400.  The oldest known Valentine known of was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.  It is also believed that King Henry V hired a writer to compose a Valentine note to a woman he admired.

It is believed that people began exchanging hand-made Valentine’s in America in the early 1700s.  By 1840, a woman named Esther Howland was selling the first mass- produced Valentines in America. Known as “the Mother of the Valentine”, she created elaborate cards using real lace, ribbons and colorful paper. Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, and estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making it the second largest card sending holiday behind Christmas.

While exchanging, cards is the most common way to observe Valentine’s Day, there are numerous other ways that people celebrate love on February 14^th.  Check out this list of unique gifts/activities that go beyond cards, candy and flowers!

• Get a couple’s massage. What could be better than escaping the stress of every-day life together and spending time together in a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere?
• Take your sweetheart on a scavenger hunt. Ask him/her to answer riddles to find the clues to items that you placed somewhere around town. The last item should give instructions that lead to your Valentine’s Day activities.
• Make a meal with symbols of love. For example, write “I love you” with string beans, make a pizza in the shape of a heart or go on a picnic and use a cookie cutter to make heart shapes sandwiches.
• On individual notecards write all the reasons you love your partner and place them in a small photo album. You can put photos of times spent together in the album as well.

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Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Here are some fun activities to keep the kids busy while staying inside at home or away from home so they can’t cry “I’m bored!” 

• Empty water bottles and a soft ball or a ball of yarn make for a fun game of bowling! Set the water bottles up and start rolling! 
• The cardboard tubes from paper towels and toilet paper can be used for several projects, including a marble run, bird feeders, and even STEM activities! 
• Different sized plastic storage bowls and a rubber ball can provide lots of fun by creating a bouncy maze.  Set up a path with the bowls, and make a game of bouncing the balls to land in each bowl. 

• Have a family competition using straws and pom-poms or cotton balls.  Using a smooth surface, place the pom-poms side by side and blow on them with the straws.  See who can get them to the finish line first! 
• Empty food boxes are great oversized blocks for building towers and forts. 
• A simple thin ice game can be played by placing a tissue over a large mug and securing it with a large rubber band, leaving the tissue as tight as possible without tearing.  Place a quarter on the top, and roll a die.  The roller must poke as many holes in the tissue with a sharpened pencil, trying not to send the quarter “through the ice.” 
• Cosmic Kids Yoga YouTube channel has tons of videos to choose from with different themes.  This is a fun activity to get the kids to chill and have fun at the same time. 
• The older kids don’t have to be left out.  Check out these great ideas for tweens ranging from art to math to STEM activities from whatwedoallday.com. 
• Many museums offer hands-on exhibits for children, and even free admission if the kids are under a certain age.   
• Go roller skating or take advantage of the cold temps and hit up an ice skating rink.  Grab a hot chocolate afterwards at a local coffee shop. 
• Find a family-friendly Escape Room studio in your area and spend the afternoon working together to get out! 
• Many local artists are offering inexpensive paint-and-take sessions for kids and families.  Search on Facebook or your local arts councils for this memory-making venture. 

Don’t let cabin fever rule in your home.  Whether you choose to stay inside and play some DIY games, or get outside and enjoy some local indoor activities, Wintertime doesn’t have to be boring.  

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

The best thing about the holidays in December is getting together with family and friends.  Adults and children alike can enjoy most of these activities: 

• Cookie swap:  This is a gathering that benefits everyone.  Invite several friends who will choose a cookie recipe to pre-bake, and bring the batch to a central location.  Sample the treats, with cocoa or coffee, and have packaging available so attendees can take home small batches of their favorites.  
• Ugly Sweater Crafts:  Instead of wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, use it to make a stocking, pillow, or small ornaments.  Have invitees bring one snack or drink each so you won’t have to worry about a lot of food prep. Get inspiration from these ideas from Better Homes and Garden’s website.  
• Hanukkah Cupcake party:  Each party goer bakes a dozen cupcakes, and brings them unfrosted to the party.  Have frosting, frosting bags and tips, sprinkles and candies available, and everyone gets to dress up their cupcakes themselves.  Swap them out so they can take home a variety.  
• Kids Christmas ornament party:  purchase clear shatterproof ornaments specifically for filling and have artificial snow, small toys, artificial greenery–anything small enough to fit in the ornament– along with ribbon, craft paints, and stickers, and have them create their own ornament.  Use adult supervision with very small children, or if using adhesives, especially hot glue. 
• Gingerbread house decorating:  Lucky guests get to make and take their own cookie house!  This can be a simple venture with a gingerbread house kit, or using graham crackers, candies and royal icing, or more advanced with home-baked gingerbread cookies and decorations. This is another fun activity for the children as well as the adults. 
• Dreidel craft:  Have the kids come over and make dreidels from craft kits or from modeling clay, skewers cut into 2” lengths and blue markers.  There are also many  inexpensive paper kits available on etsy. After the dreidels are finished, have some gelt ready, and host a spin-off tournament with prizes! 
• Kalah game for Kwanzaa:  This is something kids will enjoy.  Cut the lid off an egg carton, then cut the lid in half.  Tape each half to the end of the bottom of the egg carton to form a tray.  Using 36 pebbles, dry beans, or pasta, play the game of kalah. 

For these casual get-togethers, send invitations via email, create an event on social media and invite friends, or use an online website to help–evite can help you design a free e-invitation, and can help you track RSVP’s. Add snacks, a cocoa or coffee bar, and make it merry! 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

With a little less than a month left in the year, many begin to think about charitable donations.  Once you’ve decided on an amount to give, there are a few things to keep in mind: 

• Did you give last year?  Do a quick check of the organization’s website, or give them a call to see what sort of strides they’ve taken.  If you’re not satisfied, or don’t see progress, consider another charity. 
• As difficult as it can be to narrow your donation to one organization, a larger gift can be more beneficial as one gift, instead of spreading your donations around. 
• Keep in mind that there are thousands of charities who don’t have it in their budgets to advertise.  Consider giving to a local charity, or a national one that’s lesser known. 
• Once you’ve narrowed down your list, call the charities if you can’t find their mission statements online, and ask questions.  It’s the best way to get the information you need. 
• Although there’s nothing wrong with giving to your alma mater or the hospital that took such great care of a family member, find out if your local homeless or domestic violence shelter needs help.  These kinds of organizations usually struggle to make ends meet in providing services.   
• Make sure your charity is legitimate, and it’s very important to check their finances. Charity Navigator’s website will let your search a charity’s name and get feedback. 
• Because donations are tax-deductible, the IRS has a search tool that allows you to see what organizations are eligible for tax-deduction gifts. There are other handy options, such as seeing what organizations are no longer allowed to be considered exempt. 
• Avoid scams–charitable giving is at a high at the year’s end, and crooks abound.  Use the above IRS search tool to make sure your charity is a legitimate charity. 
• Keep receipts, check stubs or letters of thanks for when you’re filing taxes.  If your donation isn’t monetary, but something valued at over $5,000, the IRS requires an appraisal for your deduction. 
• Do you volunteer? Any out-of-pocket directly related expenses–even mileage–are tax deductible.  
• Keep in mind that last-minute online donations made December 30-31 are eligible for a tax write-off.  

Deciding who should benefit from your generosity can be a tough or easy decision, depending on what you already know. Just look for charities that depend on your generosity to keep their doors open, or who need your physical presence to be successful.  Giving isn’t always about money.  

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

It’s time to get the holiday house decorating in high gear, and you may have bought new light strands, but plan on mixing them with ones you have, or adding LED lights.  Safety is important this time of year, and making the days merry and the nights bright means taking a few precautions. 

• Check your old lights for frayed wires, nicks or cuts along the outer cord, and broken bulbs. Broken bulbs can be replaced, but toss the frayed strands, or those with cuts. 
• Decorating the exterior of your house means the lights you use must be made for outdoors.  Check the packaging or tag on the string to make certain. 
• Use clips or hangers that are UL-approved–do NOT nail, tack, or staple lights to any fixture. 
• If you’d like to light a tree in your yard, make absolute certain no power lines run through the branches, and keep any lighting at least ten feet from power lines. 
• Make sure your extension cords are specifically made for outdoor use, and have a three-pronged ground plug.  Your receptacle should be a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet in case of electrical overload, it will shut off power.  Portable outdoor GFCI’s are available for very little cost at Amazon. 
• Read and heed all labels when it comes to connecting strings of lights.  If the label says only three can be connected to one another, start a new chain of lights after the third strand is in place.  Also keep in mind that only strands with the same number of bulbs should be connected–in other words, don’t connect a 100-strand with two 25-strands. 
• Keep extension cords away from high-traffic areas, and out from under welcome mats or pavers. 
• Many people start decorating long before Christmas, but be aware that most non-commercial light strands are only safely exposed to the elements for 90 days.  Any longer, and deterioration to the insulation will begin.   
• Avoid using a metal ladder if you’re having to get up high with your lights–use wooden or fiberglass instead. 
• Never leave lights on when you’re not at home, or asleep.   
• If you’re considering adding LED’s to your holiday display, make sure you don’t mix connecting with incandescent.  Going all-LED will be costlier upon start-up, but will save money on your power bill, as well as in replacement costs–LED’s can last up to twenty years. 

You don’t want a friendly neighborhood competition to turn into disaster, nor do you want a classic Clark Griswold power outage at home.  Know your home’s electrical limits, and use common sense and care while you’re decorating. 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.