Ice, Ice Baby

It's been a rough winter already in terms of snow accumulation across the U.S., and we're not even into February yet. But with winter storm advisories blanketing 30 of the lower 48 states today with predictions of debilitating ice accumulations, power outages are a certainty in many parts of the affected areas.

AHAA thought it worth reminding readers of a few items to stock up on before a storm hits that may strand you indoors and without power for a few days.

Batteries -- Make sure you have plenty of batteries to power flashlights, radios, chargers, etc. Don't overlook batteries to power entertainment items.

Fully charged cell phone -- Often cordless phones are powered electrically, so your cell phone may be the only working one in your home if you lose power.

Gasoline -- Fill gasoline-safe containers if you're planning to use a gasoline-powered generator. Remember that gasoline-powered generators should never be run in the house or outside near open doors or windows that lead into your home because of the dangerous fumes they create.

Blankets and warm clothes -- Although these are likely something you already have in your home, consider gathering them in a place that is easily accessible. You'll appreciate knowing how to get to them quickly and easily if your power goes off in the middle of the night.

Non-perishable food that doesn't need to be cooked -- Since cooking options may be limited, stock up on food items that will stay fresh for a couple of days and don't require cooking or refrigeration.

First aid supplies and medicines -- If you're stranded for a few days, getting out to a doctor, hospital or pharmacy won't be easy. Make sure you can take care of minor problems in place, or continue a medicine regime without interruption.  

Shovels and salt, sand or kitty litter -- For breaking up and melting ice, and providing traction.

Entertainment that doesn't require power -- You could be without electricity for a while, make sure you have plenty of books, games, puzzles and other entertainment available, especially if you have kids.

Once any winter storm has passed, it's a good idea to check the inside of your home for leaks or cracks, and the outside for signs of ice damming -- such as icicles.  

Stay warm!

Gifts For The Homeowners On Your List

Need a last minute gift for a special homeowner on your list? We asked some of our readers to tell us their favorite gifts they’ve received over the years that are specifically for their homes:

1) Programmable thermostat – The gift that continues to give throughout the year.  A programmable thermostat enables a homeowner to automatically adjust the home’s temperature to a more comfortable setting at times when people will be there, and then switch to a more energy efficient temperature when inhabitants are sleeping or out of the house. The end result is a year full of energy savings for your giftee.

2) Digital, mountable weather station – These devices not only tell you the current temperature inside and outside your home, but can give a quick and general weather forecast for the day, which is nice if you’re in a hurry.

3) Hand-crank emergency radio – Every homeowner has, or will, lose power at some point in their homeowning lives. For extended outages, particularly those during poor weather events, a hand-crank radio can be invaluable. The radio is powered by good old-fashioned elbow grease – crank the handle for a minute and get usually an hour of power. Some even include built-in flashlights and cell phone chargers.

4) Gardening kit – Growing your own food isn’t just cost-effective, it’s healthy too. Put together a kit with things like gardening gloves, pots, a shovel, trowel, seeds and a bag of organic fertilizer. 

5) Leaf blower – This is a big ticket item, but AHAA members who live in neighborhoods with lots of trees say they will never forget the generous folks that gifted their leaf blowers.

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season from AHAA!

Don't Forget Your Home's Seasonal Maintenance

It seems like just yesterday we were running around in shorts and escaping the heat of the summer at the local pool. However, with the turn of the calendar page into November, we must face reality: winter is on its way.

Now is the time to prepare your home for the cold weather that is coming. A few simple steps, such as having your furnace and humidifier serviced, swapping out screens for storm windows, cleaning gutters and checking windows and doorways for cracks and drafts, will not only keep you warmer this winter, but will also help prevent potentially costly repairs.

Check out AHAA's full seasonal maintenance checklist, which you can download and print out, by clicking here.