Thursday, March 24, 2011

Magical Magnolia Bicycle Tour... April 2nd Magnolia Park Burbank, CA

Keep your schedule open on Saturday April 2nd 3-7 pm and hop on your bike and come join the festivities in the Magnolia Park area of Burbank. Magnolia Park businesses, Burbank Bike, and the Burbank Recycling Center are hosting the event titled, "Magical Magnolia Bicycle Tour" For more information about the event go to http://www.magnoliaparkburbank.org/.
Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Part 3 of 3: Earthquakes - What To Do After An Earthquake.

Today we look at the 3rd part of our series on Earthquakes: WHAT TO DO AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE. This information is taken from the FEMA website.

What to Do After an Earthquake


•Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.

•Listen to a battery-operated radio or television. Listen for the latest emergency information.

•Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

•Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.

•Stay away from damaged areas. Stay away unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.

•Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called "tidal waves"). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way. Stay away from the beach.

•Help injured or trapped persons. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance such as infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.

•Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.

•Inspect the entire length of chimneys for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.

•Inspect utilities.

◦Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

◦Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.

◦Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.

Be prepared.

Go to http://www.fema.gov/ for more information of what you can do to prepare for natural disasters specific to your area.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Part 2 of 3: Earthquakes

Yesterday we went over how to prepare for an earthquake. Today we will look at what to do during an earthquake. Information is reprinted from FEMA official website:

What to Do During an Earthquake:


Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors

•DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

•Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.

•Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.

•Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.

•Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.

•Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

•DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors

•Stay there.

•Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.

•Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

•Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.

•Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

•Do not light a match.

•Do not move about or kick up dust.

•Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

•Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Tomorrow we'll go over part 3 - what to do after an earthquake,
 
Best,
Phil and Jill

Monday, March 14, 2011

Southern California is Earthquake Country So Be Prepared

With  the tragedy of Japan fresh on our minds, it is a good time that we Southern Californians refresh ourselves on earthquake safety. This is the first of a 3 part series about earthquake preparedness.

Part 1 reprinted from official FEMA website:

What to Do Before an Earthquake


Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake. Repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lighting fixtures to the ceiling, and following local seismic building standards, will help reduce the impact of earthquakes.

Six Ways to Plan Ahead

1.Check for Hazards in the Home

◦Fasten shelves securely to walls.

◦Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.

◦Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.

◦Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.

◦Brace overhead light fixtures.

◦Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.

◦Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.

◦Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.

◦Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.


2.Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors

◦Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.

◦Against an inside wall.

◦Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.

◦In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.

3.Educate Yourself and Family Members

◦Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes. Also read the "How-To Series" for information on how to protect your property from earthquakes.

◦Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.

◦Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.

4.Have Disaster Supplies on Hand

◦Flashlight and extra batteries.

◦Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries.

◦First aid kit and manual.

◦Emergency food and water.

◦Nonelectric can opener.

◦Essential medicines.

◦Cash and credit cards.

◦Sturdy shoes.

5.Develop an Emergency Communication Plan

◦In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.

◦Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

6.Help Your Community Get Ready

◦Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes. Localize the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices, the American Red Cross, and hospitals.

◦Conduct a week-long series on locating hazards in the home.

◦Work with local emergency services and American Red Cross officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairments on what to do during an earthquake.

◦Provide tips on conducting earthquake drills in the home.

◦Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and water companies about shutting off utilities.

◦Work together in your community to apply your knowledge to building codes, retrofitting programs, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and family emergency plans.

Come back tomorrow for Part 2: What to Do During an Earthquake.

Have a great day!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Spring Ahead... Not Thanks, I'm Too Tired!

If you enjoy daylight savings in the same capacity as me, you are dreading the upcoming loss of an hour of precious, precious sleep this Sunday as we spring forward one hour. Now I'll admit that I'm a big fan of the fall version of this tradition but its spring counterpart - not so much! Personal agony aside, this is your friendly REALTOR reminder to move your clocks one hour ahead to avoid showing up early for work come Monday! And we know no-one wants that!

It's also recommended to change the batteries on your smoke detector at this time. It also wouldn't hurt to take a vacuum and do a once over the smoke detector to make sure it's in peak operational shape. If your smoke detector is over 10 years old - it may be a good time to replace it. Now, if you are really getting into this - run a fire drill with the family to refresh memories or institute a new emergency plan. Well, that's all I got. Take care and get some extra sleep Saturday night if possible! :)

Monday, March 7, 2011

March is Plant a Tree Month in Burbank, CA


March is Plant a Tree Month here in Burbank, CA. Donations are being collected all month by the Burbank Civic Pride Committee from residents and businesses leading up to a tree planting ceremony at McCambridge Park - 2pm March 24th. Donations must be received by March 17th in order to be included in the official program. Trees may be donated in Memory of, or in Honor of someone. Additional information and a downloadable flyer can be found following the link above.

Have a great day  - it's March so go plant a tree! :)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

New Condo Listing: 4140 Warner Blvd. #307 Burbank, CA 91505

Jill and I are excited about our new condo listing in Burbank.This one bedroom, one bath gem is located on the top floor of a highly desirable building on a quiet side street. It comes complete with great view of the surrounding hills. Stepping inside one finds a bright and airy  floorplan with good flow. This makes its 760 sq feet of living space appear much larger! Perfect for a single person or young couple starting out - this home will pleasure and delight with a good mixture of amenities and convenience of location.

The subterranean parking for the building is gated for safety and the assigned spot is close to the elevator. It includes extra storage space. Heading up the elevator to the first floor, one can find a well kept pool and sauna for the enjoyment of the residents. Each floor of this three story building has it's own dedicated laundry but there are other laundry options available to those opposed to such activity. Milt and Edie's Dry Cleaners is located only a few blocks away and hosts free pick up and delivery service.

The surrounding area is a fair mixture of shops, restaurants, and entertainment all within walking distance so park the car and enjoy your new found ease of living. This truly is the best of all worlds! To help you see how great an opportunity this home is, I've included  the link to our HD trailer for 4140 Warner #307 below. Check out the video and then contact us to find our what we can do to help your home get noticed and sold for the highest price. Enjoy!

http://www.4140condo.com/