Holiday Pet Safety: An Expert Guide

Holiday pet safety is critical for households with pets.

Read our expert guide to keeping your dogs, cats and other animals safe this holiday season.

November 20, 2018      Dr. Debora Lichtenberg, VMD

 

The holidays are always full of fun, families, friends, food and furry friends trying to get into as much trouble as possible. Holiday pet safety is critical, so in this article you’ll find plenty of safety tips. No matter how many times people read these warnings, we still see a load of holiday-related emergencies that could have been avoided with more careful monitoring by pet parents.

 

       In this expert guide to holiday pet safety, we’ll cover:

* Which holiday foods are especially dangerous to pets

* Why holiday scraps are worse than the usual scraps

* How to prepare and maintain a pet-safe holiday environment — in the kitchen and throughout your home

* Which holiday plants are toxic to pets

* What your pets wish you’d do for them over the holidays

* Tips for preparing guests (and their children) to be around your pets

* And much more… CLICK HERE for the full article.

 

 

According to a  USNews.com article

“5 Reasons to Embrace the Winter Home-Selling Season”.  As housing markets continue to struggle for enough inventory to meet buyer demand and prices continue to rise, serious home buyers are widening their scope and choosing to shop throughout the year, not just during the warmer months.

 

SOME OF OUR FEATURED HOMES

How to Use Wool Dryer Balls and Why You Should

By Mary Hunt

The Trouble with Fabric Softeners.

Certain Fabric Softener chemicals can be very allergenic, can cause eczema, can cause respiratory irritation, have been linked to asthma and can cause nervous system effects like headache and dizziness.

Why Wool Dryer Balls.

Wool dryer balls cut at least 25 percent of the drying time. ... Because dryer balls also agitate against the fibers in clothes and linens, everything feels softer coming out of the dryer. And when used properly, they also take care of static cling.

Other advantages are 100% wool, 1 set will last for thousands of loads, no batteries, no refills, no repairs or reconditioning required.

Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls

Supplies Needed

• Wool yarn in several colors (make sure it’s not “washable”)
• Crochet hook or yarn needle
• Pantyhose
• Fabric scissors

Let’s Begin.... CLICK HERE for the link to the full instructions! HAPPY MAKING!

Thanksgiving Countdown Planner

Per Food Network Kitchen’s Thanksgiving Countdown Planner

1 WEEK BEFORE section they mention make place cards for your

         guests if you’ll be hosting a sit-down meal and figure out a seating plan.         

 

We’ve got you covered with this paper pumpkin!

(These samples were created by our Client Care Manager, Dawna)

 

 

 

 

Supplies

Downloadable Template from ohmy-creative.com

Colored cardstock or paper

3” piece green floral wire

Glue stick and hot glue gun

Scissors

Marker or use labels like Dawna did

Item to put inside

We hope you enjoy making this fun craft and we'd love to see yours!

Several studies show that, on average, homes listed during this time are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and sell closer to the asking price.  Here are some of the reason why November is an ideal time to list your home.

 

Fewer Listings/Less Competition

Buyers usually have fewer homes to choose from over the holidays.

That means less competition for you and more buyers checking out

your home, either online or in person.

 

More Motivated Buyers

Buyers looking for a home in November/December, are usually highly motivated buyers.  

The traditional barriers to winter house-hunting (bad weather, short days, school year,

holiday preparations) don't apply.   If your house is available for them to view,

during this time, these buyers are more likely to make an offer close to listing price.

 

Tax Benefits

A house marketed in November may lure buyers looking for year-end tax breaks.

Buyers looking to lower their taxes may snatch up a home late in the year so they can

deduct home purchase costs.  If someone sold a house during the traditional selling season

and faces capital gains tax on the deal, they may be highly motivated to buy by year end,

since closing on the purchase of another house may let them avoid paying capital gains tax.

 

Corporate Relocation

The biggest months for corporate relocation are January and February. 

Providing even more very motivated buyers wanting to move quickly and get settled.

 

If the above information has you thinking about listing, we want to offer you a Free Comparative Market Analysis for your home with no-obligation.

Give us a call and let us set up an appointment at your earliest convenience. And of course, feel free to call us if you have any other real estate needs.

We look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

Per Food Network Kitchen’s Thanksgiving Countdown Planner, that we shared with you, it’s

Time to Clean Out Your Freezer, Make and Freeze Pie Dough, or an Entire Apple Pie, 

Decide on Décor, Freeze Homemade Stock, and Freeze Rolls. Click HERE for 2 week before recipes!

 

If you own or want a Breadmaker, try this recipe Dawna in our office uses regularly from Regal Ware, Inc.’s Breadmaker Book.

This “Butter Rolls” recipe creates rolls that are moist, delicious and best of all easy.

 

All Ingredients at room temperature (70-80°F/21-27°C)

3 WEEKS BEFORE THANKSGIVING

Per Food Network Kitchen’s Thanksgiving Countdown Planner that we shared with you last week.

Time to get your gear, create a shopping list, shop for drinks and Order a Turkey.

Below are some local options, click HERE to visit our Blog for the links to their websites.

 

Maple Wind Farm in Huntington/Richmond

We welcome turkey orders for Thanksgiving or any other celebration deserving of a pasture raised turkey!

We have 2 choices: non gmo grain or certified organic. All turkeys this season are frozen.

Pickups will be Nov 17 (Burlington Farmers Market at UVM) or Nov 18 at our farm in Richmond.

 Turkeys can be ordered online or by sending in a deposit of $25 by check to our farm.

Quantities are limited so get your order in early! We do not guarantee exact sizes.

 

Adams Turkey Farm in Westford

Premium Young Vermont Turkey-They are raised just like our chickens, that is, on an all natural and all vegetarian diet

with no growth hormones or antibiotics. They are raised in large open-air barns where they are free to roam and have

access to clean, fresh water and food at all times.  They are processed on site and are sold wholesale to many local markets (Healthy Living Market and Café, Sweet Clover Market, Shelburne Market, Steeple Market, City Market, and

Jericho Market) as well as here off the farm in November. Call to reserve yours for this Thanksgiving!  802-878-4726.

 

Misty Knoll Farms in New Haven

Fresh Vermont Turkeys available fresh September to December, ranging from 14-30 pounds.

Frozen whole turkeys and associated cuts available the remainder of the year. 

Look for our wonderful Vermont turkeys and chickens and other products in natural food stores,

supermarkets, and in fine restaurants throughout Vermont and New England.   

Your satisfaction is guaranteed!

 

Costume

Use face paint whenever possible. However, if you, or your child, are planning to wear a mask for your spooky night out, make sure that the holes for the eyes are large enough to clearly see both straight ahead and  peripherally. You may have to cut the eye openings larger to allow more visibility. If any skin starts to show through the enlarged holes, you can always use some black face paint to cover the exposed areas of the skin. 

Prepare your child's costume for strong visibility at night by choosing a costume that can be made with bright     materials.  If the theme of the costume does not allow for bright  colors, add reflective tape to your child's costume or treat bag.

Make sure the costume is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

Monster Route

Know the trick or treat route your kids take, especially if you are not going with them.

Younger children should have adult supervision.  Older children  should go in groups and have them check in       regularly, by phone or by stopping back at home, to make sure they do not deviate from the  preplanned trick or treat route so you will always know where they are and will be.

Remind children to use sidewalks or paths, if available, and to cross at street corners. Never to dart out into the street or cross from between parked cars.

Candy from Strangers

The only time of year you allow your kids to take candy from strangers, you can never be too careful. Make sure your kids understand not to eat any candy or treats until they have been properly examined by you. This allows you to check for any possible tampering with the candy wrappers; and at the same time, you get a chance at the first pick of candy!

Drive Extra Safely

      Slow down and look extra carefully as excited children may move in unpredictable ways.

      Turn head lights on early.

Pet Safety

      Don’t feed pets candy and keep glow sticks & jewelry away from your pet.

      Never leave a costume wearing pet unsupervised .

      If taking your pet on your spooky night out, make sure they are wearing something for strong visibility at night also.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!