Green Tip

Energize Your Fireplace

Lighting a fire is warm and cozy, but can also be a huge energy loss. The fireplace actually sends most of the heat in your home up and out the chimney. Here are some ways you can limit your heat loss when the fires ablaze.

1. Open the dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if you have them) or crack the nearest window and shut the room's door

2. Install tempered glass doors and a heat exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room

3. Check the seal on your flue's damper and make sure it's a snug as possible

4. Keep your fireplace damper closed when not using

5. Consider a gas fireplace, they're 70% more efficient than the traditional wood burning fireplaces

Keep these tips in mind next time you cozy up next to the fire

Valentine's Day Craft

Wood You Be Mine?

Use scraps from your firewood pile to create unique and fun wooden Valentines

Materials:

Wood (small logs from firewood pile work best)

Red paint

Paint brush

Pencil

Drill (to make holes)

Red ribbon

Instructions:

1. Cut thin "cookie" size pieces from your log - have an adult do this

2. Draw a heart shape on one side with a pencil

3. Paint in the heart with red pain - have a child do this

4. Let dry

5. Drill a small hole at the top

6. Thread your ribbon thru the hole and tie a message to the "cookie" or write your message on the back with a marker and skip the hole & ribbon

Thank you MustardSeeds for this great craft idea!  

 Come see Joseph speak at the Home Show on Sunday, February 19th at 12:30 pm on "How to Survive Your Remodel"

• February 18-26, Seattle Home Show at CLink Field & Event Center

Happy Lunar New Year 

Chinese New Year 2012 - Year of the Water Dragon

Will this year bring you good luck? To find the answer to this, you can turn to Chinese Astrology and the Theory of Five Elements. The Dragon contains 3 of them, Earth, Water, and Wood. It is a source of water and is also called the Water Dam in Chinese and implies that 2012 will be a strong water year. 

The Dragon is also a symbol of the emperor in China. It is coated in a mysterious color and is seen as unpredictable, untouchable; you cannot see its head and tail at the same time. Therefore, we may see something unexpected happen in 2012. Also a person with dragons in their Chinese Astrology birth chart may become smarter, sly, and unpredictable in the New Year.

To learn more about your luck in 2012 and Chinese Astrology click here.

Local Celebrations and Things To Do:

• Lunar New Year Festival & Food Walk, Hing Hay Park, Seattle International District - 1/28, begins at 1:30pm
• Culture of China, Festival of Spring, Seattle's Paramount Theatre - 2/3, begins at 7:30pm
• Dine at your local Chinese Restaurant

Are you Prepared? It's Never Too Late  

Emergencies in the snow can happen quickly. Are you prepared to deal with them safely? Or maybe you feel like the kids above, learning as you go.

Winter conditions can lead to downed power lines and cold temperatures which may mean firing up your generator. These machines release toxic pollutants inside homes and buildings. It is important that you know how to operate your generator safely.

Always put the generator outside and away from entryways, doors, windows and ventilation systems. They emit carbon monoxide (CO) an odorless, colorless, toxic gas that is deadly, builds quickly and lingers.

FEMA offers some great tips on operating your generator. For more information on carbon monoxide visit the EPA.

For those of you who don't own generators, you may also try heating your home with "combustible" appliances, such as gas stoves, ovens, barbecue grills, and dryers.

Never operate these in a closed room, poorly ventilated space, or where you are sleeping. These also emit carbon monoxide (CO). The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers these tips CO Safety Tips.

Be prepared before the storm hits:

• Have your heating and ventilation system serviced and checked by a professional in the Fall
• Install and frequently check the batteries in your home's carbon monoxide alarms/sensors. These should be placed in outside of your bedrooms.

Carbon monoxide (CO), sometimes referred to as the silent killer, is a deadly odorless gas. Be familiar with the symptoms of CO poisoning. These include: nausea, dizziness, headaches, weakness, vomiting, and confusion

CO poisoning is an emergency, if suspect someone has these symptoms, take them outside for fresh air immediately and call 911.

Have a safe and fun Winter!

Don't get caught off guard this Winter, be prepared for snow and ice when driving like our crew was this last week. Here are some helpful tips to consider when driving.

OSHA recommends you follow the 3 P's for safe winter driving,

Prepare, Protect, and Prevent

Prepare by maintaining your car and keep the battery, tires, wipers, antifreeze and water in check before Winter comes.

• Have on hand a flashlight, jumper cables, shovel, snowbrush, and ice scraper, warning devices (flares/cones), and blankets. For longer trips consider packing medications, food, water, and a cell phone.
• If you get stuck or stranded, stay in your car, put on a warning light (antenna up, dome light on, hazard lights), if you run your car - clear the exhaust pipe.
• Plan your route, allow plenty of time for traveling, be familiar with directions, advise others of your destination and travel time.
• Practice cold weather driving during the daylight in a open empty lot where you can practice maneuvering in the conditions and get to know your vehicle and its limits or abilities.

Protect by buckling up, using child safety devices and restraints, put children under 12 in the back seat.

Prevent crashes by not mixing drinking and driving, slow down and increasing your distance, watch for pedestrians, avoid fatigue - rest every 3 hours when on long trips and rotate drivers, and always designate a sober driver. 

Drive Safely this Winter 

I hope you and your family were able to weather last weeks Winter storm safely and are recovering from the snow.  Although I believe we faired well, there are always areas we could improve on with our emergency preparedness. I hope some of these tips will help you be more prepared for our next dose of Winter weather. Please share this helpful and fun information with your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues.

I am looking forward to a prosperous 2012, The Year of the Dragon. This year may be unpredictable, but I wish you all good fortune. 

Happy Lunar New Year!