Top 10 Ways That Moving to a New House Can Be a Disaster

From our ready Teri Jones: For more info: http://www.movingtips.org/blog/2011/top-10-ways-that-moving-to-a-new-house-can-be-a-disaster/

Who wouldn’t want to move into a new home? Take a minute to uncover the reality of new homeownership. Often, even when the mortgage is doable, there are many “extras” that you never had to deal with before, including house taxes, unforeseen costs from home repairs and higher electricity bills. While you no longer have a landlord asking for the late rent, owning your own home means that you are now your own landlord. Sometimes this doesn’t hit people until the kitchen faucet breaks for the third time, or it’s your responsibility to replace that overhead ceiling fan in the middle of summer. While there are many benefits of having a home to call your own (the space, designing it as you see fit, and not sharing a wall with three different neighbors!) there are many other factors to take into account before nose-diving into it.

Moving into a new home can be more expensive than you budgeted for. As opposed to an older home, new homes are placed on the market at escalating prices, so you’ll need to be prepared for that. If you’re not moving into your grandma’s home, chances are you will have competition of offers, and while you’re not the only one wanting to move into that new starter home in the suburbs, you will have to fight for it.
Broken down appliances and fixtures. Especially in new homes as opposed to older homes, you’ll want to keep the brand new appliances, condition of the walls and your door fixtures looking brand new or as much as possible for when you sell your home later on.
The chaos of confused movers and packers extends a 1-day task into several. Moving from your old place into your new place can cause a headache. Getting all of your ducks in a row for moving day is a lot of work but once the day comes and goes, you’ll be glad you were organized and thorough in your preparations. Moving companies also tend to charge by the hour, so being organized is a plus.
Going into deep debt. Moving to a new home involves a lot of unforeseen expenses. Some costs include food for the refrigerator, light bulbs, lawnmower, rugs, furniture, hardware, and more. Not to mention that cute lamp and that adorable bath mat and towel set that is just a little pricey. Little things add up!
Moving in your furniture only to move it again. Take a look at what your home needs before moving in! Does your new home need carpet or hardwood floors as opposed to what it already has? Does it need some color on the walls? Doing these preliminary changes before moving in can save you a lot of work later on.
Being disappointed once the deal is done. Be 100% sure this is the house of your dreams. With the many things you’ll have to deal with down the line, such as cost repairs of failing appliances and the amount of time alone you’ll spend here, it’s worth it to love your home in spite of all its minor inconveniences.
Leaving precious things behind or fragile things getting broken. Plan ahead and pack everything yourself! Although it can be a time intensive project, don’t hire or rely on friends, professionals or family to help you pack up your things. Otherwise, you may go crazy as you unpack and can’t find your dinner plates or family photos.
The moving company loses or breaks your furniture. Don’t hire the cheapest moving company. Spend money where it important to, like a reliable moving company that knows what they’re doing and won’t break your bed!
Someone gets lost in the caravan…unfortunately they have the only key. Make copies of keys. Prior to moving day, make sure you have plenty of key copies, but not too many. You want everyone in the family to have a copy, and make sure they work so you and your movers aren’t locked out on moving day.
Heat stroke, heart attack, or other injuries from using muscles you haven’t used in years. Take a breath. Pace yourself and get help when you need it. You’ve worked hard to get to moving day, and this is your moment to take a breather. Nobody deserves it more than a new homeowner!
While moving into a new home can be overwhelming at first, your new home will soon bring you all the joy, space and privacy you hoped for. Enjoy being your own landlord, painting the walls to your liking and most of all, relishing the fact that this home is yours for as long as you want it to be!

Posted in Moving News

Be A Winner This Super Bowl Weekend by Having a Designated Driver - "Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk"

The blitz is on this Super Bowl weekend when Oregon law enforcement agencies will be part of a nationwide team intensifying efforts and stressing the importance of driving sober to save lives on our highways.

On Wednesday, February 2, 2011, an event to raise awareness about the importance of driving sober was held in Keizer kicking off Oregon's intensified enforcement efforts associated with the national "Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk" message. Volunteer drinkers tested by police officers demonstrated the intoxicating effects of alcohol on driving to encourage fans to be a designated driver. This local message complements the national "Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk" message supported by the National Football League (NFL), the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the HERO Campaign and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition.

"We're reminding everyone that real Super Bowl fans want to make the right call by either volunteering to be or handing the keys to a designated driver, or finding a safe alternative to get home safely without driving under the influence," said Captain Mike Dingeman, director of the Oregon State Police Patrol Services Division.

The "Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk" message supports the league-wide designated driver campaign called "Responsibility Has Its Rewards." Celebrating its eighth season in 2010, the campaign encourages fans to participate in designated-driver programs supported by beer and concessionaire companies at every NFL stadium nationwide. Throughout the season at all 31 NFL stadiums, more than 170,000 fans made the responsible decision by pledging to be designated drivers this season.

"Designated drivers make sure everyone gets home safely," said Troy Costales, ODOT's Safety Division administrator. "We are asking all party hosts and bar owners to take extra good care of designated drivers this year. They should be rewarded for taking on such an important responsibility."

According to NHTSA, Super Bowl Sunday has become one of the nation's most dangerous days on the road due to impaired driving. Forty-eight (48) percent of fatalities nationwide on Super Bowl Sunday (12:01 a.m., Sunday, to 5:59 a.m., Monday) involve a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. Last year in Oregon there were no traffic fatalities during Super Bowl weekend. Two people died during 2009's Super Bowl weekend, neither of which were in alcohol-involved crashes.

The following are statistics reflect DUII arrests by Oregon State Police troopers and traffic fatalities reported between 12:01 a.m., Saturday, through 5:59 a.m., Monday, during the previous four Super Bowl weekends:

* During the 2010 Super Bowl weekend, there were 0 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 58 DUII arrests
* During the 2009 Super Bowl weekend, there were 2 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 50 DUII arrests
* During the 2008 Super Bowl weekend, there were 5 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 23 DUII arrests
* During the 2007 Super Bowl weekend, there were 2 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 42 DUII arrests

Oregon State Police, Oregon State Sheriff's Association, Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, ODOT and MADD stress that designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone's Super Bowl party list. Join their team and report possible intoxicated drivers to 9-1-1 or Oregon State Police dispatch at 1-800-24DRUNK (800-243-7856).

If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:

* Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in an impaired driving crash.
* Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
* Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
* Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.
* Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.

If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:

* Designate your sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
* Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
* If you don't have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend or family member to come and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
* Use your community's Sober Rides programs;
* Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired.

Remember, Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk, and always buckle up – it's still your best defense against other impaired drivers.

Additional tips and more information are also available at www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

NATIONAL BURN AWARENESS WEEK – 6-12 FEBRUARY 2011

Winter Months Increase Fire Risk – Children Particularly Vulnerable

SEATTLE— Each year on average 18,300 Americans are injured, and more than 3,500 die in fires, with children age 14 and under making up 10-15 percent of all fire deaths. National Burn Awareness Week is traditionally observed the first full week in February, and according to FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy, it’s the perfect calendar observance to focus on preventing fires and protecting children.

“Children under the age of 5 account for fifty-two percent of all child fire deaths, and home fires tend to spike in winter months, placing younger children and toddlers at even greater risk,” said Murphy. “Many children are unable to escape from fire on their own, and I encourage parents and caregivers to use National Burn Awareness Week as an opportunity to take actions that keep their loved ones, and particularly children, safe from fire and burn hazards.”

Top tips to avoid fire and keep kids safe around the house include:
• Keep children at least 3 feet from hot stoves and cooking appliances. When cooking, use back burners with pot handles turned towards the back of the stove.
• Have fireplace flues and chimneys inspected for leakage and blockage from creosote or debris.
• Open the fireplace damper before lighting a fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. Store ashes in fire-resistant containers; cover the container with a lid, and dispose of ashes carefully.
• Place space heaters on a floor that is flat and level—Do NOT put space heaters on rugs or carpets. Keep space heaters at least three feet from bedding, drapes, furniture and other flammable materials and place them out of the flow of foot traffic. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
• Always tuck cords from appliances where children cannot reach them.
• Install smoke alarms on every level in your home, and inside and outside sleeping areas.
• Test smoke alarms each month and replace the batteries at least once a year.

Excellent online resources for fire prevention education materials and protecting children from fire and burns include: http://go.usa.gov/rfF; www.usfa.dhs.gov/kids/; www.safekids.org; www.redcross.org; www.fema.gov and www.Ready.gov. Learn about FEMA’s Children’s Working Group (CWG) at www.fema.gov/about/cwg.shtm.

The Great Oregon Shakeout is tomorrow!!!

ShakeOut History and Purpose

With nearly 4 million people living and working in Oregon, a major earthquake could cause unprecedented devastation. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what out lives will be like afterward. With earthquakes an inevitable part of Oregon’s future, we must act quickly to ensure that disasters do no become catastrophes.

The Great ShakeOut was created in Southern California in November 2008 and involved nearly 5.5 million Californians through a broad-based out reach program, media partnerships, and public advocacy by hundreds of partners. In early 2009 the decision was made to hold the drill statewide annually on the third Thursday of October. Oregon will be joining them in October of 2011.

A key aspect of the ShakeOut is the integration of comprehensive science-based earthquake research and the lessons learned from decades of social science research about why people get prepared. The result is a “teachable moment” on par with having an actual earthquake (often followed by increased interest in getting ready for earthquakes). ShakeOut creates the sense of urgency that is needed for people, organizations, and communities to get prepared, to practice what to do to be safe, and to learn what plans need to be improved.

Not just any drill will accomplish this. It needs to be big. It must inspire communities to come together. It must involve children at school and parents at work, prompting conversations at home. It must allow every organization, city, etc., to make it their own event. That’s why we are starting with just one County – it is a learning experience for us too.

To participate, go to www.Shakeout.org/Oregon and pledge your family, school, business, government agency or organization’s participation in the drill. Registered participants will receive information on how to plan their drill and how to create a dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness. All organizers ask is that participants registers (so they can be counted and receive communications), and at the minimum practice “drop, cover, and hold on” at the specified time. It is only a commitment of a few minutes for something that can save your life. It all begins with registering, which is free and open to everyone.

Take one minute to practice something that might save your life.

AccuWeather.com - Weather News | Northwest Flooding Worry Before Storms Break Off

AccuWeather.com - Weather News | Northwest Flooding Worry Before Storms Break Off

Oregon Red Cross is operating a shelter in Welches

As you read this, the Oregon Red Cross is operating a shelter in Welches, providing a warm, safe place for 14 families to spend the night.

With flooding and landslides in the area, these families have been evacuated from their homes and their worlds have been turned upside-down. But, as always, the Red Cross is there in their time of need.

In the next few days, we'll be providing three square meals and lots of snacks. We'll help with clothes and clean-up supplies; health services and emotional support.

But our assistance goes beyond Welches. Earlier this week, we helped two families in Tillamook County when they were evacuated due to the threat of flooding. They each met with our disaster responders, who were able to provide lodging, food and clothes. The Oregon Red Cross was also hard at work in Newport, where a huge sinkhole threatened eight homes.

All this assistance is possible because of Red Cross supporters like you. Thank you.

To stay updated on all our efforts, be sure to visit our website.

Thank you,

Maree Wacker
Regional Executive, Oregon Red Cross

P.S. Monetary donations remain the best way to support relief efforts. To contribute, please click here.