During June, the Home Safety Council (HSC) is “working to educate and motivate families to take actions that will increase the safety of their homes.” There are five leading causes of injuries in the home; fires and burns, choking and suffocation, falls, drowning and poisoning.  Over 20 million people visit the emergency room or doctor as a result of those injuries.  Here are a few tips to minimize the risk of injuries at home:

If you don’t have a green thumb (like me) then signing up for the FREE Home Depot Garden Club is for you. Here you’ll find everything you need to fool your neighbors into thinking you’re a Master Gardener.

They offer advice for novices and experts alike, as well as an extensive plant library to find just the right plant for your area.  They also offer lawn care advise, DIY projects with instructions and support, and you can even customize your own gardening journal.

Best of all, it’s all FREE.  Once you sign up, look for coupons in your email inbox for some incredible deals.

Your personal records and valuables may include letters, photographs and mementos, newspaper clippings, report cards, etc.  Or birth certificates, passports, insurance policies, etc.  You want to protect them all from harm. You can keep a safety deposit box in your home for many of your valuables, or you may choose to keep a safety deposit box at your local bank. Many of us have both.

Guest post by Regina:

With the Green Revolution hitting the States this year, I had visions of solar panels on our roof giving our home enough energy to get us “off the grid.”

Reality check!

Being well organized also means being prepared. We all need a first aid kit in our homes and in our cars in case of an emergency. If you enjoy hiking, biking, or camping, keep one with you in your backpack. You can put your kits together using the list below or purchase them through the American Red Cross or most drug stores.

The American Red Cross suggests that you include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. When you use anything from one of your kits, don’t forget to replenish it. Also check expiration dates periodically. The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following: