Winter preparations

Winterize Your Home

• Have your Home’s chimney checked for creosote build-up and overall condition before you light your fireplace for the first time.
• Use clear plastic window insulation to help keep cold air out and lower your energy bills.
• Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detector.
• Have your Furnace checked by a professional before the Winter heating season.
• For your health and for your Furnace’s optimum efficiency, clean or replace the Furnace filter. It is also good to have your duct work checked for excessive dust or dirt buildup.
• Be sure your snow blower, shovels and other winter equipment are in good working condition.

Car Survival Kit

• Make sure your car has a winter survival kit.  Keep a blanket, gloves, hat, scarf, tools, flares, flashlight, ice scraper, shovel, sand, salt, Fix-A-Flat, Gasoline can, Windex & paper towels, small snacks in baggies (Nuts or Trail Mix), and water pouches in the trunk.
• A CD disk can be used to signal for Help - by its shininess to attract attention.
• A Life Hammer used to break the windshield glass - if you are trapped inside the Car.  It could save your Life.  (Purchase at Hardware Store for about $15.00).   Good practical idea for a Christmas grab bag gift!
• A Cellular Phone--be sure it is fully charged.
• Have the phone numbers of your Towing Company and your Mechanic programmed into your phone.
• Check your headlights and tail lights to be sure they are working properly.  Be sure to clean your car of all snow and ice--before you drive, especially your front and rear windshields and side view mirrors.
• Be sure to drive safely - and allow enough time on the snowy & icy roads--so that you arrive at your destination alive!

Happy Holidays!

--Anthony Taglia