It’s the Houdini of winter, the slippery vanishing act that turns a simple stroll into a slip-and-fall. We’re talking about black ice, that invisible coating that has us spinning out of control on the roadways. When it appears on our driveways and sidewalks, pedestrians beware.
Not only don’t you want to slip on black ice, you also don’t want to injure someone on your property. That might lead to legal problems. It is your responsibility as a homeowner to keep your property safe.
Read on to find out how to remove black ice from your driveway and sidewalk.
What exactly is black ice?
Black ice is a thin, almost transparent layer of ice on the surface of a roadway, driveway, deck, or other surface. It forms when a surface is wet and then temperatures drop below freezing. What makes it so dangerous is that it’s hard to see. It blends in with the surface and you don’t realize that it’s there until you’re slipping and sliding on it.
If you’re looking for black ice, there are some telltale signs. Sometimes you can notice a glossy or shiny appearance. However, if an area looks dry while surrounding areas are wet or have snow, there could be black ice present. Whether or not you see it, there are steps you can take to remove it, and even prevent it from forming.
Ways to Remove and Prevent Black Ice
Put on protective gear.
To keep yourself from slipping and sliding, you will want sturdy boots with good traction. Water resistant winter gloves will help protect your hands. When spreading chemicals, you also will want to wear safety glasses to shield your eyes. Remember that stairs leading down from your house could be especially slippery and covered in black ice. Use handrails.
Clear the snow and ice.
Shoveling the snow and breaking up the ice will help prevent it from melting and reforming as black ice. Use a snow shovel and ice pick. Finish off with a broom with stiff bristles to sweep away the loose ice. Toss snow and ice away from driveways and walkways. Make sure that when the snow and ice melt, they won’t run back onto the driveway and sidewalk.
Pro Tip: Sometimes you cannot smash the ice or shovel it away. In those cases, use a spade to scratch the surface in several places. This will make the black ice visible to others.
Salt, sand, or de-ice.
You want to prevent slipping, and you can do that by creating traction with sand or sawdust. Alternately, you can use an ice melting product. Use a spreader or bucket to spread these products. Note that salt and chemicals can be harmful to pets, plants, and young children. They also can damage your surfaces and the environment, so use them carefully.
Rock salt lowers the freezing point of water, causing ice to melt. Spread a thin, even layer of salt. Allow it to penetrate and melt the ice. Use a shovel or broom to remove any ice and salt residue.
Sand provides traction. While it doesn’t melt the ice, it creates a gritty surface. Spread generous amount of sand, gravel, kitty litter, or sawdust. Leave it in place until ice melts naturally. After the temperatures warm and ice is no longer a danger, be prepared to clean up the mess that results.
De-icers (deicers) are chemical compounds. They come in many forms including liquids, pellets, and granules. Choose ones that are pet safe; even if you don’t have a pet, chances are your neighbors do. Sprinkle or spread the deicer evenly. Remove any remaining ice with a shovel or broom.
Use heated mats.
While heated driveways aren’t an option for many of us, we can use the more affordable alternative: snow-melting mats. These heated mats are made of slip resistant, waterproof rubber with a built-in heating system. If you turn on the mats before the snowfall, your walkways could stay dry and clear. They make larger ones for driveway use that cars can drive on. Snow melting mats aren’t cheap, but they are less expensive than installing radiant heat under your driveway and sidewalk.
Try rubberized stair treads or tarps.
Rubberized stair treads provide a high traction surface for your shoes, so it’s less likely that you will slip. You also may try a winter weather tarp to cover the surfaces that would typically get ice and snow. They are like a carpet for your driveway. You put them down before a snowfall and lift them up afterward.
Unblock drains and gutters.
Blocked drains can cause water to build up and surfaces to ice over. Clogged gutters also can divert water to places where it shouldn’t go, such as driveways. Make sure that these areas are clear ahead of storms.
Finally, protect your home and property with the right insurance for added peace of mind. After all, it’s one of your greatest investments.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
We love the idea of decluttering. Doing it, however, is another story. Luckily, there’s help. Follow this guide for inspiration and ideas on easy ways to declutter your home this season.
Benefits of decluttering
The older you are, the more stuff you accumulate, from mugs and books to clothes and souvenirs. Holidays and birthdays bring in even more items. After a while, you run out of places to put things. They go into boxes where they often are forgotten and certainly not enjoyed. Getting rid of the clutter not only frees up space. It reduces stress. There is less to clean and organize, and more time to relax. Plus, decluttering helps you enjoy the possessions that you have in a space that feels clean and comfortable.
Set your expectations.
Remember that the clutter didn’t arrive in a day. Don’t expect it to be gone so quickly. Schedule time each week to focus on this task until it is done. Try to incorporate the habits from the decluttering process to keep your home clutter-free in the future.
View your home as if you were a first-time visitor.
You need a game plan. One easy way is to walk your home as if you’re seeing it for the first time. Use that perspective to decide what spaces you would like to declutter.
Draw a map of all the rooms. In each room, mark the clutter hotspots you want to tackle.
Give each spot a grade from 1 to 3, where 3 is the most cluttered and 1 is the least. This will help you allocate the right amount of time to those areas.
Use the map as your decluttering guide.
Throw out the trash.
Tackle the easiest part of decluttering first. Grab a trash bag and throw away anything that is obviously broken or that is actual garbage. Do this step before you dive into decluttering.
Set aside the time.
Set a timeline for what you will tackle first. It’s fine to start small so that you will feel accomplished. Looking at one cleaned space can inspire you to do more.
Choose a timeframe that is doable. You will be able to adjust as needed, once you figure out how much time it really takes to declutter.
Take a “before” photo so you’ll know how much you accomplished.
Set a timer and begin work.
Applaud yourself when you are finished the session.
Don’t forget to take an “after photo” so you can see your progress.
Use the organizing triangle.
Separate your items into three piles: keep, trash, or donate. Some people add a fourth box for “undecided.” For paper, the piles are slightly different: file, trash, or recycle. You can use boxes to organize the piles.
The “keep” pile should have the things that are meaningful to you and/or things that you use.
The “donate” pile should include things that are useful but that you no longer use or that do not fit you anymore.
The “trash” pile should be the items that you no longer need and that are not in good enough condition to be donated.
Don’t keep something in case you need it in the future. Give yourself permission to buy it again if you might need it. (This may not apply to seasonal items and special occasion wear.)
At the end of each session, immediately find a place for the items you are keeping. Consider storing similar items with each other.
For documents or other paper products that you’d like to keep, consider a digital filing system. Block out time to do that as part of the decluttering process.
Sort your clothes by what you wear.
You can use the organizing triangle for your clothes, or you could use the following system that naturally sorts the clothes in your closet by whether you wear them.
Face all your hangers in one direction.
Every time you wear something, face the hanger the opposite direction.
Check after a few months and you’ll easily see what you don’t wear. Donate those clothes.
For drawers, you can fold your clothes a different way when you place them back (e.g. roll them vs. folding them flat).
After a while, you’ll see which clothes you don’t wear and can donate them, too.
Tidy up by category.
It might be easier to declutter by the type of item versus by room or space. Gather all the similar items into one area. This is an easier way to get rid of duplicates and determine how many items you really need.
Start with clothes. Decide how many pants you need, choose your favorites, and donate the rest. Repeat with tops. You’ll want to account for work and casual wardrobes, and special occasions.
Repeat the process with your shoes, boots, and footwear.
Next look at your books. Organizing expert Marie Kondo recommends keeping less than 30 books. Choose the ones that inspire you, your favorite stories, and the ones you want to reread.
Go through your kitchen tools. If you can’t remember the last time you used a kitchen item, it’s time to donate it.
End with sentimental items. By now you’re used to the decluttering process, which could make it easier to distinguish which special items you truly want to keep. Make sure you have a place for them. If you’re keeping them in a box, then you’re not enjoying them.
Enlist some help.
Getting help can be the inspiration that you need. Not only do many hands make light work, but you can also get another person’s perspective.
Get help from a friend or family member. Ask them to suggest some big items to throw or give away.
You can hire a professional organizer. This could be useful if you’re not making progress or if you’ve gotten to a point and can’t get past it.
Rent a dumpster. You can get rid of larger household items that way.
Cut down on future clutter.
Here are some ways that you can continue to keep your home clutter-free.
Use those Amazon boxes that bring new things into your house to donate the same number of things to go out of your home. Do it as soon as you get something new: one in, one out.
Sort through your mail at the recycling bin so you can immediately toss what is not needed.
Keep a box in your closet. Every time you try something on, and you don’t feel good in it, toss it in the box for future donations.
Give away one item each day. By the end of the year, you’ll have given away 365 things.
Set a timer and commit to 20 minutes each day, or week, to stay on top of the clutter. You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish.
Finally, make sure your home is covered by the right homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to protect your possessions now and for years to come.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Picture this: you’re on the brink of capturing the perfect moment. Then it hits you like a digital disappointment – “not enough storage.” The fear of missing out is real. Here’s how to free up space on your phone for perfect picture taking anytime.
Don’t “double save” your photos.
If you use HDR mode or if you take photos on Instagram, you could be saving your photos twice, and that takes up twice the space.
HDR, or high dynamic range, makes your photos look better. If the setting is on for your smartphone, it creates a regular image and an HDR one every time you take a photo. Here’s how to turn it off.
For an iPhone:
Go to Settings.
Select Camera.
Scroll down until you see Smart HDR.
Toggle the button to turn off Smart HDR.
Then the next time you take a photo, look for a switch in the upper right corner. Tap the HDR icon to turn it on or off.
For an Android:
Go to Settings.
Click on your Camera. The location varies from phone to phone and might be under photos.
Look for the gear in the upper left corner. It opens camera settings.
Look for the toggle to turn Auto HDR off.
Eliminate duplicates on Instagram.
Instagram automatically saves a copy of your edited photo in your camera roll. That could easily eat up extra storage space. Here’s how to turn that feature off.
For an iPhone:
Login to the Instagram app on your phone.
Tap the three lines in the top right corner.
Choose Settings.
Click on Account.
Select Original Photos.
Use the toggle in the box to turn this feature off.
This will stop Instagram from saving photos and videos to your camera roll.
For an Android:
Login to the Instagram app on your phone.
Tap the profile button in the lower right corner.
Tap the three lines in the top right corner.
Choose Settings.
Click on Account.
Select Original Posts.
Use the toggle in the box to turn off 3 different features: Original Posts, Posted Photos, and Posted Videos.
This will stop Instagram from saving photos and videos to your camera roll.
Delete photos and videos.
Your photos and videos can take up a lot of room. Periodically deleting them from your phone can help free up space.
With iPhones, if you delete an image from your photo album, you’ll also delete it from the Cloud. There are a few workarounds such as turning off iCloud photo sharing and Sync this iPhone. However, you probably want to keep that connectivity.
To delete photos/videos on an iPhone:
Open Photos.
From the Library tab, select All Photos.
Choose the photo or video that you want to delete.
Tap the trash button, then delete photo.
Then find the Recently Deleted album and select delete all to permanently remove them.
To delete photos/videos on an Android:
Open the Google Photos app.
Sign into Google.
Tap or hold a photo that you want to remove. You may select multiple ones.
At the top, choose Delete.
Can’t bear to permanently lose your photos? You can always transfer your photos to CDs or an external hard drive or store them online in a service like Dropbox or Flickr.
Clean up your data.
Your phone stores lots of data, from text message conversations to temporary files. Removing these items can help clear up some space.
For an iPhone, clear your message history:
Go to Settings.
Choose Messages.
Select Message History.
The default option is forever. Change it to one year or less.
For an iPhone, clear your cache:
Go to Settings.
Choose Safari.
Select Clear History and Website Data.
For an Android, clear your cache.
Open your Chrome app.
Tap more at the top right.
Choose History.
Clear browsing data.
Choose a time range at the top. “All time” will delete everything.
Check the boxes next to “Cookies and site data” and “Cached images and files.”
Select Clear Data.
Manage your storage.
You can get a good idea of what is taking up space on your phone by looking at your storage.
For an iPhone:
Go to Settings.
Choose General.
Select Storage & iCloud Usage.
Then tap Manage Storage. This is the list of how much space is taken up by apps.
Click Optimize iPhone Storage.
For an Android:
Go to Settings.
Select Storage.
Choose “Free up space” button.
This will take you the Google Files app.
You may follow the Cleaning Suggestions from the Files app.
You also may click the three parallel lines in the top left corner. Select Settings and look for the Smart Storage setting. Toggle it to turn it on.
Organize your apps.
There are apps that you use every day and others that you rarely use. Take this opportunity to delete the latter.
For an iPhone:
Touch and hold the app on the home screen.
Choose Remove App to take it off the home screen.
Or choose Delete to remove it from your phone.
For an Android:
Open the Google Play Store app.
Tap your profile at the top right.
Choose Manage Apps and Devices.
Click Manage, then select the name of the app you would like to delete.
Select Uninstall.
Note that the Google Play Store has an Uninstall Manager that tells you which apps are ones that you don’t use.
Pro Tip: You can also delete the data for the apps you use. Just uninstall and reinstall them.
Try an app.
There are apps that you can download for Android phones that help you clean it. Some popular names include 1-Tap Cleaner, CCleaner, AVG Cleaner, and others. Apple has its own version called iPhone Cleaner: Clean Storage +. These apps sometimes cost money, and so you can determine if they are necessary.
Expand your phone’s memory.
Finally, if you have an Android phone, you may be able to expand its memory with a micro-SD card. iPhones unfortunately have the amount of storage that is set at the factory.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Your guests arrive in an hour, and the house is a mess. Don’t worry—you’ve got this. Here’s how to become the perfect party host with these quick and clever cleaning hacks.
Tackle the high-traffic areas.
Don’t waste time on rooms where you won’t have guests. Prioritize the places they will be. These include the surfaces that will be seen or used, which means you can skip the top of the bookcase but not the bathroom counter.
Overall
Sweep floors and vacuum rugs. Pro Tip: Sprinkle rugs with baking soda, wait 15 minutes and vacuum to eliminate odors.
Close doors for rooms where guests should not be.
Empty trash cans and take out the trash.
Make the beds in any room where guests will be, including if you are using a bedroom to keep coats for your guests.
Use damp microfiber cloths to wipe pet fur off furniture.
Bathroom
Clean the toilet and put out extra toilet paper. Pro Tip: Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the toilet bowl. It will make your bathroom smell amazing!
Clean the mirrors and fixtures.
Wipe down surfaces and hide personal items like toothbrushes and razors.
Close the shower door or curtain.
Kitchen
Empty and clean the sink. Guests often like to help or will wash their hands there.
Clear the counters of appliances. Put blenders, toasters, and other similar items out of sight.
Shine the faucets and wipe down counters.
Empty the dishwasher so it’s ready to go for a new load.
Line the kitchen trash can with multiple bags so when you remove one, there is a fresh bag ready to go.
Entryway
Remove items that don’t need to be there, from umbrellas to boots and shoes.
Make sure there is a place for guests’ coats even if it ends up that you will take them to a spare room.
Remove any cobwebs from the ceiling and dust any surfaces within easy sight of guests.
Clear the clutter.
Clutter happens during the holiday season but it’s not something you want at your party. Consolidate your clutter so that it’s out of the way. You can deal with it later.
Grab an empty laundry hamper (or two) and use it to collect anything laying around that is not in its place.
Load it up with mail, bags, and anything that doesn’t serve an immediate purpose.
Group similar items in baskets if you can. It’s easy to lose bills or important paperwork when shoving everything together.
Stick a note on the side of the basket so you know generally what’s in there for later.
Stow the basket(s) away in a spare room where guests will not be. The laundry room is often a popular place. Some folks stash items in the trunk of their car.
Set the lighting.
Go ahead and dim the lights. It automatically sets the mood, plus it’s harder to see any messes that may remain.
Candles instantly make the room feel put together. Use flameless candles if you are worried about fire hazards.
Choose scented candles that will complement the food. Choose foodie fragrances such as vanilla, baked goods, and seasonal fruit. Avoid floral scents like rose that can be too much.
Add a string of holiday lights for an even more festive feel. Just keep holiday extension cord safety in mind.
Get everyone involved.
Make cleaning a group activity. Call in friends or family who asked how they can help. Assign them tasks. Play holiday music. Working together is fun and cleaning is fast. You can even make it a holiday tradition.
In no time at all, you’ll be ready to entertain. Happy holidays!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Ask any teacher. They love getting gifts, but there’s a limit to the number of coffee mugs and candles that any one person can enjoy. We’ve asked teachers what they really want, and they’ve answered. Here’s the definitive guide on the best gifts for teachers this holiday season.
Fun Classroom Supplies
Most teachers spend their own money on classroom supplies, so these are sure to be a big hit. Consider putting together a gift basket with a few items. Package them in a plastic container like a shower caddy that also may be used for organizing supplies for a practical twist.
We love these pens for their inspirational sayings and vibrant colors. But any set of quality pens for grading and notes will work. Don’t forget the Expo markers, too.
Post-it notes come in so many fun shapes and sizes. Not only are they useful for teachers’ organization, but they are also ideal for students sharing ideas in large group activities.
Personalized notes, including those that depict the subject area that teachers teach, can be fun. You can find personalized stamps and stickers, too.
Self-Care Items
Here’s how you can provide thoughtful gifts that promote self-care in the classroom and beyond. These useful items can make a teacher’s life much easier. For higher ticket items, consider going in with a group of parents or the class.
Elevate the teacher’s chair with this ultra-comfortable cushion.
Food & Snacks
Chocolate, baked goods, and gift baskets of food and snacks are always appreciated. Just be aware of any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Gift Cards
Choose gift cards for the places that teachers shop, such as Target, Amazon Prime, Michaels, or Teachers Pay Teachers. During a busy holiday season, teachers would also appreciate gift cards from Door Dash, Starbucks, Dunkin, grocery stores, gas stations, and local restaurants.
These fun lanyards add some pizzazz to an everyday badge. Find one with your teacher’s subject area or interest.
Personal Notes of Thanks
Handwritten notes by students cost nothing but mean so much. They are among a teacher’s favorite gifts.
What to Avoid
In searching for the perfect gift, you will want to stay away from the following.
Avoid alcohol unless you know the teacher enjoys wine, beer, or spirits.
Let the teacher choose his/her own beauty products from hand creams to perfume/cologne, jewelry, and makeup. These are highly personal choices.
Stay away from apple motif items and desk display items that are essentially “dust collectors.” Chances are your child’s teacher already has more than they need.
Teachers also get a fair number of mugs, candles, and ornaments. They probably don’t need any more.
Do you have other great ideas for teacher gifts? Share them in the comments. See our blog on teacher stocking stuffers and how to thank a teacher for some more great ideas.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
If you’ve ever accidentally set off the smoke alarm, you know how loud it can be. But that loud beeping is actually a good thing. Smoke detectors give us that important warning to get safely away in case of a fire. Some detectors do double duty and also alert to carbon monoxide.
However, don’t assume your smoke detectors are working if you’ve installed them once and then never touched them again. Batteries wear out, and detectors have a lifespan of only about 10 years. That’s why it’s important to test yours regularly and there is no better time than when you are spring cleaning.
Two types of detectors
You may have a battery-powered smoke detector or yours may be hard-wired. They look the same from the outside but they’re a little different.
A hard-wired detector is connected to your home’s electrical power with a cable that runs behind your wall or ceiling. They usually have a battery backup in case the power goes out. It is recommended that these detectors are installed by a professional electrician.
The battery-powered detector snaps into a plastic base that is screwed onto the ceiling or wall. In many newer models, batteries are non-removable and come with a 10-year warranty.
Follow these steps
Both types of smoke detectors have a test button that allows you to check if they are working. Test your smoke detectors at least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, and replace them as needed.
Step 1: Let family members know you’ll be testing.
A smoke alarm could cause family members to think there is a real emergency, so let them know that you are going to run a test. Since the sound could frighten small children and pets, you may want to test while they are not around. In addition, if your smoke detector is connected to an alarm company, notify them or you could have the fire department show up at your door.
Step 2: Position someone away from the detector.
Ask a family member or friend to stand on another level of the house, to make sure the alarm is heard. You want to make sure that the warning is heard downstairs in the basement and upstairs, in case someone might be there when it sounds.
Step 3: Press and hold the test button.
You may need to stand on a chair or a ladder to reach the button on your detector. You can use a broom handle if you are able to reach it that way. Note that it may take a few seconds to start. You will hear a loud siren. If there is no sound or a weak one, the batteries and/or the detector need replacement. Make sure to repeat this test with every smoke detector in the house or apartment.
Pro Tip: Some smoke detectors can go into programming mode if you hold the button too long. Wait for the detector to return to normal before testing it.
Step 4: Try this way to check your detector’s sensor.
The test button checks that your detector is powered. However, it doesn’t check the smoke sensor. You can do so with an aerosol spray that you can purchase for a few dollars at a hardware store. Follow the directions on the can to spray the “smoke.” This is a safer way to check the sensor than lighting matches. After the test, you can use a handheld vacuum to remove the material from the detector.
Pro Tip: Some detectors have a button to push to stop the alarm. Find out if yours has one before you run this test.
Other important tips
If you have a detector where you have to change the batteries, you should replace them twice a year. (When we change the clocks is a great time to do that.) If your smoke detector is older than 10 years, you should replace it even if it is working.
Dust and dirt build-up can affect your detector. Keep your detectors clean.
Don’t paint your detector to match your décor. That can interfere with their ability to detect smoke.
Make sure you have enough detectors in your home or apartment. You should have one in your kitchen, but 10 feet away from cooking to avoid false alarms. You also will want to place them inside every bedroom and outside each sleeping area, on every level of your home, and in places where you keep flammable substances like the garage.
You want to be fully prepared in case of a fire, and not just with smoke detectors. Talk with your insurer about your home and property to ensure that you are fully covered.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
