Realty Rave June 2015

David Burke Tel: 760-250-2570 June 2015 Hi David Welcome to this month's edition of the RealtyRave newsletter. We hope that you find it filled with interesting and useful information! Please think of me with any real estate related questions you may have - now and in the future. It would be my pleasure to be of assistance to you. The single highest and best compliment a Real Estate Professional can receive is a referral to friends, family or colleagues. As appropriate, please feel free to forward this Newsletter and/or my contact information. Thank you! David Burke HEALTH AND SAFETY An important lesson your teen must learn this summer(BPT) - With summer underway, kids of all ages are enjoying a break from school by spending more free time with their friends. As kids enter their teenage years, summer camp and swim lessons are traded for hanging out with friends, often without adult supervision. While many parents want to foster independence, the lack of organized activities and adult supervision during these months present teens with more opportunities to experiment with substances. In fact, the highest rates of teen substance use are seen in the summer, and, if a teen is already using, their use significantly spikes during this time of year. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, first-time use of most substances peaks during June and July. On an average day during these months: * More than 4,800 youths use marijuana for the first time * More than 5,000 youths smoke cigarettes for the first time * More than 11,000 youths use alcohol for the first time “We often hear from teens and young adults that they started experimenting with drugs and alcohol out of curiosity or boredom,” says Dr. Thomas Wright, chief medical officer at Rosecrance, a leading teen substance abuse treatment center. “For some, occasional use of these substances evolves into full-blown addiction, even though they believed they could stop whenever they wanted.” Parents should remind teenagers of the danger that comes with even occasional substance use, as there is no safe level of substance use for teens, whose brains are still developing. Research shows teens become addicted faster than adults and that the earlier they begin using substances, the more likely they are to become dependent. Facing their peers Another contributing factor to substance experimentation among teens is peer pressure. As children grow, parents have less influence on their kids. By their teen years, peers are the most influential group in a child’s life and pressure to fit in may cause some teens to experiment with substances. Parents also need to recognize that teens may become skilled at hiding such activities. “Teens in our treatment centers have shared a variety of creative ways they’ve hidden their substance use from parents,” says Dr. Wright. “Replacing bottled water with clear alcohol, sneaking unused prescriptions out of bathroom cabinets and hiding drug paraphernalia outside the home are just a few examples. It is important that parents are vigilant and proactive during the summer months by checking in with their teens regularly, encouraging them to participate in productive, structured activities and, most importantly, talking openly with their teens about drug s and alcohol.” The discussion begins with you While these conversations aren’t easy, they make a difference. Kids who learn about the dangers of substances at home are up to 50 percent less likely to use them than those who don’t, according to research from the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration. Understanding teens’ perspectives around substances can help make it easier to understand the pressures they face and help guide these conversations. Teen-specific resources are available at Rosecrance.org, including “Been There: Teens in Recovery Tell It Like It Is,” a booklet created by teens in recovery to help prevent other teens from ever knowing the pain of addiction. HELPFUL HINTS Avoid an accident with poison prevention at home (BPT) - Nearly 1 million children under the age of 5 are exposed to potentially poisonous medications and household chemicals every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And more than 60,000 young children end up in the emergency room each year from wrongly ingesting medications. Medications can be poisonous, too Parents know to keep household cleaners and other chemicals out of the reach of children, but should also be cautious about prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and vitamins. There is no better time than now, during Poison Prevention Week, to learn more about preventing accidental and unintentional poisonings. Here are some important tips you can share with family and friends. Be cautious of colors: Medications are colorful and attractive to children and can be mistaken for candy. For example, Tums look like SweeTarts, and Advil and Ecotrin resemble Skittles or M&M’s. Parents should not encourage children to take their medication by comparing it to candy, as this may lead to improper use. Lock it up: Don’t leave your next dose out on the counter where a child can reach it. Tightly secure caps and lock up all medications and vitamins in a cool, dry place. Keep medications in their original labeled containers so if there is an emergency, you can tell medical personnel exactly what the child ingested. Do not share: Be sure to remind children that they should never share their medications. When playing “doctor,” friends and younger siblings of those taking a medication are often the recipients, leading to an accidental poisoning. This is an important message for teens, too, as this behavior often leads to prescription-drug abuse. How to respond to accidental poisonings If you suspect a child has ingested a potentially poisonous substance, here is what you should do: Know your numbers: If the child has collapsed or is not breathing, dial 911 immediately. If the child is awake and alert, call the poison hotline at 800.222.1222and follow the operator’s instructions. If possible, have available the victim’s age and weight, the container or bottle of the poison, the time of the poison exposure and the address where the poisoning occurred. Know the signs: Reactions to ingested medications or household products may vary. Look for signs such as vomiting, drowsiness and any residue odor on the child’s mouth and teeth. But know that some products cause no immediate symptoms, so if you suspect that your child has ingested a potentially hazardous substance, call the poison hotline immediately. Keep calm: It’s important to remain calm so you can effectively communicate with emergency personnel. If the child ingested medication, do not give anything to the child by mouth until advised by the poison control center. If chemicals or household products have been swallowed, call the poison control center immediately or follow the first aid instructions on the label. Medications can keep you healthy but can be extremely dangerous if taken by the wrong person or in the wrong amount. Add in a child’s insatiable curiosity, and you have the ingredients for a very serious and dangerous situation. Fortunately, with a little vigilance, you can keep your little ones safe. RECIPE OF THE MONTH Sirloin Steak with Garlic Butter Makes 4 servings and ready in 30 minutes! Ingredients: 1/4 cup butter 1 teaspoon garlic powder 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 pounds beef top sirloin steaks salt and pepper to taste Directions: Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat with garlic powder and minced garlic. Set aside. Sprinkle both sides of each steak with salt and pepper. Grill steaks 4 to 5 minutes per side, or to desired doneness. When done, transfer to warmed plates. Brush tops liberally with garlic butter, and allow to rest for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.      View my website  Email me  View Featured Listings  Property Search   Compliments of: David Burke Realty Executives Desert Lifestyles 78065 Main St. Suite 101 La Quinta, CA 92253 Tel: 760-250-2570 Cell: 760-250-2570 Fax: 800-774-5902 David@LaQuintaRE.com e-Pro Household Tips Loose Drawer Knobs Before inserting a screw into the knob, coat with fingernail polish to hold it tightly. Leaky Vase Fix a leaky vase by coating the inside with paraffin and letting it harden Plywood Cutting Put a strip of masking tape at the point of plywood where you plan to begin sawing to keep it from splitting. Loose Screws To make a screw hold tightly, dip it in glue before replacing. Locating Wall Studs Move a pocket compass along the wall. When the needle moves, usually the stud will be located at that point. Studs are usually located 16 inches apart. Creaky Boards Fasten floorboards down with extra long nails to prevent creaking Fraying Nylon Cord Heat the cut end of nylon cord over a match flame to bond the end together Loosing Rusting Bolts Apply a cloth soaked in any carbonated soda to loosen rusted bolts. Straight Line Mark a straight line by using a knife instead of a pencil. Sandpaper Tip By damping the backing on sandpaper, it will last longer and resist cracking Tight Screws Loosen a screw by putting a couple drops of peroxide on it and let it soak in. DID YOU KNOW? Did you know pop corn was invented by the Aztec Indians Did you know an average person will spend 25 years asleep Did you know hippopotamuses have killed more people in Africa than any other animal Did you know an elephants ears are used to regulate body temperature Did you know the Arctic Ocean is the smallest in the world Did you know bats always turn left when exiting a cave Did you know the most common mental illnesses are anxiety and depression Did you know the word laser stands for 'Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation' Did you know crocodiles never outgrow their enclosure Did you know reindeer hair is hollow inside like a tube Did you know your skin is the largest organ making up the human body Did you know cows don't have upper front teeth About Us Whether you are looking to buy or sell, we are here to assist you in accomplishing your real estate dreams. Burke and Associates has been awarded the "Top Listing Agent, 2011, and 2012" by Keller Williams Realty. Call today and let us put our tools, techniques and skills to work for you! Also, be sure to ask us about our monthly specials for our new construction developments! P.S. Referrals are the highest compliment a sales professional can receive from a client. Please pass my name around to your friends, family, and acquaintances so that I can provide them with the best real estate experience possible!