It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts. ~K.T. Jong
I decided to share these tips for alternatives to ice melts (some have chemicals that can harm pets and leech into the ground as well.) today. I had shared them in past years, but it came to mind after I fell TWICE yesterday in our driveway. Under the fluffy white snow was very slick, smooth ice. After the ice tips I also have more winter tips I found while looking through emails.
We live in northern Michigan and use chicken grit for ice on walkways. It doesn't bother the dogs' feet. We use the fine and get it at the grainery. It's less than $7.00 for 50 lbs. ~Shar
Ice melt solutions. I use either sand or sawdust from our shop (make sure there are no nails!) on our driveway and sidewalks. It gives enough traction on the ice so we don't slip. It also seems to warm up enough around it to use the sun to melt better. The best solution is to put the sand or sawdust down before the ice freezes. This way it shovels off better! There are minimal environmental effects to plain sand or sawdust (as compared to salts). Sand and sawdust are free and they work just fine, so I don't bother looking for anything different. Just a note, salt does not work when the temperature is below about 15 degrees F. so don't bother putting any down - it will just end up in the lawn. ~Lorraine From Wisconsin
Last year, here at work, instead of using salt on the sidewalks,we used cracked corn. It helps prevent slipping and the birds get their bellies full. Plus, after they're done, there is no mess to clean up! ~Jennifer
MORE ON WINTER HOME CARE
That was an excellent article on maintaining your heating appliances. Two more tips for your readers. Buy a good carbon monoxide detector for each floor of your home. I work for a plumbing and heating company and each year we see needless tragedies because someone didn't have a CO detector. One family in our area died because someone left the car running in the garage underneath all the bedrooms.
The second tip: Have your heating unit serviced each year. Not only will this help maintain the unit but a good service company will also make sure the unit is in tip-top shape and working at peak efficiency. With the cost of fuel being so high that translates into more energy dollars in your pocket. ~Kelly Bailey, Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.
We have tips on cleaning a kid's room in less than 15 minutes a day:
http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/cleaning7.html
I decided to share these tips for alternatives to ice melts (some have chemicals that can harm pets and leech into the ground as well.) today. I had shared them in past years, but it came to mind after I fell TWICE yesterday in our driveway. Under the fluffy white snow was very slick, smooth ice. After the ice tips I also have more winter tips I found while looking through emails.
We live in northern Michigan and use chicken grit for ice on walkways. It doesn't bother the dogs' feet. We use the fine and get it at the grainery. It's less than $7.00 for 50 lbs. ~Shar
Ice melt solutions. I use either sand or sawdust from our shop (make sure there are no nails!) on our driveway and sidewalks. It gives enough traction on the ice so we don't slip. It also seems to warm up enough around it to use the sun to melt better. The best solution is to put the sand or sawdust down before the ice freezes. This way it shovels off better! There are minimal environmental effects to plain sand or sawdust (as compared to salts). Sand and sawdust are free and they work just fine, so I don't bother looking for anything different. Just a note, salt does not work when the temperature is below about 15 degrees F. so don't bother putting any down - it will just end up in the lawn. ~Lorraine From Wisconsin
Last year, here at work, instead of using salt on the sidewalks,we used cracked corn. It helps prevent slipping and the birds get their bellies full. Plus, after they're done, there is no mess to clean up! ~Jennifer
MORE ON WINTER HOME CARE
That was an excellent article on maintaining your heating appliances. Two more tips for your readers. Buy a good carbon monoxide detector for each floor of your home. I work for a plumbing and heating company and each year we see needless tragedies because someone didn't have a CO detector. One family in our area died because someone left the car running in the garage underneath all the bedrooms.
The second tip: Have your heating unit serviced each year. Not only will this help maintain the unit but a good service company will also make sure the unit is in tip-top shape and working at peak efficiency. With the cost of fuel being so high that translates into more energy dollars in your pocket. ~Kelly Bailey, Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.
We have tips on cleaning a kid's room in less than 15 minutes a day:
http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/cleaning7.html
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I liked the tip about using the cracked corn for the birds ;)
ReplyDeleteSo many people forget that the birds need some love too, and if you don't fill up your bird feeders they will not hang out around your house. This is a shame too because they add such a beauty to nature.
P.S. I hope you are OK now from your slip on the ice ;(
We are in MI too! and right now it is snowing, snowing, snowing...