If the last bits of summer are approaching, it means you can say goodbye to spending time with your kids and enjoying vacation time and gorgeous weather. It’s your duty to ensure that you and your family get the most out of the last few weeks. These are some suggestions for activities you can do to ensure you send the summer off with a bang.

1. Scenic Drive

Scenic drives are trips that give you lots of picture-taking opportunities and time to reflect on life and enjoy the last bits of summer. You can think of many places to head out to for your last summer drive. For example, you might want to head out to Key West. You’ll see plenty of beautiful water and palm trees on your way. Then you’ll have loads of activities to do once you get there.

You don’t have to go far from your home to take a scenic drive, however. You can most likely find a back road that leads to farmland, gravel, or secluded private properties. You can drive down stretches of those roads and capture worthy pictures and videos.

Ensure that your car is in excellent mechanical condition. Check to see that you have insurance that covers auto body work in case your car gets dented by a stray rock, or you accidentally hit a deer. Also, ensure you have a number to a roadside rescue team and your mobile phone gets amazing reception. If you do those things first, you’ll be fine for a scenic trip.

2. Camping

A camping trip would be a spectacular way to spend the last bits of summer with your family before the beautiful summer ends. You’ll get to spend some time in the wildlife and enjoy the last few weeks of perfect weather. You’ll also get to teach your children a lesson about surviving out in nature.

Search for camping grounds close to your home and contact each site to find out the price for staying in one of these communities. Some sites offer Wi-Fi, and others don’t. Thus, you’ll need to decide whether you want access to it.

Once you choose a campground to visit, you’ll need to gather the essentials you need for camping. Sleeping bags and pads are an absolute must for this type of adventure. You’ll also need some flashlights and some food or drinks. You could take a cooler with you and some dry foods and fruits. You might want to bring some marshmallows and gather a firewood supply if you want to have more of a classic camping experience. Maybe you’ll want to try rubbing some sticks together to make a fire, so your kids learn a new survival skill.

3. Horseback Riding

Horseback riding can be an amazing adventure if you’ve never done it before. It can be a spectacular way to end the last bits of summer. This fun activity will teach you a new skill and allow you to learn more about some friendly animals.

There are two ways you can go about horseback riding for your summer blastoff. You can contact a company in your neighborhood that offers horseback riding lessons at an hourly or fixed rate. You’ll visit that establishment on a scheduled day and learn how you can ride a horse safely. Then you will leave when you’re done with your session.

Alternatively, you can go the expensive route and purchase a horse to keep on your personal property. You may want to do that if you intend to ride the horse often and have the means to care for it. You will definitely need a barn or shelter to house your horse in. You’ll also need to contact a fence company to install the appropriate fence for keeping the horse contained. You can choose from multiple types of fencing, too. You can go with a wood rail or wire mesh fence, which professionals recommend for keeping horses. You can also choose to go with an electric fence, but be mindful that it could cause harm to the horse if it wanders off.

You’ll need lots of available time to care for a horse. Thus, you’ll need to consider your schedule and decide if you’re up for caring for this animal. It might be in your best interest to schedule a one-off horseback riding session and be done.

4. Road Trip

You can make a road trip with your children, friends, and other family members if you so desire. You can collect these individuals and then go on a long trip to any destination you desire during the last bits of summer. For example, if you live on the East Coast, you can travel to California by car and see what life is like in that area of the nation. You could also travel upward to Alaska or downward to Florida.

Alternatively, you can travel to Canada if you have the appropriate paperwork to do out-of-country traveling. It might do you some good to see how people in other countries live. It will also give you a chance to breathe in a new environment and rid yourself of any stress that might be in your life at this time.

Ensure that you have traveler’s insurance, roadside assistance, and the phone number to a respectable accident attorney. That way, you have everything set up if you encounter any difficulties while on your trip. You also need to schedule some time off from work to take your vacation without any worries. Put your PTO or vacation time in weeks or months ahead to ensure you’ll have those days off for a fun-filled trip.

5. Golf Trip

A golfing trip may be in order if you like to play various sports. You might not have played golf before, or you’ve only been to miniature golf sites. This time, you can register at some popular golf clubs and spend time with your loved ones there. Golf clubs are usually set on several acres of gorgeous land, offering drinks, food, and convenient carts to drive your golf equipment.

Golf club membership prices vary, but they shouldn’t be too expensive. Some may even offer discounts for additional members you can take advantage of during the last bits of summer. The best part about joining a golf community is that you’ll be able to meet many new people. You can turn it into a social event and make new friends you can golf with anytime.

6. Relaxing Walks

Some relaxing walks can fit the bill if you’re trying to think of something inexpensive to do to sign off on the summer. It doesn’t cost anything to ‘drive’ your ‘Chevy Two-Footer’ with your family members and head out to an interesting destination. Walking provides a wealth of benefits that you and the people who travel with you can benefit from. For one, it’s the perfect activity to get your legs and glutes in shape and give you a cardiovascular workout. Secondly, it can be an excellent addition to the elderly care you might already be giving to a cherished family member.

Another benefit of taking a long walk during the last bits of summer is that it can give you a nice mental health shift. Getting some sunlight and cardiovascular exercise can boost your positive brain chemicals while providing you with plenty of vitamin D. You can think of several places to take your walks. One suggestion is to find a nearby park or recreational center and walk your family there. Some large recreational centers have a broad selection of activities you can do while you’re there. For instance, you might find one with a basketball court, racquetball wall, skating rink, or fishing equipment. These features are usually in addition to sitting benches and pigeon-feeding stations.

7. Outdoor Concert

A concert might be the perfect end-of-summer event if you love music and spending time outdoors. You might be able to find some tickets to see your favorite band perform outside. You’ll have access to food, drinks, and souvenirs like shirts and keychains with your band’s emblem. Please reserve your tickets early and save money on them before the crowd comes in and buys them all. Show up early to get a good spot in the event chairs!

Alternatively, you can save money on the last bits of summer by looking for an outdoor concert in your local area. A new or unestablished artist might be performing outside, or your community organization might be performing as a part of a charity event. You might luck out and attend the concert for free or offer a small donation to help the cause.

8. Outdoor Shooting Range

Another fun thing you can do during the last bits of summer is to visit an outdoor shooting range. Shooting ranges typically rent out guns. Remember that people are there who can help newcomers learn how to use their devices.

The fees for spending time at a shooting range usually aren’t that bad. You can visit with your adult family members and friends and spend a day doing target practice or taking lessons. You will probably have to be over the age of 21 and not otherwise barred from possessing and using firearms. You can make a whole sport of it by purchasing gun camo, shooting glasses, and other items that will make the experience more real for you.

9. Pool Party

A pool party is probably a more classic way to end your summer. You’ve probably seen plenty of pool parties in your favorite movies, and it looked like those individuals were having loads of fun. You can do the same thing as your favorite actors and throw a party with food, drinks, loud music, and a lot of laughs.

The work is already cut out for you if you own your own pool. All you’ll need to for a party during the last bits of summer do is provide the DJ, games, and entertainment. However, you’ll need to contact an inground pool company if you want to install a pool in time for the big event.

You have many options to choose from in terms of design, size, and maintenance. Please speak to a professional about your options and find out what they recommend you do. Then make a decision based on what you’ve learned from the provider. He or she might introduce you to an option you didn’t think you had. There may also be various discounts and deals available. Schedule your consultation today so that you can get an expedited installation if possible.

10. Exterior Renovations

The final suggestion is to involve yourself in getting exterior renovations on your home. You can probably think of 10 things you would change about your home if you had the time. Nothing is stopping you from taking the time to do just that. Grab a pencil and paper, jot down ideas about things want to change, and then secure the funding to do it.

Requesting a patio service is a good idea that you might consider. You can have some builders create a front or back patio and install a swing so your visitors and relax and take a nostalgic swing while watching the sunset. You could also invest in landscaping to make the overall area look interesting. Furthermore, you may want to put some money into adding a pool or fence to your yard.

New pools always add value to homes, and the right fence can make your house stand out within the community. That means more people might be interested in buying your property than you think. Speak to a relevant contractor about some of your ideas and find out how much it will cost to make those ideas a reality. You might find that the renovation you desire is affordable or repaying the lending institution is 100 percent doable.

The above-mentioned activities are a small list of things you can do during the last bits of summer. You’ll probably think of more, but we wanted to give you a starter list. Make sure to start planning today!

Flooding can cause major damage to any structure, including your home. Repairing flood damage can cost fortunes, and sometimes, there isn’t much to salvage, depending on the severity of the water damage. Flood damage prevention tips are some of the key points focused on in today’s article. Carry on reading this post, and we hope it can help you in some way or another.

Why Does Flooding Occur?

Flooding can occur for many reasons, including dam walls rupturing, excessive rain in the same region in a short time, and storm surges, to name a few. Flooding also happens because the area receiving the water can no longer contain the excess water. Thus, the water has nowhere else to go, resulting in an overflow and continuous rise of water levels.

Sometimes residential areas may have bad drainage, or the drainage infrastructure isn’t large enough to store and drain the rainwater. Again, this multitude of rainwater proceeds to rise until the area floods. Flood damage prevention is crucial for your home, especially if the location is prone to flooding.

Flood Preparation 101

Check the area for historic flooding incidents – Before settling into an area, do some research and check if the location is prone to or has had flooding of late. If the location is prone to flooding, then you can expect that if you choose to live there. Some places are unmistakably beautiful and have a lot to offer, and for some folks, that’s enough to decide to stay at a higher risk for flooding.

Plan for emergencies– If you live in a flood-prone region during certain seasons, you should always be prepared for emergencies. Pack nonperishable foods like canned goods and long-shelf-life foods aside. Torches, batteries, candles, and water are also a must to set aside for the rainy weather. Also, pack a first aid preparation kit.

Have a toolkit kit on the ready – the tools in the toolkit should include basics like another flashlight, a multitool, a whistle to signal you need help in that location, a flare gun, some emergency numbers, mini food rations, and bottled water.

Electronics must be shut down – As part of flood damage prevention, you must also try keeping track of the latest news about the flood in the area. At the same time, turning off the electricity supply and other electronic items would be safer. Hence, avoid using any electronics during the flood unless it has been cleared to do so.

Store documents safely– Any important documentation items should be stored in waterproof storage. Important items include your personal documentation, ID, visas, passports, bank cards, and cash money.

Teach your kids to memorize your phone number – It might be a huge ask for younger children, but it’s important that you try and teach your children to memorize your telephone number so that they can also dial you if an emergency occurs and you aren’t with them.

Avoid having contact with water – Flood waters are usually contaminated and should be avoided at all costs. Don’t get into contact or try at most not to do so. The water shouldn’t be used for cooking, brushing teeth, or bathing.

Tie anything lose down – it’s important to tie down loose furniture and items outside your home and if you can manage, tie down the inside too. Tying the items down prevents it from drifting away as the water rises. In turn, it lowers the loss of these items.

Protect Your Furniture in the Home

The furniture is one of the assets in your home that takes on lots of damage in the event of a flood. On many occasions, the damage to furniture can be so bad that it completely ruins the item. Getting a protective covering for your furniture can help reduce the water damage. You may for example, cover the mattress with a layer of waterproof mattress protector sheet so if flood water permeates your home, the beds will be protected to some degree.

As part of the flood damage prevention in your home, you might also find protective covers for sofas and chairs to safeguard those as well. Concerning wood, you want to ensure that you seal the surface areas of wood furniture and pieces with a protective oil-like base coating. In this way, it gives it a water-resistant layer.

Schedule Regular Plumbing Inspections

Plumbing is one of the crucial areas to investigate and ensure that all is intact. Get the plumbing company to check the pipes, clear the gutters, and check for any blockages. Drains and pipes are made to keep water from stalling and seeping into the property. However, when there are blockages and debris in the pipes and drains it can lead to water being blocked and thus floods.

During the years, it is also important to regularly maintain the plumbing. Your local plumbing services can assist here as well and to some extent, you can do some of the maintenance by yourself. Perhaps you want to do upgrades to the plumbing and sewage or drains of your property, in addition to what there already are, then the experts can help you do so too.

Renovate the Basement

Flood damage prevention is crucial on many levels, including securing the basement. But if you have already experienced flooding, you may be looking to renovate your basement after the damage has been done. Basement renovation services can assist you with repairs after the event once all the water is dried up and ready.

Before beginning the basement renovation, you need to ensure it is properly dried up. To help with drying, companies use industrial fans, blowers, and dehumidifiers to dry the moisture even further. All steps are taken to reduce the chances of mold festering.

Basement renovation services also include repairing or replacing the sump pump responsible for water removal. If the sump pump is faulty, you have to replace it because it might be the reason for the flood. Make sure that the foundation doesn’t have any cracks, and if there are any cracks, have them repaired

Protect Basement

The basement may already be presenting signs of water leakage, and in addition, it can be causing issues with moss and moisture buildup. Sealing your basement is important. Sump pumps work with electricity, but adding a battery power pack can ensure that the pump will still function even when the electricity is out.

To further protect the basement, check that the drainage on the outside of the property is working as it should and not stalling water from draining. Dry basement solutions include dehumidifiers and industrial fans. You should also allow it to be ventilated adequately and you can try using a wet vacuum cleaner to suck up additional water that may have soaked into the carpets or flooring.

Window Treatments

There are good options for window treatment to help safeguard your home against flooding. Sometimes flooding can occur because of exterior factors like weather conditions like storms. Hurricane window companies specialize in the supply and installation of storm shutters to give your home an additional layer of protection against a storm’s strong winds.

The local window treatment companies can help you install some beautiful yet moist-efficient window treatments. Vinyl or faux wood blinds look beautiful and the good news is that they are also robust against moisture. Having vinyl window blinds installed is a good option if the location is prone to high rainfall and high moisture.

Schedule Regular Roof Inspections

Roof inspections, just like plumbing inspections, are highly important to help double down on flood damage prevention. The roof is one of the first places where water can seep in as a result of rainfall. You will notice water marks or stains on the ceiling inside your home, and this is one of the surefire signs that water is getting in via the roof.

Be certain to seal the roof completely and you can do this with a roofing repair company. Roof repairs can also help get roof shingles replaced and patch up any discrepancies to help secure your roof for the flood weather. In all of that, a roofing contractor may also help you to replace a roof that is past the point of no return, and the new roof will be even more resilient to flooding. New roofs are in perfect condition and can help ease your mind, knowing that shingles, sealing, and all other aspects are met.

Protective Barrier

Some people opt to build a protective barrier or wall around their home, even glass wall material, as an option to ensure that flood waters don’t get inside. This isn’t always possible, but if it is, you can have a protective wall barrier constructed and installed to secure your home against flooding water from the outside (due to other aspects and not your plumbing). Think of it as a shield protecting your home.

Have a Company to Call

Be certain that you have all the necessary emergency numbers on hand so you can reach out as soon as possible. Try storing all emergency kits and safety additions in an elevated position where they will be more protected.

Call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. If you need to connect to an ASL agent, dial the ASL Now option or dial the number mentioned above. Disasters are not only limited to floods, but they also include and are not limited to hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, mass violence, community unrest, tropical storms, and tornadoes.

You may also contact the local authorities and the water damage repair services to assist you with the flood situation at your home and in the location in which you live. Sometimes, the flood is only limited to your property due to mechanical issues or inadequate water drainage. Assessing the level of the problem will also help you get the right help for the level of emergency.

What To Do During a Flood

Keep an active listening ear for any updates about the flood. In case there is flash flooding, you should move to higher ground. Some people may seek shelter in their attic. Ensure that important items are also secure with you on a higher level.

If you have to evacuate, take the emergency kits and important documentation with you. Before leaving, if there’s time, you can bring all outdoor furniture into the house for safekeeping. Don’t forget to ensure the electricity is turned off before leaving your home.

What You Should Do After a Flood

Flood damage prevention after the fact is also critical, and knowing what to do in the aftermath will help reduce the stress related and set you and the rest of the residents in your home on a knowledgeable path so that you won’t feel as helpless. If you’ve managed to evacuate in time, stay away until the flood waters have subsided. Keeping track of the flood information will also help you determine when it is safe to turn on the electricity.

Wait for the water level to drop – Before entering your home, if you have to evacuate, be certain to wait for those flood water levels to drop. Flood water, as we’ve already mentioned, is contaminated and can cause various health concerns. If the water is at floor level, at least you can walk and work in the home without too much easy access to unwanted contaminations.

Wear protective clothing – It is crucial to wear protective clothes if you’re dealing with the aftermath of a flood in your home. You will need rain boots, gloves, a hard hat (in case of potential falling bits), goggles, overalls or long trousers, and a long-sleeved shirt.

Avoid eating or drinking any contaminated consumables – If food or drink has come into contact with the water, you should throw it out. Any flood water should be regarded as contaminated, and thus, all foods in contact must be avoided.

Be sure to have your home and your family ready by executing flood damage prevention protocols ahead of time. Having everything in place and being ready will help you get through the incident. Remember to try and document as much as you can as proof for the insurance.