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31| O akville B eaver | T hursday,N ovem ber 1,2018 insidehalton.com ROYAL LEPAGE REAL ESTATE SERVICES LTD., BROKERAGE KATEVANDERBURGH .CA DOWNSIZE WITH EASE! OAKVILLE | BURLINGTON | MISSISSAUGA | WATERDOWN | HAMILTON Thinking of downsizing? Take a look at these options & let 's talk! T O P 1 % in C A N A D A KATE VANDERBURGH* SALES REPRESENTATIVE 905 338 3737 Kate Vanderburgh Team consists of four licensed Sales Representatives Call today for a home evaluation FREE from obligation! * 205 LAKESHORE ROAD W. #409 - $1,394,900 Completely wheelchair accessible! His & her Master suites, 3rd bedroom off of living room designed for 24hr caregiver. WHAT'S YOUR HOME WORTH? 2125 ITABASHI WAY #94 Burlington - $699,900 40 UNITY SIDE ROAD Caledonia - $642,900 NEW PRICE! 1686SF BUNGALOFT BUNGALOW ON 88' x 243' LOT LUXURIOUS 2250 SF TOP FLOOR SUITE, STEPS TO SHOPS, PARK & LAKE 212 KERR STREET #707 Central Oakville - $379,900 Visit KATEVANDERBURGH.CA for full details, photos & virtual tour TRENDY KERR VILLAGE *Registered Seniors Real Estate Specialist For many of us, the aesthetics of our home -- a colourful garden, new furniture or trendy appliances -- often become our pri- mary focus. But this can leave little time for unseen elements that can become a safety hazard. Something overlooked like a loose or frayed cord can spark a house fire, and this happens most frequently during the winter months, ac- cording to the Canadian Red Cross. It doesn't take much for a fire to start in your home, but it doesn't take much to prevent one. That's why around this time of year, it's crucial to take small, precautionary measures that will keep your family out of harm's way. Here are four easy steps for a fire-free home: Develop a fire escape plan Should a fire occur, it's important to evacu- ate the home as quickly as possible. Cre- ating a fire escape plan and practicing that plan twice a year will help ensure the safety of your loved ones in the event of a fire. Check smoke detectors frequently A functioning smoke detector can be the difference between a false alarm and a life- threatening scenario. Install them on every level of the house and take the time to test them monthly, replacing batteries at least twice a year; daylight saving time always serves as a good reminder. Store and recycle batteries the right way Once you have changed the batteries in your devices, be sure to recycle the old ones. Used batteries that are disposed of or stored incorrectly or damaged can be a safety hazard. Keep your home and the en- vironment safe by recycling all your old bat- teries. Call2Recycle Canada has more than 8,000 drop-off locations across the country, so one is bound to be close by. You can visit their website at call2recycle.ca and plug in your postal code to find one closest to you. Pay attention to detail Have an eye for the little things. Make sure your home's heating sources are clean, as many house fires are started by poorly maintained furnaces or stoves, or chimneys with buildup. Check wiring and cords and fix or replace any frayed extension cords, exposed wires or loose plugs. Finally, make sure to store combustible materials in open areas and away from heat sources. (NC) How to put out a fire at home before it starts Advertorial A thick, healthy lawn is a lot more than nice-looking green space.  Well-maintained turf contributes to a deeper root structure that helps your lawn withstand the extreme heat and cold of our Canadian climate, cools our atmosphere and reduces erosion. All living things need food for optimal health, in- cluding plants and grass. A healthier lawn will pro- vide benefits for your home, including the trapping of airborne dust and other pollutants for cleaner air. In fact, a 50 by 50 foot lawn produces enough oxygen every day for a family of four. It's important to use the right fertilizer for your type of lawn, so always read the bag for information that includes the amount of nutrients, such as the NPK, which stands for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. The bag will also tell you how much area it will cover and how to apply it properly. Newly established lawns require phosphorous for root growth. Older lawns that have had the clippings left on after cutting gain nutrients back as the clip- pings decompose. Established lawns can usually use a phosphorous-free formula. Fall is one of the most important times to feed your lawn to provide nutrition that will help see your lawn through the long winter. If you have leftover fer- tilizer from last season, you can still use it. Break up any clumps before placing it in the spreader, and store any remaining fertilizer in the original package, sealed and in a cool dry place. Find more information to produce the healthiest lawn online at greenerworld.ca. (NC) Healthy lawns, healthy homes