UPDATES - VARIOUS TOPICS

12.18.08

Judging from this writer's own experience, there are indeed many critters in the home this time of year. I tackled the topic myself and have removed 14 since last week's column. While I may have removed all currently present, with 3 days with no catch, others will find their way in throughout the winter.

For those of you with no stomach for direct action, there are services available to do it for you.

Current heating oil prices range from a little above $2.12/gal to a bit below $3.00/gallon. It definitely pays to shop around if you are not dependent on your heating oil supplier for your equipment service as well. If you are, you should NOT jump around between deliveries.

It should be noted that as this column is written, some members of OPEC are "crying" out for a SIGNIFICANT output reduction, to try and get the price per barrel to rise again. Those speculating in it also pushed the price up last week, so we shall see what happens. The weather is helping users as this went to press, being warmer more often than not.

Cold evenings with still air have produced smoky air in various parts of our NW CT towns. Although some of it may be attributed to wood stoves being used within a home, there is a definite increase in intensity, due in large part to the recent "arrival" of the outdoor "wood furnaces". I have written about them earlier and as effective as they may be, the do contribute a lot to the smoky air conditions now showing up around the corner.

Finally, a safety tip: if you use lots of tree lights, etc., limit the number of strings used per outlet/cord; also make sure none of your wiring is aged and cracked.


©2008 R. Leech features.