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Show fcW May 10, 2001 Keeping your house in r n i7v sr ; . i'l. ph I 4 . Jk t til C fca 1 . a . A. (V3.f i i I I I Spring cleaning inspires organization by Mary Galbraith Hilltop Times staff With tulips, daffodils and allergies out force, it's evident spring is here. And as temperatures rise, so does the inclination to clean house. Liesel Woodard, information referral manager, said it's always a smart move for people to simplify their lives by throwing out the things they don't use, and organizing what's left. Woodard suggests using items that make home organizing easier like shelves, baskets, trunks, decorative boxes, plastic crates and chests of drawers. She said the number one reason to get organized, is to be prepared during an emergency. "Being organized is nice all the time, but to be organized in an emergency is very important because it's no time to be going through a stack of paperwork to find the deed to your house, your insurance in full I I I I poli-cies.- or your credit card numbers," Woodard said. "You need to know where things are 'so you can just grab something and run if you have to. If you're not organized and don't know whereour important papers are, where your medication is, where your first aid kit is, where your food supply is the one time you might need it could be really detrimental" Woodard suggests placing important paperwork in one box that's near an exit and easy to access. She said during the 1999 Riverdale flood, a friend had stored Christmas ornaments and other collectibles in tightly sealed plastic containers. When the water rose, so did the containers and she was able to walk away with some of her possessions while other families lost everything. Woodard added there are additional benefits of storing items in plastic crates. "When you have something organized especially now a days with those inex it's easy to pensive plastic containers I think an orgasaid. "Plus she transport," better." a lot nized household looks Woodard said besides making items easy to transport and safely storing valuables, being organized throughout a household saves time. She suggests organizing a kitchen so it's convenient and safe, and organizing food and kitchen utensils so grocery lists can be updated and items aren't duplicated. "You don't want pots and pans and lids above your stove," Woodard said. "If you have a grease fire you don't want to be reaching across your stove to get your lid to put out the fire." Woodard said even little ones can help with organizing and learn good habits. "Because kids have a hard time, remembering I use pictures. If one of the tubs should be filled with Lego's, you cut out a picture and put it on the tub," she said. "When their room is picked up and nice and orderly, you take a picture of that room and put it on the wall so they know this is what you want their room to look like because kids don't remember. For them it might look fine with clothes and toys on the floor, but for you it might not." Woodard suggests placing clothes and toys in storage areas and chest of drawers that are close to the ground and easily reached by small children. She said initially worry more about items actually being placed in the correct drawer, and later help that child fold those items. She said by not filling drawers too full, even a small child with limited dexterity can put their own clothes away. Woodard said most importantly, cleaning and organizing a room should be fun. Woodard said sorting laundry can be another fun game and even very small children can distinguish colors. She suggests rewarding children for playing the "game" with a few extra minutes to read Qarage Sales popular for clearing out useable items Garage sales are a popular way to household recycle goods, simplify and earn extra money. The best time to have a sale is just before or after moving, or at any time when sorting through most household possessions. Tackle the project in an efficient and effective way by starting weeks or months beforehand and try the following tips: Sort through closets, drawers and boxes checking to see if you need items like extra utensils and old Christmas decorations. Include your attic, basement and garage in the search and have as complete a sale as possible. Offering both volume and variety of mer- bulletin boards. This works best for items like furniture, appliances and office equipment. Take better clothing to a consignment shop and explore stores that specialize in books, appliances, sporting goods or baby items. Take a retailer's approach to pricing and display price your merchandise so that customers feel they're getting a bar10 to 20 percent of retail value, gain more for items that are like new. Visit other garage sales to get ideas for yours, and have a mirror avail- ff I . 1 v." 1 (fife 3, U M at night, or some extra playtime outdoors. "I always allowed my child to have one area of his room where he could keep out projects and he didn't necessarily have to pick that up. He knew he had one area to do with whatever he wanted just as long as there wasn't another life form growing there " she said. Woodard said hectic morning routines can also be simplified through clothing organization. "I don't always put my clothes out the night before, but my closet is organized enough that I can go in and know that everything in my closet is clean, pressed and ready to go," she said. "Since my closet is organized, I can go in and find what I need because by blouses are in a certain place, my dresses are in a certain . : place and so on." The Family Support Center is holding a "Clutter Free Living" class May 24 from ( : 5-- 7 p.m. in Bldg. 308N. A family consumer scientist from the Utah State University Extension Service will teach the class. To register, call Ext 74681. I J ' re-sal- e able if you plan to sell clothing. Mark prices clearly and display merchandise between knee and eye chandise will attract shoppers as level. Rearrange the display as items well as bring in the most income. are sold. Since shoppers expect to pay Quench customer thirst by offerprices at garage sales, sell ing free lemonade, cold water or cofitems through alternative means. fee and sell popcorn, cookies and Get the most for your s items at a modest price. Shopover $20 by advertising anything through pers may stop just for the refreshments free or outlets like neighbor- and will probably browse longer if hood newspapers, employee newslet- they're enjoying a snack or drink. ters, student publications or church Information courtesy ofARA Content 1 1 Irs- - Organising home and business office space can save time and makes for an efficient work schedule. The organization system tured above even has a tion for a telephone and feastacof- fee cup. rock-botto- m large-tick- large-tick- low-co- et et soft-drink- st POOR C |