Living on The Mountain Tips

by the Greyback Community Emergency Response Team

All year

*When converting appliances (stove, dryer, water heater) from natural gas to propane, make use of small orifices designated for propane use

*Cooking -propane burns hotter than natural gas

*Have rechargeable light bulbs in case of power outage

*Keep in your car -backpacking shovel, knife, Leatherman utility tool, container of cinders for traction, blanket or towel, walking shoes

Summer

*Wear bug screen hats for walking/working outside during summer months to keep the gnats away.. Carry an open water bottle by your side. The moisture attracts the gnats to the bottle and will keep them away from your face

*Don't plant until after Mother's Day. To get rid of gophers, use a Rodenator. You can also try planting Fritillaria/Crown Imperial to keep gophers away from small garden areas

*Pest control -remove any standing water to help keep mosquitos to a minimum. Bats eat mosquitoes and other insects. Properly placed bat houses can help to keep your home free of flying pests

*Ants are best controlled by gel bait or Terro Ant Killer granules for outside the home

*Dryer sheets under your cars hood help to keep squirrels/mice from building nests in your engine area

Winter

*Firewood -Green oak takes one year to dry. Green pine takes six months. Dead pine and cedar are ready for use. Prepare/plan for your firewood needs by July 4th for time to cut and stack. Wood should be dry before winter

*A kinetic fan in front of your fireplace/wood stove helps to move the warm air and keep your home warmer and are especially helpful during a power outage

*Handheld torches/fire starters can light fireplace/wood stoves quickly. Dryer lint inside of a toilet paper roll and/or a bit of melted paraffin make great small fire starters

*Make sure the back side of your propane tank regulator (the tank vent) is always free of snow

*Use a ladder to reach your TV dish (set up ahead). Spray PAM or WD40 or buy an electric heater for the dish for snow removal. Use a long handled broom to clear snow off satellite dish. A large black garbage bag tied over the dish can help prevent snow buildup

*Propane weed burner torch can help with melting ice on concrete/asphalt (DO NOT USE IT DURING FIRE SEASON)

*Use snowplow paint (Industrial Sno-Flo) on your square nosed shovels to help make snow slide off easier. One can will spray about eight shovels

*Micro Spikes for your feet help to navigate walking on the ice

*"Freeze-Miser" wraps to prevent outdoor faucets and water lines from bursting in the freezing weather

*Start cars/vehicles every few days in the freezing weather if not driven. Also, a trickle charge battery charger will help to keep your car battery in working order

*Store your snow removal devices somewhere other than your car. Piled up snow and frozen doors make items inside difficult to retrieve to use