Monday, December 29, 2008

Preparing Your Car for Emergencies

How prepared would you be if you were stranded on the side of the road in -10 degree weather?
Do you know what essentials should be in your trunk that could save your life?
How to Make an Emergency Kit for your Car
There are some critical elements to an emergency kit for your car. Here recommendations from the pros:

*Blankets, scarves, gloves, extra clothes: Wool or thermal blankets are better for colder climates. Bringing a set of extra clothes is a good idea in case your clothes get wet, tear, or soiled.

*Kitty litter and a small shovel: Kitty litter can be sprinkled around tires to give snow, ice or any slick surface some traction. A shovel is nice to help dig your tires out…should they get stuck in thick snow.
*Flares, flashlight, cell phone: Flares are a great way to signal other drivers in case of an emergency. Flares also help warn other cars of your stalled vehicle. The flashlight is a no-brainer in the dark, and the cell phone is a nice safety device if you have that option. If you cannot afford a monthly service plan, try finding a prepaid cell phone option that only charges you when you use it. These are usually more expensive per minute, but are a cheaper alternative if you limit your usage to emergencies.
*Auto Club Membership: If you can afford this option, it will help give you some piece of mind. If you have a not-so-reliable car, this might just pay for itself time and again. Auto Clubs often include full services for one small monthly service. You can get your vehicle towed, jump-started, unlocked, etc., in usually less than an hour.

*Jumper cables: If your battery is drained and you need a jump, jumper cables are a must. Make sure they are at least 12 feet long. It is not always easy to fit the charging vehicle adjacent to your stalled vehicle. An even better option is a battery-powered jumpstart. It's the same as the jumper cables, but you can jumpstart your own car using the jumpstart's battery power.

*Two quarts of oil, gallon of antifreeze: Oil leaks and just regular usage can cause levels to become low. Keeping an extra couple of quarts in your trunk is just good practice for being prepared. A gallon of antifreeze or coolant is also a good thing to have on hand. If your car is overheating or working in record cold temps, fresh antifreeze is a must.

*First aid kit: Don't forget to include essentials such as bandages, Band-Aids, gauze, tape, scissors, aspirin (or other pain killer), antiseptic cream or spray, etc.
*Basic tools: In an emergency situation it's a good idea to have basic tools at your finger tips such as flat and Phillips head screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, etc. Other useful items in this category are a pocket knife, ice scraper, pen and paper (this is especially helpful to write a "HELP" or "CALL 911" sign.)

*Spare tire, jack, tire inflator: Getting stuck with a flat tire is no picnic. Make sure your spare tire is in good condition. Have a jack on hand and when in doubt tire inflator, such as Fix-a-Flat. Also a tire-pressure gauge will help make sure you are not over or under inflating a tire.
*Rags, paper towels, baby wipes, duct tape: Rags, paper towels and baby wipes are great for quick clean ups. Duct tape has a million and one uses, many of which will help in an emergency situation.

*Food and water: Food and water are essential to keep on hand in case of an emergency. Granola, protein, or energy bars have nutrients and are usually high in calories to help you keep up your strength.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Save Money On Dryer Sheets


If you are looking to save money on dryer sheets, but still want the benefit of soft laundry, try this tip: Spray a washcloth with a 1/2 and 1/2 solution of hair conditioner and water, then toss into the dryer with your wet clothes.

Redbox Code for Sunday Dec 28 - Free Rental



Make tonight a movie night with this free rental from Redbox. Use the code: 11MOMS4UT for a free movie rental Sunday December 21, 08. Expires at midnight tonight ~ Enjoy!!!!This particular code only works for redboxes located inside Walmart.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Contests To Enter

1. In need of a camcorder? Enter here to win a compact DXG-567 HD Camcorder.
2. Have a teen in your life? You'll want to enter Baby Phat's contest to win 10 $100 gift cards here.
3. What's better than Hershey's chocolate? A Hershey's shopping spree! Enter here.
4. If you are a techno geek, you will want to enter this contest for Techno gear.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Family Christmas Traditions


Now is the perfect time of year to create fun memories at home! Here are a few tips to liven up your home for the holidays:

*Fill your home with holiday music. Play your own favorite Christmas music CD's, enjoy carolers who stop by the neighborhood, and open your mouth and sing out the joyful music of the season! Note: Sunny 106.9 FM plays nothing but Christmas music every day until Christmas!
*Introduce your child to classic Christmas tales such as Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol or The Christmas Story/Poem ("Twas the night before Christmas"). Christians should certainly take the time to introduce their child to the story of Jesus' birth and the true meaning behind celebrating Christmas!
* Start filling your home with the smells of Christmas cooking. Search out your old family recipes and look for traditional ones in cookbooks and magazines. Look for shortbreads, fruitcake, plum pudding, and all kinds of cookie recipes.
*Fill your home with holiday decorations -Christmas trees, snow on windows, holiday wreaths, and more.
*Sit down together to write out Christmas cards, put together a gingerbread house, make out a gift-giving list, wrap presents, volunteer, etc

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Trash Talkin' Part 2


The city council voted to use a new trash company for residential trash. You may have questions regarding the move, hopefully this will help some:

The new company is called Trash Pros. Here are a few answers to your questions:

1. You will be receiving a letter in the mail regarding the new trash service with a little card to return if you need special services (ie 2 cans, door pick-up for disabled, etc.)

2. On or about Dec. 23rd new blue cans will be delivered to the residents for Trash Pro service which will start after Jan. 3rd.

3. Waste Management will be picking up their green cans on your last pick-up day from them (Dec. 30th - Jan 3rd)

No real answers have been given regarding the transfer station - the Waste Management one may or may not stay open, and Trash Pros will be opening their own (don't know where or when yet) for those people who need to make a "dump run".

Hope that helps!

Kelly Malloy
City Councilman elect Ward 1