Autumn Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Autumn is the most beautiful season of the year, with the brilliant reds, oranges and yellows dominating the landscape. Early morning frost sparkles in the first light of dawn, and harvest moons shine overhead.  But autumn also means the harsh winter months are ahead.  And with that in mind, you should be preparing your home for the cold weather.  Here are some tasks you should be planning.

INSIDE THE HOME

·        Make an appointment to have furnace and humidifier inspected

·        Change the furnace filter

·        Drain your water heater to clear sediment from the bottom

·        Have chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned if necessary

·        Call for delivery of firewood

·        Replace storm windows and doors; store screens after repairing

·        Seal leaks in windows with caulk or weather stripping

·        Replace worn door sweeps to stop drafts

·        Check insulation in attic and walls

·        Flip your mattresses

·        Store summer blankets and clothes, and pull out winter blankets and clothes

·        Have winter coats cleaned if you didn’t take them to the cleaners in the spring

·        Check boots for tears or leaks; make sure your children’s boots still fit them

·        Purchase extra mittens/hats/scarves to replace lost ones in a hurry, or to have on hand for guests

·        Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

·        Collect emergency supplies (including food and water) in the event of a power outage

OUTSIDE THE HOME

·        Clean, drain and cover your pool

·        Cover and store your patio furniture

·        Pick up toys and bikes from the yard and store

·        Drain the gas and oil from your lawnmower

·        Clean downspouts after leaves are done falling

·        Check that gutters are securely attached to the house

·        Check roof for missing or broken shingles/tiles

·        Check flashing around chimney for leaks

·        Fill oil or propane tanks

·        Disconnect hoses from outdoor water faucets and drain before storing

·        Drain outdoor water valves

·        Insulate your septic system and other outdoor plumbing to prevent freeze-ups

·        Caulk around entry points for all pipes and ducts in exterior wall (repeat inside the home also)

·        Trim tree branches away from the house and power lines

·        Fertilize your lawn

·        Cover perennials as necessary (leaves work well for insulation)

·        Plant early spring flower bulbs

·        Bring potted perennials indoors

·        Harvest vegetables before the first freeze

·        Prepare your snow thrower for use

·        Check snow shovels—replace if necessary

·        Lay out mats at the front and back doors to trap snow and ice

·        Place a boot tray outside the back door for wet boots

·        Buy salt for icy stairs and walkways (be careful using around plants and pets)

Don’t wait until the first snow storm to take care of these matters.  You never know when the first snow will hit.  Sometimes it’s in the middle of the night, too late to run to the store, and you’ll find yourself in a dark house without batteries for your flashlight or gas for the snow thrower.  Be prepared. 

 

 

Seeing the Doctor

Senior Thursday

When we are born, our parents take us to the doctor every few months to check our growth progress and immunize us.  This continues throughout our school years.  Then as we reach adulthood, we seem to avoid the doctor as much as possible.  It's only when we start to age, and get more ailments, that we seek the doctor's advice again.

Going to the doctor can be easy or stressful, depending upon your health.  Regular check-ups for screenings can be easy.  But if you have conditions that require medication or treatment, the visits can become tiresome.  And if you have several conditions, as seniors often do, the complications that can arise from multiple illnesses can become life-threatening.  This is why it is so important for a person's care (senior or otherwise) to be coordinated amongst your caregivers.  In order to do that, each caregiver must be informed of your progress at each visit. 

So how do you do that?  First of all, every physician you see should know about all your conditions and all your other physicians even if they are not treating you for that condition.   They at least need to know about other medical conditions and prescriptions that may affect the condition for which they are treating you.

When you go to the doctor, be prepared.  Bring a list of all your current medications, including their names, strengths and doses.  Record and report any side effects you are experiencing. 

If you are experiencing symptoms with your illness, write them down, along with the frequency, and report them to the doctor.  Write down any questions you have for the doctor BEFORE you go.  It seems we always forget something if it's not written down.  If you don't understand something the doctor tells you, ask for clarification, or to explain in layman's terms. 

Consider bringing a family member or friend along who can help remember or write down all these things for you.  Sometimes the visit is too stressful (depending upon the condition) so you don't have the mental faculties to write it down yourself.

Finally, before you leave his/her office, review any directions or follow-up that is required.  If you need a new prescription, don't leave without it.  If you need surgery, get the name and phone number of the surgeon.  If you need to change your diet or exercise, review that also.  A good physician will take the time to go over all this with you to keep you at your healthiest.

Preparing for a Winter Storm--Part Three

Part Three--Preparing for a Winter Storm

15. Do you have medications that will be expiring in the next few days? Fill them now, in case you can’t get out during or after the storm.

16. Have plenty of cash on hand. ATM machines may not be working or you may need to pay/tip service personnel.

17. Keep your pets safe in this weather. Protect their feet by using a de-icer that is safe for their paws. If you walk them, watch for salt on the streets, and wipe their feet when they come inside. Check for salt between their toes.

18. Do not let pets stay outside too long in severe weather. Although they have fur coats, they are still susceptible to exposure. Dry them off when they come inside.

19. If you anticipate a winter storm on a day you have a doctor’s appointment or other such engagement, cancel them ahead of time, rather than on that day, so the office can schedule their staff accordingly.

20. Stock up on firewood. If your heat goes out, this may be your only source of warmth.

21. What alternate power sources do you have if the electricity goes out? Purchase a generator to at least keep minimum power on. Have new batteries for your flashlights. If you use candles, never leave them unattended in a room.

Preparing for a Winter Storm--Part One

Back in 1967, the blizzard that hit Chicago caught the city and its residents by surprise. In 2011, with better technology and communications, we knew it was coming. That didn't make it any easier. But it did give us time to prepare. Here are some things you should do to prepare for a winter storm.

1. Is your snowblower working properly? If you had it serviced in the fall, you are probably in good shape. But try starting it anyway, so you can take it in BEFORE the snow arrives.

2. Even if your snowblower is working, do you have gas and oil for it? Have an extra gallon of gas on hand also. If there is a lot of snow, you will need to run it for longer than usual.

3. Are your shovels in good condition? Are the edges straight and even, or nicked and bent? Do you have a plastic shovel for wooden stairs and decks?

4. Purchase several bags or buckets of salt/de-icer. You can not only use it while it's snowing, but also when it starts to melt and turns into ice on your walks or driveway. If you have pets, purchase the pet-friendly de-icer for areas they use.

5. Wear warm clothing when shoveling. Wear layers, rather than one heavy coat. A turtleneck, hoodie and windbreaker work great for keeping you warm and dry. Remember a scarf and hat also. Two thin pair of socks under waterproof boots are best, and gloves under mittens will keep hands warm.

6. Be careful shoveling. Even those in the best shape can injure themselves if they aren't careful. Push rather than lift, keep piles low, and know when you have had enough. Do the work in smaller increments if the snow is heavy.

7. Winds will be strong. Secure all belongings outside, including furniture, garbage cans and tarps.