Crime is a major concern for communities across the United States. Through a well organized Neighborhood Watch program, you can dramatically reduce crime in your neighborhood. Statistics show that most burglaries occur in neighborhoods without an organized Neighborhood Watch group.

In order to start a Neighborhood Watch, you must establish a partnership with a local law enforcement agency. To get started:

1. Recruit as many neighborhors as possible to discuss the needs of your community.
2. Decide on a date and place for an initial Neighborhood Watch meeting.
3. Contact your local police department or sheriff’s office and invite them to your initial meeting.
4. You will be assigned a prevention officer who will attend your first meeting and help you develop an action plan.

For more information, visit http://www.usaonwatch.org

If you are like me, the Fourth of July can never come soon or often enough. The holiday brings back so many fond childhood memories of cookouts and friendly competitive firework displays with the neighbors. With a weakening economy this year, many cities are making the unfortunate decision to not host Fourth of July Firework displays. Fireworks

If you plan on going it alone this year and are hosting your own fireworks display, there are a few safety precautions you want to take to protect those items most precious to you – your family and home. Below are the safety tips recommended by the National Council on Fireworks Safety. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

• Use fireworks outdoors only and never near houses.
• Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them!
• Always have water handy (a hose or buckets of water).
• Don’t try to alter them or combine them.
• Never re-light a “dud” firework (wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
• Use common sense when using fireworks. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter, and the shooter should wear safety glasses.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated” shooter.
• Only persons over age 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.
• Do not ever use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.

So have you purchased a new home?  Or are you thinking you need to change things around little in your current one? How do you make the decision upon what decor will best suit your personality? I guess this can be harder for some then it is for others, especially if the husband and wife are total opposites when it comes to style.

Enter MyDeco, a pretty slick site that helps you identify your style. You simply answer a few questions by selecting images that you best identify with for each question. Once complete, a report is returned outlining your style as well as recommended products for your home. Maybe after discovering that you and your spouse are total opposites, you can split the house down the middle, each taking half. Mostly likely, though, you will just end up getting bullied by your spouse and have no say in the decorating process. Just kidding…

Memorial Day marks the official start of the summer grilling season for most Americans. One of the single biggest enjoyments I get is grilling in the hot sun out back while the kids splash around in the pool.

To enhance my outdoor grilling experience, I’ve recently been inspired to start a new deck/patio project out by the pool. The source of my inspiration was a show on HGTV, showcasing the 10 hottest outdoor kitchens. You can read an article about the show with pictures here.

Building the outdoor deck is just step one for me in converting the backyard into an “outdoor kitchen”. Building a deck or patio is not just a fun hobby.  It can also enhance the value and appeal of your house while optimizing your current living space. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that outdoor kitchens can add as much as 130% of their cost to the purchase price of the home. Unlike other home improvement projects, which could include plumbing and wiring, decks are fairly simple to build.

Below are a few tips I can share with you if you are looking to start your own outdoor kitchen with the creation of a deck or patio area.

• Stake out the area to contain the deck or patio. If you are like me, I need to visualize placement of items that might be added to the deck such as benching and cooking areas.
• Measure obsessively. Nothing can ruin the space more than an ill-fitting, unusable or uncomfortable design.
• Make sure you take into account the forces of nature such as sun, wind, and rain. You want to make sure you get the maximum enjoyable use out of the area, so consider installing rain or sun protection for both the area and the people who wish to enjoy it.

Be sure to let us know of your experiences or tips in creating your own outdoor kitchen.

Summer is the perfect time to combine a green thumb with a green lifestyle. By following these simple tips, homeowners can save time and money, and improve the health and appearance of their lawn and garden.

• Mow regularly and leave the clippings on the lawn – the clippings will recycle into “free fertilizer.”
• Water deeply, but infrequently, to prevent lawn disease and save water.
• Mulch flower and vegetable beds with compost or grass clippings to conserve water and control weeds.
• Identify bugs before you spray, squash or stomp – most bugs are good bugs, not pests.
• Consider planting native trees and plants, especially ones with berries, fruits and flowers to invite birds, butterflies, and other wildlife into your yard.

For more information on greenscaping, check out EPA’s GreenScapes Web site. It includes a seasonal tips calendar on landscape maintenance and a pamphlet that provides cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for large-scale landscapers and homeowners.