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Common Household Catastrophes

By Mimi Foster

Real Estate Agent with Falcon Property Company

November 23, 2011 12:36 AM

Common Household Catastrophes

frozen pipe We all know the basics ~ like don't lick a frozen pole. At least we think we do until we run across someone who DOESN'T know that it's the little things that can come around and bite you. So here are a few things that I have learned recently in dealing with Sellers who didn't necessarily "get it."

Don't EVER mix amonia and bleach
Don't put grease down the drain
Don't EVER use Dawn liquid dish soap in the dishwasher
Don't flush Q-tips or paper towels
Unhook the outside hose in the fall before the first freeze
Don't use fingernail polish remover while sitting on the carpet
Don't put potato peels/egg shells/rice/shrimp tails in the garbage disposal
Don't cook an empty pot on high when you're not in kitchen
Do not light a candle for a showing and then leave home
Don't put a metal pan in the microwave (see Comments 13 & 14 below)
Don't leave a child unattended with a black magic marker
Make sure the lid is tight before you turn the blender on
Make sure the shower curtain is closed
Don't dye your hair over light carpet
Don't leave a child unattended with a 5 pound sack of flour
Do not turn your thermostat off in the winter
Don't take a lid off a cappiccino machine that says, "Do not remove, under pressure"
Do not steam clothes while wearing them
Make sure kitchen faucet is not loose
Do not twist blender bowl when removing from base (thanks, Brenda!)
Do not leave home with washer/dryer/dishwasher running

I have seen some strange things in homes lately and can't help but wonder about what someone forgot to do that caused the damage. Feel free to add in the comment section below (some of the additions are Laugh-out-loud funny), and I'll add them to this list.

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Daniel Z Stoltzfus

Lancaster, PA

We all know the basics ~ like don't lick a frozen pole. I learned that the hard way when I licked a frozen pump about 55 years ago!

Nov 24, 2011 11:56 PM

Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA

Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD

301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

My contribution. .

After mixing my protein powder, cut out bananas, 6 different vitamins, an aspirin, ice, water and a touch of honey. . don't turn the blender on before putting the lid on. .

Nov 24, 2011 11:59 PM

Bill Rozek

Embrace Home Loans, Inc. - Potomac, MD

NMLS #214260

Actually bleach should not be mixed with anything besides soap, water or detergent. Mixed with anything acid or reactive, toxic chlorine gas can be released.

Nov 25, 2011 03:56 AM

David & Annette Rollins

Century 21 Elite - Shreveport, LA

Mimi, not necessarily just for homeowners, but NEVER, I mean NEVER take a laxative and a sleeping pill on the same night...

Nov 25, 2011 03:58 AM

Jayson Holland

Listings.com - Denver, CO

Jay Holland

Wow some really good ones here. Only laughing at the stories that must go along with most of these. HA!

Nov 25, 2011 04:48 AM

Mimi Foster

Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO

Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Good morning, Anthony. Common sense is not always common . . .

Thanks so much, Debbie. Hope you are well.

Oh, Daniel, that's sounds like a PAINFUL lesson :) Thanks for stopping by!

Nov 25, 2011 05:06 AM

Mimi Foster

Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO

Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Oh, Fernando - what you think is going to result in a pleasurable experience ends up putting a kink in the chain. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for that, Bill. It is not one of those things that is part of COMMON knowledge.

David & Annette ~ I laughed out loud on that one. Don't think I even want to hear the story LOL

Seriously, Jayson. On the other hand, the imagination is a great thing :)

Nov 25, 2011 05:10 AM

Barbara Altieri

Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT

REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Mimi - Don't steam clothes while wearing them? You have to be kidding! BTW, I entered a condo a short time back for a showing and there were candles lit all over the place. One was on a windowsill and a bit too close to a lowered shade. I blew it out. I couldn't believe the owners left it like that. I called the listing agent and asked her to call the owners to see if they were returning shortly....or not. They weren't.....so I told her I would extinguish all the candles. There was also a cat loose in the house. Any of those candles could have been toppled over.

Nov 25, 2011 05:38 AM

Roseanne Campagna

John L. Scott RE Maple Valley, WA - Maple Valley, WA

Kent/DesMoines/Blk Diamond/Renton/Maple Valley, WA

Wonderful list!! I'm reblogging for a holiday safety reminder... Remember not to barbeque your turkey under a deck cover - the flames could barbeque more than the turkey...

Nov 25, 2011 06:17 AM

Yvonne Wilder

Halter Associates Realty - Woodstock, NY

Here's another one: don't leave two toddlers alone with weebles - especially if they have access to the bathroom; weebles do not float when you flush.

And Phil's tip about making sure the car windows are up - he lives farther South than we do. It goes for first floor windows, too. We have years where the bears are bold - one car was trashed by the bear trying to figure out why the hanging tree that smelled like cherries was not edible. Another woman left a bowl of steaming spaghetti sauce on the table to cool while she went to work. The bear got sauce all over everything!

What fun we all have!

Nov 25, 2011 06:19 AM

Mimi Foster

Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO

Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

that is an amazing one, isn't it, Barbara? Also comes under the "what were they thinking?" category. And the steam came from Mike Cooper. I didn't ask ;)))))

That's an excellent one, Roseanne! We had a house burn down here this weekend over that very thing!

Too, too funny, Yvonne. As a young mother, I learned how to take toilets apart more than once! :)))

Nov 25, 2011 06:25 AM

Susan McCall - - Compass Realty Solutions

Compass Realty Solutions - Portland, OR

Listing and Buyer's Agent

A really good tip to remember is when scraping the protein powder off the side of the blender when making fruit smoothies, remember to turn the blender off first. Ya, I knew that already but I thought I was being careful. What a mess and it scared the heck out of me. 20 minutes later after wiping down the kitchen I was ready for my smoothie. Yum :)

Nov 25, 2011 09:37 AM

Bob Miller

Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL

The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Mimi, Great post and great list. Some were just comical but I am sure they have happened!

Nov 25, 2011 11:03 AM

Former Agent

None - Adak, AK

Mimi! I love your list. As a new mom to an almost two-year-old, there's a few on here that made me LOL. Nevermind the black magic marker, crayons can do some quick damage as well. :)

Nov 25, 2011 01:52 PM

Kasey & John Boles

Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID

Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

#9 - don't light a candle for a showing and leave home - is one I see ALL THE TIME! It makes me so nervous when I am showing homes that have candles lit. I go around and blow them all out - I don't want any liability for being the last person in the home with lit candles, but I just wish people wouldn't do it. I get why they do though. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving Mimi! -Kasey

Nov 25, 2011 05:35 PM

Sussie Sutton

David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX

David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

I guess it doesn't get cold enough here for me to understand #16.

Nov 26, 2011 09:12 AM

Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Mimi, that photo reminded me of my first year in Germany when I was told that pipes could FREEZE.....something I had never even thought about!

Nov 28, 2011 01:15 AM

Jill Sackler

Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY

LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

Like #79, I loved the one about steaming clothes while actually wearing them. That sounds like something I may have tried while getting ready to race out the door.

Nov 28, 2011 01:38 AM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Mimi - what's so funny to me is how people need to be told some of these things! Like who leaves an empty pot on a hot stove?! Amazing how stupid some people can be! lol! I will say that once when I was really late and put on my skirt only to find it had some creases down the front, I did ironed it while wearing it......................but I did put a cloth between me and it - lol. I don't suggest anyone try this! Great list and I'm sure there will be many people who will still learn the hard way!

Nov 29, 2011 07:14 AM

Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate

Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR

Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

I did not know about the dishwasher soap - just read your blog on it. Reminded me of my college days when we put Tide and other such soaps into the hot tub to max the bubbles. The plumber was always out fixing the hot tub until the landlord came late one night to fix a problem - he was ticked. Can't blame him now; then we thought he was not much fun.

Mel

Dec 01, 2011 10:58 AM