Site-seeing with Jan Perry
It doesn't seem possible that November is just a week away, but unless my calendar is bewitched, that's the truth of it. So, for those of us who must worry about such things, it's time to begin to think about winterizing -- our houses, cars, pools and other problem areas. Here are some sites to help remind you of all the things that need to be done.
• www.pg.com: One of Cincinnati's best known corporate neighbors has a section of protection advice in the "Everyday Solutions" area. Procter & Gamble offers a checklist that makes it easy to make the fall to winter adjustments.
• www.ucsusa.org/publications/green_tips.cfm?publicationID=442: It's a long address for a fairly short list of suggestions, but I like this site because it comes from the UCS, the Union of Concerned Scientists -- scientists and citizens working together for environmental solutions. It warns that you might be throwing money out the window -- by letting your heated air escape. Learn how to find the leaks and how to stop them, but first make sure your air is safe to breathe. There are also several referenced sites on the subject. One really good one is:
• www.doityourself.com/energy/intro.htm: This one is stuffed with good ideas and easy-to-follow how-tos. I like the fact that they give you the terms you'll need to speak intelligently with the folks at the home center and hardware store. Also good is the step-by-step logic in each project. I like sites that save me steps and save some time.
• www.mygreathome.com/fix-it_guide/winterize.htm:If you live in a manufactured home or a mobile home, your winter protection needs are a bit different than other homeowners face. This site deals specifically with the kinds of worries you will be facing, then goes on to help with ideas and suggestions for all kinds of care and repair for these specialized dwellings.
• www.pool1.com/technical_tips_winterize.htm: If you're lucky enough to have a pool, here's a site from Swimming Pool Wholesale Warehouse that tells you the right and the wrong way to close it up for the winter. The site, which covers both in-ground and above-ground models, covers frequently asked questions such as: "Do I have to remove the water?" and "What kinds of chemicals should I treat it with?"
• http://moneycentral.msn.com/articles/insure/basics/5149.asp: Leave it to MSN Money to come up with a great list of ways to winterize and save money at the same time. Here are 13 reminders that cover both indoor and outside needs to be addressed before the colder days arrive. It starts with a good furnace check-up and finishes with a recommendation to drain the gas out of lawn maintenance equipment like mowers and weed wackers. (And the stuff in between isevery bit as helpful.)
• www.bellaonline.com/articles/art15325.asp: I like this site because it gives you the lowdown on everything you need to do to get your car ready for the slush and slides that are in store next season. I like it twice as much because it comes from "BellaOnline -- The Voice of Women." How cool is that?
• www.nsca-lift.org/perform/article.asp?ArticleID=112: This page tells readers that just as you need to winterize your home and car, you need to so the same for yourself if you plan to spend time enjoying any of the many winter sports. Find out how -- here.
• www.sdcah.com/html_files/tidbits_and_games.htm: This wonderful pet site has some super suggestions for keeping Tweety, Fluffy and Fido safe and warm for the winter as well.
Jan Perry is a Kentucky-based freelance writer for The Post. She is still looking for the spookiest Halloween sites to include in next week's columns. Send your favorites in to her at Siteseer2K@aol.com along with your name and the community in which you live.
