Opinion
Prepare for Cold Weather Before it’s too Late
With the winter weather slowly creeping in, it’ll be time to snuggle in by the fire and stay out of the cold before you know it. But...there are a few items that should really be taken care of before the weather gets too cold and brutal.
“Although temperatures in Texas tend to be relatively mild compared to other areas, it’s still a good idea to make general preparations in advance,” said Mechele Agbayani, President and CEO of Better Business Bureau Central East Texas. “Being prepared for colder weather is the best position to be in. As the old saying goes, It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Better Business Bureau recommends the following home maintenance tips to help make sure your home is winter-ready:
It’s very important to have your heater professionally checked, cleaned and tested and change your furnace filters. Preventive maintenance with your heating system can keep it from breaking down when you can least afford it.
Your chimney should be inspected, and if dirty, cleaned every year. According to the Chimney Safety Association of America, doing so will minimize the likelihood of residential chimney fires, prevent carbon monoxide intrusion and improve overall home heating efficiency.
Make sure that your pipes are well-insulated. Nighttime temperatures can dip pretty low, causing exposed pipes to freeze and break…another expensive item to repair once the damage is done.
If you have unused rooms, close them off and lower the temperature to no less than 55 degrees. There’s no need to pay to heat the unused space, but at the same time you do not want any pipes to freeze.
Stockpile any fuel that you may need. If you require propane or some other fuel, always have enough on hand for several days. That way in case of emergency, you have some in reserve.
Store any firewood at least 30 feet from the house. Storing it too close can be a fire hazard. It can also attract pests, which could add to your home maintenance in the spring.
Plan on decorating this holiday season? BBB recommends that you check your exterior outlets to make sure they are in good condition, and make sure all of the wires in any holiday lighting are still in good shape.
Want a nice lush lawn this summer? What you do for your lawn now will affect what it looks like six months from now. Mow your lawn for the last time this season to keep grass matting to a minimum and apply winter fertilizer. Cover the roots of your perennials with a thick layer of mulch, and when the temps get below 40 degrees, wrap your outdoor plants and shrubs to protect them from harsh winter winds.
BBB also reminds consumers to add these items to your checklist to make sure your home is ready for colder temperatures:
Keep energy costs down by checking weather stripping around doors and windows.
Drain and store garden hoses as they are prone to cracking in cold weather.
Check around doors and windows for gaps, caulk as needed.
Clean gutters and downspouts to keep ice build-ups minimal.
Trim trees and shrubs away from your house to prevent damage caused from breakage.
To find businesses that can help you winterize your home, visit www.bbb.org.
- Opinion
-
-
Hot weather cooking
CNHI News Service — People assume that really hot weather is a bad time to barbecue or grill, but actually the worst place to cook this time of the year is in the kitchen.
-
Beware of deceptive auto loan modification offers
Ads on TV may promise to modify car loans and stave off a visit from the repo man, but some companies fail to carry through on their promises. Better Business Bureau recommends that cash-strapped consumers save their money by trying to work out a deal with the lender directly before paying out hundreds in upfront fees to a loan modification company.
-
BBB gives tips on identity theft
College students have enough to juggle when it comes to school, work and their social life, and fighting consumer fraud often doesn’t make the list of priorities. Because college students are so susceptible to identity theft, Better Business Bureau recommends that they take seven simple steps to protect themselves on campus.
-
I never complain! Just ask anyone.
I’ve never been one to complain. It gets old to the ear and tiresome to hear.
-
BBB warns that scams emerge in the wake of the BP oil spill
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill continues to threaten the environmental and economic health of the Gulf Coast. In the wake of the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history, a coordinated effort is underway to clean up the spill and provide aid to affected families. Your Better Business Bureau warns that the recovery effort creates a great opportunity for scammers to make an easy dollar by deceiving those who are trying to find work, file claims with BP or donate money or volunteer to help with the cleanup.
-
Seven Points, Will there be cohesion?
An Analysis:
SEVEN POINTS — City Secretary Debbie Mosley says, “This will all come out in the wash. Seven Points will survive.”
-
Better Business Bureau warns insurance scams are flourishing in current economy
In the midst of a tight economy and in the wake of the new national healthcare reform bill, State and Federal regulators are warning about a surge in healthcare-related scams. Better Business Bureau advises consumers to do their research before signing up for insurance coverage because their personal and financial health is on the line.
-
Are we better off now than in years past?
GUN BARREL CITY — I used to buy pop for a nickel. Twelve ounces of it, too. Of course, if you got the really classy soda water, you only got six-and-a-half ounces for a nickel. If it was Coca Cola, the scotch of kid drinking, you got six ounces for your nickel.
-
Guest columnist
Texans are all too familiar with the change of seasons: winter to summer with a short spring thrown in-between for good measure. Spring temperatures signal homeowners it is time to perform scheduled maintenance on home air conditioning systems and that it is also the perfect time of year for electrical work to be done.
-
Consumer Alert
Most Americans will get assistance from a professional tax preparer or tax software when filing their taxes this year. Better Business Bureau encourages taxpayers to use caution when selecting tax preparation help or they may get hit with headaches and mounting fines and fees if the return isn’t correct or filed late.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
