You have 3 minutes to get out of your home in a fire

Posted by on September 30th, 2016

A report earlier this year by Underwriter Laboratories in Illinois shows that once a smoke detector sounds the alarm, people have about three minutes to escape their home should a fire break out. That is, if you live in a newer home.

If you live in a home in Calgary built earlier than 1980 or so, you have at least 17 minutes to get out after the first shrill alert from a smoke detector in the home.

Why Such Extremes

October is Fire Prevention Month and Calgarians need to be incredibly aware of fire hazards in the home. They need to be extremely diligent with working smoke detectors and they need a plant to get themselves out in case of a fire.

One of the hazards, unfortunately, are the materials with which new homes are constructed and the…

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Why you shouldn't keep wine in your garage and other storage problems

Posted by on September 20th, 2016

Are you one of the lucky people that can actually use your garage for your cars?  

Whether it’s a front-drive attached garage or a single garage off the back lane, a garage is a big selling feature of a home.

So many of use the garage for extra storage.  For items that we can’t find a suitable place for in the house.  It’s also a fantastic utility space for fixing, repairing, creating, building and sometimes, rehearsing.  The extra space along the walls or in the rafters of a garage is perfect for extra storage but there are things that should never be kept in the garage.  Here’s a list along with some warnings.

Sorry – Wine is On the List

Your favourite Pinot Grigio is securely ensconced in a green glass bottle but where you keep that…

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Community Spotlight: Varsity Acres in North West Calgary

Posted by on September 13th, 2016

Looking for a home that’s quiet yet close to downtown?  Peaceful yet close to a major roadway?   Mature trees and wide sidewalks with homes that are up-to-date?  Varsity just might be the community for you.

Varsity is a large district next door to the University of Calgary in the North West.  There are actually three distinct neighbourhoods within Varsity which has a population of 12,000 residents. Varsity Acres with moderately priced homes, Varsity Estates with larger, executive-style homes and Varsity Village, an enclave of multi-family homes.  

Neighbourhood Background

Construction in Varsity began just after the University of Calgary opened in the mid-1960s.  Varsity Acres is the oldest of the three neighbourhoods and has mostly…

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