Washington County Weekend Post e-edition
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/537183
8 • W a s h i n g t o n C o u n t y R e a l E s t a t e • 7 - 5 - 1 5 Tour of Homes 45 th Annual July 11, 12, 15, 18 & 19 • Saturdays & Sundays 1pm - 5pm • Wednesday 6pm - 8pm July 11, 12, 15, 18 & 19 • Saturdays & Sundays 1pm - 5pm • Wednesday 6pm - 8pm www.wcba-wi.org FREE ADMISSION Complete the 2015 Tour of Homes bingo card and you could win a cash prize! (Family Features) Renovating a house can be a tough job. With so many details to consider, just knowing where to begin can be a challenge. But one consideration homeowners shouldn't skip is safety. Integrating security upgrades into your next remodel or renovation can be one of the most valuable investments a homeowner can make. Thinking beyond aes- thetics could save your home from the threats of theft, fire, or natural dis- aster. According to Mark and Theresa Clement, home renovation experts and authors of MyFixItUpLife.com, inte- grating safety into your next remodel or home project is simple and "as essential as plumbing in a home renovation plan," said Theresa. Mark and Theresa offer the following tips for securing some of the most prized areas of your home: 1. Entry Way: This area is the first place guests see, but it can also be an entry point for the unwelcomed kind. Ensure your door offers the right amount of security with properly working, heavy-duty locks. Add additional security with a camera or security system. Entryways are also a common gathering spot for keys, mail, and wal- lets. Consider concealing these valuables with cre- ative storage solutions that protect and organize everything from spare keys to the kids' report cards. 2. Garage, Shop, or Man Cave: Repurposing sheds and garages into "man caves" with bars and TVs is a popular trend. For most families, these areas are over- looked when it comes to security, and yet house high-value items. Install locks-even on garage doors-and consider over- head storage that con- ceals and protects from weather. One of the sim- plest things you can do: Lock up ladders stored outdoors. Many of us diligently lock the first floor windows, but not the second. Simple Home Safety Improvements Safety continued on page 9