Winter Activities for the Whole Family to Enjoy

With snow in the forecast, now is a great time to start thinking about some fun winter activities to get you and your family outside to enjoy the brisk but beautiful weather. Winter is my favorite season, and when I’m not enjoying a weekend on the slopes in Vermont, you can usually find me around town enjoying some of the best that our area has to offer. Here are some of my favorite things to do to beat the winter blues:

Mountain Biking. You might be thinking that mountain biking is better suited for spring or summer but new fat tire bikes are all the craze and they make for an awesome winter activity. Check out what Bikers Edge has to offer and then head down to my favorite spots, Sessions Woods on the Bristol/Burlington line or the West Hartford Reservoir for a ride. Both places have great tracks for beginners right through to advanced riders and if you’re lucky, you might even spot some of the area’s amazing wildlife.

Skiing. There is nothing like having fresh snow under your boards to make you fall in love with winter. You can usually catch me up at Killington, but if you’re looking for a local place to ski or snowboard, you can’t go past Mt. Southington which is in good shape with a dozen trails open and better conditions to come with snow heading our way. Ski Sundown in New Hartford is another great spot to check out. Both are perfect for children and first-time riders and boarders.

Hiking. For a slower pace activity, Sessions Woods and Talcott Mountain State Park offer beautiful hiking where you can enjoy amazing views and a great opportunity to connect with nature. Don’t be intimidated by the cold, a good pace and the warmth from the sun will have you working up a lather in no time!

Sledding. Anyone my age will remember many a winter barreling down Deadman’s Hill on just about anything we could find that would go fast! These days, sledding is still very popular in the area and  Page Park, Nelson’s Field, and Rockwell Park all have great areas for the kids to get their adrenaline pumping.  

Ice Skating. When the local ponds freeze, ice skating is a great activity for the whole family. I love to pick up a hockey game, but just a leisurely cruise can be a whole lot of fun too. Rockwell Park is a great place to go and I love Malone’s Pond, also known as Pine Lake. Of course, ice skating can be a dangerous activity if the lakes aren’t frozen so be sure to check with the Park Department, who also builds a rink on Middle Street that’s safe for all to enjoy.

Make Your Own Activity. If you don’t feel like leaving home on a cold winter day, one of my favorite things to do is to light up the firepit with a crackling fire and have the family over for some hot chocolate and marshmallow roasting. On a chilly winter evening, there is nothing better than cozying up to a warm fire, laughing and telling stories with the people you love the most.

With that, I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you in 2017!

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Cute Birds Can Become Troublesome House Pests

If you see lots of sparrows around your house this winter, you might want to pay close attention. Sure, these cute little birds might seem harmless, but the truth is that they can be a real pain if they decide to make your home their home.

House sparrows depend on humans for food and nesting, which is why you may notice that they aren’t afraid to get awfully close when you’re enjoying a sandwich on a park bench. They originally came to the US from England in the 1850’s, when eight pairs were brought to Brooklyn to control a growing moth larvae problem. The little birds quickly decided that they liked their new home, and their population grew to the point where they are now one of the most popular urban birds in the United States. And guess what? They don’t eat moth larvae after all.

According to the North American Bluebird Society, the breeding season for house sparrows can start from midwinter and each pair of sparrows may produce up to four broods a season. Of course, before sparrows can breed, they have to build a home. The male house sparrow’s bond with his nest site is stronger than his bond with a mate. So once he finds some prime real estate, you’re going to have a hard time serving him with an eviction notice.

The reason contractors like me aren’t the biggest fans of sparrows is because they love building their nests in tiny, warm and well-insulated places such as people’s roofs. They construct these nests using grass, straw, feathers, weeds, string, trash and other highly flammable materials and aren’t afraid to get comfortable right on a heat source, such as the light fixtures on the outside of your home. They are also partial to house spots that offer a bit of shelter, such as gutters and downspouts which can easily get clogged and cause roof leaks. So you can see why these cute little birds can cause a real headache if they decide to take up residence with you.

So what can you do to prevent sparrows from cozying up to your home? Believe it or not, a sparrow can fit into a hole smaller than one inch. Do an inspection around the eaves of your home to look for holes that could make a proper shelter. If you find some, you might want to consider installing mesh to keep the sparrows out. Also consider installing stainless steel spikes to light fixtures, outdoor speakers or deep door molding. Place covers over vents and check the screening over louvers before birds find their way inside. Keep garage doors and sheds closed to prevent birds from entering, and avoid putting out roost boxes too early as sparrows are generally the first birds out of the gates. Finally, consider removing brush piles, shrubbery or other natural shelter to reduce the amount of nesting material available.

Have you encountered a house sparrow problem in your home? What are your top tips to remedy the situation? I’d love to hear from you. Send me an email or message me on Facebook at wwww.facebook.com/odonnellbros.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Christmas Tree Tips for a Safe Holiday Season

Did you know that Christmas trees alone result in $13 million dollars in property damage every year? According to the American Christmas Tree Association, the combination of tree dryness, lighting malfunctions and placement near a flammable heat source can be deadly during the holiday season. So let’s make sure we all stay safe with a few tips to ensure your tree is in great shape and won’t cause a fire in your home. Here we go:

 

• The drought has made for incredibly dry conditions, so when you’re choosing a tree it’s important to make sure the needles are green and spring back when you bend them. If they snap easily or if the tree is shedding needles while still in the lot or on the farm, you’re better off looking elsewhere.

• Once you have your tree, be sure to place it at least three feet away from lights, cords, radiators, fireplaces, vents, or any other heat source. The perfect aesthetic placement might not be the safest, so be smart and avoid any kind of set-up that can start a fire. Also, don’t place a tree anywhere between you and an exit. You want to have a clear path out of the house in case of any emergency.

• Remember to keep your tree well watered. The drier the tree, the more flammable it will be, so keep the base full and check it every day.

• Inspect your lights before you begin decorating. Remove and replace any damaged bulbs and throw away strands that aren’t working properly. If you buy new, make sure they have been checked by an independent testing laboratory for safety. There should be a label on the box or the strings themselves denoting this safety measure.  

• Indoor lights are made for the indoors and outdoor lights are for outside. This may sound silly but pay attention to what kind of lights you’re using for what purpose. Different wattages and configurations can be a fire hazard if not used correctly.

• Keep candles far away from your tree. An open flame can light up a tree in seconds. Also it’s a good idea to keep a small fire extinguisher near the tree in case of an emergency.

• If you’re going out or going to bed, be sure to switch the tree off. Sure, the holiday twinkle may look lovely for the neighbors, but you don’t want to be woken up by smoke or come home to a house burned to the ground.

• Once the needles start to fall, it’s time to get rid of the tree. Do not leave any old greenery in your garage or leaning up against your home as they can be a real fire hazard. Use the community recycling program to dispose of your tree safely. For Bristol residents, the city collects trees after New Year’s Day for approximately two weeks. Trees can be placed curbside by 6am on your regular rubbish collection day.

 

While Christmas tree fires are not overly common, one false move can engulf your entire home in flames. Follow these tips to keep your family safe and happy tree hunting!

 

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.