CasaSugar

Tips For Staying Safe After a Snowstorm

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:00:11 -0800

The snowstorms that have hit the Northeast are far from over, and significant Winter snowfalls are par for the course in the Midwest and mountain states as well. While it's important to keep your home warm and cozy, there are also some very practical steps that you can take to keep it safe both inside and out.

As soon as possible, clear snow and ice from driveways, pathways, and sidewalks. This will help to prevent injuries.
Clear snow away from fire hydrants, in case of an emergency.
Make sure your home address is visible from the road.
Clear snow away from heat pumps, to prevent them from malfunctioning.
Check in on neighbors, especially senior citizens, who may need extra help getting dug out of the storm.
When shoveling, make sure to warm up, stay hydrated, and dress in layers. Take a break if you feel like you're overexerting yourself.
If you live in an area where the snow may melt quickly, check to make sure the storm drains near your home are clear from debris. This will help to prevent flooding when the snow melts.
Try to avoid driving, especially if the roads aren't yet clear, or if they are covered in ice. Staying home is the safest thing you can do.

What else do you do to keep your home safe after a big snowstorm?

Source: Flickr User jpctalbot

Was Your Home Hit by the Snowpocalypse?

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0800

The Snowpocalypse created historic snowfall around the country, causing road closures, power outages, and lots and lots of shoveling! Was your home affected by the blizzard? Do you have icy walkways and a snow-filled driveway? Tell me what the weather looks like in your neck of the woods!

How-To: Say Goodbye to Salt Stains

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:00:23 -0800

If you live in a snowy climate, chances are that road crews are keeping the highways and byways of your hometown ice-free with the use of salt. It's likely that you, as well, are cutting down on ice on the steps and paths around your home by using salt. While salt can be a great tool, it can also wreak havoc on rugs and carpets inside your home - especially in the entry, where boots can too easily track salt all over these items.

Even if you've had salt stains on your carpets or rugs for most of this Winter, you can still banish them with some simple ingredients and a lot of elbow grease. To find out how to get rid of those stains, read more.

Start by vacuuming the carpet to get rid of any dirt, grime, and extra salt.
Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 1 cup warm water, and fill a clean spray bottle with the mixture
Thoroughly spray the mixture on the stain, and let sit for at least 15 minutes.
Use a clean sponge or towel to blot the area - don't rub or scrub it, which could make the stain worse.
Repeat as needed. Allow to air dry each time.

Source: Flickr User lakbdesign/fergusandme

Casa Quickie: Keep Warm With a Hot Water Bottle

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:00:24 -0800

If you hate sliding your sleepy body into icy cold Winter sheets, invest in a hot water bottle. Before bed, slip a hot water bottle between the sheets to warm them up. Since my feet are usually the coldest part of my body, I like to put a hot water bottle toward the bottom of the bed. Another great benefit? You'll be able to fall asleep sooner, because you won't be wasting valuable energy warming your body up.

Casa Quickie: Toasty Toes in the Morning

CasaSugar — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:25 -0800

If you have a hard time getting out of bed on a cold Winter morning, you're definitely not alone. Especially in homes that have hardwood, concrete, or tile floors, transitioning from cozy quilts to cold floor is something of an unwelcome move.

What to do? One easy solution is to add a sheepskin rug to the floor right beside your bed. (If you're extra nice, you can add one to the other side for your honey as well.) This way, you can sink your toes into something warm and cozy first thing in the chilly morning!

Check out some sheepskin rug options below.

Source

Could You Live Without Heat?

CasaSugar — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:30:28 -0800

In the New York Times article Chilled by Choice, writer Penelope Green interviews a number of people across the country living in cold climates (such as New York and Colorado) who choose to live in a home with no heating. In the Winter. Many of these folks' homes are an average of 30 to 40 degrees in the Winter, and they point to a number of reasons for their choice to live without heat.

I have a very hard time imagining that I could handle these temperatures, and I definitely don't want to wash dishes in a down jacket, or rig my toilet so it runs constantly, thus preventing frozen pipes, as these folks do. Still, I admire the pioneer spirit of these cold-weather-embracing dwellers. I just don't think I want to be one of them.

Source: Flickr User chispita_666

Do You Have a Sauna?

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:00:08 -0800

I grew up in a very cold, snowy climate, where Winter lasted an average of five-and-a-half months. One way we got through the Winter comfortably was by taking lots of long saunas. I delighted in sitting in the very hot sauna until I couldn't stand it any longer, and then jumping out the door to roll in the snow outside. When I visit my family every Winter, I always revive the tradition.

Source: Flickr User iwona_kellie

Open House: How Do You Keep Cozy on Cold Winter Days?

CasaSugar — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:30:05 -0800

While it's actually gotten down to freezing in California this Winter, usually we don't have to deal with really low temperatures, like many of you do in the rest of the country. Still when the temperature dips into the 30s, I always compensate for the chill with a few tried-and-true measures. Before showering, I always turn the space heater on and close the door to the bathroom, so the room gets nice and toasty before I bathe. I also pull out extra throw blankets to use in the living room, and find a heavy quilt to lay on the bed. The power of wool socks should never be underestimated, either!

This week, I gave you some tips on how to lower your Winter heating bills, but I also want to know how you can keep your home cozy at the same time. So tell me, what are your tips and tricks for keeping a cozy, warm home this Winter without cranking up the thermostat. Share your ideas in the comments!

Source: Flickr User mccheek

10 Ways to Reduce Your Winter Heating Bill

CasaSugar — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:29 -0800

It doesn't necessarily take thousands of dollars and weeks of time to get your Winter heating bill in check. There are plenty of methods for pinching pennies this season.

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Do You Salt Your Steps?

CasaSugar — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 07:00:16 -0800

One surefire way to cut through the ice on your steps and front walkway this Winter is by using salt. While too much salt can contribute to elevated salt levels in soils, which can hurt vegetation and animal habitats, most of the harm seen with this level of salt use can be attributed to salting roadways, not small sections of steps or pathways.

You can also try using a shovel to chip away at ice, or covering ice with sand. Better safe than sorry, though: my grandmother fell and broke her hip on an icy path at her farm a few years back, and since then has been extra vigilant about salting her paths.

Source: Flickr User Playful Librarian