Safe Pumpkin Carving tips from Mark Sweeney SuburbanPhiladelphiaCommunities.com

Here is a great article I found on keeping this family activity a safe one. 

Carving Safety Tips Jack-o’-lanterns are a Halloween staple. Many families share in the tradition of carving pumpkins, but many also experience injuries as a result. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, hospitals treat four to five times more hand injuries in October than any other time of year.

Take precautions when carving your jack-o’-lantern by following these steps.
 1. Prepare a first aid response. Before starting any pumpkin carving project, have a plan for responding to accidents quickly. If a cut occurs, apply pressure to the wound with a clean, dry cloth. If there are no signs of healing after 15 minutes, go to the emergency room.

 2. Use a specialized carving kit. Most pumpkin carving kits come with tools that are not only safer for carvers to use, but more effective at sawing, poking and scooping jack-o’-lanterns.

 3. Set aside enough time to get the job done. When carving a pumpkin, slower is better. Make sure you have time to pay careful attention to the task at hand.

 4. Carve in clean, dry area. Slippery surfaces can lead to injury, especially when dealing with sharp objects. Keep your area and tools dry at all times.

 5. Carve the pumpkin before gutting. To avoid injury, carve your design into the surface of the pumpkin before removing seeds and pulp. This will mitigate the chances of placing your hand inside the pumpkin when cutting later.

 6. Have an adult do the carving for children. Do not let children younger than 14 carve pumpkins. Get kids involved by having them draw a face or pattern on the surface of the pumpkin, and have them clean out the inside with a spoon or their hands.

 Source: Consumer Reports
Make it a fun and safe Halloween 
Mark Sweeney Associate Broker
 Keller Williams Realty

Fall lawn care to do list from Mark SweeneySuburbanPhiladelphia.com

Taking time in the fall to prepare your lawn for the colder months ahead will pay dividends come spring and allow you to enjoy lusher, greener grass when temperatures rise again.

  Fertilizing Providing nutrients to your lawn before cold weather strikes is good for strengthening roots and increasing the nutrients stored for an earlier spring green. While the top growth of grass stops, grass plants are storing nutrients and energy for the following season. To determine the best ratio of fertilizer for the soil in your yard, you should utilize a soil test. Otherwise, look for fertilizer with a nitrogen-phosphate-potassium (NPK) ratio of 3:1:2 or 4:1:2. When applying the fertilizer, make sure that you follow the application instructions and rate information on the package and use a calibrated spreader to apply the correct amount. It is also a good rule to apply the fertilizer about 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes so the plant can start to take up some of the nutrients. Instead of pacing the yard with a push spreader, consider a tow-behind spreader attached to your riding lawn mower or garden tractor. An attachment can quickly distribute fertilizer evenly across your yard

Aerating Aerating, the process of removing plugs of soil and thatch from the lawn, is ideal in cooler months. It encourages deep rooting, improves water and nutrient penetration, and promotes growth of beneficial soil microorganisms. There are a variety of techniques you can use to penetrate the soil, such as spiked shoes or spray-on liquids, but to most effectively aerate soil, attach a dethatcher, or a plug aerator behind a riding mower or tractor to remove plugs of soil from 2-3 inches deep.

  Mulching If you prefer not to rake or bag grass or leaves, mulching with a mower is an ideal alternative. Be sure to mulch leaves only when they are dry to avoid damp and wet leaves clumping or building up under mower decks. Remember that grass needs sunlight in the fall to help store food for winter, so don't wait until your lawn is completely matted down with leaves to mulch. A thin layer of mulched leaves is ideal and helps add nutrients to the soil, reducing the need for fertilizer.

  Composting Creating a compost pile allows you to turn organic material into rich soil. The fall season is a good time to create a compost pile with decaying yard matter, such as vegetables, grass clippings and leaves, which can provide nutrient-rich soil for spring planting. For best results, alternate layers of "brown," or high carbon materials, with grass clippings. Using a rear bagger with your lawn mower or tractor will help make collecting grass clippings a breeze, and adding to your compost pile is as simple as backing up to the spot and unloading. Another optional mower attachment, the lawn sweeper, brushes leaves into a hamper, much like a broom and dustpan.

  Taking these steps will prepare your lawn for the winter and help it come back strong, healthy and beautiful in the spring.

Mark Sweeney is an Associate Broker with Keller Williams Real Estate

Suburban Philadelphia Communities Old Forge Crossing Devon PA 19333

Affordable living in Devon PA 19333

    Looking for an alternative to renting or perhaps downsizing? The best keep secret along the main line is the condominium community of Old Forge Crossing.

Prices range from 150,000 to 215000, there are one bedroom, two bedroom flat, some with fireplases and a den. Also there are spacious townhomes.

This development is situated on forty beautifully landscaped acres featuring a reflection pond and walking paths. Like to bike or enjoy long walks? OFC now provides private access to the new Chester Valley Trail.  A Short commute to the Devon train station (R5) and bus routes to the city, 202  the turnpike as well as major corporate centers and shopping especially Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Wegmans and the King of Prussia Mall and Court.  The condo fee includes pool, tennis, outside maintenance, trash, gas for cooking and dryer.  Contact Mark Sweeney today and see if this community would be the right fit for your lifestyle. You will not be disappointed. 

Mark Sweeney is a Associate Broker with Keller Williams Real Estate and a resident 

of the community of Old Forge Crossing.