WARNING: Don't Put Off Winter Preparations! 10 Basic Steps... Inbox x
Inbox
6:06 AM (10 hours ago)  | | |||
| ||||||||||||||||
Dear Jack,  Did you notice the power-grid failure during the recent Monday Night Football extravaganza in San Francisco? Well, the self-described environmentalists and their extremist regulations have led to America's precarious electrical infrastructure. The reality is we're just a major snowstorm away from failing power grids in major population centers throughout the country. I have a prediction: this could easily be the worst winter in a long time. No, I haven't been studying the farmers' almanac or the markings on woolly bear caterpillars. My prediction for rough sledding ahead is based on much more reliable indicators:
All this means you want to leave no stone unturned in getting ready for this winter's storms and power outages. In an earlier issue of the Ready-For-Anything Report, I told you how to prepare your "stay bag." That's a kit with everything in it that you'll need to stay warm, toasty, and well fed should you get stuck in a power outage this winter. But being prepared to shelter in place is just one of the ways in which you need to be prepared. Perhaps the coming holiday week is good time to get your family, your house, and your car ready for winter's worst... Quick Reminder: Ten Things to Keep You Comfortable During a Winter Power Outage When you're left without power in freezing temperatures, you'll find yourself quickly driven from your home if you're not prepared. Remember those surprise snowstorms that struck the east coast just a few weeks ago? In the wake of heavy snows, some areas were left without power for more than a week. Many, if not most, had to turn to shelters, hotels, or relatives to stay warm. Only a few were actually ready to weather the storm and its aftermath at home. So, this is just a quick reminder of what you want to have on hand in case bad weather knocks your power out:
As I said, though... there's more to winter preparation than being ready for a power outage. Get Your Home Ready for Winter's Worst and Save a Pile of Money Even if the power stays on, bad winter weather could cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars in damage to your home if you don't get it ready before hand.  Burst pipes, damaged shingles, and drafty windows and doors can cost you thousands. Fortunately, with a few simple steps, you can protect your home from winter doing its worst. First, give your home's exterior a visual inspection. Are any of the gutters coming away from the house? Are any of the downspouts disconnected? These things need to be prepared before big rain or snowstorms hit. Check to make sure water coming out of downspouts travels away from your house – you don't want it to collect and freeze around your foundation. Pick up flexible plastic extensions if necessary; very cheap at any major home center. Next, take some time to clear your gutters. When gutters clog and freeze, water can easily seep into walls and under eaves, leaving you with huge repair bills. Wrap any outdoor pipes or pipes that aren't in insulated spaces of your home in those foam rubber sleeves you can pick up at the hardware store. And, shut off water to any pressurized sprinkler systems. Next, check your house over for obvious air leaks. Drafts can add extra dollars to your heating bill, so it does pay to find the worst offenders and fix them. You'll usually find that your doors and windows are where the drafts are the worst. Something as simple as placing a rolled up blanket on the floor in front of exterior doors can be a big help. You can also use weather stripping on windows to help seal smaller drafts. If you don't have double-paned windows, now is the time to put up your storm windows if you haven't already. And you can often get free and surprising useful advice just by asking a clerk or a manager at a home center. You'll be amazed at the number of useful and affordable energy saving devices they have to offer. Then, decide if it's time to give your furnace and hot water heater a check up. Ideally, you should have a professional come in and tune up these appliances every other year. If it's been years since your last service call, it's definitely time to make an appointment. Having a professional do regular, routine maintenance on your furnace and hot-water heater can extend the life of each and can make sure you get through the winter without any major disruptions. Finally, test your smoke alarms and install a carbon monoxide alarm if you don't already have one. Get Your Car Ready for Winter Emergencies Your home isn't the only thing that should be ready to weather a tough winter. You want to have an emergency kit in your car, too, so that you and your loved ones can stay safe in the event of a cold weather breakdown. Just imagine if your car gets a flat or your engine shuts down inexplicably and you're miles from a service station. If it's freezing out, you're in for a pretty miserable time. Even with a cell phone to call for help, you could end up shivering, teeth chattering, waiting for help to arrive. So, make sure you have an emergency kit with the following items inside your car: 
In addition to basic safety supplies, you also want to keep a few handy things for the car in your trunk:
Winter is a beautiful season, full of snow and cold-weather fun. But, it can get you into serious trouble if you aren't prepared. Give your house a winter check up and prep your car for winter breakdowns. You'll go into the cold weather with greater peace of mind, and you may save yourself a substantial amount of money by avoiding preventable repairs. And, you'll avoid having to venture into crowded areas in unfavorable conditions if you're made these preparations well in advance. It really does pay to be ready for anything! Yours in Savvy Preparation,  Lee Bellinger, Publisher Independent Living and Money, Metals, and Mining
 | ||||||||||||||||
| © 2009-2011 Lee Bellinger's Executive Bulletin, a free supplemental email newsletter to Independent Living. 377 Rubin Center Drive • Suite 203 • Fort Mill, SC • 29708 • (877) 371-1807 | ||||||||||||||||
Click Here to Learn How to Add Lee Bellinger's Executive Bulletin to Your Email Address Book! This copyrighted material may not be republished without express permission. Offer only available through email promotion only. Offer does not apply to previous orders and may not be combined with any other offer. All orders shipped outside of the U.S. are subject to a $35 surcharge which covers all shipping expenses, including the cost of mailing each monthly newsletter (where applicable). The information in this email is presented for general educational purposes only. Because we don't know enough about readers' personal situations, the opinions expressed here should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument at any time. We will not be responsible for financial decisions that readers make, and they should be made in consultation with their own advisers. | ||||||||||||||||
No comments:
Post a Comment