Great thread, and a timely revival! I know many site members will deal with far colder winter temps than I will, but still, I take certain steps to make life easier (and safer, lol). I always carry water with me in 'The Mighty Camry' no matter what the season, but this time of year I also throw some Mexican blankets in the back seat. I might even throw a sleeping bag in the trunk, since I have several sleeping bags occupying shelf space in my home. Now that I'm using the car mainly for shopping runs, I have plenty of storage space in the trunk... wouldn't hurt to throw a f@rtsack in there with the E-tool (folding Army shovel or entrenching tool), the air pump, the windshield scraper, automotive fluids, tarp, various straps & tie-down ropes, the standard tools carried with me wherever I go, etc. Any time I go on an overnight trip (not likely here in Alamo, but one never knows), I carry extra clothing, food, and whatnot... and there are always lighters in my car, in case the worst happens and I need to build a bonfire. Hey, Bic lighters are good to have as tools, lol.
Here in my home, I'll check the filter for the central heater, it's an American-made Coleman heater built like a tank, lol. I'll have to relight the pilot, since I turned it off and closed all valves for the summer. No point in even wasting gas on the pilot light during triple-digit heat, lol. I also need to check the skirting of my home and block or tape any cracks which might lead to problems in hard frosts... as long as the central heating unit can keep the crawlspace below my home fairly warm just by warming the home above, that'll keep pipes from freezing at night. I have new Pex lines in several areas under the home, so those will help to avoid bursting and leaks. In my home, I use a "draft dodger" at the foot of the front door, it's just a rolled-up towel, lol. I actually use one no matter what the season, since I had that desert centipede crawl under the door a while back. For those with drafty homes, a "draft dodger" in every problem spot will certainly help you stay warm and reduce your heating bills... you can use rolled-up towels for the job.
Here in my home, I'll check the filter for the central heater, it's an American-made Coleman heater built like a tank, lol. I'll have to relight the pilot, since I turned it off and closed all valves for the summer. No point in even wasting gas on the pilot light during triple-digit heat, lol. I also need to check the skirting of my home and block or tape any cracks which might lead to problems in hard frosts... as long as the central heating unit can keep the crawlspace below my home fairly warm just by warming the home above, that'll keep pipes from freezing at night. I have new Pex lines in several areas under the home, so those will help to avoid bursting and leaks. In my home, I use a "draft dodger" at the foot of the front door, it's just a rolled-up towel, lol. I actually use one no matter what the season, since I had that desert centipede crawl under the door a while back. For those with drafty homes, a "draft dodger" in every problem spot will certainly help you stay warm and reduce your heating bills... you can use rolled-up towels for the job.
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