How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Denver

by Jim Holmes

It's the time of year when the cold prompts people from Littleton to Aurora to Highlands Ranch to utilize their fireplaces and space heaters.

I thought it was important to remind you of how to properly utilize these tools and protect yourself and house from not only fire, but also carbon monoxide poisoning.

Of course, as it concerns poisoning from carbon monoxide, the most important step is to ensure that you have at least one, functioning carbon monoxide detector in your home or workplace.

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I gathered some information here from the Denver Health Trauma and Injury Prevention Program. My thanks to this community resource for their good work.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Headache
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Dizziness

High level CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including:

Mental confusion
Vomiting
Loss of muscular coordination
Loss of consciousness
Ultimately death

How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Denver

Make sure appliances are installed and operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes. Most appliances should be installed by qualified professionals.

Have the heating system professionally inspected and serviced annually to ensure proper operation. The inspector should also check chimneys and flues for blockages, corrosion, partial and complete disconnections, and loose connections.

Avoid using a portable generator or any other gasoline engine-powered tool in or near an enclosed space such as a garage, house, or other building. Even with open doors and windows, these spaces can trap CO and allow it to quickly build to lethal levels.

By Sideroxylon (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Install CO alarms in the every sleeping area of the home.

If you cannot afford to do this, install one in the hallway near every sleeping area or one on each level. Make sure the alarm cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies.

Avoid using portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent unless it is specifically designed for use in an enclosed space and provides instructions for safe use in an enclosed area.

Avoid burning charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.

More Denver Health Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety Tips and Info

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Spend the holidays in your new house!

Please join me at this home on for an Open House on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 from 4:30-7p with drinks & Hors D'Oeuvres.

3891 E Long Court, Centennial, CO, 80122

Have to sell your home before you buy? This home is a perfect match! Seller would consider a contingency contract.

Exterior Features: Just under .25 Acre, corner lot, sits on cul-de-sac. Large deck in backyard with mature trees. 

Easy access to Denver Tech Center, South Suburban Golf Course, and Linksview Park.

Move In Ready, Cozy Two Story Home: professionally remodeled offering separate Formal Living/Dining Rooms with Bay Windows; New Flooring throughout;  Kitchen Cabinets/Granite Countertops; New Baths; New Wrought Iron Rails; Finished Basement with Family Room and additional Bedroom. 

This Corner lot sits within a Cul De Sac and offers just under .25/Acre;  large deck off the kitchen; mature trees. It's within walking distance to the South Suburban Golf Course and the close to the Denver Tech Center. 

Popular Highlands 460 Neighborhood within the Littleton School District - Highland Elementary, Powell Middle, and Arapahoe High. This home is ready to create new memories for its next family.

Join me, Jim Holmes, at the Open House on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 and contact me here for more information.

Seniors Visiting Seniors in South Denver

I've recently launched an initiative throughout South Denver called "Seniors Visiting Seniors," a Senior ambassador program designed to help brighten the lives of Seniors in retirement and assisted living facilities.

It’s a fairly simple concept based on giving Seniors an easy way to connect with other Seniors through requested visits within a Senior Community.

The pilot program was launched at Someren Glen Retirement Community, which is part of Christian Living Communities in Centennial, Co.

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The idea is based on the exact opposite message we have all seen hung on hotel room doors boldly stating 'DO NOT DISTURB.'

Instead, the same style of door hanger stating 'I WOULD LIKE A VISIT' is given to all residents should they ever want to request a visit for any reason. They may be lonely and just need someone to listen. They may have been dealing with something difficult and just not know anyone well enough to reach out for support of any kind.

Here are a few ways I intend for this program to be beneficial to all concerned: 

1) Staff at the communities can be alerted to any potential physical or emotional problems their residents are experiencing.

2) The residents themselves benefit from knowing that someone cares and by the emotional boost they receive from the Ambassador visits.

3) Senior Ambassador volunteers from within the community have an opportunity to support their peers, stay active and truly enjoy getting to know their neighbors better often by sharing stories and discovering common interests.

4) This will encourage socialization and connections among the residents of the community themselves, with those who are being visited inspired to get out of their apartments or rooms and become members of the program themselves, visiting others and actively participating in "Seniors Visiting Seniors."

5) During the summer months, we plan to recruit school-age kids to take part in the program as well, bringing a sense of youthful exuberance to the visits. 

With the help of my assistant, Christine Watson, and the support of Someren Glen's Life Enrichment Director, we have begun the process of recruiting and training Ambassadors, with an initial 26 visits already placed.

Feedback from the Ambassadors has been quite positive. It’s been a pleasure for them, while making a great difference for all the folks they visit.

My vision is that this program be primarily resident-driven, placing no additional burden on community staff.

As a south Denver real estate agent who specializes in helping seniors or their caregiver families negotiate the complexities of a late-in-life move, I love the opportunity to be able to give back to our community and enrich the lives of all involved in this project. The more communities and people we can get involved in this initiative, the better!

If you'd like more information on including the "Seniors Visiting Seniors" program at your community along the Denver Front Range, or if you're involved with a group of youths who may like to be involved as Ambassadors in the summer months, please contact me here for more information.

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Honoring Colorado Senior Citizens and World War Two Veterans: Rocky Mountain Honor Flight

You've probably heard of the Honor Flight Network, a national initiative that began in 2006 with the goal of flying every able and willing World War II veteran to Washington D.C. to visit "their" World War II Memorial. The trip is completely free of charge to these heroes.

Our local chapter of this excellent program is Rocky Mountain Honor Flight, a Denver Colorado based non-profit organization formed in 2007.

I was inspired to provide more information about Rocky Mountain Honor Flight when I happened across news that Dick Raiter, a veteran and resident of the Holly Creek Retirement Community in Centennial, would be treated to an Honor Flight to D.C. on September 12 of this year. Here's a photo of Mr. Raiter with his daughters Debbie Colussy (L) and Marty Frampton (R).

This is such a fantastic program that honors our veterans and offers them a 3-Day, free trip to D.C. where not only are they honored, but they receive the opportunity to honor and remember their friends and lost colleagues.

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All Honor Flight programs operate exclusively on donations from patriotic individuals and businesses. I hope you'll take a few minutes to learn more about our Rocky Mountain Honor Flight and consider a donation or perhaps even volunteering opportunities with the group. They do heartfelt work.

From Evergreen to Englewood to Lone Tree to Aurora to Centennial to Denver to Highlands Ranch and everywhere in the area, if you know of a veteran who should make the trip (and that includes terminally ill Korea or Vietnam veterans) please pass along the info to them and encourage them to fill out an application to be added to the list. - Jim Holmes

Donate to Rocky Mountain Honor Flight via PayPal

Photos courtesy of Stephen R. Brown Photography

Download Veterans and Volunteer Applications

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Holly Creek Retirement Community Summer Open House

I absolutely love it when I see a senior living community in the Denver area that provides a unique arrangement of activities and events for their residents. And when those events include participation from the public and local citizens, it's all the better!

And things are hopping this month at Holly Creek Retirement Community in Centennial as their Summer Open House celebrations are well underway with a variety of activities including an Art Walk, speakers on Heart Healthy Nutrition and Cooking, and a discussion on an embattled Mideast culture, all designed to enlighten, entertain, and engage. I hope you'll stop by and join in the fun! - Jim Holmes

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Things got underway with a kickoff breakfast on May 31 and June 1, and the residents and staff were also awesome enough to quickly put together a benefit bake sale on June 4, with all proceeds designed to help the Oklahoma tornado victims.

Active Minds: Kurds

June 10

3pm

Holly Creek residents and guests (anyone from the community is welcome to attend) will explore the complicated dynamic of 30 million people Kurdish people in the Middle East and seek to understand the Kurdish people and their struggle. The Kurds are an ethnic group of approximately 30 million with origins in a part of the Middle East that has been surrounded by the historic powers of the region. Today, the traditional lands of the Kurds are divided into parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. As a minority in each of these countries, the Kurds have long sought their own sovereign nation or at least more autonomy, with mixed results.

Visit the Holly Creek Website

Heart Healthy Nutrition with the Cooking Cardiologist 

June 13

1:30pm

The engagement and enlightenment at Holly Creek continues! Join Dr. Richard Collins, "The Cooking Cardiologist" with South Denver Cardiology Associates, and Susan Buckley, RD, as they explore the relationship between heart disease and nutrition. Dr. Collins is a nationally known speaker and practicing cardiologist who will provide you with information on how diet improves cardiovascular health and how making changes at any age will make a huge difference!

Art Walk and Reception 

Thursday, June 20th

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m

Join Holly Creek's first Art Walk & Reception in the town center that will feature a group of local Colorado artists and some of the Holly Creek resident artists as well. Each artist will be displaying their art work for viewing and some pieces will be available for purchase. Come on down and enjoy the varied and beautiful art work while munching on some delicious appetizers and wine.

RSVP to 720.266.5610 or to dnelson@clcmail.org

Again, these folks  events are open to the public and part of the Holly Creek Summer Open House season. Come by and enjoy.

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How to Repair Identity Theft and Credit Damage in Denver

In an earlier blog post, I supplied tips on how how to protect yourself from a significant problem in Colorado: identity theft.

In this piece, I report on how to REPAIR the problem IF your identity is stolen. Thieves are becoming ever more sophisticated at their crime than ever before. As a Denver Front Range realtor, I know EXACTLY how heartbreaking it is for clients when identity theft or otherwise damaged credit hinders them in buying a new house. Here's what you can do if you're affected. Best of luck! - Jim Holmes

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How to Repair Identity Theft

1) Quickly Place a Fraud Alert with the Credit Reporting Companies.

The first company will then supply the info to the others. There is no cost for the fraud alert, but you must offer proof of identity. This report lasts for 90 days then must be renewed. Be sure and provide the company with your current contact info.

2) Get Copies of Your Credit Report

This is vital in determining how much damage you've suffered. The first report is free of charge. Then immediately reach out to the businesses that have been affected by the theft and begin a dialogue with their fraud department.

3) Create an Identity Theft Report

This will ultimately initiate an extended fraud alert on your credit report. Write all of the details of the identity theft in the report. This then becomes your identity theft affidavit. Provide this report to your local police and file a complaint with them. Keep a copy of the police report and submit your Identity Theft Affidavit and the police report to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission here.

U.S. Federal Trade Commission: Steps to Repair Identity Theft

Colorado Attorney General: Identity Theft Repair Kit

Monitor the Process Closely

Resolving identity theft can be quite cumbersome. Stay organized and build a system to track all of your correspondence, documentation, and phone calls. Keep everything and document everything!

The advice here encompasses only the first steps to undergo when attempting to repair identity theft in Denver, Colorado. Be sure and read through the websites linked here for further information and steps.

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Jim Holmes and The Alliance Group Receive Denver Real Estate Award

FOR MORE INFORMATION                                                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Douglas E. Lierle                                                                        April 27, 2013
Lierle Public Relations on behalf of:
South Metro Denver Realtor Association
303-792-0507
Email: lierlepr@comcast.net

Jim Holmes and The Alliance Group Garners Prestigious Sales Production Award for 2012 from

South Metro Denver REALTOR® Association

Realtor Group Holds First Annual Diamond Circle Awards Celebration

April 26th at Marriott Denver South

DENVER, Colo. – April 27, 2013 – Jim Holmes, a leading real estate professional with The Alliance Group of Englewood, has been recognized by the South Metro Denver REALTOR® Association (SMDRA) as a 2012 Diamond Circle Club Member. SMDRA held its first annual Diamond Circle Awards celebration on Friday, April 26, 2013 at the Marriott Denver South at Park Meadows.

Diamond Circle Club recipients for 2012 must meet the minimum requirement of $3 million in total sales volume or 20 real estate transactions to qualify for the prestigious 2012 Diamond Club Member recognition.  SMDRA is a non-profit trade association that provides real estate professionals with the resources they need to help them grow and prosper in the highly competitive real estate business.

“We are pleased to recognize Jim as a Diamond Circle Club Member for 2012,” said Jo Pellegrino-Ellis, 2013 President of SMDRA.  “He has demonstrated a sincere dedication to the real estate business, old-fashioned hard work, and superior customer service to achieve success regardless of market conditions.  We are proud to have Jim as a member of our association.”

Master of Ceremonies for the Diamond Circle Awards was Sam Adams, a Denver area comedian and past winner of the Great American Comedy Festival.  Adams has headlined in premier venues around the country, in addition to Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Paramount Theater.  Clever, clean and hilarious, he has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS, and the NFL Network.  Adams was also the recipient of Colorado’s Print Journalist of the Year award in 2003.