26
sahtak - June 2011
Weather emergencies:
How to protect your
home and family
(ARA) — Summer weather means storm season, and summer storms can pack a powerful punch. Atmospheric changes can spawn
severe thunder and lightning storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and other extreme weather - often without warning.
June is the official start of hurricane season. Even if you don't live in a zone at risk for hurricane damage, you should prepare
for severe summer storms. Here are three steps to help you protect your home and family from extreme weather this summer:
Step one: Have a plan
An emergency preparedness plan will help everyone in your family know what to do if a severe storm strikes your home and
community. Your plan should detail the safest place in your home to ride out a storm, and multiple evacuation routes if staying
home would be unsafe. It should also include a meeting place outside the home in case family members are not all together when
a storm strikes. Everyone should know the address and phone number of this emergency location.
Store a copy of your emergency plan in a safe place along with copies of important paperwork, like insurance documents, fi-
nancial information, etc., so that you can easily access them if you have to evacuate.
Step two: Create a storm kit
Pack a backpack, or plastic bucket with a lid, full of nonper-
ishable food and bottled water, a weather radio, flash light with
extra batteries, a first aid kit, cash and important documents. Store
the kit in a safe, easily accessible place and make sure everyone in
the family knows the importance of taking the kit along in case of
evacuation - but only retrieve it if it's safe to do so. You can find
more information on building a storm kit at
-
caneblowout.org.
Step three: Protect your power supply
Power outages often follow on the heels of a storm, and every
year millions of homes without residential backup power are left without power for days -- and sometimes weeks. A permanent
standby generator can ensure your home has power in the event of a significant, extended power failure. Generators are not just
for people in remote areas, either. Anyone with young children or older folks at home, and even home businesses, will benefit from
the security of a generator.
A standby generator, like those from Kohler, is permanently installed outside the home, much like an air conditioning unit. It
runs on propane or natural gas and connects to existing gas lines. You can incorporate one into your home whether you have an
existing house or are building a new one. When the power goes off, the generator automatically turns on, usually within 10 sec-
onds of a power loss. You can use it to power critical appliances and systems in your home, such as lights, furnace, air condition-
ers, refrigerators, sump pumps and a home security system.
Generators range in output from 8 to 125 kilowatts. If you only need to power a few key appliances, an 8- to 17-kilowatt gen-
erator should meet your needs. If you need to keep your whole house powered, a larger generator is required. A generator dealer
or licensed electrical contractor familiar with standby generators can help you determine the right size for your needs. You can learn
more about residential backup power and standby generators at
7 steps to a greener life
(ARA) — For most people, being "green" seems overwhelm-
ing and me consuming. But even the niest change counts
and the process doesn't have to be a hassle. Star ng out with
a manageable ac on plan is the key to success. Follow these
seven steps and even the least eco-conscious family will be in-
spired to become regular recyclers in no me.
1. Look around your house for green opportuni es
Walk into your house with your "green police" glasses on. Do
you see an easy place to store your recyclables? Are your light
bulbs energy efficient? Start to no ce if any family members
are using too much water, or leaving unneeded lights on. Get
your kids on board and see if they can help spot ways to
change as a family; they are very percep ve and can o en see
things in a way no adult ever could.
2. Get your garden growing and save
Yes, plan ng a garden might seem like a huge undertaking,
but the rewards far outweigh the work. Talk to any gardener
and you'll realize that the process of plan ng and tending a
garden is quite relaxing and truly rewarding. Plus you'll save
money. One packet of seeds costs around 50 cents and yields
enough fresh produce for you and your family to eat all sum-
mer, with more to share. And if you're gardening, that means
less trips to the grocery store, which means less driving and
less gas usage. Best of all, you are in complete control of what
you eat, and can make your produce as organic as you wish.
3. Be aware of product packaging
Not all packaging is created equally. Keep an eye out next
me you're in the grocery store for renewable packaging. For
instance, Snyder's of Hanover Organic Pretzel S cks are pack-
aged using 90 percent plant-based materials. The renewable
raw material used to make the new packaging is produced
with as li le as half the energy compared to tradi onal petro-
leum-based packaging. Best of all, the Organic Pretzel S cks
come in three delicious flavors: Organic 8 Grains & Seeds,
Whole Wheat & Oat Bran and Honey Whole Wheat. So you're
buying a product that tastes good but is good for the environ-
ment too - the best of both worlds.
4. Forget plas c water bo les
According to Nubius Organics, more than 26 billion bo les are
thrown away each year (less then 15 percent are recycled).
The plas c from these bo les doesn't biodegrade so it's now
a permanent part of our landfills. Instead of adding to the
problem, become part of the solu on. Invest in reusable
water bo les for the whole family and keep extras in the car
so you're never tempted to go back.
5. Ride your bicycle to work
According to the United States government, bicycle com-
muters save on average $1,825 annually in auto-related costs,
reduce their carbon emissions by 128 pounds, conserve 145
gallons of gasoline, and avoid 50 hours of gridlock traffic. Plus,
you are exercising so you'll feel more energized and have a
be er night's sleep.
6. Soak up the solar power
The ini al investment in solar power can be costly, but it's the
future energy savings that will make solar power a wise
choice. Snyder's-Lance, for instance, is currently in the process
of building the largest ground-based solar farm in Pennsylva-
nia. With over 15,000 solar panels spanning 26 acres, the
solar farm will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in excess of
230 million pounds of carbon dioxide over a 25-year period.
Read more about the solar farm at
-
ter.com.
7. Be open to small changes
Becoming green is really about seeing life differently and
being open to make changes, however small they may seem.
Things like driving slower (uses less gas), unplugging unused
electrical devices (no more phantom usage), and using a mi-
crofiber cloth (instead of paper towels) can really add up over
me. And the sooner you get started, the be er our planet
and your home will be.
Crea ng an allergy-friendly home with style
(ARA) - Each spring, for the more than 40 million allergy sufferers in America, "spring cleaning" takes on a whole new meaning.
It can be challenging to keep allergy symptoms at bay when indoor and outdoor allergens, such as dust and pollen, seem to be every-
where.
Long-time allergy sufferer and design expert Sabrina Soto says there are some simple solutions to enjoy spring at home and in
the garden, including finding the right non-drowsy allergy treatment.
"As a designer for HGTV, I visit all types of homes and gardens where
I'm surrounded by allergy triggers like dust, pet dander and pollen," says
Soto. "I can't be at my best if I'm sneezing and rubbing my itchy, watery
eyes, which is why I use Claritin. It helps me focus on creating a design
space that I'm proud of and that my clients will love."
Allergy-friendly home and garden tips
Creating an allergy-friendly space doesn't have to mean eliminating al-
lergen-prone decor like flowers or rugs entirely. Soto offers these tips for
balancing style with function:
• Replace knit curtains with vibrant hypoallergenic fabrics and have them
dry cleaned every couple of months.
• Use washable throw rugs on top of wood, linoleum or tiled floors to re-
duce dust.
• Clean regularly with a HEPA filter vacuum to help capture the allergy-
inducing particles that collect in upholstery and carpets.
• To achieve balance, center your bed on the largest or furthest wall in your
bedroom. Just be sure it's not covering an air or heating vent where dust
particles can get trapped.
• Be sure to wash bedding at more than 140 degrees to avoid dust mites.
• Reduce clutter by designating places for books, magazines and mail - and
encourage your family to put items away sooner rather than later.
• Peak pollen production happens early in the morning so plan to do your
gardening later in the day to minimize exposure to allergens.
• Plant low-pollen flowers like roses or gladiolas for a splash of color out-
doors.
• Help prevent mold and mildew with weather-resistant patio furniture.
For more allergy-friendly suggestions from HGTV and Soto, including
advice for cleaning, designing and decluttering around the home, visit
.
A ROUND T H E HOU S E
Crea ng an allergy-friendly space
doesn't have to mean elimina ng
allergen-prone decor like flowers
or rugs en rely.
