In the wake of the growing concern coming from the spread of CoVid-19 (Corona Virus), we felt that it was necessary to provide you with something that might help you remain calm during these trying times. While everyone is being affected differently by this outbreak, it is important to remember that our response to these situations can make a difference in their outcomes.

Here are 7 ways to help you remain calm during a moment of crisis.

1. Slow Down and Stay Positive - Resist the urge to react before getting all of the facts. Also, many times we let our mind set get the best of us, try meditating and don’t let your imagination get out of control.
2. Don’t Focus on “What-Ifs” - Everything from aliens to the zombie apocalypse will run through your mind. Don’t worry until there is something to worry about.
3. Care For Yourself - Keeping a balanced diet and exercising regularly will keep your stress levels down and will boost your immune system.
4. Limit Caffeine - I’m guilty of this one. Caffeine can actually increase your stress levels as it will give you a sudden rush of adrenaline making your hyper-sensitive.
5. Disconnect - While we want to make sure we get the facts, sometimes it’s best to disconnect from the Media Networks and just do your own research through trusted sites.
6. Develop Your Exit Strategy - We all dislike the feeling of uncertainty. Talk to your neighbors and family and come up with an exit strategy that is doable and can be executed with a calm mind.
7. Call a Trusted Friend or Mentor - When I find my mind wandering into the beyond, I remind myself to call my best friend because he has always helped me see things from a different perspective (and he’s not afraid to tell me about it).

At the end of the day we have to remember that kindness if FREE! We can all help each other out simply by remembering that during a moment of crisis (especially if it’s a global crisis), we aren’t alone. Everyone around us is also going through the same thing and everyone is dealing with other factors that we are not aware of.

Be safe, be calm, be smart. If you think your need emergency help, reach out to the local crisis centers and they will be able to give you options to deal with your specific situation. We want to see everyone being safe, we value you as our neighbors and are here to help. If you have questions or need numbers to resources that might benefit you please feel free to reach out to us.

Castra Realty Team - (951) 384-0656 *

*hablamos español

Love is in the air, everywhere I look around. Love is in the air, every eave and carbon monoxide detector? OK. No one has ever mistaken me for a poet let a lone a song writer, however, I can tell you that just like we need love, so does your home. February is about LOVE and making someone feel special. It's time to make your home feel loved and special as well.

Here are 10 home maintenance tips that will let your home know how much you love it.

• Check all caulking and grout lines; repair as needed
• Check roof and gutters for leaves and debris
• Clean and vacuum curtains, blinds, and ceiling fans
• HVAC system: vacuum and dust
• Clean garbage disposal: use ice cubes, baking soda and citrus peels
• Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors; replace as needed
• Plumbing: check for leaks on supply lines to sinks and toilets
• Repair any interior wall damage; touch up paint as needed or paint an accent wall
• Test and reset all ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles
• Check all extension cords for wear and tear

Showing your home a little love in February will guarantee a long lasting relationship for years to come.

Need more tips or a handy man to help? The Castra Realty Team can help you find the pros you need for preventative maintenance, fire extinguisher inspections and more essential fire prevention services. All you need to do is give us a call, send us a text or use the Contact Us form to email us.

Castra Realty Team - (951) 384-0656 *

*hablamos español

It is said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, a place to gather and make memories, a place to express your love and share your culture. This can also be a place with many unexpected hazards. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), safety in the kitchen becomes more important around Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and other friends and family at home.

Here are 10 safety tips that will keep you passing the Mash instead of a fire extinguisher.

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop – Many kitchen fires can be prevented by simply staying within eyesight of the food being cooked.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey – We’ve all done it, we are preparing the “Big T” and realize we have run out of Thyme (pun intended). We quickly run to the store and lower the heat on “to be safe”. It is better to turn the heat all the way down and loose a few minutes of cooking time than to come home to a much bigger problem.
• Keep children away from the stove – while we all want to teach our kids and they want to share in the experience of cooking, kids should stay 3 feet away from the stove. Want the kids to participate? Have kids help by washing veggies, and cracking eggs or laying out the cookies on the cookie sheet.
• Help the young children pour gravy and other hot food items – Even after the food is cooked, it is important to keep in mind that food stays hot and can cause serious burns even after it’s been off the stove.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip – Groceries, toys and even kids can cause a trip hazard in the kitchen. You don’t want to be scraping Deviled Eggs from the ceiling and backsplash because of a misstep.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children – This is also true for other sharp items like turkey forks, kitchen scissors and turkey basters with syringe tips.
• Tidy up electric cords from coffee makers, warmer plates or mixers – Kids, animals and even adult humans can easily get entangled on these cords and cause you to switch from a buffet style dinner to pizza delivery.
• Conduct a safety check on your appliances before the big day – It’s a good idea to quickly inspect your appliances for usability and safety. Utility lighters, stove tops, ovens hot plates and other kitchen appliances should be in good working order with all safety mechanisms working. Disabling any of the manufacturer’s safety features can be dangerous.
• Never leave lit candles in unattended rooms – Ah the fragrance, the warmth, the….FIRE! A study by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that 85 percent of candle fires could be avoided. In fact, accidental candle fires account for approximately four percent of all U.S. residential fires.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working – It’s time to push some buttons…test buttons. Go around to all of your smoke alarms and make sure they are in working order. If they are defective or over 10 years old, replace them. While you are at it, test your carbon monoxide detectors as well. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, including the basement and installed inside of every bedroom and outside of each sleeping area.

Keeping Your Kitchen Safe

One key part of fire safety is making sure that your smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment stays in good working order in case you need them. The Castra Realty Team can help you find the pros you need for preventative maintenance, fire extinguisher inspections and more essential fire prevention services. All you need to do is give us a call, send us a text or use the Contact Us form to email us.

Castra Realty Team - (951) 384-0656 *

*hablamos español

Several of the biggest fire hazards in your home all live in your kitchen. The oven, the stovetop, your toaster… when you think of all of the heat sources your kitchen contains, it’s almost a wonder that it doesn’t burst into flames on the regular. Joking aside, the kitchen is usually a pretty safe place so long as you keep an eye on things. That doesn’t mean that you should ignore fire safety rules when in the kitchen, of course – knowing how to handle a kitchen fire can mean the difference between a scare and a tragedy.

Kitchen Fire Safety

There are a number of potential causes of kitchen fires. There are the usual fire hazards such as electrical shorts, but you also have kitchen-specific risks such as splashing oil or something falling onto a heating element. Because there are so many potential causes of a kitchen fire, your fire safety measures need to be a bit wider reaching than what you might use for other rooms in your house.

A smoke detector is important in the kitchen, as is a fire extinguisher that you can access easily. Make sure you choose the right fire extinguisher, though; opt for an ABC fire extinguisher if possible. These can be used on Class A (trash/wood/paper), Class B (oil and liquids) and Class C (electrical equipment) fires. Establish an area where you can put oven mitts, cookbooks and similar materials far enough away from the stovetop to prevent any of them from falling onto a hot surface. Inspect kitchen appliances regularly for damaged cords or other fire hazards and replace anything that could present a danger.

Oven Fires

If a fire breaks out in your oven, your first instinct is likely to open the oven and try to put the fire out. That’s one of the worst things that you can do, though; opening the oven provides much-needed air to the fire and can make it significantly worse. Just opening the oven door can cause the fire to explode outward, potentially burning you and spreading to surrounding surfaces.

Instead, turn off the oven and leave the door closed. This will limit the availability of oxygen, causing the fire to die down and eventually go out on its own. Keep an eye on the fire, though, since if it doesn’t start dying out or seems to be getting stronger, you’ll likely need to call the fire department to deal with it.

Fires on the Stovetop

Stovetop fires come in several forms. If something falls onto a hot burner, that can cause a fire. If oil or other flammable liquids get too hot or splash out of a pan, that can also cause a fire. Even letting a pan boil dry can cause a fire. Fortunately, the majority of stovetop fires are preventable by keeping an eye on the stove whenever there’s at least one hot burner.

If a fire breaks out on the stovetop, there are a few things that you can do. If it’s a very small fire such as a grease fire in a pan, simply putting a metal lid on the pan may be enough to put the fire out. Slightly larger fires can be doused using baking soda, but do NOT use flour… though you may have heard that flour is okay to use, flour is finely ground dried plant material and is actually very flammable. Your fire extinguisher is also an option, as is calling the fire department before things get too far out of control.

Keeping Your Kitchen Safe

One key part of fire safety is making sure that your smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment stays in good working order in case you need them. The Castra Realty Team can help you find the pros you need for preventative maintenance, fire extinguisher inspections and more essential fire prevention services. All you need to do is give us a call, send us a text or use the Contact Us form to email us.

Castra Realty Team - (951) 384-0656 *

*hablamos español

4 Easy Ways to Add Colorful Curb Appeal

Update your home's curb appeal with pops of color that add a cheerful touch this time of year.

Use this handy checklist (downloadable as a PDF) to make sure you are ready for the "Big Day"

Checklist: Prepare for Your Move

• Update your mailing address at usps.com or fill out a change-of-address form at your local post office.
• Change your address with important service providers, such as your bank(s), credit companies, magazine subscriptions, and others.
• Create a list of people who will need your new address. Whether you plan on sending formal change-of-address notices in the mail or just e-mailing the family members, friends, and colleagues who should be informed, a list will ensure no one gets left out.
• Contact utility companies. Make sure they’re aware of your move date, and arrange for service at your new home if the service provider will remain the same.
• Check insurance coverage. The insurance your moving company provides will generally only cover the items they transport for you. Ensure you have coverage for any items you’ll be moving yourself.
• Unplug, disassemble, and clean out appliances. This will make them easier to pack, move, and plug in at your new place.
• Check with the condo board or HOA about any restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits or entrances for moving, if applicable.
• Pack an “Open First” box. Include items you’ll need most, such as toilet paper, soap, trash bags, chargers, box cutters, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pens and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, towels, and basic toiletries.

If you’re moving a long distance:

• Obtain copies of important records from your doctor, dentist, pharmacy, veterinarian, and children’s schools.
• E-mail a copy of your driving route to a family member or friend.
• Empty your safe deposit box.

{phocadownload view=file|id=1|text=Download Moving Checklist PDF|target=b}

Click here to download my mobile app!
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
https://www.castrarealty.com

Copyright 2018 Keller Williams® Realty, Inc. If you have a brokerage relationship with another agency, this is not intended as a solicitation. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Opportunity Housing Provider. Each office is independently owned and operated.