Manufactured Homes

Communities slowly recovering after Ian

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com

When you go through some of the manufactured home communities in North Fort Myers, you see that many homes are worse for wear, but that the streets have long been cleared of the debris that lined the streets.

When you went to other places in the areas at the end of November, it almost looked like Hurricane Ian, which hit the area Sept. 28, came through the day before.

Cleaning up after one of the most destructive hurricanes ever is going to take some time, and officials say it may will be years before things return to "normal"

In the manufactured home communities, such as Swan Lake, if you didn’t look carefully at the houses, you would have thought that Ian had never hit at all. The debris was off the streets and placed on property behind the community thanks to a private company that handles its waste disposal.

“We started the day after the storm cleaning up. We had a number of volunteers from the

community and RVers up north come and to chip in for a few weeks,” said Steve Jordan, who manages Swan Lake “We got the place back in shape and

accessible

None of the homes had to be taken from the park or demolished The homes that sustained the worst damage were in the process of being repaired.

This happened thanks to Jordan allowing contractors, adjusters and FEMA to be housed on their grounds, who then took on many of the repairs that needed to be done

In the days after the storm there were residents cooking up breakfast for the volunteers with food that would have spoiled otherwise

“There were people calling and saying there was food in the refrigerator that’s only going to go bad Give it away to whomever or cook it up,” Jordan said “We had residents cook up the food on the grill and provide it to anybody who

needed it, inside the park or out.”

At Tamiami Village, it was pretty much the same thing, clean streets aligned with some heavily damaged homes. Again, private waste removal companies got the debris out of there

Laurie Campbell and Evelyn Reiner, who live in the village, said they put together a Facebook Page to let people know what was happening and connect with those who were there, which wasn’t many immediately after the storm hit

“Through our Facebook page, we were able to get the information out to the neighbors who were still up north It was a great relief to many people,” Reiner said “We were able to organize the cleanup.

CHUCK BALLARO

A cleaned street at the Swan Lake manufactured home community. A private company came in and removed the debris from the side of the road.

Restroom facilities were provided at the Suncoast Community Center at Suncoast Estates to tide residents over post-storm.

Recovering

Within three to four weeks, it was clean, with all the debris gone. It’s kudos to our management for that.”

At Horizon Village, they saw a lot of carports and lanais lost, but not entire homes or, most important, lives.

“With blue tarps, people were able to stay in their homes. All the homes received some damage, but were livable after the storm Some needed major repairs, some minor,” Margaret Black said, who runs Horizon Village. “We had no flooding whatsoever.”

Black said cleanup has been a little slower, with some work still to do which will be handled privately, but the streets looked pretty good and the debris had been moved to a secure location.

“It’s in the back so it isn’t lying on the street along

From page 5

Littleton Road,” Black said “We have no horticulture on the roads and no construction debris on our roads. We have a few where a roof is stuck between two houses, but the roads are all clear.”

As for the largest mobile home park of them all, Suncoast Estates, their residents were still struggling and may be struggling even further in the near future

A lot of homes were badly damaged and even destroyed by Ian, which gave these residents few options on what they could do to shower or wash their clothes

With the help from the state, particularly State Rep. Spencer Roach, they were able to get temporary washers and dryers, showers and restrooms located at the Suncoast Community Center.

Michael Jenkins, vice president of the Suncoast Community Task Force, said his team has worked constantly to get the area cleaned up, but things were far from perfect two months post-storm as they have had issues with FEMA, DCF and the speed in which the community has been getting help.

The state is taking out the showers and restrooms, he said "These people have no money, cannot go to laundromats and we’re actually saving them right now,” Jenkins said. “These people have a need for this and the state is pulling them out on us.”

The community has had a mental health association that has been priceless by helping to push them in the right direction, Jenkins said. Again, state funding was drying up.

That means Jenkins is going to have things return to normal with the food pantries on Tuesday and Toys for Tots and the Santa Sleigh for Christmas

While the kids are going to be taken care of, Jenkins said not enough was being done for families, and the volunteers they had working had their own families to worry about after a while.

“They’ve only taken the horticulture off the road They haven’t started on the debris from the homes. We had people here to help residents put tarps on roofs for 21 days After that, I had to get back to work, and we couldn’t do the tree cutting or roof repairs because the volunteers had to go back to work,” Jenkins said at the end of November.

“Before that we had our own people, burning their own fuel

CHUCK BALLARO

An RV is parked in the yard of a home along the Caloosahatchee River in North Fort Myers. Many are choosing to live in campers and RVs as their heavily damaged homes are being repaired.

and saws, doing this.”

Roach was also able to get new generators for those who needed them, chain saws and 400 gallons of fuel As great as that was, many were still on generators, which weren’t strong enough for those who needed to pump their water

Jenkins said people need more funding from the state. He said Fort Myers Beach still looks like it did the Friday after the storm.

“They’re cutting back and they’re starting with the small communities like this We have 5,000 trailers and 20,000 people here, but they’re not transitioned over yet,” Jenkins said.

Sharon Cobb was doing her laundry with a friend, Tanya Crawford, she met at the makeshift laundromat. She has to Her house was destroyed She will have nothing left if they take out the things they need.

“We’re going to be stranded We’ve lived in a camper in someone’s driveway,” Cobb said. “There isn’t any water in

the shower today. It’s really bad.”

“They haven’t picked up debris and a lot of people are disabled here That makes it very hard to get help,” Crawford said two months after the storm “We need outside help here The more the word gets out, the more it would help us.”

Those who suffered the most were those who live right along the river. They were the ones who got the storm surge and three feet of water in their homes

Those residents, many of whom live in higher-end homes, have been able to bring in their RVs to live in, while hooking up to the electricity in their homes to power things.

Charlotte County will allow residents to live in their RVs for two years by lifting the ordinance that prohibits it

At this time, Lee County is issuing temporary permits for use of a mobile home or RV, pursuant to Lee County Land Development Code (LDC) Sec.

34-3046(a). This allows the use of a mobile home or RV for up to 540 days after the Presidential Disaster Declaration

On the streets, it still looked as though the storm had come just yesterday There were still piles of debris on the side of the road, and a neighbor was sweeping off the street near her home, still dirty from the water

Angie Cloutier, who runs her realty company, Cre8ive Realty, from her home along the river, said her home is basically unlivable and unworkable

“We lost the house and we’re in the process of putting it back together We had two feet of water inside and everyone along the river had pretty much the same issues,” Cloutier said “My son just bought an apartment and we’re moving in with him ”

Before that, they lived with some friends from Illinois. Once they have sheetrock and tile in the kitchen, the Cloutiers will be able to move back in.

The doors weren’t expected to arrive for another couple months, but they planned to put covers on the doors in the meantime

“We don’t expect to be moved back in until after the new year when the doors come,” Cloutier said “We hope we can get in for Christmas, but that’s just four weeks away,” Cloutier said

As for the streets, they had piles of debris so high they were basically left with a onelane road. And with contractors looking to get through the piles, Cloutier was finally able to call someone to get some of the mess picked up.

Lee County launched a Hurricane Ian website, www.leegov.com/debris, to better provide information to residents with features such as tips, data, timelines, photos, videos and other information about Hurricane Ian debris collection efforts.

VALARIE HARRING

The entry to Carriage Village off Bayshore Road is as welcoming as ever more than two months post-Ian with the piles of aluminum debris that were nearby along the roadway frontage long collected and removed.

Sullivan State Farm Agencies offer fire safety tips

Local State Farm agency available to help prevent and navigate fire damage

E a c h y e a r , h u n d r e d s o f h o m e s f a l l v i c t i m t o f i r e s , causing devastating damage to families and property Cape Coral State Farm Agents Mike a n d D a w n S u l l i v a n , o f f e r important tips to help keep your loved ones safer through fire safety and prevention tips a n d b y o f f e r i n g a s s i s t a n c e with finding the perfect fire c o v e r a g e f o r y o u r f a m i l y ’ s unique needs

“A fire safety plan is a necessity for every home. This includes regular safety checks, escape plans and an adequate insurance policy In the event of an emergency being prepared and taking preventive measures can make all the difference in the world,” said Mike Sullivan “We can help provide peace of mind with several safety tips in addition to offering home, renters, pers o n a l p r o p e r t y , o r l i a b i l i t y insurance. You are not alone. We are here to help assess your family’s unique needs and to assist you should something happen "

Planning can help protect your family in the event of a fire Talk to your children Let them know why it’s important to always be aware of your

surroundings, no matter where you are. Take a few moments to make note of possible exit strategies should the unexpected occur In your home, your entire family should have a planned route of escape and a predetermined meeting place to know you have all made it to safety

Part of planning is to make a monthly schedule of testing f i r e a n d c a r b o n m o n o x i d e detectors/alarms It’s best to use Underwriters Laboratories (UL) tested detectors. Make sure hard-wired products are installed by a professional and that they have a battery back up in case of a power outage. T h e b a t t e r i e s s h o u l d b e r e p l a c e d a n n u a l l y T h e r e should be one in each separate area of the home including each bedroom, but not too close to drafty areas where smoke could be swept away undetected. Make sure everyone is familiar with the sound of your home’s alarms

“Fire extinguishers can be helpful for small fires, but it’s important to know when to g o ! ” s a i d D a w n S u l l i v a n . “Don’t put yourself or others at risk trying to fight the blaze on your own.”

The Sullivans advise readi n g t h e i n s t r u c t i o n s a n d becoming familiar with the p a r t s a n d o p e r a t i o n o f t h e e x t i n g u i s h e r b e f o r e a f i r e breaks out

Remember PASS to operate the extinguisher:

Pull the pin,

Aim the nozzle,

Squeeze the lever and

Sweeping motion is used from side to side to fight the fire

Install extinguishers near home exits and have your back to the exit as you use the extinguisher so you can escape if necessary Extinguishers must be serviced annually and may need to be recharged.

H a v e a n e l e c t r i c i a n r e v i e w t h e e l e c t r i c a l s y s t e m i n y o u r h o m e O v e r t i m e , i t m a y n e e d t o b e r e w i r e d o r u p d a t e d . C h e c k y o u r e l e c t r ic a l c o r d s a n d a p p l i a n c e c o r d s , a n d r e p l a c e t h e m i f y o u s p o t a n y f r a y i n g , c r a c k -

i n g o r s e p a r a t i o n o f t h e c o r d f r o m t h e p l u g

Clean out the lint trap of your dryer after every use. Lint also builds up quickly in the dryer duct Have a profess i o n a l i n s p e c t a n d c l e a n i t once a year to help prevent fires

L o c a l f i r e d e p a r t m e n t s o f t e n o f f e r f r e e a d v i c e o n home fire prevention, includi n g c a r b o n m o n o x i d e a n d smoke alarm/detector placem e n t a n d f i r e e x t i n g u i s h e r training.

In the unfortunate event your family should experience a home fire, the Sullivan State Farm team is here to help. Whether you’re currently covered or looking to determine the best insurance options for y o u r u n i q u e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , call the Sullivan State Farm Agency at 239-541-3276 or v i s i t t h e a g e n t s ’ w e b s i t e s : mikesullivan1 com or dawnsullivan.net.

Just say no to hand washing dishes

By LCEC

The days of hand washing dishes are long gone and for good reason Not only is hand washing dishes time consuming, it wastes water and contributes to your energy cons u m p t i o n A c c o r d i n g t o

E N E R G Y S T A R , u s i n g a dishwasher can save you more than $40 a year verses washing dishes by hand Below is the dish on the benefits of using your dishwasher:

Saves times:

If you’ve ever washed and dried a load of dishes you k n o w i t t a k e s t i m e a n d patience In fact, ENERGY S T A R e s t i m a t e s t h a t y o u could be spending nearly 230 hours (almost 10 days) of personal time handwashing dishes in just one year!

Cleans better:

D i s h w a s h e r s t h e s e d a y s have all sorts of bells and whistles to sanitize even the d i r t i e s t d i s h e s w h i l e u s i n g minimal water and energy.

Saves water:

Using a dishwasher can save nearly 5,000 gallons of water per year in comparison to hand washing!

Here are some tips from the LCEC energy experts on how to use your dishwasher in the most energy efficient way:

∫ Use the energy-saving cycles whenever possible.

∫ If your dishwasher has a booster heater, turn your water heater thermostat down to 120 degrees. Most dishwashers have built-in heaters to boost the water temp up to 140-145 degrees

∫ Resist the temptation to p r e - r i n s e d i s h e s . Dishwashers today do a thor-

o u g h j o b o f c l e a n i n g . J u s t scrape off the excess food and let the dishwasher do the r e s t D i s h w a s h e r s u s e between 8 to 14 gallons of water per load so save water and electricity by not prerinsing

∫ Wash only full loads and refrain from hand washi n g d i s h e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e day It’s cheaper to put the

dishes in the dishwasher and wash them all at once.

∫ L o a d t h e d i s h w a s h e r according to the manufacturer’s instructions Remember to fill the racks to maximize e n e r g y a n d w a t e r u s e , b u t make sure you leave enough room for the water to circulate.

V i s i t l c e c . n e t f o r m o r e ways to save

LCEC: Use caution around pad-mounted transformers

By LCEC

The big green boxes that reside in residential neighborhoods are called pad-mounted transformers and caution must b e p r a c t i c e d a r o u n d t h e m , according to LCEC.

What i s a pad- mo unte d transformer?

Pad-mounted transformers work in the same capacity as the transformers (gray cans) on the top of electric poles do In essence, they convert high-

e r - v o l t a g e e l e c t r i c i t y t o a lower voltage so that it is safe and useful for your home The only difference is that p a d - m o u n t e d t r a n s f o r m e r s w o r k w i t h u n d e r g r o u n d power lines while transformers on the pole work directly w i t h t h e o v e r h e a d e l e c t r i c lines.

How can I stay safe around pad-mounted transformers?

Pad-mounted transformers are locked and marked as dangerous These big green boxes s h o u l d n e v e r b e u s e d a s benches. Kids should not play on or near them Landscaping should not be planted around these boxes since power line-

men may need to access them s a f e l y a n d e a s i l y , a n d a n y r o o t s c o u l d i n t e r f e r e w i t h underground wires. Never dig anywhere near a pad-mounted transformer It is just as import a n t f o r p e o p l e t o b e s a f e a r o u n d u n d e r g r o u n d p o w e r lines and pad-mounted transformers as it is to be safe around overhead power lines

For more ways to stay safe a r o u n d e l e c t r i c i t y , v i s i t lcec.net.

Three ways to help save the planet in your own backyard

(StatePoint) “Think globally, act locally” is a motto that everyone should take to heart. It emphasizes the importance of real actions you can take at home and in your community, while stressing the fact that every creature on planet Earth i s c o n n e c t e d W i t h t h a t i n m i n d , h e r e a r e t h r e e g r e a t ways to save the planet in your very own backyard this fall:

1 . Save the lives of birds: Bird populations are in decline d u e t o a r a n g e o f t h r e a t s , including habitat loss and climate change In fact, North America has lost more than one in four birds in the last 50 y e a r s , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e Audubon Society

Amid this alarming trend, you can make the skies safer for birds by mitigating the chance of window strikes, one of the more common threats birds face In the United States

e a c h y e a r , 3 5 0 m i l l i o n o r m o r e w i l d b i r d s a r e k i l l e d w h e n s t r i k i n g w i n d o w s .

Research shows that applying decals that reflect ultraviolent sunlight to your home’s windows can substantially reduce

the likelihood of this occurring. Check out the bird decals f r o m W i n d o w A l e r t , w h i c h feature patterns that give the appearance of slightly frosted t r a n s l u c e n t g l a s s , b u t g l o w like a stoplight for birds. The

b r a n d a l s o m a k e s WindowAlert UV Liquid, a h i g h - t e c h l i q u i d t h a t o f f e r s even greater protection when applied between decals

R e m e m b e r , w i l d b i r d s migrate in fall, making it an especially important season to take this step From hummingbirds to eagles, learn more about the beautiful birds you love and how to protect them by visiting WindowAlert com

2 . Start a compost bin: Composting food scraps and yard waste is one action you can take with multiple benefits It’s not just an excellent way to reduce the amount of trash you send to the landfill, your finished compost can be added to your lawn and garden to help plants thrive without chemical fertilizers. While it sounds simple since time does most of the

See HELP SAVE THE PLANET, page 13

PHOTO SOURCE:

(C) JILLIANCAIN / ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES PLUS

How to spot and fix gutter problems

Local residential-friendly Dumpster specialist says check for these 10 signs that your gutters may be falling down on the job

C l o g g e d , d a m a g e d , o r missing gutters are not only unsightly, they can contribute to costly water damage to the i n t e r i o r a n d e x t e r i o r o f a home While many property owners take steps in late fall to remove leaves and unclog gutters in preparation for winter storms, proactive maintenance throughout the year can help prevent or minimize problems, but only if you know what to look for.

Local entrepreneurs Martin and Ann Wierengo, owners of Bin There Dump That of Fort M y e r s , a r e s i d e n t i a l - s i z e d dumpster specialist, suggest homeowners check for the following ten signs that their gutters need attention, and offers tips on some simple do-ityourself repairs:

∫ CHECK for small cracks and holes along the length of your gutters. REPAIR using s e a l a n t o r p i e c e s o f f a s c i a s c r e w e d o v e r t h e d a m a g e d area

∫ C H E C K f o r b r o k e n , loose, or missing fasteners. REPAIR with aluminum fasteners or even zip ties to create a sturdy connection to the roof and between gutter sections.

∫ CHECK for nails on the g r o u n d u n d e r g u t t e r s R E P A I R u s i n g s t a n d a r d s c r e w s t o k e e p g u t t e r s i n place.

∫ CHECK for separation b e t w e e n g u t t e r s e c t i o n s REPAIR with a new section of gutter cut to fit the gap and

fastened to both pieces of the existing gutter sections.

∫ CHECK for separation between the inside face of your gutters and your home. REPAIR using screws to reattach the separated pieces to your home

∫ CHECK for deformed or sagging sections where water c a n p o o l a n d s p i l l o v e r . REPAIR by bending section back into shape or replacing with a new gutter section.

∫ C H E C K f o r p e e l i n g paint on your gutters, a sign that water is leaking over the edges. REPAIR by stripping old paint with a scraper then p r i m i n g a n d r e p a i n t i n g t h e gutters

∫ CHECK for water pooling under gutters and determine cause – leaves and debris blocking the gutter, holes and cracks, or water pooling in low s p o t s o n t h e g u t t e r i t s e l f . REPAIR, if the gutter is clear

Help save the planet

work, there are some important composting do’s and don’ts to consider Be sure to read up on best practices before you get started so that you only toss compostable items into the mix, and so you strike the right balance between nitrogen and carbon. This will speed up the process and yield higher-quali-

ty compost.

3 . G o low maintenance:

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e N a t u r a l Resources Defense Council, Americans consume nearly 3 trillion gallons of water, 200 million gallons of gas, and 70 million pounds of pesticides on their lawns each year. You can reduce your contribution

and not damaged, by sloping the entire gutter to run to the downspout

∫ CHECK for damage to flower beds and foundation p l a n t i n g s . R E P A I R b y installing a gutter diverter to redirect water

∫ CHECK for evidence of water damage to the basement. If your gutter is in good repair, consider redirecting the gutter spouts away from the floodprone area. Significant flooding may require professional gutter repair or replacement

∫ " C l e a n i n g o u t y o u r garage or basement should be a chore you choose to take on, not something you are forced t o d o b e c a u s e d a m a g e d o r missing gutters allowed those spaces to flood," said Martin and Ann Wierengo. "A little time and money spent now on preventive maintenance may help prevent costly and inconvenient repairs later."

From page 12

to the problem by swapping out your conventional lawn for a m e a d o w ( w h i c h i s c o mprised of native plants already a d a p t e d t o t h r i v e i n y o u r r e g i o n ) , x e r i s c a p i n g ( a d r o u g h t - r e s i s t a n t o p t i o n requiring no mowing and little to no irrigation) or by simply letting your grass grow wild

Bin There Dump That specializes in residential-friendly, dumpsters with double-door access that are designed for jobs ranging from simple yard clean-up chores to full remode l i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n p r o j e c t s For more detailed tips on gutter maintenance and repair, v i s i t h t t p s : / / w w w . b i n t h e r ed u m p t h a t u s a c o m / a r t i c l e / g u tter-repair To learn more about renting a dumpster, or to discuss a project with a Bin There D u m p T h a t D u m p s t e r Consultant, please contact Bin T h e r e D u m p T h a t o f F o r t Myers at (239) 707-4919 or f o r t m y e r s @ b i n t h e r edumpthat com

About Bin There Dump That

Bin There Dump That is North America's leading resid e n t i a l f r i e n d l y d u m p s t e r company, founded in 2002 by Mark Crossett Mark teamed up with That Franchise Group in 2004 to begin franchising in North America. The franchise has since grown to over 2 0 0 t e r r i t o r i e s a c r o s s t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d C a n a d a Known for its appealing bright g r e e n b i n s a n d r e s i d e n t i a l friendly service, it is unrivaled i n t h e i n d u s t r y F o r m o r e information about Bin There Dump That and our business o p p o r t u n i t i e s , p l e a s e v i s i t w w w b i n t h e r e d u m p t h a t f r a nchise com or call 905-5821234.

and free. Talk to your neighbors about your decision and e n c o u r a g e t h e m t o d o t h e same.

By making your little patch of land a safe haven for animals and by conserving natural resources, you can help make a difference at home this fall

Can I recycle this?

Prevent wishcycling by knowing what is and isn't recyclable

(BPT) - You make recycling possible Without consumer participation, recycling programs can't function. If you already recycle, you're playing a c r i t i c a l r o l e i n r e d u c i n g waste in your area But to truly make sure valuable materialslike cartons, plastic and other materials that can be reused in other products - are kept out of landfills, it is important to prevent wishcycling.

Wishful recycling (or wishcycling) is tossing something in your recycling bin hoping i t ' s r e c y c l a b l e , w h i c h c a n cause more harm than good. While many programs have recycling equipment to sort i t e m s , s o m e n o n - r e c y c l a b l e m a t e r i a l s c a n c a u s e t h e m a c h i n e s t o j a m o r b r e a k , causing delays and contaminating the recyclable items.

To prevent wishcycling and

help your local recycling program operate efficiently, you'll need to know what materials can be recycled and how to prepare them before tossing them in the bin

Know what is and is not recyclable

d o t o d e t e r m i n e i f a n i t e m i s r e c y c l a b l e i s t o c h e c k t h e p a c k a g i n g . I f y o u f i n d a r e c y c l i n g i c o n o n t h e p a c ka g e , i t o f t e n m e a n s y o u ' r e h o l d i n g a w i d e l y r e c y c l a b l e i t e m . H o w e v e r , t h a t d o e s n ' t m e a n t h a t y o u c a n s i m p l y t h r o w t h e i t e m i n t o y o u r r e c y c l i n g b i n W h a t i s a n d i s n o t r e c yc l a b l e c a n c h a n g e o v e r t i m e a n d b a s e d o n l o c a t i o n W h e t h e r y o u ' v e l i v e d i n t h e s a m e n e i g h b o r h o o d y o u r

w h o l e l i f e o r h a v e j u s t m o v e d t o a n e w c i t y , i t i s r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t y o u c h e c k w i t h y o u r l o c a l r e c y c l i n g p r o g r a m f r o m t i m e t o t i m e t o s e e w h a t i t e m s a r e a c c e p t e d i n y o u r a r e a S o m e p r o g r a m s m a y e v e n p r o v i d e a h a n d y g u i d e y o u c a n r e f e r e n c e i f y o u h a v e a n y d o u b t s a b o u t h o w t o r e c y c l e c e r t a i n i t e m s .

O n e r e c y c l a b l e m a t e r i a l

t h a t s t i l l c o n f u s e s m a n y p e op l e i s f o o d a n d b e v e r a g e c a rt o n s , l i k e t h o s e m a d e b y

T e t r a P a k . F r o m m i l k a n d j u i c e t o b r o t h , s o u p s a n d m o r e , y o u l i k e l y h a v e m o r e t h a n a f e w i t e m s i n y o u r k i t c h e n t h a t c o m e i n c a r t o n s .

B e c a u s e o f h o w c o m m o n t h e y a r e , i t ' s e s s e n t i a l t o l e a r n h o w t o r e c y c l e c a r t o n s s o t h e y d o n ' t e n d u p i n a l a n d f i l l .

Y o u l i k e l y h a v e c a r t o n r e c y c l i n g i n y o u r a r e a T o d a y , m o s t U S h o u s e h o l d s h a v e a c c e s s t o c a r t o n r e c yc l i n g . I n f a c t , a c c e s s t o r e s id e n t i a l r e c y c l i n g p r o g r a m s h a s i n c r e a s e d b y 2 4 0 % s i n c e 2 0 0 9 , w h e n t h e C a r t o n C o u n c i l w a s f o r m e d . T h i s i n d u s t r y o r g a n i z a t i o n w a s c r e a t e d t o i n c r e a s e c a r t o n r e c y c l i n g a c c e s s a n d r a t e s

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BPT See WISHCYCLING, page 17

The good, the bad and the ugly ways people are banishing bugs at home

(StatePoint) If you hate the idea of bugs in your home, you’re in fine company -- 1 in 3 Americans have seriously c o n s i d e r e d b u r n i n g d o w n their own home after experie n c i n g a b u g i n f e s t a t i o n , according to a new survey

The study, commissioned by Zevo and conducted by OnePoll, found that 66% of respondents are willing to do “nearly anything” to get rid of b u g s a t h o m e - - i n c l u d i n g fumigating their entire home (51%), throwing the nearest thing at it, no matter what that nearest thing is (43%) and e v e n , j o k i n g l y , D I Y i n g a flamethrower (35%). Others have changed their diet and lifestyle to avoid sightings at home, with 59% saying they will even refrain from keeping fresh fruit in their homes or buying houseplants out of fear t h a t i t w i l l a t t r a c t f l y i n g insects.

In fact, some people would rather just leave it all behind a n d s t a r t o v e r s o m e w h e r e

n e w M o r e t h a n h a l f o f respondents (52%) have cons i d e r e d m o v i n g b e c a u s e o f bug infestations, and of those who considered that option, 6 9 % a c t u a l l y f o l l o w e d through and packed up their things

When it comes to putting up with bugs, there are a numb e r o f h o m e w o e s p e o p l e w o u l d p r e f e r t o l i v e w i t h , including broken appliances (29%), creaky floors (26%), broken windows (26%), not having television connections ( 2 5 % ) a n d e v e n r o d e n t s (24%)

G i v i n g h o w b u g g e d b y i n s e c t s p e o p l e a r e , i t ’ s n o wonder that they have come up with some pretty creative and expensive ways to try to deal with the problem, with 48% of survey respondents having turned to DIY “hacks” and the average person spending $177 on creating homemade methods to deal with bugs Some of the methods m e n t i o n e d b y r e s p o n d e n t s

include using cinnamon, coffee grounds and even maple syrup to get rid of bugs. One person even recalled pouring gasoline on bugs to drown them a big don’t-do.

Of course, many of these homemade solutions produce i f f y r e s u l t s a t b e s t o r a r e d o w n r i g h t d a n g e r o u s . T h e b u g b i o l o g y a n d b e h a v i o r experts at Zevo say that if you w a n t t o r i d y o u r h o m e o f pests, there are much easier and more effective ways to go about it that don’t involve putting your home on the market a n d r e l o c a t i n g H e r e ’ s a n e f f e c t i v e t w o - p r o n g e d a p p r o a c h y o u c a n t r y f o r killing bugs and preventing future infestations:

used as directed, check out p r o d u c t s l i k e Z e v o I n s t a n t Action Sprays, which rely on essential oil to target and shut d o w n b i o l o g i c a l p a t h w a y s found in insects. These types of products can target everything from cockroaches and a n t s t o y e l l o w j a c k e t s a n d crickets.

1

. Go worry-free Most traditional insect sprays on the m a r k e t t o d a y u s e s y n t h e t i c p y r e t h r o i d s a s t h e i r a c t i v e ingredients, which can have a n o x i o u s s m e l l a n d m a k e a r o o m u n i n h a b i t a b l e a f t e r spraying For a solution that’s safe for people and pets when

2 . Safeguard entry points. Pests enter the home most t y p i c a l l y t h r o u g h w i n d o w s , doors and the garage Check screen doors and windows for tears, and patch or replace t h e m Y o u c a n a l s o p l u g i n s e c t t r a p s i n t o o u t l e t s i n a r e a s w h e r e b u g s t y p i c a l l y g a t h e r i n y o u r h o m e , l i k e kitchens, bathrooms, garages and entryways These types of traps use a combination of UVC and blue light to attract and trap flying insects, offering continuous defense for up to 45 days or until the trap is full.

T o l e a r n m o r e a b o u t defending your home against insects, visit zevoinsect com

PHOTO SOURCE: (C) NICOLETAIONESCU / ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Plan to age in place?

5 tips to help make your home safer

(BPT) - According to the AARP, the number of households headed by people 65 and older will grow to 48 million in the next twenty years, and many of those adults plan to age in place for as long as they can. If you or a loved one want to stay at home as you get older, it's crucial to make the home environment as safe as possible. Even if you're currently active and healthy, as you age you may experience decreasing strength, balance and vision that might make your home more difficult to navigate safely. Because these issues can develop gradually, you may not be aware of your limitations until you have an accident or injury - so it's best to make your home safer now

Easy ways to improve your home's safety

T o r e v i e w y o u r h o m e ' s trouble spots, it's a good idea to have a friend or family member provide input, as you may be unaware of potential hazards another person could see. Better yet, ask a trained occupational or physical therapist to visit your home to assess the environment. Your healthcare provider may be

able to recommend someone

1 . Start by looking down

As you age, it's harder to recover from sprains and broken bones, so it's important to reduce tripping hazards to prevent falls in the first place Remove these potential dangers:

∫ Throw rugs

∫ C o r d s - m o v e t h e m behind furniture or tape to the floor

∫ Small furniture like footstools and ottomans

∫ C l u t t e r , l i k e p a i r s o f shoes

A l s o c o n s i d e r w h a t footwear you wear at home Are your socks, slippers or shoes well-fitting and nonslip?

2 . Increase bath safety

Bathing is a challenging activity for people with mobility or balance issues. While you could remodel your entire bathroom, there are smaller changes you can implement to reduce hazards. These include:

∫ Using non-slip mats or strips for your floor, shower or tub

∫ I n s t a l l i n g s a f e t y g r a b bars in and around your tub

∫ Using a shower or tub seat and handheld nozzle for bathing

∫ Having a tub cut-out or

step-in shower installed

3 . Make sure using the toilet is safe and easy

When you can be independent in the bathroom, you m a i n t a i n y o u r d i g n i t y a n d have better peace of mind Unfortunately, most toilets are low enough that they're difficult for seniors or others with disabilities to safely get up and down.

One solution is the Bemis Independence Clean Shield 3i n c h E l e v a t e d T o i l e t S e a t , which is raised to ease sitting and standing. Installation is easy - the Snap 2 Secure syst e m p r o v i d e s t h e c o r r e c t clamping force so the seat will never loosen or shift, and its 3inch height is ideal for seniors, p l u s a n y o n e w i t h m o b i l i t y concerns, back, hip or knee i s s u e s . T h e f u n n e l d e s i g n keeps everything in the bowl, and the seat and ring raise upright and stay there, giving full access for cleaning - along with a slow-close feature to prevent slamming. The seat is d e s i g n e d w i t h a r e s i d e n t i a l appearance, so you don't have to swap out an embarrassing riser when guests come.

The Clean Shield is available on Amazon in a bundle featuring Support Arms and a n e w b i d e t a t t a c h m e n t . T h e

bundle gives users the security of Clean Shield, along with the convenience of bidet functionality for improved personal hygiene Visit ToiletSeats com to view your

options

4 . Check your stairs

Staircases are another highrisk area for accident or injury. Make sure there are railings, even for just a couple of steps, and that they are solid and s e c u r e . K e e p c l u t t e r f r o m accumulating on or near stairs, a n d c o n s i d e r a d d i n g s t a i r t r e a d s t o w o o d e n s t a i r s , r e p l a c i n g c a r p e t w i t h s t a i r treads and/or applying differently colored tape to help differentiate one stair from the next.

5 . Light it up

Using nightlights throughout the home can help with nighttime trips to the bathroom or moving around during early morning hours when it's still dark Light switches that are both easy to access and that light up can also help seniors find their way around more easily, any time of night or day

With some thought and a little planning ahead, you can make it easier for yourself or your loved one to remain at home safely, for many years to come.

Wishcycling

a n d d i v e r t v a l u a b l e c a r t o n s f r o m t h e l a n d f i l l T h e y w o r k t o b u i l d a s u s t a i n a b l e i n f r as t r u c t u r e f o r c a r t o n r e c yc l i n g n a t i o n w i d e a n d e d uc a t e a n d r a i s e a w a r e n e s s a r o u n d c a r t o n r e c y c l i n g

Want to know if cartons can be recycled where you live? Visit RecycleCartons.com/find /state to find out if your local recycling program handles cartons and, if not, learn how you can recycle them.

From page 15

Know how to recycle an item properly

O n c e y o u ' v e d e t e r m i n e d w h a t m a t e r i a l s c a n b e r e c yc l e d i n y o u r a r e a , y o u ' l l n e e d t o l e a r n h o w t h e y s h o u l d b e r e c y c l e d . T h e r e a r e m a n y r e c y c l i n g m y t h s , s o t o e n s u r e y o u ' r e d o i n g s o c o r r e c t l y , y o u ' l l w a n t t o f a m i l i a r i z e y o u r s e l f w i t h

h o w t o r e c y c l e c e r t a i n p r o du c t s , e s p e c i a l l y o n e s y o u c o n s u m e o f t e n

O n e p o p u l a r m y t h i s t h a t T e t r a P a k c a r t o n s m u s t b e f l a t t e n e d b e f o r e p l a c i n g t h e m i n t h e b i n H o w e v e r , t h a t ' s n o t t h e c a s e i n t h e U . S . a n d C a n a d a . T o p r o pe r l y r e c y c l e a c a r t o n , s i m p l y e m p t y i t , r e p l a c e t h e c a p o r p u s h t h e s t r a w b a c k i n t h e p a c k , t h e n p l a c e i t i n t h e r e c y c l i n g b i n i n i t s o r i g i n a l

f o r m .

R e c y c l i n g d o e s n ' t h a v e t o b e c o m p l i c a t e d o r m y s t e r io u s . F a m i l i a r i z e y o u r s e l f w i t h y o u r l o c a l r e c y c l i n g p r o g r a m g u i d e l i n e s s o y o u c a n d o y o u r p a r t t o k e e p v a l u a b l e i t e m s o u t o f t h e g a r b a g e . T o l e a r n m o r e a b o u t c a r t o n r e c y c l i n g , v i s i t R e c y c l e C a r t o n s c o m / L e a r n o r T e t r a P a k U S A c o m