OrlandoHomeShopper's Blog
Home Heating Safety Tips
Leave a Comment
After above average temperatures during the holidays, Central Florida is finally starting to feel like winter! Since we’re all just starting to turn on our heating systems and fireplaces, I think it’s important to remember some safety tips. Why, you ask? Because the National Fire Protection Agency reports that fifty percent of home heating fires are reported during the months of December, January and February (yep, even in Florida!). Also, check out my Home Energy (& $$$) Saving Tips post.
Some Basics:
- Install a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm on every level of your home and near sleeping areas and make sure to keep them in good working order. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer.
- Never use a gas or charcoal barbecue grill inside your home or any enclosed area.
- Avoid using a cooking stove to heat your home.
- Turn off gas or electric space heaters before leaving a room or going to sleep.
- Establish a fire escape plan with at least two means of exit from every room.
Chimney maintenance:
- Proper chimney maintenance reduces the buildup of creosote, a black tar substance that can block passageways or ignite.
- All chimneys should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a year. Remember, soot and creosote buildup in the chimney is what flue fires are made of.
- More Fireplace Tips Here
Heating equipment:
- Burns and fires associated with portable heaters, fireplaces and furnaces are a major concern. Any heating device must have care and maintenance to operate properly.
- When you turn on the heat in your home for the first time, expect a slight burning smell from the accumulation of dust that burns off coils. This smell should dissipate within a few minutes. If it does not, or if you notice an increase, call 9-1-1, as there may be an electrical problem.
- Keep plenty of clear space – at least 36 inches around and above – for all heating devices. Both fireplaces and portable heaters should be constantly attended when in use. Never go to bed or leave home while either is in use.
- Never use candles as a heat source.
Portable heaters
- Keep children away from space heaters.
- Keep heaters out of high traffic areas and away from pets.
- Don’t hide cords from portable heaters under rugs.
- Try not to use extension cords with space heaters. Use only heavy-duty extension cords if necessary.
Source: CBS Miami
If you feel these home maintenance tips are useful please share this post with your friends and family and stay tuned for more home maintenance tips, as well as other real estate related information, throughout the year.
Happy Winter! Stay warm my friends!
Warmly,
Amber N. Johnson
Licensed REALTOR ®
RE/MAX Select
Cell: 321-689-8196
Email: amber@mickeyhage.com
Website: www.orlandoforeclosurespecialists.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmberNJohnsonRealtor
Serving most of Central Florida including: Downtown Orlando, Colonialtown, College Park, Baldwin Park, Conway, Lake Nona, East Orlando, UCF, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park, Bithlo, Christmas, Hunters Creek, Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Metrowest, Ocoee, Maitland, Oviedo, Winter Park, Casselberry, Winter Springs, Chuluota, Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Disney, Kissimmee, Saint Cloud, and Harmony
Tags: chimney, energy saving, fireplace, furnace, heater, heating, home maintenance, home safety, portable heater, real estate, Winter
Using Your Fireplace in this Cooler Weather?
Leave a Comment
The weather in Florida is starting to cool down (just a smidge), and some people are already putting fireplaces to good use. If you are one of those people, keep these tips in mind for fireplace safety and maintenance.
- Leave no fire unattended!
- Keep children away from open flames.
- Make sure that you have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of an emergency.
- Don’t use your hands instead of fireplace tools when moving logs around.
- Open at least one window to prevent the room from becoming too smoky – the air that comes in from the window will go up the chimney.
- Keep a non-flammable rug in front of your fireplace.
- Clean out your firebox once a week during months of use.
- Consider investing in a fireplace ashtray to make ash clean-up easier.
- Have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home.
- Install a chimney cap to prevent animals that nest and debris from getting into your chimney, and to prevent water damage.
Amber N. Johnson
Licensed REALTOR ®
RE/MAX Select
Cell: 321-689-8196
Email: amber.n.johnson@gmail.com
Website: www.orlandoforeclosurespecialists.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmberNJohnsonRealtor
Serving most of Central Florida including: Downtown Orlando, Colonialtown, College Park, Baldwin Park, Conway, Lake Nona, East Orlando, UCF, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park, Bithlo, Christmas, Hunters Creek, Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Metrowest, Ocoee, Maitland, Oviedo, Winter Park, Casselberry, Winter Springs, Chuluota, Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Disney, Kissimmee, Saint Cloud, and Harmony
Tags: chimney cap, cooler weather, fire safety, fireplace ashtray, maintenance, safety
Weekend Events Dec 2-4
Leave a Comment
Looking for something festive to do this weekend? Here’s some ideas…
December 2 at 4:00pm – Holiday Lights Orlando at Lake Eola Park
Join Mayor Buddy Dyer at Lake Eola as he ‘lights up’ Orlando for the holidays! The event begins at 4pm and the Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6:15pm. An outdoor viewing of ” How The Grinch Stole Christmas” (Jim Carrey version) begins at 8pm and the event ends at 10pm. Admission is free and parking is available in the Orange County Library garage!
December 2 thru January 2 - Santa’s Winter Wonderland Village at the Waterford Lakes Town Center
Holiday foods, amusement rides decorated for the holiday season, and lots of holiday displays! Admission, parking and entertainment is free. There is a charge for the amusement rides. Donate an unwrapped to Santa’s Workshop before December 15 and receive a Fun Card good for two of the rides. See the website for specific times.
December 3 (and 10) from 12-4pm – Holiday Ornament Workshop at The Pottery Studio on W Livingston St
Make memories and beautiful holiday ornaments with your family this holiday season. Ornaments are available at $3.50 a piece or 2/$6.00 Children must be 6 years or older to participate. Call the studio to reserve your space at 407-246-4488!
December 3 – Oviedo Hometown Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:30-8pm
Free hot dogs and drinks, holiday music, and Santa Claus will arrive at 6pm!
Event will take place at the Historic Lawton House at 200 W. Broadway St.
December 3 – 10th Annual Avalon Aglow 3pm – 9pm Fireworks!
Join the Avalon community for a holiday parade, hot apple cider, stories, rides, live music and fireworks!
Admission is FREE!
December 3 and 4 – 34th Annual Cracker Christmas, Fort Christmas Park 10am-4pm both days
Santa will be at Cracker Christmas from 1-3pm on Sat and Sun!
Good food, pioneer demonstrations, and a craft fair. Get your Christmas cards hand stamped at the Christmas Post Office booth!
Admission is free and there is free parking across the street from the fort.
Light up UCF (Nov 11 - Jan 1)
Ice skating, light show, film festival and attractions! Parking, admission, and the light shows are free. See UCF’s website for more information on prices and events.
Santa Claus will be there this weekend. Friday is Oviedo Hometown Night and Saturday is Z88.3 Christian Night.
Where will you be this weekend?
Amber N. Johnson
Licensed REALTOR ®
RE/MAX Select
Cell: 321-689-8196
Email: amber.n.johnson@gmail.com
Website: www.orlandoforeclosurespecialists.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmberNJohnsonRealtor
Serving most of Central Florida including: Downtown Orlando, Colonialtown, College Park, Baldwin Park, Conway, Lake Nona, East Orlando, UCF, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park, Bithlo, Christmas, Hunters Creek, Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Metrowest, Ocoee, Maitland, Oviedo, Winter Park, Casselberry, Winter Springs, Chuluota, Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Disney, Kissimmee, Saint Cloud, and Harmony
Lake Nona Update
Leave a Comment
What’s been happening on the 650 acres of land that has become known as ‘Medical City?’
UCF College of Medicine - Rated the most selective medical school in the US. UCF’s College of Medicine admitted fewer than one percent of applicants in the 2009-2010 school year. “Enough money was raised to launch the school and pay tuition and living expenses – about $40,000 per year per student - for all 41 members of the school’s inaugural class.” The school enrolled 80 students in 2011, 100 students in 2012 and expects 120 in 2013. UCF also opened its Burnett Biomedical Research Building in 2010.
The University of Florida broke ground in 2010 for a 100,000 square-foot Research and Academic Center which will house UF’s Institute on Aging and the College of Pharmacy. Students from Apopka will be relocated to Lake Nona next June.
In 2009, the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute opened its 178,000 square-foot facility. The Institute “is now home to the Diabetes and Obesity Research Center and the Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics screening center.” The Lake Nona campus “is now hiring scientists and support staffers to focus on treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s and other diseases.”
The Orlando Veteran’s Administration Hospital has come a long way since its announcement to build in 2007 – it is currently under construction and scheduled to open next year. There will be 314 beds and the hospital is predicting that it will care for more than 100,000 veterans a year, “virtually all of them Central Florida residents.” Of the 314 beds, 22 will be intensive-care beds, 40 mental-health beds, and a “60-bed domiciliary will provide assisted living and other services to economically disadvantaged veterans.” There is also currently “an effort to develop an equestrian therapy program that will benefit wounded veterans being treated at the neighboring VA Hospital.”
Nemours Children’s Hospital‘s Lake Nona facility is currently under construction, as well – 60 percent complete. This will be Nemours’ first major hospital in the South. The 630,000 square-foot hospital will include 95 beds and employ about 800 people. There will also be healing gardens, nature trails and pet therapy areas for patients. “The entire cost of the project will be funded by the private Nemours Foundation.”
Source: Florida Homebuyer Orlando, Oct/Nov/Dec 2011 issue
Amber N. Johnson
Licensed REALTOR ®
Your First Time Home Buyer and Foreclosure Specialist
Mickey Hage, Inc. Real Estate Brokerage
Cell: 321-689-8196
Email: amber@mickeyhage.com
Website: www.orlandoforeclosurespecialists.com
Serving most of Central Florida including: Downtown Orlando, Colonialtown, College Park, Baldwin Park, Conway, Lake Nona, East Orlando, UCF, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park, Bithlo, Christmas, Hunters Creek, Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Metrowest, Ocoee, Maitland, Oviedo, Winter Park, Casselberry, Winter Springs, Chuluota, Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Disney, Kissimmee, Saint Cloud, and Harmony.
New SeaWorld Attractions!
Leave a Comment
SeaWorld and Discovery Cove will be welcoming a few new fun and exciting adventures for guests in 2012 and 2013!
TurtleTrek will be opening at SeaWorld in the Spring of 2012
**TurtleTrek will include “two massive naturalistic habitats” – one will be filled with freshwater fish and manatees and the other will be filled with saltwater fish and sea turtles – and a domed theater showing a 3-D movie that will ”showcase a turtle’s epic and astounding journey” to give viewers a chance to see the ocean through a turtle’s eyes.
Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin will be opening at SeaWorld in the Spring of 2013
**This attraction will be a ride, giving park attendants an opportunity to view Antarctica through they eyes of a penguin! “You’ll experience the mystery and wonder of life on the ice through the eyes of a penguin, sensing the beauty and drama of their sometimes-dangerous habitat. Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin combines closer-than-ever animal connections with state-of-the-art interactive ride technologies for adventures that are different each time.”
Freshwater Oasis is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2012 at Discovery Cove
**”Wade up-close with wildlife in a relaxing tropical setting” in clear springs under a rainforest canopy and experience the habitat of animals like the Asian small-clawed otter and marmoset monkeys. “Experience a whole new world, right in front of your eyes.”
Source: SeaWorld Blog
Amber N. Johnson
Licensed REALTOR ®
Your First Time Home Buyer and Foreclosure Specialist
Mickey Hage Real Estate Group
Cell: 321-689-8196
Email: amber@mickeyhage.com
Website: www.orlandoforeclosurespecialists.com
Serving most of Central Florida including: Downtown Orlando, Colonialtown, College Park, Baldwin Park, Conway, Lake Nona, East Orlando, UCF, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park, Bithlo, Christmas, Hunters Creek, Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Metrowest, Ocoee, Maitland, Oviedo, Winter Park, Casselberry, Winter Springs, Chuluota, Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Disney, Kissimmee, Saint Cloud, and Harmony
Heat Your Home and Save Energy…
Leave a Comment
at the same time!
It’s that time of year again – the weather is getting cooler outside and we are beginning to dig out the sweaters, hot cocoa, and turn the heat up on the inside. Here’s some tips to follow if you’d like to save money while heating your home for the winter months.
-Raise the temperature on your thermostat slowly to keep your energy bill lower
-Set your thermostat at 68-70 degrees in the daytime and 65-68 degrees at night (for winter months)
-Limit the use of portable heaters - using them continuously can get expensive
-Avoid blocking air vents with furniture, rugs, window treatments, etc.
-Close the flue damper on your fireplace when it is not in use
-Place your thermostat in an area where you will get nothing but a true reading – avoid doors, windows, walls where outside is the “other side”
-Change or clean the filters in your heating system monthly
-Cover bare floors for stronger heat retention
-Use the sun’s heating power to its fullest extent - open blinds and curtains to let light in for natural heat
-Use ceiling fans to distribute heat throughout rooms – they should rotate slowly in the direction where the blades are pushing air up towards the ceiling
-Make use of your thermostat’s “auto” setting if yours is equipped
-Consider installing a programmable thermostat
-Seal leaks in air ducts
-Caulk and/or add weather-stripping around windows that leak air
-Install door sweeps on front doors, garage doors, and whatever other doors leak air to the outside
-Increase insulation if necessary
-Upgrade your heating system
-Lower your thermostat
*to 60 degrees when leaving for winter vacation
*every time you leave the house
*if you are having a lot of company — people give off body heat and will raise the temperature naturally
*before you go to bed at night
Amber N. Johnson
Licensed REALTOR ®
Your First Time Home Buyer and Foreclosure Specialist
Mickey Hage Real Estate Group
Cell: 321-689-8196
Email: amber@mickeyhage.com
Website: www.orlandoforeclosurespecialists.com
Serving most of Central Florida including: Downtown Orlando, Colonialtown, College Park, Baldwin Park, Conway, Lake Nona, East Orlando, UCF, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park, Bithlo, Christmas, Hunters Creek, Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Metrowest, Ocoee, Maitland, Oviedo, Winter Park, Casselberry, Winter Springs, Chuluota, Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Disney, Kissimmee, Saint Cloud, and Harmony
Tags: energy-efficiency, home heating, saving energy and money, winter month heating
About Me
