Summer months increase the risk of wildfire damage across the United States:

The summer months of the year mean bonfires, fireworks, and an increase in the use of various motor vehicles for people across the country as they enjoy the hot weather. However, with the increase in temperatures drying out certain areas, this can become an extremely hazardous time, and can lead to one of nature’s most destructive events – wildfires.

Each year, you can find a story somewhere in the country about a wildfire that has spread rapidly in a rural area, causing extensive damage to everything it its path. Forests, farm lands, and homes can all be burned up in an instant, putting people’s lives in areas of wildfires at serious risk.

At first thought, it might seem that wildfires are more prevalent in desert areas along the western region of the country, but they are actually a threat everywhere coast to coast. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the five states that experienced the most wildfires in 2016 were Texas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama.

“Ironically, it’s somewhere around 70 percent of the wildfires occur east of the Mississippi River,” said Tom Welle, the manager of the Wildfire Division for the National Fire Protection Association in Denver, Colo. “They tend to be smaller, but that doesn’t mean they are less dangerous. The ones that hit he news are big, thousand acre fires in the West, and those happen regularly. In the East, we get a lot of wildfires, but because of the concentration of people, you can have a smaller wildfire that puts a lot more houses and people at risk.”

The National Fire Protection Agency is a nonprofit organization that has been around since 1896, with their primary mission being to eliminate death, injury, and property loss from fire, electrical, and other hazards. One of their main areas of focus is wildfires, and they look to provide people with the proper knowledge to avoid starting them, and remain safe when they happen.

“In the wildfire space, what we primarily do is work with residents through the state forestry organizations, teaching them how to make their homes more ignition resistance – we try to keep homes from burning down,” Welle said. “There’s a lot people can do to keep their houses from burning down in a wildfire. It’s stuff that they can do themselves.”

The problem of wildfire is an issue that continues to rise, and finding the right resources to stop them in an efficient way is a challenge for Welle and NFPA. According to Welle, 90 percent of homes that are effected by wildfires are completely destroyed, and each year, we are losing more civilians and firefighter lives to the fires.

What is causing these wildfires to start? A variety of factors come into play, but it’s generally humans who lead the way.

“Nationally, I think it’s in the 80th percentile range that are human-caused, and there are a variety of those causes,” Welle said. “A great many of them occur in the Southeast, because they tend to do a lot of burning. People burn their brush or their trash and don’t pay attention to the weather conditions, and the burn will get away from them.”

Other factors that play a big part in the start of wildfires are people lighting off fireworks, starting campfires, and arson. Often times its fires that are intentionally lit, but accidentally get away from people and become dangerous.

If you find yourself in a situation where you can see a potential wildfire developing, it’s important to act quickly and efficiently to ensure that the fire doesn’t spread out of control and become deadly. One instance of reacting quickly occurred in Albuquerque, N.M., where two movers from the international moving company TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® were able to stop a wildfire in a residential neighborhood.

Movers Sam Silsby and Elijah Salazar were completing a move on a hot evening on July 3, and noticed people at a nearby home in a commotion. The two saw a fire starting in the neighbor’s yard, and immediately called 911 before running over to help with the situation.

“The neighbor came running out of her house looking upset,” Silsby said. “She then said to us ‘there’s a fire in my backyard’. So we instantly sprang into action and thought of what to do.”

The two both had experiences in dealing with fire prior to this situation, and knew that time was critical if they were going to prevent the fire from growing.

“First, we tried using our fire extinguisher, but it wasn’t getting the job done,” Salazar said. “We then started covering it with dirt because smothering a fire will put it out. So, the plans we discussed were starting to work. We were just thinking that we need to get this fire out quickly or it could spread and cause serious damage.”

The quick thinking by the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® employees enabled them to put out the fire before firefighters arrived on the scene, and potentially saved the lives of residents in the area. Welle applauded their decision to use dirt to smother the fire, and also mentioned how important it was that they immediately called 911.

“The smartest thing to do is call 911 or whatever the local emergency number is and be able to give them a good location of where the fire is. That is the best thing people can do,” Welle said. “If you’re not a trained fire fighter and don’t have the appropriate equipment, we don’t want to see anybody get hurt trying to do the right thing.”

To learn more about preventative measures for wildfires as well as other helpful information about all types of fire, be sure to visit the National Fire Protection Association website and use the resources they have available.

HOW TO THROW A HOUSE WARMING PARTY WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK:

ou want your family and friends to enjoy your new home as much as you do—and a housewarming party is a great way to accomplish that. However, parties can be expensive after counting up the costs of invites, food, drinks, games, cleaning supplies and more.

The good news is your party doesn’t have to be lavish or expensive to be memorable. Instead of going the traditional route, which can be costly, save money using these simple ideas. In the end, you’ll throw a house warming party to remember without stretching your budget.

Use E-Invites or Facebook

To keep your party classy, you’ll want to send formal invites. But doing paper invites is expensive and time-consuming. Save both time and money by doing e-invites instead. There are a wide variety of websites that allow you to create custom invitations for little to no cost. Be sure to add photos of your new place along with whatever games, food, and drink that will be there.

If you don’t want to be that formal, create an event on Facebook. Nearly everyone is on Facebook and it will take less than 10 minutes to do. For anyone not on Facebook, be sure to send the event via email, which you can do right within the Facebook interface.

For a potluck style party, this is a better option than a traditional invite anyway because everyone can share what they’re bringing on the event page’s wall. Not to mention it’s easy for guests to RSVP.

Create a DIY Photo Booth

Everyone loves a photo booth, and you can make one in your home without spending a lot of money. All you need is:

Backdrop (sheet, hanging streamers or decorative shower curtain)

Props (buy wholesale online for minimal cost)

Table for the props

Framed sign with hashtag suggestion

Find a corner in your backyard or home and set up your DIY photo booth for everyone to use. Instead of providing them with a camera, have everyone take photos their cell phone. They’ll share on social using your hashtag, so you can look back on everyone’s fun photo booth photos the next day.

Provide Something Other Than Food and Drink

According to the 2017 Ultimate Summer Party Guide, Americans spend most on food (60 percent) and drink (22 percent) when hosting a summer party. Your housewarming party is no different—and to save money, you may need to consider going potluck style and asking guests to contribute food and drink.

To show your appreciation for their contributions, provide guests with some other fun “party favors” instead. If your home has a pool, buy trendy pool floats—get some ideas from Sugar and Cloth’s 2017 list, which includes champagne, unicorn and flamingo floats. Don’t forget to provide lawn games, which you may already have, or can buy for cheap online or at a second hand store.

Make BYOB Meaningful

Instead of simply having people bring their own alcohol, turn your housewarming party into a Stock The Bar party, where everyone contributes something to your “bar” or alcohol cabinet. This is a fun way for friends and family to share their favorite liquor, wine or bar accessories with you as a housewarming gift that you’ll enjoy for months to come. Remind everyone to be creative, choosing cool or unique bar accessories and alcohols.

To make it more exciting, host a tasting during your party and wholesale order custom cups or glasses (you can get them for less than $100) as a keepsake for guests.

Make it Feel Trendy—Without The Costs

If you want to throw a trendy party, don’t worry about glass champagne flutes or luxurious lighting. Instead, make it feel classy without spending the money on traditional items. For example, instead of buying red solo cups opt for gold, which look and feel fancy without costing any extra money.

Other fun, trendy include:

Statement balloons: Letter balloons that say Party or other custom phrases.

Drink station: Buy a few decanters or jugs from a second hand store.

Wildflowers centerpieces: Buy or pick a handful of wildflowers and dust off those old vases under your sink.

White holiday lights: You can buy them for less than $10 on Amazon at any time of year—white lights with a white chord always look classy.

There are so many ways to make your house warming party fun, trendy and memorable without spending a lot of money. Use these ideas to show your guests a great time. You’ll enjoy your party even more knowing you didn’t go over budget.

BIO: Jessica Thiefels has been writing for more than 10 years and is currently a full-time blogger and consultant. She’s shared a variety of personal experience and tips for websites like Reader’s Digest, AARP, and Lifehack. Follow her on Twitter @Jlsander07 for money-saving ideas, health tips and more.

Tips for a Smooth Moving Day:

 just kidding. There's not a lot of room on the agenda for R&R today, but at least you can rest assured that you've done everything in your power to stave off potential moving-day nightmares. Now it's on to your next task: making the day go as smoothly as possible.

Packing Up

• Check the Bill of Lading. Moving companies are required to show you this contract before they start loading your stuff on the truck. Even though you're anxious to get going, take a few minutes to read it thoroughly. Make sure it matches the terms on your original service order, and address any concerns before you sign it. Hang onto your copy until you've unpacked the boxes, because you'll need it on hand if anything gets damaged.
• Supervise the packing process. You may be tempted to let the movers run the show -- after all, they do this for a living. But you'll save yourself a lot of chaos in the long run if you oversee the process.
• Provide sustenance. Whether you're working with pros or pals, provide snacks and water for everyone who's helping out. It'll keep their energy up, and it never hurts to inspire some goodwill in the people who are hauling your stuff around.

Check Your Home One Last Time 

Once your stuff is on its way to your new home, you'll want to make one last pass through your old haunt to make sure everything's shipshape. Don't forget to: 

• Check the house for anything you may have forgotten. Check every closet, the attic, the crawl space, the garage, the medicine cabinet, and the drawer under your oven. If you're leaving any furniture behind for the next owners, make sure all the drawers are empty.
• Check for any damages caused by the movers. You don't want to lose part of your security deposit or haggle with homebuyers because your cupboard left a hole in the wall.
• Write down your meter readings. When you receive your final bill from your utility companies, verify that the figures match up.
• Check for cash. Have cash tips of $20 to $25 per mover ready, along with money for any tolls along the way.

In Transit 

• Before you leave your old house, give the movers your cell phone number in case either party gets delayed or lost.
• If you're driving a rental truck, take it slow -- the extra weight will make the truck harder to handle. Watch out for low clearances, especially if you make a pit stop at a drive-thru window. If you stop along the way, lock the cargo door.

Inspect Your New Home 

Try to arrive at your new home before the moving truck does, otherwise you may be billed for the thumb-twiddling period. Once you arrive: 

• Do a walk through with your real estate agent. Make sure everything is where it's supposed to be.
• Check the utilities in your new home. Take a few minutes and check the outlets, light switches, appliances, faucets, and toilets in your new home. If anything's broken, you'll have a chance to address it before you settle in for the night.
• Get organized. Tape names to doors to assist movers; map out floor layouts so movers know what's going where.

Unloading

While your boxes are being unloaded, oversee the process and make sure they end up in the right rooms. (You did label them, right?) You don't want to be rummaging through the basement for your coffee pot tomorrow morning. In fact, try to banish as little to the basement as possible, because you'll be less likely to unpack the boxes you can't see. You might end up feeling like you're in a permanent state of transition; or worst-case, you may not discover any damages until it's too late to file a claim.

Above all, don't overdo it. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, make moving your sole task for the day -- schedule cable installation, phone service, and internet hookup for after you've settled in. Stay hydrated, pack snacks, and take short breaks when you need them. Moving day might be hectic, but if you're prepared, you can help it go off without a hitch.

5 Labor Alternatives to Hiring a Full Service Moving Company:

If you’re thinking of hiring a professional moving company to handle your next move, be aware that it’s going to cost you. In fact, according to the American Moving and Storage Association(AMSA), the average cost of a simple local move is $2,300 for four movers at $200 per hour. And if you’re embarking on an interstate move, it’s going to cost you even more – upwards of $4,300, according to the AMSA.

Fortunately for those looking to save money, there are less expensive alternatives to hiring a moving company. In fact, all you need is a rental moving truck and a few assistants to help out with the heavy lifting, and the loading/unloading of your things. From hiring moving labor professionals to recruiting friends, here are five money-saving options to consider next time you move.

HireAHelper

Planning to rent your own truck? Avoid breaking your back (and your friends’) by hiring pros to help with the loading and unloading process. HireAHelper is one of the most reliable online marketplaces for finding and booking these moving labor professionals.

According to HireAHelper, the movers are either labor-only moving companies that specialize in load and unload services, or they’re full-service moving companies willing to send workers out on labor-only moving jobs. Given that these movers do this for a living, you can rest assured that your belongings will be in good hands.

HireAHelper’s perks:

• The website allows customers to see up-front pricing for every labor professional.
• There are over 3,400 companies in the HireAHelper network serving 48 states.
• Its fast and easy to use. Customers can compare providers and book a job in less than 10 minutes.
• Customers can read reviews to help evaluate different labor professionals.

If anything breaks or is damaged, HireAHelper states that the individual moving company should resolve the damage claims on their own. However, if they don’t, you have a backup option. HireAHelper provides complimentary mover’s insurance when you place your order for the mover through HireAHelper. This insurance covers $.60 cents per pound, up to $10K. The company also points out that Full Value coverage is available through MovingInsurance.com as well.

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving is a licensed and insured moving and junk removal service. The Tampa-based company offers junk removal services, donation pickups, packing help, residential and commercial moving, and moving labor assistance nationwide. The company points out that many of their customers actually combine these services when moving. However, if you’re only looking for someone to assist with heavy lifting and single item moves, College Hunks also offers a simple hourly labor option. These moving labor professionals are described as “seasoned veterans” that will ensure every belonging is properly packed, sealed and loaded. To receive a quick quote for hourly labor, check here.

Moving Help

Similar to HireAHelper, Moving Help provides customers with an online marketplace to search and locate local moving services in their area. These services include packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, cleaning and driving assistance. The website also ranks all Moving Helpers based on the company’s star rating. Customers can read unedited customer comments and assess ratings about each and every Moving Helper before making their selection. This way you can easily find the most reliable and well-reviewed labor service at the touch of a button.

To use Moving Help, simply enter the date of the move and the zip code or city/state of the moving locations. You can also choose what time of day you’re moving and the size of your move. Then click “Find available Moving Helpers” on the company’s website to see the list of potential moving professionals in your area.

Truck rental add-ons

If you’re planning to hire the help of moving labor professionals, you’re most likely renting a moving truck as well. Fortunately, most rental truck companies also offer loading and unloading services directly through their websites. For instance, U-Haul partners with Moving Help (mentioned above) to find local laborers in the area and Budget Truck Rental partners with HireAHelper. Make sure to check with your specific rental truck company to see what labor options are available for your next move. These services are usually included in the “add-ons” section of your rental truck’s website and can be purchased while reserving the moving truck.

Enlisting friends

Of course, there’s always the old-fashioned do-it-yourself move with friends. For those looking to save big bucks on their next relocation, this may be the best option – especially if you have some pretty strong buddies.

Besides saving plenty of cash, a DIY move grants you total control (and flexibility) over the move. That means you get to choose the timing of your move and the way in which you pack and protect your belongings. You also get to decide how exactly to load and unload the moving truck. Bottomline: the move will go according to your plan.

Additionally, when it comes to boxing up all of your precious belongings, you won’t have to worry about packing everything according to your mover’s guidelines. After all, professional moving companies will most likely want all of your boxes sealed up and ready to go when they arrive. Without these constraints, you can box up those odd-shaped items – such as lamps, plants and pillows – however you see fit. 

Need to hire labor assistance?

Moving.com has partnered with HireAHelper to find the best local moving labor professionals to move all of your stuff onto and off of the moving truck. All you have to do is enter your zip code and your moving date. From there, the moving labor website allows customers to compare and book available labor professionals in the area. To find discounts and information on various rental truck companies, check out Moving.com’s truck rental center.

Still prefer to go the full-service route? To find the best moving company to handle your upcoming move, check Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Good luck and happy moving!