Be prepared. Yep, the Boy Scouts were right. It’s always a good idea to be ready for emergencies, especially ones that require some kind of medical attention. So outfit your apartment with a first aid kit that can cover you in the event of a minor cooking burn or a serious accident. First aid kits are easy to assemble and a quick trip to the drugstore will buy you a lot of peace of mind.

Why you need a first aid kit
Sure, you probably have some adhesive bandages stuck in the cabinet. Maybe a little hydrogen peroxide, too. So why bother with building a full-on first aid kit? Because you never know when a medical crisis could strike. Accidents and natural disasters happen when you least expect them and if someone in your household or a neighbor is hurt, it might be difficult to get to a doctor or hospital in time. Especially during a flood, storm or other emergency that makes travel difficult. If you have the first aid supplies at home, you can stabilize the situation until you can get proper help. Sometimes a few minutes or hours of basic first aid care can save a life.

In less dramatic situations, it’s still comforting to know that you have first aid supplies readily available to soothe a burn or stop a cut from bleeding. Being prepared with a first aid kit means you’ll feel better faster (and can get back to fixing dinner!).

The whole kit and kaboodle
Now you’re convinced you need to get your hands on a kit ASAP! There are loads of pre-made kits that you can pick up at the local drugstore or purchase online. Or you can make your own by simply stocking up on the basics. Creating a custom first aid kit also means you get to use your favorite brands of products. So grab those teddy bear adhesive strips and make your kit creative!

A lot of organizations like FEMA and the American Red Cross have great checklists for first aid supplies to keep on hand, but here are some basic ingredients of a great first aid kit:

• Adhesive bandages in various sizes
• Gauze bandages and roller bandages in various sizes
• Adhesive cloth tape
• Antiseptic wipes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Sterile eyewash or saline solution
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Thermometer
• Aspirin or other pain-reliever
• Antihistamine
• Bottled water
• A blanket

Once you gather up your supplies, store them in a waterproof container in a cool dry, location. Be sure to let everyone in the household know where the first kit is located, so they can get to it quickly.

If your dog or cat got lost, how would you find your furry friend? To keep your pet safer and ease your mind a bit, you’ll want to make sure it’s wearing an ID tag clearly labeled with your contact information.

Here are some tips on how to make sure your dog or cat is wearing its proper identification.

Types of tags
Simple identification tags for your pet’s collar come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and styles; you can find them at pet stores or order them online. Whatever style you prefer, make sure the ID tag includes, at a minimum, your pet’s name and your phone number. (For greater flexibility and timeliness in an emergency, you might list your cell number instead of your home phone.)

Online registration
Another way you can help ensure a reunion with a lost pet is to register the pet online. After registering with a Web site such as Fido Finder or Get Me Home, you’ll receive an ID tag with the pet’s ID number. If someone were to find your lost pet, he or she could enter the ID tag on the Web site and receive your contact information in return. This could be most useful if you share custody of a pet with another person, as you can list multiple contact numbers on the site.

Electronic identification
Another possible pet identification method is to have a radio frequency ID (RFID) chip implanted under the skin. The RFID chip, about the size of a grain of rice, is injected beneath the pet’s skin; no anesthesia is required. Unlike a tag on a collar, an RFID chip can’t be easily torn off, lost, or removed. If your lost pet ends up in a place equipped to scan for microchips, such as a veterinarian’s office or an animal shelter, the information in the pet’s chip can be coordinated with the chip manufacturer, such as HomeAgain, to reunite you with your pet.

Required tagging
Another aspect of pet tagging is a legal one. Your dog or cat may be required by state or county law to wear a tag showing that it has been vaccinated for rabies. When you take your pet in for its vaccination, ask the vet whether you’ll receive a rabies tag in the mail or should order one yourself. Keep the paperwork that comes with your rabies tag so that you have a record of your pet’s vaccination, as well.

You’ve unpacked the boxes and arranged your furniture, but something’s missing: wall decor! Don’t get bored with blank walls; use your creativity and get something up there pronto. It’s easy to unleash your inner artist and decorate your apartment walls.

Set the scene
Painting your walls, or even just a single wall, makes a great backdrop for artwork. A neutral wall paint makes colorful artwork pop. If you are hanging black and white photos, try a bright red wall so the high contrast images can really shine. Another option is to let your wall paint be the decor. Painting stripes or geometric shapes can really add impact to your apartment walls. Here’s a tip if your painting skills aren’t so great. Try using removable stick-on decals. It’s a non-permanent way to add interest to your walls, and you’ll find hundreds of designs to choose from.

Pack in photos
Once you’ve got your walls painted the base color you want, it’s time to decorate them. Hanging photos is an inexpensive way to display your personal memories so that you can enjoy them every day. You can also use photos that other people have taken, even classic archival photography. Whatever images you select, get your photos framed (or frame them yourself,) and have fun with your frame choices. Try mixing and matching frames or pick a single color theme, but utilize different styles of framing and shades of color. You can also have fun arranging them, grouping the frames to create larger geometric shapes. Test your ideas by sketching sample layouts on a piece of paper to see which one you like best.

Invest in art
Original art can certainly add a unique touch to your apartment walls.  If you aren’t a photographer or artist yourself, you could invest in others’ artwork. It’s easy to find original art or affordable reproductions of art in home decor stores. These purchases don’t have to break the bank, though art galleries will usually offer a layaway plan to assist you in acquiring a pricey piece of art. Alternatively, you could ask artistic friends to create something special for your apartment, or you could create your own masterpiece. Take an art class and hang your homework on your walls!

Objectify
Unusual objects make wonderful decorative items for your apartment walls. You can display random items or hang a collection of vintage board games, watches, or plates — anything that you love looking at. Hang shelves to display your favorite collection of objects in a creative way.

Get the ok
Do check your lease or inquire with your apartment community manager as to whether painting walls or other decorative changes you might want to make to your apartment are allowed.

Wall decor ideas are limitless and don’t have to be expensive. Look at other people’s apartments for inspiration: you can search online for virtual tours of apartments where you’ll see some amazing decorating ideas. Exercise your creative side on your apartment walls, and those walls will never look the same!