Oct_Nov 2020 (with links)

Service Weather-Specific Equipment
These measures help you keep tools
ready when you will inevitably need
them. Service or tune-up snow blowers.
Replace worn rakes and snow shovels.
Sharpen ice choppers and buy bags of
ice-melt or sand. For equipment that you use in the
other seasons, like a lawn mower, make sure to drain
the gas to avoid rust. Clean, dry, and store summer
gardening equipment.
Check Foundations
Rake away all debris and edible
vegetation from the foundation. Seal
up entry points or cracks to keep small
animals from crawling under and into
the house. Mice can slip through space
as thin as a dime. Inspect sill plates for dry rot or pest
infestation. Secure crawlspace entrances.
Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide
Detectors
Some cities require a smoke detector
in every room. Buy extra smoke detector
batteries and change them when Daylight
Saving Time ends. Install a carbon
monoxide detector near your furnace or water heater, or
both. Make sure you test smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors to ensure they are working properly. Buy a
fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than
10 years.
Prevent Plumbing Freezes
Locate your water main in the event
you need to shut it off in an emergency.
Drain all garden hoses. Insulate exposed
plumbing pipes. Drain air conditioner
pipes, and if your AC has a water shut-off
valve, turn it off. If you go on vacation, leave the heat
on, set to at least 55 degrees.
Prepare Landscaping and Outdoor
Surfaces
A winter storm can ravage the outdoors
to such an extent that you can experience
devastating effects in your surrounding
area and while you’re in your home. Trim
trees if branches hang too close to the house or
electrical wires. Ask a gardener when your trees should
be pruned to prevent winter injury. Seal driveways,
brick patios, and wood decks. This is more for the
aesthetics if it’s to your liking, but don’t automatically
remove dead vegetation from gardens as it sometimes
provides attractive scenery in an otherwise dreary,
snow-drenched yard. And remember to move sensitive
potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area. You can
also plan ahead for spring. Plant spring flower bulbs
and lift bulbs that cannot winter over, such as dahlias,
in areas where the ground freezes.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
Buy indoor candles and matches or
a lighter for use during a power outage.
Find the phone numbers for your utility
companies and put them in the Contacts
section of your cell phone. Buy a battery
backup to protect your computer and sensitive
electronic equipment. Store extra bottled water and
nonperishable food supplies (including pet food, if
you have a pet), blankets, and a first-aid kit in a dry
and easy-to-access location. Often overlooked, it’s
smart to prepare an evacuation plan in the event of an
emergency.
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QC Family Focus I October/November 2020 11