Summer Hostess Safety Checklist

Planning summer cookouts and pool parties is lots of fun, but don’t forget to take safety into consideration too! By taking precautions now, you’ll be able to enjoy your parties that much more later on. We’ve compiled a Summer Hostess Safety Checklist to get you started.

• Check the pool fence and gate – Are the latches in working order?
• Secure the fire pit – If you have a mobile fire pit, make sure it’s on a level surface and cleaned out of past debris.
• Keep the grill away from the house – You don’t want to have any stray sparks! This goes for the fire pit, too. If you have a built-in grill or barbecue, make sure everything is clean and working properly.
• Cue the citronella – Safety includes protection against nasty mosquitoes, so make sure you have a good supply of citronella candles and bug spray for your guests. Not a citronella fan? Try this all-natural mason jar version instead!
• Melamine is a must – Eliminate the risk of glass breaking outside by using melamine dishes and cups! There are more adorable, durable designs than ever, so stock up for the season.

First-time Home Buyers – Four Ways to Ease the Stress of a Summertime Move

For first-time home buyers, moving at any time of the year can be stressful.  Summer can be a great time to move, because of the nice weather and long days, but it can also have extra complications. Here are four ways to make your summertime relocation a little easier:

1. Book your movers in advance – With spring buying season just ending, the summer months are a popular time for people to move into their new homes. Avoid scrambling by making sure you book a reliable moving company well-ahead of the big day.

2. Pack your belongings accordingly– Objects like candles and electronics can be damaged if they are left sitting in a hot moving truck for too long. Make sure to either pack these objects in a place where they can be unloaded quickly, or store them in a temperature controlled container to ensure they arrive safely.

3. Set up your AC – One of the first things you should do upon arrival at your new home is to set up your AC unit. If it’s built in, make sure the existing system is functioning and on, if you’re bringing your own, make sure they are easily accessible in the moving truck – you’ll be glad you did!

4. Dress the part– A simple, yet crucial step you can take to make your summer move more relaxed. The moving process will feel much more manageable if you wear loose, light colored clothing and comfortable shoes.

Good Neighbor Spotlight – Bill Hurt of ERA Shields

ERA Real Estate has always been committed to improving the communities within which we live and work. For over a decade, Bill Hurt, CEO of ERA Shields Real Estate, has embodied ERA’s charitable spirit through his dedicated work to improve the Colorado Springs area. Some of the charities Bill and his company support include:

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region

CASA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating safe environments for abused and neglected children. Since the mid–1990s, Bill has worked to promote the CASA mission through his involvement with the Light of Hope Fundraiser and through the connections he has made with the children and volunteers involved with the organization. His involvement has inspired other ERA Shields professionals to support the cause, which has helped ensure that the organization will be able to continue to help children-in-need for many years to come.

Discover Goodwill

For two terms, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for Southern and Western Colorado’s chapter of Goodwill, an organization dedicated to changing the lives of in-need individuals and families by eliminating barriers to opportunities and helping them become independent. One of his most notable contributions has been his work with the Passages program, which provides support services to help autistic adults learn to be self-sufficient.

Muscular Dystrophy Association

For the past nine years, Bill Hurt and ERA Shields have helped fight muscular dystrophy in the greater Colorado Springs area through a variety of initiatives. One of the most impactful has been their yearly fundraiser, which raises money specifically to send children with neuromuscular diseases to a local MDA camp. The company sponsors a prom at this local MDA camp as well, and each year Bill and his peers make the four-hour round trip drive to help set up, decorate and get the campers ready for the event. 

So proud to have the privilege to work with this man!!! Donna