July 2008

2008

In this Issue:

When the Lights Go Out
Remember the Heroes
Home Maintenance for July

(Please leave us a comment at the bottom of the newsletter.)

When the Lights Go Out

Summer time of course means thunderstorms and hurricane season. Fortunately, most blackouts last just long enough to enjoy a candlelight dinner. But in the wake of a violent storm, it could be several hours or even several days before the local utility gets power up and running again. Because there's no way of knowing how long the wait will be, assume the worst and prepare for a prolonged outage.

Turn off most of the electrical devices that were running before the outage occurred. This makes it easier for power to be restored to the grid.

If you have water pressure, fill containers for drinking and bathing. Fill the bathtub, too; you'll want plenty of water on hand if widespread power outages lead to a disruption in water service. If you have a private well system, save the water in the pressurized tank for drinking only - you won't be able to draw additional water until power is restored.
Open refrigerator and freezer doors only when necessary. Frozen food will stay below 40°F for up to three days, even in summer, if the door stays shut.
If you use a generator for power, follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid overloading the generator. Be sure extension cords are rated to handle the amperage draw of the tool or appliance you're powering. The thicker the cord and the lower its gauge rating, the better.

If the generator is connected directly to the house wiring, disconnect your house from the grid by turning off the main breaker or removing the main fuse. By disconnecting your home, you protect utility workers doing repairs from being shocked by power from your generator.

Remember the Heroes

As the 4th of July approaches for those of us here in the U.S., let's all remember just how lucky we are.

I'm able to spend the 4th with my family without fear of some tyrant or dictator.

Why can I do this?

Because there are young men and women around the globe making sure we'll be able to celebrate another 4th of July this year (and years to come.)

They receive little in pay and recognition. Sometimes they're forced to endure situations that would be considered cruel and unusual punishment under any other circumstances.

They're spending this holiday away from their families so you and I don't have to.

We honor them now, but what happens 5 or 10 years down the road. Will we still remember their courage and sacrifice they all gave?

Will we honor our debt to them when this mess in Iraq and Afghanistan is over and they come home and have to resume a "normal life."

I truly hope so.

The terrorists and insurgents are just the enemy who've foolishly assumed we're weak and pampered.

I think Charlie Daniels says in best in his song " In America."

"We may fight among ourselves, but outsiders better leave us alone."

Take time to "Remember the Heroes" who have us walking proud!

Home Maintenance for July

Home Maintenace Checklist We continue our monthly update from The Weather Channel's home improvement expert Danny Lipford, that not only reminds you of what needs to be done and when, but also shows you ways to save money.

July

The month for outdoor projects…

Paint. July is warm and relatively dry (in most regions), making it a good time for exterior painting projects.

Inspect your roof shingles. If you don't want to risk climbing on your roof, use binoculars to carefully scan it for damaged and missing shingles.

Care for your garage door. Tighten screws and bolts. Make sure the auto-reverse is working. Use a light grease recommended in the owner's manual to lube the rollers. Important: Don't use a spray-on lube, which will sprinkle down on the car when you open the door.

Check back next month for your Maintenance Tip for August.