Episode-13- TSP Rewind – Winter is Coming Are You Ready
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Today is an episode of TSP Rewind, commercial free versions of past podcast episodes.
Today’s episode was originally, Episode-767- Winter is Coming Are You Ready and originally aired on Oct 2oth, 2011. The notes below are the original notes from that episode.
So today for the first time when I took the dog for a walk in the early morning there was frost on the car and trucks. I actually put on my Carhart vs my windbreaker and even put my free (non coffee holding) hand in my pocket for a bit of warmth.
Of course that means winter is on its way. Sure we have a few months of “fall” to go, at least in the south but this is the time of the year where things seem to accelerate.
Our Dog Blackie Enjoying what ended up being over 11 inches of Texas Snow
So in the tradition of the ant and the grasshopper today I say, winter is coming, are you ready? If not let’s talk about getting there.
My hope is that this show will make each listener consider and shore up just one or two places that they have put off or forgotten about in preparation for the coming winter.
Some of these choices are about life and death and others are just about preserving some of the special times of the season, like family visiting during the holidays in relative comfort. Others may not save your life but may save you hundreds or thousands of dollars by preventing damage due to winter weather events.
Join me Today as we Discuss…
- Winter Prepping the home
- Furnace inspection
- Fireplace cleaning
- Wood/gas/pellet stove test run
- CO Dectors
- Back up heating options
- Inventory fuel and assess requirements
- Hose bib protection
- Check up on your kits
- Back up lighting
- Considering a generator
- Winter Prepping the Car
- Oil Change – (proper weight)
- Wiper blade upgrade and ice scrapers
- Freeze resistant windshield washer
- Clean and care for your battery
- Fuel and air filters
- Check belts and hoses
- Consider snow tires
- Check out the 4×4
- Flush and replace antifreeze coolant
- Make sure the spare tire has air
- Make sure you have jumper cables
- Extra fuel if it is practical
- The winter car/truck kit
- Cold weather gear
- Water and food
- Shovel
- Traction material (salt, cat liter, etc)
- A come along or winch
- A good stable jack
- Inspect and account for spare tire tools
- Consider a tool like the PowerDomeEX
- Emergency radio
- Cell phone chargers
- Fire starting material
- Common Sense Procedures
- Estimate travel times and make sure someone is aware of your plans
- Sometimes DON’T GO is the only answer
- Keep all items charged and fresh batteries around
- Test anything you answer a “what if” question with
Additional Resources for Today’s Show
Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.
For the next TSP Rewind, I suggest a “high comments” political rant show.
Waze is a great navigation app that not only let’s others know your ETA but also your exact location. Could save your butt if someone is able to let emergency services know exactly where you are.
Thanks for the rewind Jack. Because of this show, I got off my rear end and setup/tested my inverter.
Following Steven Harris’ How to power your house with your car, I bought an inverter, cables, etc – BUT I hadn’t set it up and tested it. SO, I spent some time over the weekend setting up the inverter the way Steven Harris described in his How to Power Your House from Your Car show. Even better, after I got it going, I showed the wife how to set it up so she can set it up as well.
It’s been cool hearing some of the older shows and then reviewing what I’ve done/haven’t done since that show.
I really wish I could have a better alternative heat source for my home but I live in a condo and a wood stove is not an option. All I have is my furnace and a space heater. One thing I do have is an electric blanket, which I can sleep under until it is 35 degrees. I could get a kerosene or propane heater but I don’t like the idea of having non-vented heat. I wonder if my association would let me install a wall mounted gas unit. I’ve thought about my lack of backup heat for years, before I even thought of prepping. It just bugs me.
Joe,
I would strongly suggest a direct vent Heatilator. It’s a natural gas wall-mounted fireplace. The combustion is all outside, it can function on batteries if the power is out and it’s stylish, which would probably help with getting HOA approval. Good luck.
http://www.heatilator.com/Products/Novus-Gas-Fireplace.aspx