Well, it’s officially December 1. We ate all the turkey, we shopped for gifts, and now it’s time to turn to the coldest part of the year outdoors, and the warmest part of the year in our homes. As we prepare to celebrate with our friends and family, be sure to do so responsibly. Here are some holiday decorating tips to keep you safe: Continue reading ‘Safely Decorating Your WNY Home For The Holidays’
Author Archive for Drew
And no, that isn’t a reference to our local NFL team! While working with an international client that didn’t fully comprehend the various bills associated with owning a property in Buffalo, NY, it was discovered that several of their tax bills were delinquent. Luckily, it was caught in time, but that client could have lost their property to foreclosure if they were not careful! Please share this post, reference it often, and be sure that all your bases are covered so the same doesn’t happen to you! (Please note that these dates are accurate for the 2011-2012 tax billing period and may be subject to change.) Continue reading ‘Know The Bills Associated With Your Buffalo Area Home (Investments AND Single Family Homes)’
It’s that time of year again. We’re about to “fall back” and gain an extra hour in our day. In addition to changing your clocks, PLEASE be sure to change your batteries and TEST all of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace units over 5 years old. Replace any unit that has been painted over. And replace any unit that appears damaged, or does not test properly.
Here are a couple other things you should be considering, as we enter the winter season here in Buffalo:
1. Have your furnace serviced. Don’t just change the filter! Have the unit cleaned, the thermocouple checked, be sure the pilot is lit, be sure the unit is operational, and have your heat exchanger checked for cracks. A cracked heat exchanger can expel deadly carbon monoxide gas!
2. Turn off the interior gate to any exterior faucets, and drain them. Wrap the outside faucet with foam or insulation to protect it.
3. Wrap hot water tanks with an insulated blanket specifically designed for hot water tanks to conserve energy.
4. Wrap your pipes that may be prone to freezing.
Remember, being proactive now can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars in costly repairs, or even your life!
A couple weekends ago, I had the opportunity to attend the Vital Signs EMS conference in Syracuse, NY (thanks to Tri Community Ambulance). This conference is put on every year by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of EMS to help EMTs from Basic to Paramedic sharpen their skills via a variety of classes and workshops, as well as accrue their continuing education hours. One of the classes I took was on team building within the organization. I picked up a lot from the class, but one thing that stuck with me was a simple activity that helps small groups come to a solution to a simple problem, and really starts to show the dynamics that develop early in a group.
To build the kit, you’ll need a small plank of wood (4″ x 4″ or so), 10 nails of the same length, and 3 nails that are longer than the other 10, but the same size as each other. One LONG nail should be driven in to the center of the board, and the group should be handed the remainder of the nails. This works best in groups of 3-5. Any more than that, and space becomes too crowded, which forces people out of the group. Give the group 10-15 minutes to pin down the solution. Some will get it instantly, and some may not get it at all, but you’ll see leaders and followers develop almost immediately. You’ll also start to see the introverts and extroverts of the group.
I won’t post the how to here (though it isn’t hard to find online), but here’s the final result:
Don't bump the table!
