AL FAIRBANKS,
ASK A
2014-2015
INSIDE: READER ADVICE » 2 TAKING CARE OF CHIMNEYS » 3 WHAT TO HAVE IN A WINTER CAR KIT » 4 CARING FOR PETS IN COLD WEATHER » 5
2
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Sunday, October 5, 2014
WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE
What’s your best advice for avoiding winter mishaps? Y ou know how we’re all supposed to learn from the mistakes of others? Well, perhaps our new Interior Alaska residents can learn from the winter survival mistakes of those of us who have lived around here for a while. We went to our Facebook page to ask readers to fess up or offer advice. Read on and learn. And laugh a bit, too.
Rod Boyce MANAGING EDITOR
… While you may be able to drive on the hard-pack rails all winter, the fuel truck cannot. Sometimes it’s not about whether or not you can get in and out of your driveway but whether someone else can. Kerynn Fisher
mas and slippers.
When getting the ice off your window, do not hit it with the ice scraper. When your car warms and you close the door, your window will shatter. Be patient with it.
Corrie Kossow Garrison
Pull your windshield wipers off the window before you park for the night. And don’t forget the rear one if you have a hatchback.
Ember Kalama
Shovel your driveway. Just do it. You might think you’re so clever driving on two feet of hard pack while your neighbors kill their backs shoveling, but in early April, when their driveway is bare and yours looks like soup, and your car practically floats in and out of the garage, you will regret it. Amanda Myhand
Maggie Billington
The thermometer sign outside the AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union Mortgage offices on the Old Steese Highway display the sub-zero temperature on Dec. 2, 2003. ERIC ENGMAN/NEWS-MINER the laundromat. Liz Peterson
I let my laundry detergent freeze in my car my first winter here and had to run it under hot water at
Always check to make sure the house door is unlocked before you run out
to start the car in the morning. Or better yet, stash a spare key someplace. There is nothing like trying to break into your own home at -30 while wearing paja-
Always carry a flare when going snowmachining. It’s the best way to light a fire when it’s -20, you fell through a river, and you have to wait 18.5 hours for help while you’re attempting to walk 40 miles out. Christopher Morse
Don’t touch doorknobs with your bare hands in 60 below. It doesn’t feel good. Chrissy Fanslau
or beard are completely dry before going outside. Nothing is more uncomfortable than suddenly having a block of ice on your face.
D.J. Tyson
Don’t leave your diaper bag in your car at any point during the winter. Defrosting baby wipes on demand is almost impossible. Corinne Gould
Always keep an extra blanket and boots in your vehicle. You never know when and where you may break down or get stuck in snow. Flores Carol
Plug your vehicles in. Use good oil and battery
Make sure your hair and/
TIPS » 4
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3
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Sunday, October 5, 2014
WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE
Proper chimney care saves houses By Elena Sudduth FOR THE NEWS-MINER
Q: How often should I get my chimney cleaned? A: “From one load of wood to the next, the amount of creosote that builds up is never the same,” said Chief Jack Willard from Chena Goldstream Fire and Rescue. “This is why homeowners should clean their chim-
neys on regular bases,” he added. The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” So while it may not be necessar y to pay for a cleaning every year, having you chimney inspected every year is a good idea. You should keep in mind that even if you don’t use your chimney too much, small birds could have made nests or small animals could have fallen into it.
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Call Interior Weatherization, Inc. today for details! 452-5323 or Long Distance 1-800-478-5323, ext. 0 713 15th Avenue, Fairbanks Download application at: www.interiorwx.org
CHIMNEY » 6 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
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As the cold season approaches, the necessity to warm up the houses arrives. A lot of houses in the Fairbanks area use chimneys as the main heat resource. Every year, a lot of homeowners lose everything in house fires caused by improper chimney care. There are some guidelines that, if properly followed, can help avoiding these situations. First and foremost, your chimney should be inspected at least once per year and be swept by necessity. This reduces the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisonings because of creosote buildup or obstructions in the chimneys. N e x t , g o o d , d r y,
non-treated wood should be used. Burning wet wood causes the creosote to built up faster which becomes the main reason chimney fires. Last, but not least, it is important a wood stove is installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Offered below is a list of questions chimney owners should know the answers to stepping into the winter:
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4
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Sunday, October 5, 2014
WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE
TIPS Continued from 2 heaters. Don’t ruin a new vehicle because you’re too lazy or cheap to get your rig winterized. Sarah Black
more than once, you can either get pulled out or dig your way out. And always have extra clothes, blanket, gloves, hats, hand and foot warmers — those things are awesome. Sarah E Genetti
Always have a chain and shovel so if you do get stuck in the snow like my husband last winter
Don’t leave a glass bottle of vinegar in the cup holder of your back seat. Airing out your car out in
-40 isn’t easy.
Cars need survival kits, too
Curea Salle
D o n’ t s c r a p e y o u r windshield with metal (i.e. pop can). It will scratch the windshield.
By Robin Wood RWOOD@NEWSMINER.COM
Sarah Solski Madsen
Never use your debit/ credit card to scrape your car window, no matter how desperate you are. Kristen Q Thomas
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110 Winters’ experience!
During wicked winter weather, a simple trip to the store can bring complications only Alaskans truly understand. When traveling outside of town or on side roads being prepared becomes even more imperative. It’s essential to keep a winter survival kit in your car. Put emergency items in a tub and store it within the car’s main compartment. If stuck in a snow bank, a trunk or truck canopy may be inaccessible. It’s important to keep the gas tank at least half full, both in case of emergency and to prevent water condensation being sucked through fuel lines. As with any emergency
situation, it’s best to stay put. Cars are great sources of shelter and easier to spot than just a person. If stuck, only run the car for 10 minutes per hour because snow can trap deadly carbon monoxide inside the car. Crack a window and keep snow clear of the exhaust pipe. Turn on emergency flashers and conserve battery power. The following should be included in any winter car kit: To stay warm and fed • Keep outer gear suitable for a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes exposure. Include extra socks, hats, gloves and base layers. Avoid cotton because when it provides zero insulation when wet. • Have the ability to make
a fire with multiple means: wind- and water-proof matches, a lighter or flint and steel. Stuff an empty toilet paper tube with toilet paper for an emergency fire starter. • Enough blankets or sleeping bags to provide for the car occupants for extended periods of time. • High energ y, nonperishable food such as candy, energy bars or trail mix. • Water and the ability to melt snow, like an empty coffee can and a small stove with fuel. To stay safe • A first aid kit, extra medications and pocket knife. • Flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries. CAR KIT » 7
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Sunday, October 5, 2014
5
WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE
All pets, inside and out, need special care in cold winter months By Robin Wood
READER PET ADVICE:
RWOOD@NEWSMINER.COM
If you have livestock or keep straw/hay to use as feed/bedding, do your best to make sure it’s inaccessible by moose, and look for them! I almost walked right into the backside of one once because it had its head craned through our hay shed panels trying to get at our hay.
Left: Emmie, a 2-year-old lab/husky mix, gets a grip on a frisbee as she plays with her owner outside the Arctic Health Research Building on March 5, 2008. Right: Simba, a 4-year-old Cardigan Welsh corgi who stands less than a foot tall at the shoulder, bounds through the fresh snow while taking a walk with his owner John Waiste, of Fairbanks, along the West Tanana Farm Road on Feb. 12, 2001. ERIC ENGMAN/NEWS-MINER Assistant tate Veterinarian Dr. Jay Fuller recommends placing dog houses against the wall of a house to absorb ambient heat. Simply eating snow will not provide pets with adequate hydration because takes significant energy to
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side. Ears are usually the first appendages to show symptoms of frost bite. Paws, noses and tails also show signs quickly. During warm temperatures cats and dogs may find puddles
melt snow to a liquid. One technique to keep outside animals hydrated is combine food and water in the same bowl. Fur coats, stores of body fat, activity level and general health all affect an animal’s ability to reside out-
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sor at Fairbanks North Star Borough Animal Control, said hay or blankets alone are not adequate bedding for doghouses. “Hay tends to compress really easy, where straw is hollow and lofty so it holds that heat in,” she said.
IC
that their body heat warms the space, but big enough to lie down in. Line the floor with straw for insulation and insure the shelter provides protection from wind, rain or snow. Sandy K limaschesky, shelter operations supervi-
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When it comes to cold weather care for pets, it pays to pay attention. People have many breeds and varieties of pets, all requiring tailored treatments. And when the temperature drops below zero, or perhaps reaches 50 below, appropriate care is critical. For outside animals — dogs, horses or other livestock — shelter, non-frozen water and enough food for fuel are minimum requirements. The most important thing for inside animals is not to forget when they are outside as frostbite or hypothermia can result from mere minutes in sub-freezing temperatures. Outside animal houses should be small enough
6
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Sunday, October 5, 2014
WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE
CHIMNEY Continued from 3 Q: Who should I hire to sweep my chimney? A: The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that people consider a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. According to CSIA website, there is only one person who is certified by them in Fairbanks. His name is Clinton Severns and he works for The Woodway. In the North Pole, Cary Freeman, with the Firesafe Chimney service is also CSIA certified. These chimney sweeps have earned the industry’s most respected credential by passing an intensive examination based on fire codes, clearances and standards for the construction and maintenance of chimney and venting systems, CSIA web site explains. Q: When should I clean
my chimney? A: Severns recommends that the homeowners get their chimney cleaned during the offseason, that is, for the company he works for from April 1 to July 31. Don’t wait until you have to start reusing your chimney, since that time of year the sweepers are booked out and definitely don’t start using it before it has been inspected. Q: What is the creosote? A: The creosote is a natural byproduct of wood burning. It condenses on the surfaces of stove pipes or chimney flues. When it condenses, it tends to trap carbon from smoke, which makes it highly flammable. Q: What type of wood should I burn? A: Clinton Severns recommends that people burn dry wood, with less than 20 percent moisture content.
The wood you use should be cut at least 6 months prior to using it and it should be properly stored. That means that it should not be exposed to rain or snow, since it would reabsorb the moisture and have open sides, so the air could circulate and allow drying. Q: What else should I know? A: According to the Chena Goldstream Fire and Rescue, the time of year that most chimney fires are registered is after the warm up around Christmas and New Year when people shut their stoves down because they don’ t need them. When it gets cold again that’s when the creosote builds up faster and that’s causing the most fires. Elena Sudduth is a journalism student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and an intern at the News-Miner. Contact the newsroom at 459-7572.
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7
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Sunday, October 5, 2014
WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE
WHAT NOT TO KEEP IN THE CAR: Don’ t forget your beer in your car because when it explodes everywhere and you get pulled over, the cops will surely be pulling you out of the car for sobriety checks because of the overwhelming smell. Katrina Johnson
Daphne Pettie
Continued from 5 or unfrozen water, get wet and become more susceptible to hypothermia. Indoor animals, especially those new to Alaska and unacclimated to cold temperatures, are more susceptible to hypothermia. Donna Buck-Davis, director of the nonprofit Loving
Companions Animals Rescue, said if the animal isn’t outside on a 24-hour basis it shouldn’t be left out when it’s cold. “You wouldn’t put your kid outside in the cold, so I wouldn’t put my animal outside either,” Buck-Davis said. Owners can set up an emergency shelter where small pets may take refuge if they get left out an extended period of time.
Other less-common issues are still problematic during cold weather. Both domesticated and feral animals have been known to climb inside vehicle-engine compartments for warmth only to be killed or injured when the car is started. Keep tabs on small pets or bang on the hood to scare would-be homesteaders. Antifreeze has a sweet
taste that animals may like, but the liquid is poisonous and can be deadly. Quickly clean spills and keep containers in secure areas. The Propylene glycol formula is less poisonous than ethanol glycol. Not all cold-weather care is agreed upon. For e xample, some people think horse blankets help provide insulation, while others believe they mat
the horse’s hair, decreasing insulation. It always helps to consult with people who have extensive cold-weather animal care. Klimaschesky said the shelter has cold-weather care brochures at the shelter, covering house pets to livestock. Contact staff writer Robin Wood at 459-7510. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMcity.
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CAR KIT Continued from 4 • Emergency radio and extra batteries • Emergency flares, reflectors and distress flags. • A 12-volt cell phone charger. • A whistle. To stay on the road • Ice scraper and snow
brush. • Small shovel. • Tow ropes or chains. • Road salt, sand or cat litter for traction. • Jumper cables. • Fuel line deicer. Don’t forget to periodically inspect fluids, tires, lights and battery. Contact staff writer Robin Wood at 459-7510. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMcity.
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Paid Advertising Content
THE TIRE SHOP REINVENTED Nokian Tires — make sure yours were studded at the factory COMMUTING IS THE MOST DANGEROUS THING YOU DO Unless you fish Bristol Bay on a crab boat, set chokers for a helicopter logging outfit, or work on defense in the Middle East, chances are the most dangerous thing you do is drive around Fairbanks!
THE BEST-SELLING TIRES ARE NOT THE SAFEST (OR CHEAPEST!) We research tire technology, performance characteristics, safety, and wear history. We only market what we like, not the “lines we carry.” It’s the beauty of being “independent.”
ROCKET SCIENCE Your car is nothing but a 4,000-pound rocket hurtling through space. If it weren’t for some gravity and the tiny patches of rubber that we call tires, there is really nothing connecting you to earth! Sound scary? It is! The only thing keeping your rocket pointed in the right direction is friction. And friction on sub-zero ice is tricky.
THE TIRE SHOP RE-INVENTED Go ahead and plan your day, because Metro Garage has renovated the tire shopping experience. If you are here, we are working on your car because we install the tires we sell by appointment.
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WE TEST TIRES Personally. Rigorously. On a lake behind the airport or on lonely icy roads around Fairbanks, we can be found with a tape and GPS, slamming on the brakes or throwing cars into slides. If we sell it, we have driven it. It is the only way we can feel comfortable making recommendations to our neighbors about such an important subject.
TIRE MEGA-STORE MYTH Car owners have been marketed into believing that a fair deal on tires requires the sacrifice of a day at the megastore. Not true! Metropolitan Garage pricing on tires is routinely at or below the competition. The main difference is that you have to think ahead and book an appointment!
ALL NOKIANS ARE NOT CREATED EQUALLY Metropolitan Garage has sold the safest winter tire for the past 6 years, the Hakkapeliitta series. For the first time this year, Fairbanks will have access to this tire in its un-studded version. Nokian sells this tire in order to satisfy markets where studs are not legal. These tires can be studded at the tire shop, however, the stud performance and longevity doesn’t compare to tires studded at the factory. At Metro Garage we only carry the Hakkapeliitta with factory studs.
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