Just a note for our Meals-on-Wheels clients: There will probably be some days because of snow that you will not have a meal delivered. You have been given a box of five shelf-stable meals that you can use for these days. You are also getting another box this month. Please listen to the weather forecasts each day. If McMinn County schools are called off because of snow, our center will be closed and there will be no meal delivery. On the second day, we will make that determination here whether to close or not. If you have a question whether meals will be delivered, just call the center at 423-781-7632. If there is no answer, that means we are closed and there will be no meal delivery.

I was so excited to be able to be in Florida for the New Year, especially since our Christmas was so cold. But then I learned that the weather here was almost as warm as the Florida weather. One thing about Tennessee is that the weather can change at the drop of a hat. You can be sure the temperatures will be getting colder before long.

In this article you will learn some ways to make sure that you will get by the rest of winter without too many problems. The cold weather in December slipped up on many of us resulting in many frozen pipes. Hopefully you will learn some basic tricks to avoid too many problems this winter. We still have at least two more months to deal with winter, so it is not too late to do a few things that will help you through the rest of winter safely.

One thing that can help you prepare for a change in the weather is a weather radio. This specialized radio is designed to receive a public broadcast service, typically from government-owned radio stations dedicated to broadcasting weather forecasts on a continuing basis. Routine weather reports will be interrupted by emergency weather reports, such as an approaching snowstorm. It can be programed to sound an alarm and switch to a pre-tuned weather channel for emergency information. It can also broadcast non-weather-related emergency information, such as a child abduction, natural disaster, or a terrorist attack.

Weather radios can be purchased at many locations such as Lowe’s and Best Buy or from Amazon. When you purchase a weather radio, please see the instructions that come with the radio for programming information. If you purchase the radio for an older adult, you want to make sure it is programmed first.

Even though the last few days have been so pleasant, unfortunately colder weather will be here soon. Winter is inevitable. Everyone should start thinking now about how to make the winter months safe and comfortable. You don’t want to wait until winter hits to make your preparations. If you have a family member who is unable to perform any of these suggestions, without a doubt they would appreciate help with this. If you are a caregiver, you should also assist in helping with this.

What is your priority during the winter months? Staying warm! This is especially critical for those seniors who have chronic health conditions that make them more susceptible to cold temperatures. You need to make sure that your home’s heating system is in good working order before the cold temperatures hit. You may have already been using the heat, but if you haven’t, now is a good time to turn it on to be sure it is producing efficient heat. It is a good decision to make an appointment with a reputable HVAC technician for an annual system inspection and cleaning to ensure your heat is running efficiently and safely on that first really cold day. If your system is unmaintained, it will use more power which will increase your heating bill.

Another important thing to remember about your heating unit is to regularly change the filter. The U.S. Department of Energy says that replacing a dirty filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5 to 10%. A dirty filter will restrict your air flow, causing your system to work harder. This will cause wear and can create issues that require repairs. Also, continuous wear on your system will lower the lifespan of your unit. There is really no set rule about when to change it. Anytime you can see an accumulation of dirt on the filter, it is good to change it. Just don’t wait until it is completely filthy because that means your heating and cooling system is not running at its full potential. If you or anyone else has allergies, you will want to change your filter more often. Another thing to consider is if you have pets. Dogs and cats shed, and their hair gets everywhere. That includes your filters. If you have multiple pets in your home, you will have to change your filter even more often. Another thing that will determine how often you change your filter is the type of filter you purchase. You may think that by buying a cheap one that you are saving money. But having a cheap one means you will have to change it more often. In the long run, the cost will probably be the same as buying a quality filter.

Fireplaces and chimneys are the cause of 42% of the home heating fires. If you use a wood-burning fireplace, the National Fire Protection Agency says that it needs to be cleaned at least once a year by a professional chimney sweeper to remove soot and debris. A dirty chimney can catch on fire and destroy your entire house. Have them check to be sure the top of the chimney has a cap with wire mesh sides to keep out birds, squirrels, and leaves. Sometimes birds will build nests in a chimney that will catch on fire. Check the damper to make sure it is working correctly. If your fireplace allows smoke in the house, then have it checked. The smoke is supposed to go out the chimney, not into the house. Also, be sure you always have a fire extinguisher close by. Keep the damper closed when not in use to prevent your heat from going out the chimney. Fireplaces can be nice to have, but they aren’t meant to be the primary source of heat. It is best not to be used over five hours at a time. And lastly, make sure you have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. A good rule of thumb is to change the batteries in these detectors when the time changes, which will be Sunday, March 12.

Another way to make sure you are prepared for winter is to check your windows and doors so that they will keep in the heat. Check the weather stripping and caulk around your windows and doors. Inspect wooden window frames, checking for rot and decay and check the panes of your windows for cracks or gaps. If you find any problems in these areas, replace or repair them to make sure they are sealed tight against the cold air. Also, keep your curtains and drapes open in the daylight to let in the warm sun and closed at night to help prevent heat loss. Also, turn your ceiling fan switch to the position that will blow the air from the ceiling down, keeping the heat that rises closer to you.

There are some things that need to be done outside to get ready for winter. Winter is when seniors are most likely to fall and break a hip. To reduce fall risk in winter weather, invest in non-skid shoes or boots. Make arrangements to have the snow removed from sidewalks and driveways if possible. Shoveling snow or even walking through heavy snow can put a strain on your heart and cause a heart attack. The best advice is to stay inside and stay warm when it snows.

In case you must stay inside because of snow or a power outage, be sure your pantry is stocked with shelf-stable supplies that you don’t have to cook. Be sure you have enough medicine for a few days. Make sure you know where the extra blankets and flashlights are. Use candles only as a last option. 20% of candle fires occur during power outages.

Something else that needs to be done outside is making sure that the gutters are free of leaves and dirt. It is probably not a good idea for older adults to climb up on a ladder to check the gutters. Arrange for someone to do this for you. It is important because a clogged gutter can cause water to stand in it and freeze and cause the gutter to break off your house.

Just remember if you are unable to do some of these repairs and inspections on your own, have a friend, family member or trusted handyman assist you. These winter preparations won’t take long and will give you peace of mind during the long, cold season. With a thorough inspection and a few repairs when necessary, you can prevent damage to your house and ensure that it will keep you warm and dry during the coming winter. Doing all these things to make your winter a little more tolerable will make winter not so bad. After all, spring won’t be far away.

• Jan. 5: 9 a.m. — Games and Puzzles; 10 a.m. — Bingo; 11 a.m. — Show and Tell

• Jan. 6: 9:30 a.m. — Breakfast Biscuit Bar, Choose Your Favorite Activity

• Jan. 9: 9 a.m. — Games and Puzzles; 10 a.m. — Bingo with Patty Parks; 11 a.m. — Acrylic Painting with Mike Ivey

• Jan. 10: 9 a.m. — Games; 9:30 a.m. — Coffee Break Work-Out; 10 a.m. — Bingo with Cameron Medical Supply; 11 a.m. — Bible Study

• Jan. 11: 9 a.m. — Games and Puzzles; 10 a.m. — Bingo; 11 a.m. — Upcycled Love Beads

• Jan. 12: 9 a.m. — Games and Puzzles; 10 a.m. — Bingo with Hospice of Chattanooga; 11 a.m. — Cranium Crunchers

Sue Walker is the executive director of the Etowah Area Senior Citizens Center. She may be reached by calling 423-781-7632.

Sue Walker is the executive director of the Etowah Area Senior Citizens Center. She may be reached by calling 423-781-7632.

Your comment has been submitted.

There was a problem reporting this.

Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.

We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Department email: News - news@dailypostathenian.com Sports - sports@dailypostathenian.com Classifieds - classified@dailypostathenian.com Circulation - circulation@dailypostathenian.com Composing - composing@dailypostathenian.com Online - webmaster@dailypostathenian.com Full Staff Directory

Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.

Check your email for details.

Invalid password or account does not exist

Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account.

Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.

A receipt was sent to your email.