Be snow safe this shoveling season

With our first official snowfall in the books, it’s that time of year when we have to dig the shovels out of the garage and get accustomed to the dreaded task of winter clean-up. Unfortunately not only is snow shoveling an annoying chore, it’s also one of those around-the-house jobs that can easily land you in the hospital if you’re not careful. To avoid a mishap, there are a few things that you can do to make shoveling less painful, difficult and risky.

First, get yourself a good tool to work with. If you’ve been using the same old shovel for 20 years, chances are it’s not doing you any favors. Today’s shovels are designed to help withstand the weight of heavy snow, which will reduce the chances of you blowing your back out. The buzz is on the True Temper Ergonomic Mountain Mover, which you can pick up for around $25 at The Home Depot or a local hardware store. It’s designed to prevent back and neck injuries and has both a comfortable handle and a plastic blade that will keep your porch and deck intact. Think of it as an investment.

When you’re ready to shovel, be prepared. Wait until the snowplows come around the neighborhood (unless you want to shovel twice) and layer up with comfortable clothes. If you’re not used to physical activity, warm up with a few stretches to prepare your back and arms. When shoveling, bend your knees and try to push large piles into a bank or your curb rather than lifting each shovelful. Try not to throw snow or make twisting and turning movements that will aggravate your back. People all too often underestimate the weight of snow and the physicality of shoveling and end up with back, neck and shoulder injuries. Don’t be one of them. Use your legs.

If you think you’re in good enough shape to shovel, start slowly, take frequent breaks and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. If you’re not up to the task, don’t be afraid to ask a friend, family or neighbor for help. Shoveling is rigorous exercise and could lead to injury or even a heart attack if you’re not used to similar activities. If you can’t find anyone to help you do the job, feel free to give me a call.

Protect your home from winter drafts

If your house has old doors, winter can be a drafty time of year. Luckily, there is an easy, do-it-yourself fix to help you keep the cold air out and the warm air in where it belongs. Here is my guide to sealing your doors before the cold sets in.

Examine your current weatherstripping for any rips, bends or wear and tear. In older doors, the seals usually deteriorate before the doors themselves, which will allow air to pass through. If you can feel a draft coming from the edges around a closed door, it’s time to give them a little facelift.

Measure the top and sides of your door jambs with precision; you want the fit to be snug and airtight. I always say, measure twice and order once! Once you measure the doors, you’ll find the materials that you need either at the local hardware store or online on any home improvement retail site. In addition to weather stripping, you might also need a sweep, which is the strip along the bottom of the door that looks like a tiny broom and keeps the gap between the door and the floor sealed. If yours is damaged or has broken off in parts, now is a good time to replace it. Luckily, basic individual weatherstrips and sweeps can cost as little as $10 each, which is a lot less than investing in a new door.

Just like painting, when you start weatherproofing you’ll need to begin on a clean surface. Scrape any old debris so the gap is free and clear. You want to make sure your gap is in good shape to lay the strips evenly and you need to have enough room for the strips to grip properly.

Finally you can install your new weatherstripping. Cut it to size before you put it into the groove and ensure that you don’t stretch the material to fit – it will return to its original size and leave you short. Secure it firmly into the groove and open and close the door to look for any protrusions or gaps.

Weatherstripping is a quick, inexpensive fix that will help you stay warm in the winter and give your heating bill a noticeable break. But just like any home improvement tasks, if you’re not comfortable using basic tools and equipment, you might want to leave the job to a professional. Either way, keep your family warm this winter and take some time for yourself to enjoy the holiday season.

Decorate Your Home Safely this Holiday

It’s December, which means it’s time to light up the house with holiday cheer. But before you go trimming your home with festivity and lights, there are a few things you should know about hanging wreaths, lights and décor safely, so your home stays damage free and you don’t end up in the emergency room.

When hanging lights and decorations outside of your home, be sure to use a safe ladder that sits on level ground and can hold your weight properly. Always have someone with you to act as a spotter and don’t ever attempt to hang décor that’s out of your reach.

If you’re going for the Griswold effect, make sure you read the labels on your lights to ensure you have the right wattage levels and that they are certified for outdoor use. The last thing you want to do is overload your circuits and end up in the dark, or with a nasty shock. Inspect older lights for bad bulbs and stripped wires, and replace problem strands with new ones. I recommend LED lights, which run cooler, are more energy efficient and will have less of an impact on your power bill. Make sure all your lights are plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), which can be found at the local hardware store.

When hanging heavy décor such as wreaths, do not drill holes into your vinyl siding. Once the wreaths have been removed, the holes will enable water to get underneath the material, causing potential mold, mildew and leaks. Instead, purchase some heavy-duty siding hooks, which can be found at any home goods store this time of year. They will be able to withstand the weight of your decorations without damaging your home.

If you’re putting Santa and his sleigh to top of your home, make sure to secure him and any other inflatables tightly to withstand any wind and bad weather. Also, use the opportunity to inspect your roof for any missing or damaged shingles. Finally, take a look at your gutters to make sure they are free from debris and ready for the winter. Roof and gutter wear can cause leaks during the snow season, so it’s better to get them repaired now before it’s too late.

Speaking of preparing for the snow, here’s one last tip. Grab some reflecting stakes from the hardware store and place them along the perimeter of your yard, where it meets the road and your driveway. These place markers will help snow plowers see where your yard begins and can help them navigate their snow removal without tearing up your lawn.  

Do you have another holiday safety tip to share? Send it to me on Facebook.