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Wolf Administration Offers Home Holiday Safety Tips
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Insurance Department and the Office of the State Fire Commissioner today are highlighting the common dangers associated with holiday décor ranging from dehydrated Christmas trees to unattended candles to decorative outside lighting. “This time of year, we are all eager to spend time with friends and family in front of warm fires, decorating trees and lighting candles,” said Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman. “However, it is important for Pennsylvanians to remember the steps they can take to keep themselves, their families and property safe.” Heating, holiday decorations, winter storms and candles all contribute to an increased risk of fire during the winter months. According to the…
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5 Tips for Buying a First Investment Property
NEW YORK, Dec. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Real estate investing can be a smart financial move to diversify a financial portfolio. But buying a first investment property can be challenging, and there are many financial implications to consider beyond just how much the property will cost. That’s where these five tips for buying a first investment property come in to help make the process seamless. 1. Keep Your Debt Manageable It’s normal to take on debt when purchasing a first investment property, but new investors will want to make sure their existing debt is under control before making the commitment. Having too much outstanding debt can make it harder…
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State Fire Marshal issues tips for fire safety during holiday season
The National Fire Protection Association reports that more than two of every five home decoration fires occur due to decorations being placed too close to a heat source. More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. The NFPA also reports that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 780 home structure fires per year that began with decorations between 2013-2017. More than half of home decoration fires in December are started by candles. Candle fires peak in December followed closely by January. The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve. Before you head to bed or…
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Master Gardener: Helpful garden tips for December | Home and Garden
I’ve been thinking about plants of the late Pleistocene era, and the animals that ate them, described in a pictorial essay by David Bryant in the fall 2021 issue of Flora, the California Native Plant Society’s quarterly magazine. Among them are Joshua Trees, California lilac, manzanita, grasses, sedge, rush, Pinyon pine, juniper, and sycamore, to name a few. I’ve also been thinking about one of the biggest trends in gardening this year: “regenerative landscaping,” which is broadly defined as future-looking, considering all the creatures of the garden, recognizing that more than just humans use the space. As gardeners out in it, we know this mixed-use firsthand, but it can be…
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Northwestern Mutual: 5 Tips for Buying a First Investment Property
NEW YORK, Dec. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Real estate investing can be a smart financial move to diversify a financial portfolio. But buying a first investment property can be challenging, and there are many financial implications to consider beyond just how much the property will cost. That’s where these five tips for buying a first investment property come in to help make the process seamless. 1. Keep Your Debt Manageable It’s normal to take on debt when purchasing a first investment property, but new investors will want to make sure their existing debt is under control before making the commitment. Having too much outstanding debt can make it harder to qualify for a mortgage, and you don’t want to take on loans that you’ll…
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Master Gardener: Tips for selecting a live Christmas tree | Home & Garden
If you decided to select a pre-cut tree, pick one of the freshest you can find. Fresh needles bend easily. When the trees have dried out, their needles will snap. Once you have your tree home, it’s a good idea to saw off about one inch from the bottom of the tree. After doing this, place the tree in a container of water. If it will be a few days before you bring it in to decorate, store it in a cool place such as your garage. When you do bring it inside, be sure you place the tree in a stand that will hold some water. Keeping your tree…
