Recent tragedies emphasize need to be prepared
Between tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons, famine and volcanic eruptions, for some reason we remain high, dry, well fed and comfortable in the Mission and Flathead Valleys and the throughout Montana. But the law of averages sooner or later will catch up and we'll have our share of problems. They may come in the form of blizzards, floods, power outages, earthquakes, ash fallout from another Mt. Saint Helens eruption, etc.
So let's not be complacent. It's important even here to be prepared for emergencies. That's why city, county, tribal and medical emergency responders have devised and practice disaster response plans.
Gas saving tips
Montanans, like the rest of the country, are feeling the effects of hurricanes on energy prices. I experimented a bit trying to improve gas mileage by limiting highway and freeway driving speed to a 65 miles per hour maximum a couple weeks ago. Result: My little ol' Chevy Cavalier raised its ratio from 30 miles per gallon to 35.5 mpg. Didn't pass many vehicles and was passed by many others on the Interstate — cars, SUVs, semis, vehicles pulling trailers and boats, and even a couple motor homes.
Can't help but wonder how much fuel could be saved by limiting maximum speeds to 65 mph.
Speaking of gas prices, I've always wonder why they always give the price ending in nine-tenths of a cent — $2.899 for instance.
Theoretically, I guess, psychologically it's supposed to look cheaper than $2.90. Who's kiddin' whom? Forget that nine-tenths of a cent and call it what it is.
Energy saving tips
We're not looking forward to heating oil prices this winter. Mission Valley Power in its newsletter that accompanied electric bills earlier this month gave these cold weather tips:
? Check your doors. Is there weatherstripping around your exterior doors? No? Is there weatherstripping on the bottom of those doors? Okay, then get those items and take care of those air leaks.
? Check electrical outlets and light switches on all exterior walls when it's cool and windy outside. Is cool air coming in? Yes? Purchase some prefitted insulation for outlets and switches (very inexpensive) and spend one evening after work installing them.
? Check the filters in your furnace. Clean or replace them.
? Repair faucet leaks. Those slow drips can cost a lot of money, especially if the hot water tap is dripping.
The Mission Valley Power website,
missionvalleypower.org
has more energy saving tips.
Growing up in southern California, we weren't very worried over cold weather, but two lessons that were repeated over and over by my folks were "Shut the door" and "Turn off the lights you're not using."