Winterizing 2013 - The Weston Democrat

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Guide to prepare home, vehicles, pets, and family for winter - published November 6, 2013

Transcript of Winterizing 2013 - The Weston Democrat

Page 1: Winterizing 2013 - The Weston Democrat
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E2—The Weston Democrat -Winterizing Section - Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Pets Need Cold Weather Care

As fall gradually gives way to winter, vehicle owners often sigh at the thought of driving in winter weather or spending weekday mornings clearing their vehicles of ice before heading to the offi ce. But manning the wheel through another snowstorm or whittling away another night’s worth of ice from a car’s windshield are not the only rites of passage motorists must endure as cold weather returns.

Winterizing a vehicle can im-prove vehicle performance during a time of year that, in many locales, can be especially harsh on auto-mobiles. Low temperatures make for less than ideal conditions for engines to run, while potholes left behind by snow plows can damage a vehicle’s wheels and may even result in fl at tires and a damaged suspension system. In addition, salt used to improve traction on roadways can cause rust. Short of moving to a locale with mild winters, there’s little drivers can do to protect their vehicles from harsh winter weather. But winterizing a vehicle can prevent some of the more common issues drivers may encounter when the temperatures dip below freezing.

* Take time out for your tires. Winter weather can limit traction, putting the safety of drivers and their passengers in jeopardy. When possible, avoid driving in the snow, and steer clear of roads where ice and black ice are known to form.

While such measures can greatly reduce your risk of being in an accident, you likely can’t avoid driving entirely come the winter. Drivers who want improved trac-tion from their tires throughout the winter can purchase winter tires for their vehicles. Such tires can more effectively handle roads that are covered in snow and ice than all-season tires. Another way to improve traction during the winter months is to constantly monitor tire pressure, which decreases more rapidly when the weather is cold. Properly infl ated tires provide better traction and protect against damage that may occur when driv-ing over potholes.

* Consider a low-viscosity oil in the winter. The owner’s manual of your vehicle may recommend you use a lower viscosity motor oil to

counter the dip in temperature that’s synonymous with winter. When the temperatures outside fall, the oil inside your vehicle thickens, and a thicker oil won’t circulate through the engine as well. This can cause engine problems because the engine won’t be adequately lubricated. A low-viscosity oil is naturally thin-ner, so it may improve lubrication throughout the winter. The vehicle owner’s manual should recommend oils based on climate. If not, talk to your mechanic about changing from the oil you use throughout the year to a low-viscosity alternative during the winter.

* Inspect your vehicle before winter arrives. No one wants to be out on the road during the fi rst snowstorm of the year only to dis-cover certain components are not working properly. Belts and hoses, while durable, can be put through strenuous conditions during the winter months, so a close inspec-tion of belts and hoses should be conducted in late fall. In addition, windshield wipers are especially important in winter, when snowfall can drastically impact visibility. You will want your wipers work-ing at full capacity once the winter begins, so replace older wipers (shelf life for standard wipers is typically one year) and use a de-icing windshield washer fl uid to maximize visibility.

Another component that must be inspected is your car’s battery. Many drivers have experienced a dead battery, which, in warm weather, is more of a nuisance than a health concern. In cold weather, a dead battery can threaten your health if you fi nd yourself stranded in cold weather. Especially low temperatures can compromise a battery’s power by as much as 50 percent, so have your battery inspected in late fall and replace it if need be.

* Don’t be caught off guard. Part of winterizing a vehicle is be-ing prepared if the vehicle breaks down. Make sure you have extra washer fluid in your vehicle’s trunk, and don’t forget to include an ice scraper, snow brush or even a snow shovel in the trunk as well. A snow shovel may be necessary if you need to dig your car out if it’s been buried somewhere other than your driveway. Other items to carry in your trunk include a blanket, a change of clothes, an extra hat, an extra pair of gloves, some nonperishable food, and a few bottles of water.

Winter can be especially harsh on automobiles. But drivers can take several preventive steps to ensure their vehicle is safe and sound on the roads this winter.

Winterized VehiclesSafer, Less Risky

Keeping tools like a snow brush or ice scraper in the trunk of a vehicle is one way to ready a car for the winter months ahead.

Protect RoofFrom IceBuild Up

Is there ice build up on the edge of your roof this winter? If you haven’t closed the insulation gaps, major damage can be caused to this part of the house by ice damming. This starts with air leakage and it is preventable.

Experts at Decker Home Ser-vices tell us that as your heating sys-tem produces warm air, it spreads throughout the levels of your house and some of it can escape through the ceiling of the top fl oor.

This air then comes into contact with the inside edge of the roof and, when melting snow falls onto that portion, it can slowly trickle down and freeze. As more ice builds, a dam is created on the edge, and this can cause water to leak into your house.

If any portion of the home is made of wood, water is especially harmful to it. This can cause mold and unwelcome, costly repair bills. If ice damming sounds familiar, it is wise to fi x the problem at once.

Specialized insulation will do it, experts say. Products like the Icynene spray foam prevent air leakage and alleviate cases of ice damming.

At the same time, high quality spray insulation increases your home’s energy effi ciency, reduces your heating bills and provides a more comfortable indoor environ-ment.

More information is available online at icynene.com.

When temperatures drop, hu-mans are not the only ones who feel the chill. Cold weather also can take its toll on animals, including dogs, cats and birds. Protecting pets when winter arrives involves modifying care tactics.

A major winter snowfall or sim-ply a snap of cold weather can cause many problems for pets. Much like humans, dogs and cats can experi-ence frostbite on extremities when subjected to cold temperatures. Ears, noses and paws all may bear the brunt of cold weather, increas-ing the risk of injury.

Provide warm shelterAlthough it may appear that

pets are well insulated against cold temperatures, fur or feathers do not make pets impervious to the cold. According to the ASPCA, fur wet-ted by snow may not dry quickly, putting animals at risk for a chill or even hypothermia. As a precau-tionary measure, keep companion animals inside when temperatures drop below 30*F.

If yours is an outside dog, be sure that he or she is equipped with dry, draft-free shelter. A dog house that is too large will not retain heat, so keep this in mind. Reduce wind chill by placing the dog house where it will not be in the direct line of wind. You may want to think about keeping the dog in an insulated shed or garage if you prefer not to move the pet inside.

Cats can easily freeze while outdoors; therefore, it is safer to keep them inside. Also, outdoors a cat may seek unsafe shelter, such as under the hoods of cars where they can be injured or killed if the car is started.

Dress warmlyA mammal’s system for regu-

lating heat can be compromised when there is excessive cold. No matter its type of fur, a dog or cat may not be able to tolerate long periods of cold weather, unless it is a breed that was specifi cally bred for remaining outdoors in the cold, like a Malamute or Husky. When venturing outside, consider the use of a sweater or vest on short-haired dogs, but keep an eye on the pet. Wearing a coat doesn’t mean he should be left outdoors unattended.

Cats probably will not toler-

ate any type of clothing. If going outdoors to a vet appointment, use a carrier that is insulated from the cold with thick blankets.

Limit draftsAddress drafts around the

house, which will increase your comfort and that of your companion animals. Dogs and cats lie on the ground, where colder air tends to collect. It may be several degrees cooler near the fl oor where they reside. Check windows and doors for drafts. If repairs or replacements aren’t fi nancially possible, consider the use of draft guards or insulating curtains.

These measures also will protect pet birds. Most birds that are kept as pets are from tropical climates and cannot tolerate severe colder temperatures. Reduce risk of illness by keeping birds away from drafty windows and doors that open and close frequently during the winter.

Keep them leashedMany dogs like to frolic in the

snow, but snow can cause a pooch to lose his scent on the ground and get lost. A dog also may run off and get smothered by tall snowdrifts or

slip through thin ice when not being able to gauge its surroundings. It is best to keep dogs on leashes during any type of inclement weather.

Be mindful of pets young and old

Puppies and kittens as well as older dogs and cats may be less tolerant of colder weather. Young animals are lacking the fat stores and thick coats of their adult coun-terparts that can help protect them against the cold. Housebreaking a puppy during the cold weather could be challenging.

Senior dogs may feel aches and pains from the cold, which can irritate existing conditions like arthritis. Limit their time outdoors to bathroom breaks.

Remove chemical poisonsAntifreeze and specialized

nonicing window cleaners used in automobiles are commonly used in winter. These chemicals are often sweet to the smell and taste and very attractive to curious pets. But only a few laps of antifreeze can be deadly.

Keep any dangerous winterizing chemicals -- even salt used to melt snow -- away from pets to avoid accidental ingestion.

Provide extra food and waterPets need extra calories in order

to keep their bodies warm in the cold weather. You may need to feed them a little extra during the winter. Extra water may also be necessary when the pet’s metabolism is work-ing harder.

If a pet is kept outdoors, be sure to check if its water has frozen and replace it frequently.

Watch for symptoms of hy-pothermia

Even well-meaning pet owners may be unaware if their pet is suf-fering from the effects of too much cold. Here are some symptoms of hypothermia.

* violent shivering, followed by listlessness, weak pulse, leth-argy, muscle stiffness, problems breathing, lack of appetite, rectal temperature below 98 F, coma, or cardiac arrest.

Companion animals may expe-rience anything from discomfort to serious problems when cold weather arrives.

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Tips To Prepare Yard for Winter

Removing debris, including dead leaves, from a lawn before the arrival of winter weather can help prevent suffocation.

Changing seasons can be tough on a lawn. Always exposed to the elements, lawns can fare especially poorly upon the arrival of winter, a season known for its harsh and unforgiving weather. Even the most perfectly manicured lawn can suffer at the hands of winter weather, causing homeowners to sit idly by and hope spring arrives that much sooner.

But as punishing as winter weather can be on a lawn, home-owners are not without recourse. Much like homeowners can take steps to help their lawns survive sizzling summer heat waves dur-ing the warmer months of the year, they also can take steps to help their lawns make it through the often stormy weather synonymous with winter.

- Don’t procrastinate. Putting off the process of winterizing a lawn can put that lawn in jeopardy. Lawns will turn dormant the closer you get to winter, and they may reject the nutrients found in fertil-izer as a result. Those nutrients will prove valuable once spring weather returns, so start the winterization process in early fall so the lawn has suffi cient time to absorb nutrients and strengthen itself for the seasons to come.

- Treat trouble spots. Summer can be even harder on a lawn than winter, especially for those lawns located in regions where heat waves and drought are common. In such instances, certain spots on the lawn seem to be hit harder than others, and those spots should get special attention when winterizing the lawn. Check the soil’s pH levels before fertilizing or applying any treatments. Such a test will reveal which spots need the most atten-tion, and treating trouble spots now will make spring lawn care that much easier.

- Aerate the property. Aerating can help a lawn recover after a long summer and help it survive the potentially harsh months that lie ahead. Aerating, which involves puncturing the soil or removing cores of soil from the ground, can restore a lawn to health by improv-ing its drainage and allowing more water and air to reach the roots of the grass. Aerating also makes it easier for nutrients to penetrate the soil, which encourages a healthier lawn over the long haul. Aerators can be purchased or rented, but homeown-

ers uncomfortable with the process may want to enlist a professional to tackle the job. Parents of small children who spend lots of time in the yard may need to aerate their lawn more than most, as heavy lawn traffi c compresses the soil, a potentially harmful process that can be reversed via aeration.

- Take steps to strengthen the roots. Aerating promotes stronger roots, but homeowners might also want to fi nd a winterizing product with potassium and phosphorous, both of which can strengthen roots. Different types of lawns will respond differently to certain winterizers, so discuss your options with a lawn care professional who can help you fi nd the right fi t for your property.

- Remove debris from the lawn. Debris left on a lawn over the winter can prove very harmful. Piles of debris left scattered around a lawn can suffocate the blades of grass, leading to long-term damage and a potentially unsightly lawn come the spring. In addition, piles of debris might make good homes for organ-isms that can damage the lawn. As fall moves into winter, periodically remove all debris, including leaves and branches fallen from trees.

- Make the lawn off-limits once the temperatures dip below freez-ing. A lawn should be off-limits once the ground freezes. Stepping on grass that has frozen will leave noticeable footprints, and walking on frozen grass can kill the turf. When winter arrives, people should avoid using the lawn as a shortcut into and out of your home and stick to driveways and sidewalks instead.

Rising fuel costs and a suspect economy has forced many home-owners to look for ways to cut costs around the house. Conserving energy is one way to do just that. And in addition to saving money, conserving energy also helps save the planet.

Though preserving energy around the house might sound dif-fi cult, it’s actually quite easy, and you don’t have to sacrifi ce comfort to conserve. The following are a few ways to conserve energy around the house and help your bottom line and the planet at the same time.

* Cool it with the hot water. Heating water for the home ac-counts for a signifi cant percentage of your monthly utility bill. But many homeowners might not know just how simple it can be to reduce the costs of heating the water. You can trim between 3 to 5 percent off your utility bill for every 10 degrees you dial down the thermostat on your water heater. A water heater set in the range of 130 F won’t require as much energy to heat and hold water as one set around 140 F or above, and a setting of 130 F is enough to prevent bacteria from growing within the tank and still provide water that’s hot enough for a shower or bath.

A water heater set around 130 F might also extend the life of the tank. That’s because chemical re-actions speed up in tanks that are hotter, accelerating the buildup of rust within the tank.

* Install a digital thermostat. A digital thermostat makes it easy for homeowners to automatically turn down their thermostats dur-ing times of the day when no one is home. The thermostats can be programmed to turn up the heat shortly before you typically arrive home, so you won’t be forced to sit in a cold house when you get home, nor will you be forced to pay to heat a home while no one is there. The thermostat can also be set in the summer to allow the temperature in the home to rise without automatically triggering

the air conditioning. When shopping for a digital

thermostat, be sure to purchase one that is compatible with your HVAC system. Otherwise, the thermostat might not work properly.

* Turn off the lights (and change the bulbs!). Perhaps the simplest way to conserve energy around the house is to turn off the lights in empty rooms. It’s easy for all residents of a home to turn on a light when entering a room, only to leave that room but keep the lights on. But electricity used for lighting can constitute as much as 10 percent of a monthly utility bill. How much of that electricity is being used to illuminate empty rooms? Get in the habit of turning lights off whenever you leave a room. Though the savings here might not be substantial, turning off the lights will help conserve energy.

In addition to turning off the lights, be sure to use compact fl uorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, instead of traditional incandescent bulbs. CFLs consume less energy, don’t give off nearly as much heat as incandescent bulbs and can last as long as 10,000 hours, which is roughly 10 times as long as the best incandescent bulb.

* Make use of nature. Home-owners can also employ their landscape to help conserve energy around the house. A strategically planted tree, for example, can shade a room that is exposed to the sun throughout the day. That shade can make it cooler inside the home, allowing residents to stay cool inside without having to rely too heavily on their air conditioning unit. During the winter months, open the curtains during the day to allow sunshine in, naturally adding a few degrees to the home so you won’t have to crank the temperature on the thermostat.

Homeowners hoping to con-serve energy around the house can do so in a number of ways without having to sacrifi ce comfort or luxury.

Conserve Energy

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Get ReadyFor

Winter

Snowy weather can be a time for fun, especially for avid skiers or children who relish spend-ing days off from school tossing snowballs and building snow forts. Many adults, however, do not look forward to the snow as much as youngsters do. Snow can be hazardous when driving, but putting snow tires on a vehicle can improve vehicle safety.

According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 115 people die every day in ve-hicle crashes in the United States. Each winter, snowfall compounds treacherous road conditions, in-creasing the risk of accidents.

It is important to know how to drive when weather conditions are dangerous. It is also wise to outfi t a vehicle to reduce its risk of slipping and sliding on icy, snowy roads. Here are some tips to follow.

* Limit time spent driving in the snow. Avoid driving dur-ing snowstorms or directly after whenever possible. Snow not only makes roads slick, but falling fl akes can impair a driver’s visibility and reduce his or her response time. Try to wait until snow-clearing teams have salted, plowed and sanded roads before venturing out.

* Be sure you can see clearly. Clear off the snow from the wind-shield, side mirrors and windows so it does not compromise your view. Also, top off the windshield fl uid so you will be able to clear snow and salt kick-up from your windshield. Look for a washer fl uid that has an antifreeze component, otherwise, your washer jets and wiper blades could be rendered useless.

* Drive slowly. Reduce your speed when driving in inclement weather. It can be more diffi cult to stop or maneuver around a potential obstacle when conditions are less than ideal. Traveling at a high speed will increase the risk of accidents.

* Leave enough room be-tween you and other motorists. Tailgating is responsible for many accidents, even when there is no snow on the ground. In inclement weather, it can take longer to slow or stop the car after pressing on the brakes. Having an additional space between your car and the one in front of you helps you avoid a collision.

How To Be Safe

On Winter Roads

* Be aware of black ice. Black ice gets its name from its veritable invisibility. It is so thin and hard to spot, it just looks like the black asphalt of the road. Black ice tends to form in areas that have had snow or ice melt, which then refreezes at night when temperatures drop. Be extra cautious on turns and on highway exit and entrance ramps, where black ice frequently forms.

* Steer your car into the skid. Remain calm and do not panic and jam on the brakes if your car starts to skid. Slamming on the brakes will only exacerbate the skid. Rather, take your foot off the accelerator, allowing the car to naturally slow down as you turn your wheels into the direction the car is skidding. This should help right the car and get you back on track.

* Invest in snow tires. Those who live in especially snowy cli-mates and do a lot of driving would be wise to purchase snow tires. Snow tires, also called winter tires, have special tread patterns that of-fer better traction in snow and ice. They also are made from softer rubber compounds than regular tires that retain their fl exibility in cold weather, allowing the tire to conform to the surface of the road. Although many vehicles come with technology to prevent accidents, they cannot do their jobs if tires are not maintaining their grip on the road.

All-season tires are not a replacement for snow tires. All-season tires are designed to work in all sorts of conditions, from rainy weather to dry roads. Therefore, it is better to invest in a set of snow tires that will offer you better protection. When putting snow tires on a car or truck, be sure to do so on all the wheels -- not just the driving wheels. Otherwise you may still risk spin outs or uneven gripping of the road.

It is not a good idea to keep snow tires on all year. Because they are softer, snow tires tend to be more noisy and can wear out faster in warmer weather. Therefore, switch out the tires at the beginning of the snowy season and then before the spring arrives anew.

Avoid

Shivering

This Winter January and February are typi-

cally considered the coldest months in the northwest, northeast and midwestern United States. It can be tough for homeowners trying to bear the cold without running up heating costs. Yet with some planning and investment, we can avoid the winter chills.

An effective and efficient heating system needs a solid air barrier, say specialists. Traditional insulation materials are regarded as economical options. However, these same materials can contribute to unnecessary heat loss.

Innovations, like the spray foam insulation from leading name Icynene, afford homeowners an upgraded insulation system that also provides an air barrier.

Understanding what products are available allows homeowners to reduce energy bills for a warm winter and be ready for a cool summer. More information can be found at www.icynene.com.

New windows may allow more natural light to enter a home.

Invite Natural

Light into HouseA dark home can be dreary and

drain residents’ energy levels rather quickly. Natural light has the power to make a person feel more ener-gized, and it also can buoy spirits. As a result, many homeowners want to increase the amount of natural light in their homes.

Increasing natural sunlight in a home reduces reliance on interior lighting. This reduces energy bills and lowers the home’s carbon footprint. Natural light also can help people in a home feel happier and more content.

According to the National Institutes of Health, some people experience serious mood changes during the winter months. Dubbed seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, this condition may be ef-fectively treated with light therapy. Exposure to more light can alleviate fatigue, loss of interest and sad or anxious feelings. Homeowners

looking to increase the natural light in their homes, be it for medical or aesthetic reasons, can do so in a variety of ways.

* Keep the drapes open. Open-ing blinds and curtains as far as they will go allows as much light to shine in without having to do major home renovations or spend any money at all. Homeowners concerned about privacy can install a window fi lm that allows viewing from the inside only.

* Clean the windows. Dirty win-dows obstruct sunlight from enter-ing the home. They also can make a home appear unkempt. Spend a free day cleaning the windows so that they’ll let ample light in.

* Install seamless or low-profi le windows and doors. Seamless slid-ing doors enable a large amount of light to enter the home. Such doors can replace an entire wall to brighten up a dark area of a home.

The more windows and doors a home has, the brighter it will be.

* Take inventory of dark spots. A room may be dark because it simply does not have a layout conducive to brightness. Is a wall blocking light from reaching a portion of the room? Think about changing the room’s layout or even making structural changes to improve light distribution. The addition of a small window on a south- or west-facing wall can greatly improve natural light. Using mirrors can also refl ect light where it is needed.

* Invest in skylights or solar tubes. Both skylights or solar tubes enable light to enter a home from above. Skylights are larger and require considerably more work to install, while solar tubes are more low-profi le and can be put into rooms that do not abut the roofl ine, such as those obstructed by attic space. The tubular cylinders are installed between the roof and the ceiling and carry light through a refl ective tube to the room below. Diffusers on tubular daylighting devices scatter the rays so the light doesn’t cast harsh shadows, and UV

fi lters can help protect furniture from discoloring.

* Trim shrubs and trees. If trees and bushes are blocking light from entering your home, trim them to enable dappled light to come through. Deciduous trees that will naturally lose their leaves come autumn can be planted on sunny areas of the property. This way in the summer months they will shade the house and keep it cooler, while in winter more sun will stream in when the leaves are shed.

* Create a three-season room. Make a spot in the home where sun will be at a premium. A solarium or greenhouse attached to the home can be a warm and sunny spot.

Increasing natural light in a home can improve feelings of well-being and also reduce energy consumption during daylight hours.

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The Weston Democrat -Winterizing Section - Wednesday, November 6, 2013—E5

Reading the newspaper is a great way to get the family together. You’ll find fun and informative news and features on a wide range of topics. Plus, reading the newspaper with your children helps them understand what’s happening in the world and how it affects them.

The Weston Democrat306 Main Ave. • Weston, WV • 304-269-1600

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When the weather is cold and you are spending time inside with your family . . . what better time to start reading local news with your family. Find out what's happening in Lewis County. Get your children interested in reading with you.

Many homeowners may not know that pruning in the winter can benefi t some trees. Deciduous trees are dormant in winter, so they won’t bleed sap when pruned at this time of year like they will at other times of the year. In addition, many varieties of trees are less likely to attract disease or insects if pruned in the winter, oak trees, for example.

Homeowners should learn the types of trees on their property and when the ideal pruning season is for each type of tree. Pruning also may depend on climate. Once the time has come to prune, keep the following tips in mind to maintain healthy and aesthetically appeal-ing trees.

* Remove limbs that appear to be competing for space. Tree limbs that are crossing, rubbing or grow-ing parallel to one another can be pruned. Such limbs may prohibit the growth of nearby limbs.

* Remove limbs that are grow-ing in. Some tree limbs may appear

to be growing toward the interior of the tree, and these limbs can be pruned.

* Remove limbs growing toward the ground. A healthy tree’s limbs will grow outward, not toward the ground.

* Remove dead limbs. Dead limbs simply take up space, and a dead limb is not going to grow back come the spring. Dead, broken or diseased limbs should be removed when pruning.

* Do not top trees. Tree topping is the removal of large branches and/or trunks from the top of a tree. Topping leaves a tree susceptible to disease and insect infestation, and homeowners who top trees to pre-vent them from getting any larger should know that topping actually promotes the growth of smaller, weaker branches that eventually grow as tall, if not taller, than the original branches before the tree was topped. Topping also decreases a tree’s life expectancy.

Some Trees Pruned in WinterKnowledge

Of Tires Is

ImportantDrivers rarely think of the tires

on their vehicles until they have a fl at. But the type of tires on your vehicle can impact its performance. When choosing tires for their ve-hicles, drivers should consider a host of factors, including the terrain and driving conditions vehicles are likely to encounter.

Understanding tires and what makes some a better fi t than oth-ers for certain vehicles can make for safe driving and improved handling.

All-season tiresThe most common type of tire

and arguably the best known is the standard all-season tire. Many vehicles come equipped with these tires, which are designed to be versatile enough to grip the road in various conditions. They are commonly made of a harder rub-ber that will not wear out quickly and will retain their tread. Most day-to-day driving can be done on all-season tires.

High-performance tiresPeople who live in dry climates

or drive sports and racing cars can benefit from high-performance tires. These tires are specifi cally designed to grip the road better and offer superior handling under higher speeds. Because high-performance tires are made of a softer rubber compared to standard tires, they will not last as long as all-season tires.

Snow tiresPeople who live in snowy, icy

conditions will benefi t from the use of snow tires. These tires are designed with special treads to offer more traction in slippery conditions. The rubber used to manufacture the tire can remain fl exible even at extremely low temperatures. Winter tires are best reserved for extreme weather and not used all season long because they will wear out more quickly than others. They may not have the same level of traction on clear

roads. In some cases, winter tires may have metal studs included to enhance traction in icy situations. People who do not want to switch tires when cold weather arrives sometimes invest in snow chains that improve traction on standard tires.

Mud TiresMuddy areas can be just as

slippery as snowy conditions. Mud tires are designed similarly to snow tires but will have extra grooves and a tread pattern that facilitates movement of mud away from the tires and road. Mud tires may be wider than standard tires as well.

Truck TiresDrivers of trucks or sport-utility

vehicles often need special truck tires. These tires can better handle the weight and size of a larger vehicle. Many drivers stick with the type of tire that originally came with their truck. Drivers who like to go off-roading may need an all-terrain tire to offer more traction when climbing hills or traversing different conditions.

It can be easy to overlook the importance of tires, but tires help vehicles remain on the road and can affect mileage, maneuverability and safety.

Understanding tires and what makes some a better fi t can make for safe driving and improved handling.

Cleaning gutters is a household chore that many homeowners asso-ciate with both spring and autumn. Cleaning gutters prevents water damage on the roof while protecting your home’s siding and foundation. In addition, cleaning gutters in the fall gives homeowners a chance to ensure they are fi rmly secured to the house, an important precau-tion when potentially harsh winter weather is just around the corner.

Unlike many household chores, cleaning gutters can be quite dangerous, as it often requires homeowners to climb up and down on ladders or spend ample time on the roof.

As a result, safety should reign supreme when cleaning gutters and homeowners should take the fol-lowing precautions before gutting their gutters of grime.

- Don’t try to be a hero. If you are afraid of heights, then it’s perfectly alright to hire a profes-sional to clean your gutters. Men and women with a fear of heights cannot predict how they will react when climbing a ladder, so play it safe and hire a professional if the thought of climbing up and down a ladder frightens you.

- Inspect the stability of your ladder. Ladders play a key role when cleaning gutters of leaves, dirt and grime, so homeowners should inspect their ladders before they get to work. An unbalanced ladder may not be reliable and should be replaced. You will be moving and swaying somewhat while clean-ing the gutters, so you will need a secure ladder that does not teeter back and forth each time you reach for the gutter.

- Keep the ladder on stable ground, and ask a friend or fam-ily member to hold it. The ladder should always be planted on a fl at and secure surface before you climb up to clean the gutter. And much like you might have a spotter when lifting weights, have a friend or family member hold the ladder as you climb up to ensure the ladder remains stable.

- Move the ladder frequently. It can be tempting to reach as far as possible when you’re on the ladder, as you can save time by covering more ground on each trip up the ladder. Over-extending yourself is a considerable safety risk, so move the ladder frequently, even if the job is taking more time than you had expected.

- Wear tight clothing. Loose clothing when cleaning gutters can easily get stuck on shutters, tree branches or other items when

Cleaning Gutters

Good Fall Choreclimbing up or down the ladder. If you aren’t paying attention, cloth-ing that gets snagged can throw off your balance when you start to move, increasing your risk of falling.

- Wear protective gloves. Any-one who has cleaned gutters in the past can attest that you never know what might have settled in gutters since the last time they were cleaned. Wear a thick pair of gloves that won’t puncture when caught on a gutter, or sharp twig or branch. You won’t want any holes in the gloves, as holes may leave you sus-ceptible to any bacteria in organic items that might have settled in the materials in your gutter.

Gutters also may have sharp edges that can leave you suscep-tible to cuts if you aren’t wearing gloves. In addition, gloves keep your hands warm, which will come in handy as you clear the gutters of materials that are often wet. When choosing gloves, be sure to choose ones that give you some grip so you can fi rmly grasp the ladder as you climb up and down.

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Page 6: Winterizing 2013 - The Weston Democrat

E6—The Weston Democrat - Winterizing Section - Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Mopping can remove pollut-ants the vacuum cleaner might have left behind.

Improve Quality ofAir in Home

With fall soon to give way to winter, many people will soon be spending more time indoors. Winter weather can be harsh, and it can be diffi cult for fresh air to make its way into a home.

Poor indoor air quality can cause multiple problems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, poor indoor air quality can increase a person’s risk of developing pneumonia, and it also may aggravate existing respiratory conditions such as asthma. The EPA also notes that long-term exposure to indoor air pollution can increase a person’s risk for heart disease, re-spiratory diseases and even cancer.

Because indoor air pollution can be so devastating, many homeown-ers look for ways to improve their indoor air quality, especially before the arrival of winter, when residents of the home fi gure to spend such a signifi cant amount of time indoors. Fortunately, homeowners can take many steps to do just that.

* Clean with soap and water. Soap and hot water can still clean a home effectively, and this age-old combination might be the healthiest way to clean as well. Many house-hold cleaning products contain potentially harmful ingredients that can introduce toxins and irritants into a home. Avoid such clean-ers and solvents when cleaning a home. If stains prove too stubborn for soap and water, be sure to open windows when using potentially harmful cleaners indoors.

* Purchase an air filtration system. Air fi ltration systems vary signifi cantly in size, cost and func-tion. Some systems are designed to remove specifi c pollutants, and may not be effective at removing additional indoor air pollutants.

* Open windows and doors when possible. Introducing outdoor air into a home is a great way to improve indoor air quality. Of course, opening windows and doors might not be feasible in the middle of winter. But take advantage of any such opportunities when they present themselves. For example, after cooking a big meal, open the kitchen exhaust fan to allow fresh air into the home. Such fans are not large enough to cause a signifi cant temperature drop in the home, but they can directly remove contami-nants from inside the home, like those that might be emitted from gas stoves.

* Insist guests and residents remove their shoes. Chemicals can fi nd their way into a home in a variety of ways, and you and your fellow residents or guests may be tracking them into your home on your shoes. Keep a doormat inside all entryways, and insist guests and residents remove their shoes before entering your home.

* Break out the mop. Vacuum cleaners can be effective at picking up pollutants inside a home, but they also can leave things behind. When a vacuum cleaner seems to be leaving some dust behind, take out the mop and, with just a little water, address the areas where dust is still lingering. Water should be enough to do the trick, and, unlike some cleaning products, water won’t be introducing any additional harmful pollutants into the home.

* Smoke outside. Smoking inside a home is inviting trouble, especially during those times of year when the windows cannot be opened. Secondhand smoke is a signifi cant source of indoor air pol-lution, as cigarette smoke is known to contain more than 4,000 chemi-cals. Smoking indoors, whether an area is well- or poorly-ventilated, can be dangerous to smokers. Ex-posure to secondhand smoke puts adults and children alike at risk of several diseases, including asthma and cancer.

Hope Gas Gives Winter TipsDominion Hope reminds cus-

tomers that an annual furnace inspection by a qualifi ed, reputable heating contractor can ensure that they receive maximum winter heat-ing safety, comfort and effi ciency.

Besides helping customers receive maximum value for their heating dollars, an annual appliance inspection can prevent any poten-tial carbon monoxide problems. Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors provide a second line of defense, but they should not be used as a substitute for an annual furnace inspection. Combined with an an-nual inspection, however, a single CO detector, placed in the sleeping area of a home, offers additional peace of mind.

In addition to an annual inspec-tion, customers should change furnace fi lters according to the manufacturer’s instructions, to receive the best possible value for their heating dollars.

While checking a furnace, the contractor should make a visual inspection of all vents, heat ex-changers and motors. A thorough inspection should include:

> Lubricating the blower bear-ings and blower motor as recom-mended by the manufacturer;

> Visually inspecting all vents, the heat exchanger and fi lters;

> Checking the pilot light if the furnace has one;

> Higher efficient furnaces, without pilot lights, require the fl ame sensor to be cleaned and

checked;> Cleaning the main burners;> Clearing the furnace area of

any dust or combustible materials;> Cleaning dust from the blower

compartment;> Testing the thermostat to

ensure the heating system works as it should;

> Checking the safety compo-nents on the heating equipment, such as limit controls and pilot safety and pressure switches;

> Checking the fl ue to ensure it is clean and open. Any fuel that does not burn completely can create harmful levels of carbon monoxide. The gas can collect in a home if a fuel-burning appliance is not work-ing or venting properly;

> Don’t forget the other gas appliances such as water heaters, gas logs, vent-free heaters, ranges and clothes dryers.

Conservation Tips: Natural gas delivers the greatest value for your home energy dollar. To help make natural gas an even greater energy value, Dominion offers these low cost, no cost conservation tips:

> Caulk and weather strip windows and add door sweeps beneath doors.

> Close off unused rooms. There’s no reason to heat these areas.

> Install storm windows and doors; they can reduce heat loss in these areas by 50 percent.

> Turn down the hot water tank’s thermostat to medium.

> Reduce cooking time and energy by covering pots, pans and casserole dishes.

> Don’t peek. Every time the oven door opens, consumers pay a penalty of 25 degrees from lost heat.

> If the gas fl ame on a cook top is visible on the sides of the pan, lower the setting to conserve fuel.

> Always dry full loads of clothes to make the best use of ap-pliances and energy dollars.

> Clear the lint screen on dry-ers after each load for the quickest drying.

> Keep a kitchen timer in the bathroom, and cut shower times to three minutes.

> Switch to lower water tem-peratures for clothes washing and rinse in cold water.

For more tips, go to www.dom.com and enter “tips” in the search box.

Dominion Hope is a unit of Dominion, one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of ap-proximately 23,500 megawatts of generation, 11,000 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline and 6,400 miles of electric transmission lines.

Dominion operates one of the nation’s largest natural gas storage systems with 947 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in 15 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company’s website at www.dom.com.

The Immunization Action Co-alition, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, list certain vaccines that are recommended for adults.

By the time you reach 65 years of age, it is advisable to work with your doctor to create a vaccination schedule.

* Infl uenza: This vaccine is recommended annually in the fall or winter.

* Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV): Individuals between the ages of 19 to 64 should check with their healthcare provider to see if they require this vaccine. Smok-ers may need one to two doses. Individuals 65 and older are recom-mended to get this vaccine if they have never before been vaccinated.

* Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap): This is an adult version of the combined whooping cough vaccine. If you are an adult and frequently come into contact with infants, it is advisable for the infants’ safety to have received a whooping cough vaccine. Tetanus is required every 10 years.

* Hepatitis B: If you have a specifi c risk for Hep B, you may need to take this vaccine. It is given in three doses.

* Hepatitis A: Again, risk fac-tors will signify if you need this immunization. This is a two-dose vaccine.

* Human papillomavirus (HPV):

HPV is responsible for many cases of cervical cancer. It is adviseable for women age 26 or younger or men age 21 or younger to receive the HPV vaccine.

* Measles, mumps, rubella: Measles has slowly been making a comeback despite have nearly been eliminated in the United States. Adults should have at least one dose of MMR in their lifetime. Check with a doctor if you require a second dose.

* Varicella: If you’ve never experienced chickenpox, or only received one dose of this vaccine when younger, you may require an-other dose. Chickenpox outbreaks can be more severe in adults.

* Meningococcal: This vaccine is recommended for individuals ages 19 to 21 who live in a residence hall or close contact with others. Meningococcal is best known as a cause of meningitis and sepsis. It can be transmitted through saliva and occasionally through close, prolonged general contact with an infected person.

* Shingles: The zoster vaccine is administered to keep shingles at bay. Shingles comes from the same virus that causes chickenpox, and individuals who have had chicken-pox are at a higher risk.

Adults Need Immunized

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