Things you ought to do but don't

[ole]

Was going to append this to one of the other inane threads, but didn't want to hijack it so .....

One thing everyone should do but doesn't: twice annually, one should go through one's home and exercise every water valve in the house. This simple routine will allow you to easily shut a valve when it becomes necessary.

An example: Dear One wanted a new faucet on the kitchen sink. Sure enough, the shut-off valves hadn't been exercised for nearly 10 years. Get out the strap wrench. Close the main water line just in case the undersink valves break apart while forcing them closed. Replace both valves because they are now all but useless. Much of which could have been avoided because I couldn't spare two hours per year to close and open every valve in the house. When the washer dies, I'll pay the price again.

Contributions, anyone?

ole

[M E Wolf]

Dear List Members;

I recommend checking your outlets and extention cords, plugs on all items.
In time, wires get brittle and may cause a fire. Look for cracks or little lines around outlets in the wall, that looked like raised veins. This means the wires under the plaster are running hot. Perhaps too much load on the outlet. Wall blistering should be taken seriously.

Tag all the pipe valves, as to identify which belongs to gas, water and it's function; in bold black letters and add neon as a shadow or trace; so the flashlight can pick up the tag's location. Should the 'man' of the house pass away; others can find these shut off valves for gas, water and electricity. And--please, write down what to do in an emergency, what you do to maintain your heat, air, water, electricity system so, should you pass on the wife, kids have something to guide them. A walk through with family and identify what and how you do it--priceless. It is usually the wife and daughters who survive their fathers. Map out the electricity grid, what is on the circuit and what can't be handled, e.g. air conditioning, etc.

Type up a form to put into your automobile's glove box; that is pre-filled with insurance information, driver's license information and a blank to fill out for the other person's information. Put your's in a sealed envelope in the car; blanks in the open envelope; this way--you have organization should you be involved in an accident. Even if you don't pre-fill in the form; keep blanks to guide you through the accident exchange information.
Form should have contact information, have the date, time and location of the accident. Take photos if you can via cell phone, disposable camera and or digital camera. Do try to get photos of the actual collision if possible; speed limit signs, street signs, signal lights, etc.

Write a list of your allergies, medicines you take and carry them with you.
Using tiny font, it is possible to have such on a credit card sized paper. You'll have it just in case when admitted into emergency room, in this way you don't have to rely on memory.

Update your auto's first aid kit. Weather affects the adheasives on bandaids, ointments and the like. Won't hurt to update the house's first aid kit. One should be near the kitchen, (burns, cuts and like injuries); shop/workshop should have one also. Upstairs, living space and basement; to include the garage.

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

[Blockaderunner]

If you live in a climate where the roads are salted in winter. Get under your car and clean the brake pipes. Then smear them with a thin coat of grease. If you don't, then in a couple of years time you will have a huge repair bill.

[ole]

Just did that, Blockade. The truck sat out on a gravel driveway for about three years, early this year, the brakes failed -- a main line had rusted out. Now, if I'd have heeded your instructions, I'd have at least crawled under there and sprayed the lines with WD-40. So it cost me somewhere north of $400 to have it towed in and fixed. Thanks for contributing to a thoroughly silly thread.

[ole]

Thank you gentlemen. Didn't really expect a response from anyone and -- tadah! -- some really thoughful posts.

There are probably more to come.

ole

[30th_il]

Floss. Never underestimate good dental hygiene!

[samgrant]

Throw out stuff you haven't used in a past year, especially clothes (exception for some tools). Winnow out the huge collection of books you have read , think seriously which you think you will want to read again. Donate stuff where you can.

--

[sockknitter]

Take time to make backups of computer data you don't want obliterated when your computer dies. Put them on removable media, obviously. Remember to save not only pictures but any vital text documents as well.

Make a few extra keys as necessary (house, vehicle, anything else you don't want to have to break to get into).

[cw1865]

I learned this lesson the hard way in September when my computer crashed. Problem is that it doesn't seem important and then it happens and all of a sudden it is. (or was) and its too late. I now do it weekly.

[M E Wolf]

Dear List Members;

Summer is here--cleaning air conditioner filters (if you have them) is good to do; check and clean furnace filters while at it.

Check drains, especially ones near doors--water back up when clogged with oak blossoms of spring, twigs, etc.

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf