Waukesha County Home

SPECIAL TO HOMES PLUS (StatePoint) — You can't predict the future, but you can feel more confident in your ability to face unforeseen emergencies if you prepare your home and family ahead of time. Planning for all kinds of scenarios is crucial, say experts. "In the event of an emergency, a well- thought out emergency plan can eliminate stress, limit confusion and save a great deal of wasted time," said Tim MacWelch, author of the new book, "Outdoor Life: Pre- pare for Anything." "Different areas are prone to different risk factors. So look up your neighborhood's flood history and seis- mological data to understand your risks. Luckily, there is a lot of overlap in the supplies and preparations you need to make for many disasters. To be better prepared for anything, MacWelch recommends tak- ing the following actions: ■ Create up-to-date contact information cards for each family member. ■ Develop communication strategies to keep in touch, even if phones are out-of- service. ■ Plan how you will assist or care for fam- ily who have mobility or medical issues, communication difficulties or special needs. ■ Maintain, inspect and rotate emergency supplies, such as nonperishable food, water, first aid, lighting and communication equipment. Periodically pull out all of your emergency supplies. Take inventory, check expiration dates, use older items and replace them with new supplies. Make sure you end up with more items than you start- ed with. ■ Maintain specialized supplies for infants, young children and sick or elderly members of your family. ■ Create a plan and keep supplies for the care of pets ■ Have the tools and the knowledge to shut off your utilities. ■ Develop basic self-sufficiency skills in the event you have to seek shelter in a place without utilities. Create a supply kit that includes drinking water, no-cook foods like protein bars and peanut butter, first-aid supplies, flashlights, digital backups of important documents and cash. ■ Create an evacuation plan, in case you have to leave your home. ■ Learn basic safety skills, such as first aid, CPR, and fire prevention. ■ Get the family ready by conducting emergency drills. For example, you can per- form a classic fire drill by evacuating your home at an unexpected time. Have everyone low-crawl out of the house and meet at a planned spot outside the home. Round out the exercise with stop, drop and roll each time you have a fire drill. More information about MacWelch's "Prepare for Anything" can be found at http://weldonowen.com. JULY 2014 HOMES PLUS 7 at MERRILL HILLS MANOR Living Life The trusted partner in your neighborhood. A safe community for your loved one. MERRILL HILLS MANOR a Senior Lifestyle community 888-871-2237 3217 FIDDLERS CREEK DRIVE • WAUKESHA, WI 53188 An Assisted Living and Memory Care Community WWW.SENIORLIFESTYLE.COM 236555007 =DB:HEAJHH:C>DGA>K>C< Independent Senior Living • Retirement Communities • Senior Apartments • Assisted Living • Subsidized Housing Checklist: Prepare yourself in case of an emergency Parade of Homes next month WAUKESHA — The Metropolitan Builders Assocation announced that the 2014 Parade of Homes will begin Aug. 9 and run through Sept. 1. Twenty-one new homes from 18 of south- eastern Wisconsin's top homebuilders will be showcased in three subdivisions — Hawks Glen in Mequon, Twin Pine Farm in the Town of Lisbon and Victoria Station in Pewaukee. "The 2014 Parade of Homes will feature 21 brand new, never-been-seen homes with the latest designs and decorating trends," MBA Executive Director Kristine Hillmer said. More than 30,000 visitors are expected to tour the homes over the course of the three- week event, according to an MBA release. Visitors interested in building or buying a new home, remodeling or gathering ideas for home improvement projects will have the opportunity to interact with the area's top experts in the field, it added. "We are continuing to hear from MBA builders that there is an increased consumer interest in beginning a home building proj- ect right now. With most of last year's parade models already sold, this makes a powerful statement about the improving market for new home building," Hillmer said. This year's parade also will include exhibitor tents featuring the MBA's associ- ate members. Company representatives will be on hand to talk about their product or service. Home builders for the Hawks Glen subdi- vision in Mequon include Kaerek Homes, Inc.; Kings Way Homes LLC; Korndoerfer Homes; Mikkelson Builders; SCI Select Homes LLC; Victory Homes of Wisconsin Inc.; and Westridge Builders Inc. Home builders for Victoria Station in Pewaukee include Allan Builders LLC; Bielinski Homes; Halen Homes LLC; Homes By Towne; J. Anthony Homes & Designs LLC; Kaerek Homes Inc.; Korndoerfer Homes; and Tim O'Brien Homes. Home builders for Twin Pine Farm in Lis- bon includes Aspen Homes Inc.; Belman Homes Inc.; Demlang Builders Inc.; Joseph Douglas Homes; Victory Homes of Wiscon- sin Inc.; and Woodhaven Homes & Realty Inc. Tickets for the MBA Parade of Homes allow entry into each subdivision once. They are available at parade entrances for $10 for adults, and $6 for seniors 65 and over and children ages 3 through 12). Children under 3 are free. Adult tickets are available at a dis- counted price of $8, if purchased online or through several advance ticket locations. Visit www.mbaparadeofhomes.com for more information and a list of ticket outlets. Event hours are 4 p.m. through 8 p.m. Mon- day through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and Labor Day during the parade's run. Special events and promotions will be held throughout the event, including a food drive, 2 for 1 Days, Realtor Days, Chamber Days and Military Appreciation Days. Submitted photo It is important to have emergency items on hand in the event of an emergency.

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