Merry Christmas
From all of the families at Regency Homes to yours, we hope you have a safe and happy holiday.
Merry Christmas!
Top Tips to Make Your Home Safe for Holiday Visitors
NAHB, 2015
To help prepare your home for holiday visitors, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers offers home maintenance tips that are designed to increase safety and accessibility for older family and friends who visit this holiday season.
“Welcoming loved ones to your home is a cherished holiday tradition,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Robert Criner, GMR, GMB, CAPS, a remodeler from Newport News, Va. “By making some simple home modifications, you can ensure that family and friends will enjoy a comfortable visit and be able to maneuver around your house without trouble this year.”
These tips will help eliminate situations that could cause stress for visitors with age-related balance and vision issues, and at the same time create a safer, more comfortable environment for all your guests:
- Secure rugs and carpets. Secure area rugs with non-slip pads or double-sided carpet tape so that they are snug to the floor. Temporarily remove throw rugs, including bathroom mats to prevent guests from tripping on the edges.
- Test stair railings. Check that stair railings inside and out are tightly fastened. Make repairs where needed.
- Turn up the lights. Put night lights in bathrooms, the guest bedroom, hallways and perhaps in the kitchen. Make sure there is a lamp or light switch within reach of the guest bed so that your visitor can keep a light on until safely tucked in. Well-lit outdoor walkways and entrances are also key for coming or going when it is dark.
- Clear outdoor walkways. Rake leaves, salt for ice and shovel snow from sidewalks and driveways to prevent falls.
- Add non-slip treads or a mat to the shower. Be sure the shower your guest will use has a non-slip floor. To enhance traction, apply non-slip strips or a suction-attached non-slip mat.
- Offer the best seat. Choose the best seat for your guest’s comfort—not too high, not too low. A firm cushion can prevent them from sinking too low in to the seat, and arms can help a person easily get up and down.
- Declutter. Move objects or even furniture that a person usually has to maneuver around. Secure cords to the wall or baseboards with hooks to prevent tripping. Clear stair steps of any objects—shoes, books, and other personal items that tend to collect on the lower treads.
If you are considering larger home renovation projects or want to do more to make your home safe and comfortable for all ages and abilities, consult a professional remodeler. Find a pro in your area at nahb.org/remodelerdirectory. More tips to keep your home safe and stylish are available at nahb.org/remodel.
Should You DIY or Hire a Professional to put up your Outdoor Holiday Lighting?
Did you know that every year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 12,500 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts, and shocks related to holiday lights, decorations, and Christmas trees? Or that Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths, 30 injuries, and an average of more than $10 million in property loss and damage?
Don’t let these statistics scare you! Driving around the twin cities you’re sure to see dozens of gorgeous homes decorated with beautiful holiday lighting and there is no reason you should have to miss out simply because of the potential dangers. These dangers can be avoided by hiring a professional to decorate your home for the holidays.
Not only will you avoid the risks involved when putting up holiday decorations, you won’t have to take the time out of your day to put the decorations up, and you won’t have to find a place to store the decorations when the holidays are over. Your décor will always be new and you have the option of changing up your decorations every year!
Take a look at Neave Holiday Decorating’s Christmas decor infographic before decorating your home for the holidays. Here are 12 reasons you should hire a professional Christmas decorator this year.
Events in Omaha This December 2015
Check out some of the amazing events going on in Omaha this month. There are tons of amazing light shows to go see so remember to bring your camera!
Holiday Lights Spectacular
When: Starting Saturday, November 21st, 2015, repeats every day until Friday, January 01, 2016 at 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM CST
Where: Midtown Crossing
31st and Farnam streets
Omaha, NE 68131
Cost: Free
Link: http://midtowncrossing.com/events
The Holiday Lights Spectacular – Omaha’s newest holiday highlight is a choreographed blend of light and holiday music projected onto the Turner Park side of Midtown Crossing’s condominium buildings. Guests will enjoy new music and enhanced effects for optimal viewing.
La Vista Holiday Wintertainment
When: Varies
Where: City of La Vista
Cost: Free
Link: http://www.cityoflavista.org/index.aspx?NID=1438
Enjoy a variety of fun events throughout the Holiday season!
- Santa’s Sleigh Ride (November 29; starting at 3 p.m.)
- Tree Lighting Celebration (
November 30; 5:45 p.m.) RESCHEDULED to Thursday, December 3, 5:45 p.m. - Rockin’ with Rudolph (December 7, 10 a.m.)
- Library Holiday Open House (December 12; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
- Round Ball Reindeer Shootout (December 12, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.)
- Storytime with Saint Nick (December 16; 10 a.m.)
- Pizza with the Police (December 16; 6:30-8:30 p.m.)
- Holiday Village Preschool Storytime (December 17; 10 a.m.)
- Hot Wheels Holiday Drag Races (December 21, 2 p.m.)
- Afternoon Holiday Movie (December 22)
- Noon Year’s Eve Party (December 31, 11:15 a.m.)
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