Home & Family Newsletter January 2021

As you plan your resolutions for 2021, keep home safety top of mind! Often home safety to-dos get lost in the shuffle of everyday life and never end up completed. This January, create a detailed plan to tackle inspections and updates to ensure a safe home for your family. Get out your calendar; it is time to make a plan to keep your home safe in 2021.

Change air filters. Air filters should typically be changed once every three months. If you have one pet, change the filter every two months, and if you have more than one pet or a family member with allergies, change your air filter every month. Since this is a regular task, make a note in your calendar now to remember to change the air filters on time.

Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested every month to ensure they are in good working condition. Unless your detectors have long-life batteries, replace the batteries once or twice a year, which is usually recommended around daylight savings time in the spring and fall.

Clean your dryer vent. Dryer vent pipes should be cleaned at least once a year for both safety and efficiency purposes. Block off an afternoon to complete this project yourself or make a note to call a professional to clean the vent for you.

Conduct an electrical audit. Once a year, do a thorough check of all electrical components in your house. Look for damaged wires, check outlets and ensure your breaker panel is free of debris.

Review your homeowner’s insurance policy. When it comes time to renew your homeowner’s insurance policy, do not just write a check and forget about it.Take the time to read the document and make any changes necessary in your coverage.

Prepare for emergencies. Update emergency contacts restock your first aid kit and make sure flashlights have working batteries. Do not forget to review and practice your fire escape plan with your family as well.

The “new year, new look” mantra is not just for clothing, it is for houses too! Get on trend and give your interior walls, built-in shelves or even your home’s exterior an update with some of the top paint colors for 2021.

New Neutrals

After a tumultuous 2020, homeowners want a calming place to take sanctuary more than ever before. In 2021, neutral paint colors provide just that. Neutral trends tend more towards the warm side, with taupe, subdued blues and soft whites emerging as top picks. Not only are these colors relaxing, but they also provide a great backdrop for artwork or textiles you want to display in the room.

Rich, Vibrant Tones

Vivid, jewel colors like ruby red, teal and deep purple take the stage in 2021. These saturated colors provide a dose of happiness and energy for everyone who enters the room. If you are not sure if bold colors are right for you, take baby steps. Start with an accent wall, built-in bookshelf, or fireplace mantle. 

Light and Sunny

Yellow paint shades are having a moment, particularly because of the joy and optimism the color brings to mind. From bright to mellow, just about any shade of yellow will fit the bill. If you want to achieve a light and airy look but do not love yellow, try muted versions of pinks, greens, or lavender.

Cozy Colors

Be one with nature in 2021. Choose earthy paint colors like dark brown, moss green and rich blue that are reminiscent of colors you see outdoors. When brought inside, these natural shades evoke a sense of coziness and comfort, something everyone craves these days.

Gray-Out

When it comes to exterior paint colors, gray reigns as the top choice. Whether you choose a light, neutral gray (like greige, a mixture of gray and beige), a dark charcoal gray or a gray with blue or green undertones, you are sure to achieve a beautiful modern look that will be the envy of the neighborhood!

Small changes can add up in a big way to help you save money on your monthly electric bill. Try these tips to start saving today:

1.  Only run full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine. For more energy savings, skip handwashing dishes, wash your clothes in cold water and keep your dryer vent clean.

2.  Make sure your HVAC system is clean. Change your air filter at the recommended time frame (usually every one to three months). Use a vacuum to clear your furnace and heat registers of all dust and debris.

3.  Program your thermostat. Adjust the settings on your thermostat to sync with your daily schedule. You will save money by not heating or cooling your house when you are not there.

4.  Make the most of curtains and shades. Open up your window coverings on cold days to let the sun in and close them on warm days to keep your house cool.

5.  Turn off lights and unplug appliances that are not in use. Go high-tech by using smart power strips that automatically cut off power when a device is not in use.

6.  Switch to LED lightbulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED lightbulbs use 75 percent less energy that incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 percent longer.

7.  Adjust the temperature on your water heater. Set your water heater to 120 degrees, rather than the manufacturer-recommended 140 degrees. It can save you three to five percent on your energy bill.

8.  Keep your oven closed while cooking. Each time you open your oven it can lose up to 25 percent of its internal heat. This ends up requiring even more electricity to get back up to the programmed temperature.

9.  Take shorter showers. Reducing the amount of water, you use (and need to heat) can lower your electricity bills. Try cutting back by a minute or two to start.

10.  Caulk and weather strip around windows and doors. Look for drafty areas in your house and seal them to prevent energy loss.

Recipe Courtesy of: Tastefully Simple

Ingredients

·  1-pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed

·  1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

·  2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained

·  2 (10 ounce) cans red enchilada sauce

·  1 cup frozen whole kernel corn

·  1½ tablespoons Onion Seasoning

·  1 teaspoon Garlic Seasoning

·  2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

·  Optional toppings: sliced green onions, sliced black olives, chopped avocado, tortilla chips

Directions

In a greased 3-quart or larger slow cooker, combine first 7 ingredients and 1½ cups cheese. Cook on LOW 7-8 hours.

Serve in bowls topped with remaining cheese and desired toppings.