Sumter Square Events Schedule

COMMUNITY YARD SALE
Date: MAY 14, 2011
Time: 7:00am - 9:00am
Come by the office to sign up, or give us a call.
1 Free Table per participant

ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Date: JUNE 18, 2011
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Come to the office pool for free ice cream.
We'll be serving until it's all gone!

JOIN US FOR THE BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR!

SUMMERFEST 2011 POOL PARTY
Date: JULY 23, 2011
Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Food & Fun, Games & Prizes, Waterslides & Music

MOVIE NIGHT in the PARK
Date: To be determined - coming in September
Free Outdoor Movie at the Sumter Square Park
Free Popcorn
Call Joni with ideas for a child and adult friendly movie!!

KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR OUR GIVEAWAYS!
In September & October look for our NORTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR GIVEAWAY.
You'll have 2 chances to win entry tickets, cash & ride tickets!!

In October & November look for our WIN A FREE TURKEY DINNER GIVEAWAY.
all raffles are free to enter

Decorating Your Apartment Walls

You’ve unpacked the boxes and arranged your furniture, but something’s missing: wall decor! Don’t get bored with blank walls; use your creativity and get something up there pronto. It’s easy to unleash your inner artist and decorate your apartment walls.

Set the scene
Painting your walls, or even just a single wall, makes a great backdrop for artwork. A neutral wall paint makes colorful artwork pop. If you are hanging black and white photos, try a bright red wall so the high contrast images can really shine. Another option is to let your wall paint be the decor. Painting stripes or geometric shapes can really add impact to your apartment walls. Here’s a tip if your painting skills aren’t so great. Try using removable stick-on decals. It’s a non-permanent way to add interest to your walls, and you’ll find hundreds of designs to choose from.

Pack in photos
Once you’ve got your walls painted the base color you want, it’s time to decorate them. Hanging photos is an inexpensive way to display your personal memories so that you can enjoy them every day. You can also use photos that other people have taken, even classic archival photography. Whatever images you select, get your photos framed (or frame them yourself,) and have fun with your frame choices. Try mixing and matching frames or pick a single color theme, but utilize different styles of framing and shades of color. You can also have fun arranging them, grouping the frames to create larger geometric shapes. Test your ideas by sketching sample layouts on a piece of paper to see which one you like best.

Invest in art
Original art can certainly add a unique touch to your apartment walls. If you aren’t a photographer or artist yourself, you could invest in others’ artwork. It’s easy to find original art or affordable reproductions of art in home decor stores. These purchases don’t have to break the bank, though art galleries will usually offer a layaway plan to assist you in acquiring a pricey piece of art. Alternatively, you could ask artistic friends to create something special for your apartment, or you could create your own masterpiece. Take an art class and hang your homework on your walls!

Objectify
Unusual objects make wonderful decorative items for your apartment walls. You can display random items or hang a collection of vintage board games, watches, or plates — anything that you love looking at. Hang shelves to display your favorite collection of objects in a creative way.

Get the ok
Do check your lease or inquire with your apartment community manager as to whether painting walls or other decorative changes you might want to make to your apartment are allowed.

Wall decor ideas are limitless and don’t have to be expensive. Look at other people’s apartments for inspiration: you can search online for virtual tours of apartments where you’ll see some amazing decorating ideas. Exercise your creative side on your apartment walls, and those walls will never look the same!

Prepare your Apartment for Winter

When winter weather hits and temperatures start to drop outside,

your apartment will get chilly, as well.

Use these tips to help prepare your apartment for winter,

and protect yourself from the cold.

Reverse ceiling fans
Running your ceiling fan in reverse in your apartment can keep you more comfortable in winter weather. Since hot air rises, your ceiling fan can push that warmer air back down onto you. Just flip the switch on your ceiling fan. If it’s in reverse, you’ll see the blades going counterclockwise when you look up at it.

Help your heating system
An efficient heating system will cost you less. As you prepare for winter, you will want your HVAC system to run smoothly and efficiently. Apartment management should take care of scheduling appropriate, regular inspections of important equipment. (You might inquire with management when your unit’s system was last assessed.)

You can also help your heating system to work more efficiently by wrapping your hot water heater in a special blanket. Available at home improvement stores, hot water heater blankets run about $15 and insulate a heater to improve its efficiency — that’s a pretty big deal considering that nearly 14 percent of your energy costs go towards providing hot water.

Winterize the fireplace
Turning the thermostat down and cranking up a warm fire can save you big bucks on heating bills. Your apartment fireplace should be number one on the list of amenities to check as you prepare for winter.

When you first use the fireplace, pay close attention to ventilation. If you notice smoke in the air or a strong smell of smoke, you might inquire with your apartment community manager about the process for having your fireplace inspected.

If you do not plan to use your apartment fireplace, make sure the damper (a piece of metal that keeps out cold air) is securely closed.

Prep for zone heating
Think about where you spend the most time in your apartment, and purchase heaters to keep those areas comfortable. Zone heating gadgets might include an electric blanket, a space heater, or a towel warmer — any device that allows you to focus heat where you need it, instead of using extra energy to warm a larger space.
Close off infrequently used areas.
Why should your laundry room have to be as toasty as your living room? Keep infrequently-used rooms and closets closed off during winter weather so that your heater can work more efficiently.

Insulate windows
Window insulation kits use shrink-wrap plastic sheeting to seal off drafts. This inexpensive investment could end up saving you money during a cold winter. Adding heavy drapery around your windows also cuts heating costs. Have maintenance plug up gaps.

Windows aren’t the only drafty places in your pad. Check for cracks and gaps on the outside of your apartment near windows and also inside your unit around outlets and doors. Check with maintenance staff to caulk any large leaks. You can also purchase door draft stoppers to help stop cold air from seeping in through cracks.

Set the thermostat
If you’ve got a programmable thermostat, prepare for winter by setting it to heat your home only during the hours you’re there. It’s much cheaper to turn the thermostat down during the day when you’re at work and back up when you get home, rather than keeping your apartment warm 24/7.

Turning the thermostat down just three degrees can save you money. That’s why utility companies recommend setting your thermostat to 68 degrees. Even if you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you can still save money by adjusting your thermostat manually each day.

Check smoke detectors
Check your smoke detectors when you prepare for winter. While you’re at it, make sure your fire extinguisher is in working order, as well. Heating for winter potentially increases indoor fire hazards, so checking these devices now is a good idea.

Winterize yourself
Instead of turning up your thermostat, make yourself more comfortable with warm clothing. When it’s cold outside, dress appropriately for the weather. And get the right indoor garb for winter weather, too: sweat pants, slippers, warm pajamas, and a blanket for the couch.

Before you make any major changes to your apartment, of course,

check your lease and talk to your apartment property manager to

ensure you are not breaking any apartment community regulations.

Remember that a few small, inexpensive changes can help you stay comfortable

 and potentially save you money this winter.

Ways to Find Apartment Decorating Inspiration

Whether you’re in a brand new apartment or looking to spruce up your present one, most of us are on constant lookout for design inspiration.

But where to find it?

Read on for some places to find the decorating ideas you’ve been waiting for.

Do you have an emerging style?
Look around your apartment. Do you see a look that’s trying to get out? Perhaps you have several pieces that share the same era, color or style. What about the color, fabric or design of your bed linens, window treatments and wall hangings? You might discover that you have subconsciously been collecting items that create a style of their own, but it’s one that has been buried by the mish mash of other looks you’ve decorated with. Remove these unaffiliated pieces and accessories and replace with others that match your existing theme.

What are your hobbies?
Or let’s say you’ve got nothing but a hopeless hodgepodge for your look. Then it’s time to get down to some serious apartment decorating repair work. How do you find a look that reflects the real you, one that you enjoy looking at and living in? Let’s start with some soul-searching. What do you love? Look to your hobbies and the interests closest to your heart to develop some decorating ideas.

Are you a golf fanatic? Perhaps you’d enjoy the trappings of the Florida scene with a palm tree motif, plenty of greens and browns, rattan or dark wood furniture and vintage golf accessories. Do you love to travel? Posters from faraway places or of planes, trains and automobiles are a great way to underscore your theme. Antiques often deliver an old-world flavor. Do you like to garden, cook or build kites? Look for patterns, paintings, posters and colors that represent your passion and let your imagination run wild.

Inspired by art
Do you have a favorite painting or photograph, or a much-loved period of art? That information could make a great starting point for your apartment décor. From the Renaissance masters to modernism, a powerful framed piece can set the stage for an entire room. Go quirky or classical, depending on your favorite hanging.

Look to nature
Perhaps you have a favorite climate or geographic locale. Are you a beach lover or do the mountains call your name? Do you long for the Mediterranean life? Whether you want to create a beach cottage, an Italian villa or an alpine cabin for your apartment look, there are many nature-inspired apartment decorating ideas to fuel your design journey.

The world of design
Modern media is obsessed with design. From magazines to entire television channels devoted to interior design, there are literally countless resources at your disposal. Are you drawn to the modern look or do you prefer country rustic? Whatever your persuasion, you can find a Web site, show or publication that will feed your interest. Why not try the public library for books on apartment decorating, or browse the newsstand at your local grocery store and pick up several magazines to take home with you. The most exciting aspect of apartment decorating is combining styles to create your very own.

Design inspiration can come from virtually anyplace. If you’re short on decorating ideas, you need only look around you. Be open and inventive, and you’ll soon be living in the style that suits you best.

Fall Decorating for Your Apartment

Leaves are turning and there’s a chill in the air — clear signs fall has arrived.

You don’t have to let Mother Nature have all the fun.

Fill your apartment with fall flavor by decorating with autumn decor. Take your cues from the great outdoors and transform your interior before the first frost.

Changing colors
The color palette outside is transforming, and so should your apartment decor. Bring your favorite fall colors inside by adding accents of red, gold, orange, forest green and brown. The easiest way to shift your apartment color palette from sunny summer to festive fall is to replace inexpensive accessories. Swap out your spring-colored throw pillows for more autumnal colors such as hunter green. Put out new table linens in warm tones like orange and red. Store your brightly-colored cotton throw rugs and bring in brown and gold wool versions. Adding traditional fall colors to your existing apartment décor will make every day feel like a harvest festival.

Embrace the Earth
Fall decorating is also the perfect time to add an outdoor element. Go for a walk outside and notice the natural items that you could bring inside (for free!) There are a lot of creative options for table centerpieces that you can make yourself with leaves, dried corn and miniature pumpkins. (If you can’t find all of these items outside, hit the local grocer or farmer’s market.) Invite friends over for a decorating potluck where everyone brings their favorite autumn item to use for a craft project. Try making a few different fall centerpieces for the dining room table, coffee table and end tables.

Go cozy
Now that there’s a nip in the air, warm up your space by making the most of your fireplace. Dress it up with fall decor by adding a garland of gorgeous leaves that weaves its way through colorful red and gold candles. This creates a nice cozy atmosphere for fall entertaining or relaxing on your own at the end of the day. And when you are picking out candles for your fall apartment decorating, think beyond color to your favorite smells of autumn. Choose favorite scents that remind you of harvest time, for instance. Scents like pumpkin pie, apple orchard and candy corn will get you in the mood for the cooler days ahead.
Take it outside
Don’t limit fall decorating to the inside of your apartment. Bring autumn accents into an outdoor hallway by adding a wreath on your door or a leafy swag around the doorframe. Set out a trio of different sized pumpkins or a Jack O’ Lantern near your front entrance. Decorate your apartment patio with fall-themed window boxes and strings of tiny orange lights. You might even want to add a Halloween or Thanksgiving themed doormat to welcome guests.

‘Tis the season
In addition to all-purpose fall decor, add some holiday-specific items to help you get geared up for Halloween parties and Thanksgiving dinners. You can go classic with witchy napkins and cornucopia centerpieces or blow it out with an inflatable turkey and fake tombstones. Remember that for some folks, football season is a national holiday! Proudly display your favorite team colors around your apartment. Be bold and hang a sports-themed flag by your front door to let your neighbors know which team you’ll be cheering for on game day.

The cool autumn sky’s the limit when it comes to decorating your apartment for fall. Window shop the stores and

browse home decor magazines for ideas,

then go wild with fall color and nature’s bounty

Don't be a turkey....come by the office to win!

FREE TURKEY DINNER

Come by the office starting today,

10-8-10, and enter to win a prepared turkey dinner for 8-10 people!!!

***FREE TO ENTER***

Drawing will be on:

November 18, 2010

Preapred dinner will be delivered to your door on:

Novemeber 23, 2010

Included in your Harris Teeter prepared dinner will include.....

• 9-12 lb Turkey
• 2 lbs Green Bean Supreme
• 2 lbs Fresh Glazed Carrots
• 2 lbs Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
• 1 lb Turkey Gravy
• 2 lbs Cornbread Dressing

and don't forget.....

an APPLE PIE of course!

NC STATE FAIR WINNER!!!

We are happy to announce the winner of our NC STATE FAIR drawing!

Jessica, Grace & Genesis are going to the fair!

Congrats you guys...enjoy this awesome fair weather!!!!

In these hard economic times, the fair can get very, very expensive...we hope that this package takes a bit of the bite off!!!

What was in the fair package??

• 6 admission tickets
• 90 ride tickets
• $50 cash

EAT A FRIED TWINKIE FOR ME!!!!

Apartment living makes sense

Apartment living makes sense
Denver Business Journal - by Jeff Kimes


Since the end of World War II, home ownership has been the goal of most Americans, regarded as a symbol of having "made it." But in the past decade, there has been a quiet revolution going on in how and where we live.
As life gets more hectic, commutes get longer and the age and composition of our population changes, many households are deciding that apartment living can provide unmatched benefits and is a preferred lifestyle.

That decision is supported by leading economists, who say renting makes sense for lots of people, and the notion that renting is short-sighted and financially foolish is just plain wrong. While many Americans have taken advantage of low mortgage interest rates, experts say that homeownership may not be right for everyone.
For those who plan to move in three to five years, renting can be more cost-effective. And for families, singles, elderly and young professionals, apartment living offers a hassle-free experience that can make sense in terms of both lifestyle and finances.
So why is apartment living gaining in popularity among households of all incomes? In a recent survey by Fannie Mae, more than 40 percent of renters say they rent out of choice and not out necessity. This is a number that has risen every year. Today's apartment residents span the full spectrum of American society and represent all age groups, family types, incomes and ethnicities.
Renters are becoming older, more affluent and more educated. Since 2001, the fastest-growing segment of the apartment market is households making $50,000 or more a year. Thirty percent of all apartment households have incomes that put them in the top half of the national income distribution.

The Denver housing market is a good example of the how today's economy supports renting as a decision. The average home price so far in 2004 in metro Denver was $284,397 (Denver Board of Realtors, May 2004 report), which would likely result in a mortgage payment of $1,637. At the same time, the median apartment rent is $807. Renters find they can make good use of the extra $830 each month, and keeping the down payment invested in other assets makes good sense for many.
Leading large apartment owner/manager companies have developed a range of properties that cater to families, professionals, students and seniors in attractive communities ranging from urban high-rises to park-like suburban settings.
The pace of life has changed over the past 50 years. Time-pressed professionals and families looking to simplify their lives and shorten their commutes and empty nesters ready to shed their house-related chores are often deciding to move closer to entertainment, restaurants and shopping.
Some renters may not want to commit a hefty down payment or stretch their finances to buy a home in the neighborhood or school district of their choice. They are instead opting to rent an apartment in that same community for the location, convenience and amenities, rather than be saddled with expensive and long-term mortgage payments.
A growing number of apartment renters are families in housing transition or high-level executives who require multiple residences across the country in order to tend to their business. For many of these people, renting an apartment is just plain easier than having to deal with day-to-day home management.
For boomers and empty nesters, a rebound in the stock market and tax laws exempting up to $500,000 in capital gains from the sale of a primary residence makes it easier for them to rid themselves of homeowner hassles. Freed from the prospect of incurring a huge tax liability, many are now choosing to leave cutting the grass, repairing the roof and furnace and shoveling snow behind in favor of apartment living.

Today's apartments bear very little resemblance to those marketed in the 1970s and 1980s, which served as way stations on the road to something better. Apartment communities are successfully competing with single-family houses by offering better locations, more user-friendly floor plans, cutting-edge technologies and a package of amenities and services that cannot be easily or affordably replicated in a single-family home.

Many of today's apartments are larger and include attached garages, pre-wired entertainment centers, private alarm systems and the latest in countertops and appliances.

Planned social and community events, high-speed Internet access, on-site fitness centers, cyber cafes, business centers, movie screening rooms, billiards rooms and more make apartment living lots more fun than single-family living.

In some communities, a simple call to the on-site concierge can arrange babysitting, housekeeping, pet care, grocery shopping or a night on the town.
A few companies are pioneering other desirable extras, such as my company's "Good Neighbor Commitment," signed by both the community management and the resident, and designed to foster a congenial community environment built on the principles of respect and courtesy for others.

So don't assume that the BMW-driving, Blackberry-wired businesswoman in the car ahead of you is driving home to her spacious spread in suburbia. Or that your retiring colleague is looking forward to gardening and tending to their now mortgage-free home. Or that the young family in the apartment next door is counting the minutes until they can move into a single-family home.
It is increasingly likely that these folks are choosing apartment living instead. It's a lifestyle and financial decision that millions are opting for each year.

Jeff Kimes is regional vice president for the northwestern U.S. at Apartment Investment and Management Company (AIMCO), a real estate investment trust based in Denver, with properties in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. He can be reached at Jeff.Kimes@aimco.com.
Read more: Apartment living makes sense - Denver Business Journal

Ideas for Spare Rooms in Your Apartment

Are you lucky enough to have extra room in your apartment? If so, there are plenty of ways to make use of it. Read on for great spare room ideas.

Ready for guests
Turn your spare room into a guest room so you can host out-of-town friends and family. A daybed works as a sofa for you and sleeping quarters for your visitor. Add a night table and perhaps some space in the closet, and you’re ready for your mom or your German pen pal.

A home office
You can create an office workspace in your apartment at the kitchen table, so imagine what you could do with a whole room? A desk, chair, filing cabinet and bookshelf create a fully-equipped private workspace — an office away from the office. Bring in a comfortable seat to lounge on, and you can read or teleconference in comfort.

Your own library
If you are an avid reader who owns a lot of books, creating a library may be an excellent use for your apartment spare room. With today’s (mostly) easy-to-assemble modular shelves and room dividers, it’s simple to create wall-to-wall bookcases. Add cozy seating, a throw and a fireplace (or a nice space heater), and you have a quiet corner for a good read with a cup of your favorite beverage.

Play room
A place to play gives your apartment a feeling of creative freedom and confines toy chaos to a home of its own. To add play potential to your extra room, use modular frames to hold bins of toys and games. You also use this wide-open space for a train table, a doll house, bean bag chairs or a rocking horse.

Craft room
Do you like to bead, knit or scrapbook? Make your extra room an artistic oasis. Under-the-table rolling drawers hold art and craft materials and are easy to hide when not in use. You can store a taller version in the closet. A simple table or one that can store all of your supplies gives you plenty of dedicated work space.

At-home gym
Who needs a gym, when you have workout space at home? A television set with DVD player stands by for exercise discs, and exercise mats can stow away easily in a closet or roll up into an attractive basket. Add weights and other equipment to your regimen and store them in a handy shelves and bins unit.

Entertainment room
Maybe you’d like a place just to watch movies and television, or play video games. With an entertainment center, a small sofa, comfortable chairs or bean bags, you can invite friends for the game or spend uninterrupted hours with your Wii or PlayStation.

Do you need a roommate?
Of course, the most lucrative use for your extra room is to rent it out. Think hard about whether you’re really ready to share your home and deal with another person’s lifestyle and habits before you begin the process. You can find a roommate through word of mouth, a classified ad or via a roommate referral service. If you decide to take on a roommate, however, make sure to talk with your apartment manager and them onto the lease so you are covered should something happen.

Have you got too many rooms on your hands? The possible uses for an extra room are limited only by your imagination. See how much you can make your spare room multitask, and you could expand the living space of your apartment in ways you never thought possible.

Dog Breeds That Make Good Apartment Dogs

Choosing the right apartment dog can seem like a daunting task. With so many dog breeds to choose from, how do you know which pooch is for you?

The good news is that many dog breeds make good apartment dogs. The key to choosing an apartment dog is to choose a canine with an energy level that suits your lifestyle and a temperament that will allow him to be comfortable in an apartment.
Pick an apartment dog whose activity level matches your own. If you’re an active person and plan on jogging every day with your dog, you can choose a high-energy dog breed. With a lot of exercise, a high-energy dog can be happy in an apartment. But if you’re a couch potato, look for a pup that prefers resting over going for runs.
A dog’s temperament is also critical in determining whether or not he’ll be a good apartment dog. For a dog, an apartment community is a pretty stimulating place — there’s a lot of people coming and going, and there’s a constant hum of interesting noises. A good apartment dog is one who can handle all that stimulation without getting overly anxious. Anxious dogs are barkers, and they could get you evicted.
With both energy level and temperament in mind, here’s a list of five dog breeds — both large and small — who’d make good apartment dogs.

Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies are among the best apartment dogs because of their small size. With full-grown Yorkshire Terriers weighing in at around seven pounds or less, these tiny dogs are very active indoors but don’t require outdoor exercise. They love cuddling and are the ultimate lap dogs. As an added bonus, these diminutive dogs can be easily trained to use the bathroom on indoor “piddle pads” — squares of diaper-like material that absorb waste — making them very low maintenance.

Mastiff
While they are among the most powerful and heavy dog breeds, Mastiffs actually make good apartment dogs because they are very low energy. Weighing as much as 150 pounds, these gentle giants are very calm and rarely bark making them suitable to busy apartment communities. With short walks every few days and daily indoor playtime, Mastiffs can be happy apartment dogs.

Schipperke
The Schipperke is a highly active small to medium-sized dog breed that does well with active apartment dwellers. Very alert and intelligent, these Belgian dogs need a lot of mental and physical stimulation through regular indoor playtime as well as outdoor walks. Some are prone to barking, but the breed makes a good apartment dog for its manageable size and loving, loyal temperament.

Greyhound
Exceptionally quiet and gentle, Greyhounds are a large breed that make good apartment dogs. Despite being known as athletes, these mellow dogs make great family pets and enjoy nothing more than lying around on the couch all day. They do require regular walks, but they don’t need excessive daily exercise.

Basset Hound
Thanks to their mild temperament and inactive indoor lifestyle, Bassets are a good apartment dog breed. With average adult Basset Hounds topping out at about 40 to 60 pounds, they are also an ideal medium size for many owners. Basset Hounds do love the outdoors though, and while they can be OK without a yard of their own, they need regular outdoor exercise to be happy and healthy.

Don’t see your favorite dog on the list?
The truth is that any dog breed could potentially be a good apartment dog. It all depends on the pup’s personality. And don’t think you have to limit yourself to purebreds when you choose an apartment dog. Adopting a mutt from a rescue shelter is also an option.

Pet-Proofing Your Apartment

Dogs and cats, like young children, require their caretakers to take safety precautions in their home. Just as you would want to avoid having your child eat or play with something harmful, you will want to take these basic steps to keep your pets healthy and happy.

Kitchen
The kitchen is loaded with temptation and potential problems for your pet. Make sure all cupboards and cabinets are latched and that all chemicals, cleaners, laundry products and insect products are high and out of reach.
Some pets even like to pry into the refrigerator, so if yours is extra curious, consider a child-proof latch for that too. Garbage cans should be covered or put into a latched cabinet. There are plenty of dangers in that “delicious” smelling trash, such as food wrappers.
Seemingly innocent food items could prove harmful to your pet as well. Make sure that the “treat” you’d like to indulge your cat or dog with does not contain chocolate, bones, high fat or alcohol. Onions, grapes and raisins can all cause digestive problems for furry friends. Even things you wouldn’t imagine a pet would want to taste such as tobacco products, coins and many household plants could all find their way into your dog or cat’s stomach, causing poisoning or choking.

Living areas
Make sure that there are no dangling power cords to lamps, televisions, DVD players, computers or other electrical items that your pet could run across or pull down and that all children’s toys, batteries, craft items and knick knacks are put away and out of reach of a pet that could knock them over or chew on them. Be vigilant about leaving shoes and clothes on the floor as well, especially around teething pets — buttons and drawstrings can spell disaster if ingested.

Bathrooms
Just as you would secure all medications from your child, make sure that no medicines, animal or human, are within your dog or cat’s reach. Also make sure toilets are covered to prevent drowning or drinking of harmful chemicals.
Laundry, storage and other areas
Be cautious about using any kind of chemical or insecticide in areas your pet might access, reading all labels carefully to make sure such products are not harmful to them. As elsewhere in your home, be sure to store all cleaners, soaps and chemicals safely out of reach.
Check your dryer for kittens before using and bang the hood of your car before starting to make certain there aren’t any cats (yours or a neighbors) who’ve taken shelter there for warmth. You’d be amazed at what lengths felines will go to for a snug sleep.

Special gatherings
As wonderful as having guests over can be, get-togethers at your home can also create opportunities for your pet to get into trouble. Be sure to ask guests not to feed your pets from the table and monitor discarded plates to see that the food makes it to a sealed garbage can before your dog or cat can intercept it. Also be aware of who is coming in and out of front or back doors and where your pets are, so that your dog or cat doesn’t take off unattended.
Holiday plants such as mistletoe and holly are bad for your pet if ingested, as is the water from a live Christmas tree. Tinsel, ornaments and practically anything you hang on a Christmas tree can create dangerous temptation for your pet, so if yours is especially curious or drawn to bright and shiny objects, you might want to consider keeping the tree behind a closed door.

Having a pet is a lot like having a child and requires, especially in regard to safety, the same kind of planning and precautions. Don’t assume your dog or cat knows what’s good for them to eat or safe to play with. You’re the parent to your furry family member so make sure to act like one!

For Rent: 2BR/1+1BA Apartment in Raleigh, NC, $772/month

For Rent: 2BR/1+1 1/2Bath Apartment in Raleigh, NC, $772/month

For Rent: 2BR/1BA Apartment in Raleigh, NC, $692/month

For Rent: 2BR/1BA Apartment in Raleigh, NC, $692/month