The holidays are supposed to a joyous time of year. We get to give back, enjoy an abundance of wonderful food, and most of all, spend time with our loved ones. But believe it or not, there are plenty of ways to turn what is intended to be a happy time into trips to the emergency room. While my forte is selling
Brant County Real Estate, it is also my job as a
Brantford real estate agent to make sure the people of the
Brantford community are using safe practices all year round. Before you bust out the shovel, consider these common winter safety hazards.
Christmas Tree Mold: Sniffling and sneezing are just a part of winter, right? Yes, but not always. If your sniffles and sneezes follow the arrival of your Christmas tree, it’s possible that it could be a result of skyrocketing mold spore counts. An easy alternative would be to invest in a fake tree, but for those of you who value the presence of a real tree, hose it down and spray it with some mold-resistant sealant.
Fires: There’s nothing better than a cozy night by the fire while opening presents. This year, keep a conscious mind of what you’re throwing into the fire. Tossing wrapping paper into the fire may seem harmless, but it could actually end up setting the whole room ablaze (I’m just sayin). Never light candles near the Christmas tree, as this action is responsible for thousands of house fires every year. It is also important to keep your holiday tree within a safe distance of the fireplace. In fact, consider adding glass fireplace doors as an extra safety measure.
Snow Shoveling: While it’s important to keep walkways, driveways and steps clear of ice and snow to prevent slips and falls, it is equally important to make sure you’re shoveling correctly to prevent back and other bodily injuries. Keep your knees bent, your back straight, your stomach muscles tight and lift with your legs.
Tricky Packaging: It’s happened to all of us. We are so excited about a gift we just opened, and as we rip and tear at the packaging we und up causing minor injuries. Sometimes these minor injuries can escalate into a larger issue, as a large percentage of holiday trips to the emergency room are a result of attempts to open difficult product packaging. Is it really necessary to use that many layers of plastic? Keep a pair of scissors handy during the opening process and make sure to point them away from your hands and body.
Holiday Lights: It’s never a bad idea to inspect your holiday lights before you display them around the house. Be sure to check for frayed wires, broken bulbs or sockets, or loose connections. These common mishaps are indications of fire hazards and if you’re not careful could land you or a loved one in the hospital. Keep in mind to use as few power cords as possible and make sure to unplug them when they’re not in use.
While it may be hard to believe, these things happen more often than you would think -- even in Brantford and
Brant County. Stay safe this holiday season by staying away from vigorous or straining tasks. Stay mindful of practical safety precautions around electrical equipment, and practice fire safety when necessary. If you do have to take part in something that could potentially be dangerous, make sure you are surrounded with the proper tools and materials in case anything goes awry.
Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Direct: (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400
Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Websites at:
www.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
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The loan-to-value ratio is also a contributing factor in how fast you hear an answer on your application. This has to do with how much you need to borrow over the amount of your home. The lower amount you borrow from your home, the more likely you are to get approved. If you are borrowing less, it shows the bank that you will be able to stay current on the future payments.
One of the biggest parts of the new law has to do with the amount of money a buyer can take in a loan when paying for a house. Now at 80% from 85%, this rate will give the buyer less debt in the long run, however many analysts are reporting that this decrease will make it more difficult for people to purchase homes, possibly leading them to rent rather than buy. Along with the lower rate for borrowing money, the payback period has dropped to 25 years from 30 years. This would give home owners a chance to pay back anything owed in 25 years, and after that would be debt free. Some reports are showing though that most Canadians only have 15 years left on their mortgage, saying this part of the law is not beneficial in the long run. 
