What To Keep In Your Winter Emergency Kit

I live in a mountain town, where snowstorms, frozen pipes and icy roads are the norm. However, I admit that I haven’t given enough thought to whether I have the right supplies to ride out longer whiteouts worry-free. I’m not alone, as studies show that although many US households have some emergency supplies, overall winter storm preparedness is lacking.

While winter emergency kit checklists are widely available, they’re often lengthy and overwhelming. I spoke to two emergency preparedness experts to help focus on the essentials, because smart prep doesn’t require superfluous stockpiling or spending.

Why Are Winter Emergency Kits Important?

A thoughtful home and car winter emergency kit provides peace of mind when blackout-causing blizzards blow in. Being prepared is increasingly important as extreme weather events become more severe and unpredictable.

Emergency management expert Josh Shanley calls winter storms cascading disasters. “We’ll get an ice storm or a blizzard that knocks out the power, and one thing leads to another, and that’s where issues get complicated.” You could be without access to usual sources of heat, food, water, communication and transport for several days in freezing temperatures.

What Makes a Winter Emergency Kit Different?

Emergency preparedness expert Daniel Kilburn explains that basic emergency survival kit checklists cover shelter, water, food and sanitation. The extra focus for home and car winter emergency kits is protection against the cold. You’re not just prepping for convenience—you’re prepping to prevent hypothermia and other harsh-weather hazards.

What To Keep in Your Home Winter Emergency Kit

Your home winter emergency kit should include essential supplies and ensure that you have the means to stay warm for at least three days.

Warm items

If you rely on electric heat rather than a wood-burning stove or an outside-operated emergency generator, Kilburn recommends that the whole family gather in one room. “That way, your body heat helps keep the space warm naturally,” he says. Layer clothing—thermal underwear, wool socks, pants, gloves, hats, coats—tape off door drafts, and bring mattresses, sleeping bags and blankets to stay cozy together.

Never use charcoal or kerosene stoves, or gas or diesel generators indoors. Shanley warns these can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Lighting

“If you’re looking to get through that 72- to 96-hour blackout, a couple of LED lanterns, flashlights or headlamps with spare batteries should be fine,” Shanley says. They’re bright, affordable and safe indoors. Avoid open-flame candles to reduce fire risk.

Communication

A portable power bank keeps you connected if communication lines are still open. Otherwise, a battery or hand-cranked weather radio keeps you informed.

Food

Shanley doesn’t believe prepper-style pantry stockpiling is necessary. A three- to five-day supply of nonperishable food is plenty—think canned soups, beans, pasta and high-calorie snacks like nuts, protein bars and peanut butter.

Remember pet food and, as Kilburn notes, a manual can opener if you normally use an electric one.

Water

Guidelines suggest at least one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation, plus extra for pets. However, during a water outage, Shanley suggests that, “if you can fill a bathtub for utility water and have a case of bottled water, that should be fine.”

Sanitation and health products

Kilburn emphasizes that feeling clean helps mental well-being when you’re cooped up. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer make a big difference. When pipes freeze, he also recommends using a two-bucket system (lined with heavy trash bags) for urine and solid waste.

Keep a week’s supply of prescription meds and a first-aid kit.

What To Keep in Your Car Winter Emergency Kit

Ideally, you won’t drive in a snowstorm, but if you get stranded, a car winter emergency kit helps you stay warm and safe. “The good news,” Shanley says, “is that car kits are simpler and cheaper than home setups.”

Flashlight

Shanley says the number-one item is a small, bright flashlight. “Keep one in the glove compartment and check batteries regularly,” he says.

High viz items

While it’s always best to stay in your vehicle and call for help if you’re stranded, if you have to get out, Shanley says a high-visibility vest is a must-have.

Kilburn recommends using a red flag on your driver’s side mirror or emergency warning triangles for visibility rather than using blinkers. In whiteouts, flashing lights can attract other drivers and cause collisions.

Go kit

Pack a bag with comfortable shoes, a fleece-lined jacket, gloves and, importantly, a warm hat. “Forty percent of your body heat escapes through your head,” Kilburn says.

Kilburn also suggests carrying a bivvy bag or blankets in your trunk. You and passengers can crawl into or under them to share body heat.

Jumper cables

“Have jumper cables or, even better, a portable battery-powered jump starter,” Shanley says. He recommends learning how to use jumper cables and maintain them before you’re stuck in a freezing parking lot at night.

Glass breaker/seat belt cutter

Both Shanley and Kilburn recommend this inexpensive rescue tool. “It’s a spring-loaded window breaker for a rapid escape,” Kilburn says. “It’s especially helpful if you skid off a bridge into water and your car is sinking.”

Other helpful items

• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Temperature-appropriate windscreen washer fluid
• Nonperishable, high-energy snacks (nuts, fruit, beef jerky)
• Sand or kitty litter and a shovel for traction if you’re stuck in snow

About the Experts

• Daniel Kilburn, owner of Emergency Action Planning, is an urban disaster planning expert with over 30 years of experience.
• Josh Shanley is an Emergency Management Professor at Purdue Global who also has over 30 years of experience in emergency services.

Sources

• JAMA Network: “Association of US Households’ Disaster Preparedness With Socioeconomic Characteristics, Composition, and Region” (2020)

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Shower Valve Replacement: Two Handles to One

Layout your opening

Turn off the main water line, and open faucet handles to drain any excess water from the water lines.

Determine and lay out how much tile you need to cutout to give yourself enough space to cut and reconfigure the water lines for the new single-handle faucet. Plan to remove the tile along the grout lines and in a square or rectangular pattern, depending on the shower’s tile layout, so it will be easy to replace the backing board and tile when you are finished.

Cut the opening

Using a multi-tool with a grout saw attachment, remove the grout around the laid section of tile you are removing to get access. Then, switch to a cutting blade in the multi-tool to cut through the cement board behind the tile, accessing the wall cavity and pipes.

Gather the plumbing fittings

Determine the necessary pipe fittings to connect the two waterlines and make the connections to the single-handle shower valve. These fittings will depend on the type of pipes you have (PEX/copper), their diameter and how far apart they are in the wall cavity.

We needed two 1/2-in. 90° brass elbows, four 1/2-in. brass couplings, and two 1/2-in. x 1-1/2-in. brass nipples to expand the valve to fit our 8-inch wide water lines. We also need to add a copper female adapter and a small stub of 1/2-in. copper pipe on top of the valve to run to the shower.

Dry fit them together, without pipe thread sealant or PTFE tape and confirm the fittings work.

Connect the water lines

Disassemble the dry-fit fittings from the valve and reassemble them using pipe thread sealant or PTFE tape.

Hold the single-handle valve with attached fittings in place and mark the water lines and shower line where they need to be cut to make the attachments. We used SharkBite fittings for these attachments, which require 24mm (about 15/16-in.) of the pipe to be inserted into the fitting for the connection to work, so we cut the pipes that much longer.

Cut the water and shower lines with a tubing cutter, then remove the old valves. Ensure that the cut water and shower lines have a square cut on the ends, and then deburr them using a pipe deburring tool, file, or sandpaper to remove both the inner and outer burrs.

Secure the new shower valve to solid blocking between the studs using the valve’s mounting brackets. Then, push the cut water lines onto the sharkbite fittings to connect the lines.

Connect the shower line

With the water lines attached, move on to the shower line. Use a slip coupling with SharkBite fittings on each end. Again, ensure that you cut the shower pipe and stubbed-on copper pipe on top of the valve with sufficient room to slip the pipes 24mm into each side of the coupling.

Once the shower line is attached, ensure the valve is off and turn on the water to check for leaks. Let the connections sit under pressure for at least 20 minutes while inspecting all connection points before closing up the wall.

Repair the wall and tile

With the plumbing work complete, it’s time to patch up the hole in the wall.

Start by putting the insulation back in the wall cavity.

Cut a piece of cement board the size of the opening with a circle cutout for the valve. Some shower valves come with a plastic plaster ground piece that can be used to trace the cutout on the cement board. The face of the plaster ground, when attached to the shower valve, should be flush with the level of the finished tile.

Install the cement board to the wall framing using cement board screws. If there aren’t any studs in your cutout, scab a couple of pieces of 2x material in the wall cavity and use them to attach a replacement piece of cement board. Coat the cement board with a waterproofing coating and let it dry before retiling and grouting the opening.

Finishing touches

Finally, install the escutcheon plate and handle on the shower valve. Apply a bead of clear or white silicone caulk around the top half of the escutcheon plate, ensuring that water running down the shower wall does not get behind it.

FAQ

Are two-handle shower valves illegal?

Shower valves with two handles aren’t strictly illegal. They are, however, prohibited in new construction and remodeling in areas with modern plumbing codes because they do not provide built-in anti-scald protection.

Can I change the shower handle without changing the valve?

Yes, in most cases, you can replace the shower faucet trim and handle components without replacing the valve cartridge itself.

What causes a shower valve to go bad?

There are several reasons why shower valves wear out over time, including wear and tear from constant use, mineral buildup from hard water deposits, and corrosion of pipes and water heaters.

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If You See a Big Snorkel on a Car, Here’s What It’s For

If you’ve ever spotted a tall pipe sticking up from the hood or fender of a truck, you may have found yourself wondering, why is a snorkel on a car and why would someone need one? It looks different from the usual accessories you see on your typical car, and it tends to spark curiosity. Some people assume it’s for looks, while others figure it must have something to do with off-road driving.

What Does A Car Snorkel Do?

If you’ve ever asked yourself what a snorkel on a car is supposed to accomplish, the simplest answer is that it helps the engine get cleaner, safer air.

A car engine needs to breathe, and normally it pulls air in through an intake located low under the hood. That placement works fine on pavement, but becomes a problem when the car is surrounded by dust or rolling through a deep puddle. A snorkel solves this by moving the intake higher, sometimes all the way up to roof level.

By drawing air from above the car instead of near the wheels, the snorkel helps the engine avoid dirt, water, and other debris. Air travels through the snorkel, into the filter, and into the combustion system just like it would without the attachment. The only difference is that the source is higher and safer.

For someone who spends weekends on trails, the answer is simple. Imagine following a convoy of trucks kicking up dust that lingers like a fog, or driving through a creek that climbs halfway up the doors. Without a snorkel, the engine is forced to take in air that’s filled with dust or splashing water. That can clog filters or, worse, cause hydrolock. Hydrolock is when water makes it into the cylinders, and it’s one of the most damaging things that can happen to an engine.

A snorkel lowers the risk of those problems. It keeps the intake up and out of danger, which is why so many off-road vehicles and overlanding builds have them. For a driver who loves exploring unpaved roads, it’s less about style and more about keeping the car running.

Do Snorkels Help In Daily Driving?

Most people will never push their car into conditions that require a snorkel. On city streets or highways, the difference is minimal. The engine might get slightly cooler and cleaner air from above the hood, but most drivers do not notice that.

Still, there are practical reasons outside of off-roading. Drivers who live on long dirt roads, in flood-prone areas, or anywhere with heavy seasonal dust might find one useful. For everyone else, a snorkel is more of a rugged visual statement than a necessary upgrade.

What To Know Before Adding One

Putting a snorkel on a car isn’t as simple as bolting on an accessory. It usually means cutting into the body to connect the intake, which makes the change permanent. A sloppy job can actually let in water instead of keeping it out, so many people have it done by a shop. Kits are out there for confident DIYers, but it’s not a beginner project.

Before making the jump, think about how you really use your car. If it mostly handles city streets, you probably won’t get much benefit. And while some buyers like the look of a snorkel, others may see it as a drawback when it’s time to sell.

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13 Things You Should Never Store in the Garage During Winter

Propane tanks and oily rags

“Propane tanks used for grills, camping stoves, or heaters should never be stored in an enclosed space like a garage because of the potential for gas leaks,” warns house cleaning expert Petya Holevich. “Propane is highly flammable and can ignite easily when exposed to heat or a spark. It’s crucial to store propane tanks outside in an upright position, away from any potential ignition sources.”

Oily rags are another item you don’t store in the garage in winter, or in any season, for that matter. When you leave them in a pile, they generate heat in much the same way a pile of compost does, and they can spontaneously ignite. Dispose of each rag separately after you’ve finished using it.

Gasoline

When you store gasoline or diesel fuel in a sealed container, the container contracts in the cold and expands again when the temperature rises. This puts stress on plastic containers, which could rupture and allow fumes to escape, creating a fire hazard. You can avoid this issue by storing fuels in metal containers, but there’s another reason storing gasoline in your garage is a bad idea.

Gas absorbs moisture from the air, and unless you add a stabilizer, it goes stale. If you try to use stale gas to start your lawnmower in the spring, it will probably gum up the carburetor and could force an expensive repair. The solution? Empty all gas from your lawnmower and other gas-powered tools before you store them, and don’t store gas in containers. Plan on buying new gas when spring comes.

Paint and solvents

You might already know this, but in case you don’t, paints don’t handle cold temperatures well. According to Salzman: “Paint, solvents, and cleaning supplies can separate, thicken, or become unstable in the cold.”

Water-based paint products are especially vulnerable because water freezes at a relatively warm temperature of 32 F. If you want water-based paints to be usable when spring comes and you don’t have a heated garage, store them in a warm environment, such as the basement or a closet inside the home.

Cleaning chemicals

It’s all too tempting to leave partially used containers of cleaning chemicals in the garage and forget about them. I’m guilty of this myself.

Holevich warns that the fluctuating temperatures in the garage can cause cleaning chemicals and pesticides to degrade, leak, or even catch fire, posing a serious safety hazard. “Store them in a well-ventilated, cool, and dry area, preferably in a dedicated storage cabinet.”

Electronic equipment

The delicate circuitry in electronic equipment doesn’t like extreme temperature fluctuations, and it really doesn’t like the moist conditions you find in a garage in the winter. “The garage is typically not a climate-controlled environment,” says Holevich, “which can lead to damage, corrosion, and decreased lifespan of electronic devices.”

It’s OK to store old electronic equipment in the garage if you’re planning to throw it away. But if you plan to use it again, keep it in a temperature-controlled area within your home.

Batteries

“Batteries don’t tolerate freezing — you’ll drastically shorten their life,” warns Saltzman. Here, we aren’t just talking about spare AAA, AA, C- or D-cells that you need for various appliances in the house. We’re also talking about the batteries that power your tools.

When winter comes, remove the batteries from your tools and bring them indoors. At our house, we have a designated drawer for spare batteries, and it’s big enough to accommodate all the tool batteries as well as the smaller ones we need for appliances.

Important documents

Paper documents like passports, birth certificates and valuable photographs deteriorate quickly in moist conditions. “The garage,” says Holevich, “is a space susceptible to temperature and humidity fluctuations, which isn’t the best place for long-term storage of such items.”

That’s one reason why they’re something you don’t store in the garage in the winter, and here’s another reason: Rodents. Rats and mice use paper for nests and have an uncanny ability to get to it, even if it’s in a sealed box. I have a box-full of half-eaten personal papers contaminated by mouse poop to prove it.

If documents are important to you, store them indoors in sealed containers.

Delicate fabrics and leather goods

“Clothing and fabric items in general are materials that you shouldn’t store in a garage because of the possibility of pest damage and mold onset,” warns Holevich. Leather goods are particularly vulnerable to moisture and mold. They can lose their flexibility in conditions of fluctuating temperature and humidity, and mold may permanently discolor them.

Holevich recommends that you store such delicate items inside your home in a dry and well-ventilated space, such as a closet or wardrobe.

Flexible hoses

Leaving garden hoses outdoors in the winter is a sure-fire way to ruin them, but storing them in the garage isn’t much better, according to plumber Jimmy Hiller. “Garden hoses are made of rubber or vinyl and metal — materials that hate unstable cold.” Moreover, he says that moisture in the garage can corrode the metal on the ends of the hoses.

And it isn’t just garden hoses: “The same principle applies to anything with hoses, including pressure washers and even things like portable air compressors.” If you want to prevent damage, store these items indoors or in some other space with a controlled environment.

Children’s toys

Here, we’re talking primarily about plush and stuffed animals, like teddy bears. If given the chance, dust mites, other types of insects and mice will infest them very easily, warns Holevich.

If your kids are done with these toys, consider giving them away so that other kids can enjoy them. If you want to keep them — perhaps as keepsakes or for a new addition to the family — store them in a safe place somewhere in the house, not in the garage.

Perishables and canned goods

It goes without saying that perishables won’t last long in the uncontrolled environment in a garage over the winter. This includes pet food and staples like rice, beans, dried fruit and nuts. Storing them in plastic bags or containers won’t help much, because rodents can easily chew through plastic.

According to storage expert David Hurless, canned goods should not be stored in the garage over the winter. “If your stored cans freeze, they can burst. This particularly sucks because you often will not catch this right away.” It is best to keep food items in the pantry during the winter.

Firewood

The problem with storing firewood in the garage is that it attracts pests. “Insects and larvae in the wood don’t necessarily die off in freezing temperatures,” says security expert Jeff Ketelaars. “They’ll stay dormant, then wake up once they’re warmed indoors.” Not to mention that firewood stacks are favorite nesting places for rats and mice.

Best to stack your firewood outdoors at least 10 feet from the house, and be sure to brush it off before you take it inside.

Wooden furniture

Wooden furniture doesn’t attract pests to the same degree as firewood, but it does attract some. Besides wood-loving insects, it provides a good place for mold and fungus to grow, and over the course of a wet winter, fungus can turn to wood rot. Add to that the fact that dampness and fluctuating temperature conditions in a garage can warp the wood.

It’s best to keep wooden furniture indoors, but if you must store it in the garage, cover it with a tarp or some other protective material to keep it dry.

FAQs

Is it safe to store a refrigerator in the garage in winter?

If you unplug the refrigerator and clean it thoroughly to kill all the mold, a refrigerator should be fine in the garage during the winter. Just be sure to give it an additional cleaning before you use it again.

If you want to plug in the refrigerator and use it during the winter, make sure it has a climate-control thermostat that prevents it from freezing up in the cold weather. Refrigerators with this feature are generally known as garage-ready refrigerators.

Is it safe to store food in the garage during the winter?

No. As mentioned above, perishables are magnets for rodents, even when stored in sealed containers. Canned goods are also vulnerable. They could burst when the contents freeze.

About the Experts

• Reuben Saltzman is a second-generation home inspector and the owner of Structure Tech Home Inspections, Minnesota’s top-rated inspection company
• Petya Holevich is an experienced house cleaning and laundry expert with over 5 years of dedicated time at Fantastic Services.
• Jimmy Hiller is the plumbing and HVAC expert, as well as the CEO and President, of Happy Hiller, a plumbing service that operates in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Florida.
• David Hurless is the Director of Operations for Stor-It, Idaho’s largest privately owned storage operator.
• Jeff Ketelaars is a seasoned security expert with over 35 years in the industry. He is the founder of Security Guards Only, a networking platform for security professionals.

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How To Winterize Your Sprinkler System

Home irrigation systems range from simple to complex, but regardless of their size, winterizing sprinklers is an essential part of getting your home ready for winter. Neglect this task, and come springtime, you’ll have a lot of hoses, pipes and valves to repair. Luckily, it’s not a particularly complex job.

“My co-founder and I started blowing out sprinkler systems in high school,” says landscape expert Skye Durrant. “We would borrow his uncle’s commercial-grade air compressor and go door to door after school and on the weekends.”

While there are many nuances between sprinkler systems, this article provides a basic rundown for how to empty a system of water, plus when to tackle the task.

Why Winterizing Lawn Sprinklers Is Important

Winterizing sprinklers is especially important if you live in an area where it dips below freezing. When that happens, any water in the pipes, valves and other components can freeze, which will damage the system and lead to costly repairs.

How Do You Winterize a Lawn Sprinkler System?

Shut Off the Water Supply

Before winterizing your irrigation system, turn off the main water supply. Shut-off valves are commonly located in the basement or utility room.

1. Turn off the Sprinkler Controller

After you find the controller, which is probably in the garage, it should be as simple as switching it to “off” or a similar setting to avoid accidental activation while the system is dry.

2. Drain the Backflow Preventer

The backflow preventer, also known as the vacuum breaker or double-check assembly, is often located on an outside wall near the foundation. Here’s how to drain the backflow preventer: open the test cocks and turn both shutoff valves to a 45-degree angle. If your unit has a drain plug, remove it as well, to allow trapped water to escape and prevent internal components from freezing and breaking.

“This step is critical,” says Durrant. “If it’s your first time draining a backflow preventer, watch a few short how-to videos on YouTube first. Seeing the process will make it much easier to identify the parts and follow along.”

3. Blow Out the Sprinkler Lines

Connect a high-volume air compressor (something larger than a pancake compressor) to the system’s blow-out port, then manually run each irrigation zone until you see mostly air coming out of the sprinkler heads.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If this is your first time winterizing sprinklers, ask a friend or neighbor to walk you through the process, or hire a local pro and watch how they do it. “A poorly done job can cause just as much damage as not doing it at all,” says Durrant.

When Should You Winterize Your Sprinkler System?

It depends on your climate, but as a general rule, do it before the first hard freeze, or once overnight temperatures consistently dip into the 30s.

“It’s good to winterize the system when you don’t need it anymore, when the fall and winter weather takes over and provides enough water for the landscape,” says landscape professional David McCary. “For an established landscape, it is okay to winterize earlier.”

How Do You Turn on Sprinklers After Winterization?

• Close any open drain valves or test cocks.
• Open the sprinkler water supply valve. Do this slowly to avoid pressure spikes.
• Turn the controller back on and run each zone manually to check for leaks, misaligned heads or weak pressure.
• Reset your controller and the watering schedule.

“The most important step is to run each and every zone in the system and do an audit of the system while it is operating,” says McCary. “It’s not uncommon to have nozzles that need replacing and drip tubes that need to be repaired or reconnected.”

FAQ

Do You Need to Winterize all Sprinkler Systems?

Not always. If you live in a region where it never drops below freezing, you don’t need to winterize sprinklers.

“But for most of the US, especially anywhere with frost or snow, winterizing is essential,” says Durrant. “Even shallow freezes can rupture pipes and valves, especially in systems that aren’t buried deep.”

Can you winterize sprinklers without an air compressor?

Maybe, but it’s not a good idea. Even systems that have automatic drain valves are not foolproof. “There’s almost always residual water in fittings and low spots,” says Durrant. “If you want to be thorough and avoid spring repairs, a proper blowout with compressed air is still the safest method.”

About the Experts

• Skye Durrant is co-founder of LawnGuru, a franchise of lawn mowing and landscape experts. He also founded Venture’s Design landscaping in Michigan.
• David McCary is owner of Seattle Sustainable Landscapes. He has been working in the industry since he grew up digging ditches for the family irrigation-focused landscape businesses.

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Turn Mess into Success with This Home Gym Storage Caddie

Cut the wood and angle iron

Pre–seal the wood with a coat of polyurethane finish and let it dry before cutting.

Use a miter saw to cut the long (A and C) and short (B) sides of the shelves, the legs (D), cross supports (E), and the two pieces of the kettlebell support shelf (F). Use an angle grinder with a cutoff disk to cut the angle iron (G) to the length for the dumbbell support on top of the unit.

Build the outer frame for the shelves

Glue and nail the mitered ends on the long (A) and the short sides (B) to create frames for the bottom and middle shelves. Do the same with the long (C) and short sides (B) of the top shelf.

Use wood glue and 18-gauge brad nails to pin and hold the miters tight. Then, to strengthen the joint, toescrew a 1-5/8 in. screw from the underside into each corner where it won’t be visible. Be sure to pre-drill the hole to prevent splitting the wood.

Install the legs

Join the top, middle, and lower shelf frames to the legs (D) using wood glue and two-inch screws. Start by installing two legs into the inner corners and flush to the bottom of the bottom shelf frame on one end of the bottom and middle shelf frames. Install the second set of legs (D) square to the first and 18 inches over on the same frames.

For the top shelf, install the legs tucked into the opposite corners.  This will create a storage area for a yoga mat on the middle and lower shelves on the other side gym caddie. Space the top and middle shelves 10 inches apart and the middle and bottom shelves 12 inches apart.

Install the cross supports

Place the cross supports (E) at each end of each shelf that sits between the legs (D). On each side of the cross support (E), secure it with a toescrewed 1-5/8 in. screw on its underside, ensuring that the hole is predrilled to prevent splitting the wood. This will hide the screws used to secure the legs to the shelves and give each shelf shear strength.

Build the kettlebell support

Use wood glue and a biscuit joiner to join the two kettlebell support pieces (F) together. Clean up any glue squeeze-out with a damp shop rag and allow the glue to fully cure.

When the glue has cured, determine the ideal placement for your kettlebells depending on their size. Using a drill press, drill holes with a Forstner bit or hole saw for each kettlebell to sit in. I found that a 1-3/4 in. hole worked well for a 5 lb. kettlebell, 2 inches for a 10 lb. and 3 inches for a 15 lb.

Soften the top edges of each drilled hole with a 1/4 in. round over bit on a router. This will also chamfer the upper edge of the circle and allow the kettle bells to sit snugly in place.

Install the kettlebell support

Using an 18-gauge nail gun with 1-1/2-in. brad nails, secure the kettlebell shelf (F) so it spans between the long sides (A) of the middle shelf frame between the legs (D).

Install the nylon webbing

Using a staple gun with 18-gauge, 3/8-in. x 1/2-in. crown staples, install the 2 inch wide nylon webbing, stapling on the underside of the lower shelf frame. Install the three longer lengths first, starting in the middle of the shelf, leaving a minimal gap between them. After the longer lengths have been secured, weave each shorter row in and out between the longer lengths to create a hatch pattern in the nylon webbing, leaving a 3/8-in. gap between rows and securing with staples as you go.

Install the casters

Secure the casters to the cart’s underside, ensuring that the screws are positioned where they seat well into the end grain of each leg (D).

Install the angle iron

Soften the sharp corners with a sanding flap disc on an angle grinder. Spray paint the angle iron and allow it to dry.

Place the painted angle iron on top of the gym caddie and mark where you will pre-drill holes for installation, either into the short ends of the upper shelf frame (B) or cross supports (E). Pre-drill your holes on the drill press with a 1/8-in. metal drill bit and countersink with a metal de-burring bit to allow the screws to lay flush when installed.

Ensure the spacing of your angle iron (G) works well with your dumb bells and secure with one-inch screws.

Install the handle

Center your chosen handle side to side and top to bottom on the top frame end (B) opposite the yoga mat storage and secure it with screws.

FAQ

Will gym equipment rust in a garage?

Yes, as garages tend to lack insulation and climate control, they are susceptible to rusting gym equipment made of ferrous metals like steel or iron.

What flooring is best for a garage gym?

Rubber and PVC floors are two of the best flooring types for a home gym, especially those in garages or basements with a concrete floor. Rubber is also a good choice because it adds valuable padding, which takes pressure off your joints during strenuous exercise.

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If You See Car Headlights With Wipers, Here’s What It Means

You’ve likely seen unusual car features before. They’ll catch your eye and leave you wondering “what on earth could that be for?” Sometimes these mystery features look cool, almost as though their main purpose is just to add to the overall aesthetic of the vehicle. Other times, their function seems a little easier to parse, but they still stand out. One great example is car headlight wipers.

Why Do Some Car Headlights Have Wipers?

Volvo explains that “the windshield and headlight washers are designed to clean the windshield and headlights.” In areas where the climate is particularly wet, having a way to keep your headlights clear is rather important. Otherwise, you risk losing your visibility as storms rage.

Which Cars Have Headlight Wipers?

According to Saab Planet, headlight wipers are one more example of “pioneering innovations of Saab in its long history.” The automotive manufacturer debuted their wipers in 1970 on their SAAB 99. They billed them as a safety feature; one more way to keep visibility up. And the campaign was successful. In fact, “those headlamp washers and wipers were mandatory in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries” starting in the 1970s.

Saab may have been the first, but other luxury car makers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volvo also introduced cars with headlight wipers. The styles have changed over the years; “eventually, the high-pressure washers started to replace the wipers in the early 1990s as the headlamp shape became less and less flat, rectangular, or round.” These days, you’re unlikely to see headlight wipers in the United States unless you live in an area where your neighbors still own these older luxury vehicles. You may see updated versions of headlight cleaners, however.

Can You Install Wipers on Your Car Headlights?

Unfortunately, if you want your car headlights to have wipers, you’ll have to purchase a car that already has them. They’re controlled by the same mechanism as the regular windshield wipers. For example, when driving a Volvo, you simply “use the right-side steering wheel lever to start the windshield and headlight washers.” The wipers are integrated with the car in a rather complex manner.  In a Volvo, “when the windshield washers are activated and the headlights are on, the headlights are also washed automatically according to a defined interval.” Trying to do that kind of electrical upgrade yourself would be an absolute nightmare.

Sources

Using the windshield and headlight washers, Volvo Cars.

How it works: Saab 99 Headlamp Wipers, Saab Planet, 2017.

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We Tested the DeLonghi Space Heater and Love Its Soft, Radiant Heat

As someone who was born and raised in New England, I’m here to tell you that fall is the best season. The foliage and crisp air are unmatched. And while there’s nothing quite like hunkering down in front of a bonfire on a chilly autumn evening, no one wants to feel a chill running through their home. Thanks to the DeLonghi space heater, you don’t have to.

This space heater features a flat panel design can be wall mounted or on wheels, making it ideal for any space. Well, almost any space. “We don’t recommend them for areas where water may be present, such as laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms,” says Tim Alagushov, COO of IRBIS Air, Plumbing & Electrical. “Avoid using them in storage areas as well, especially if there are flammable materials nearby, like cardboard boxes or paper holiday decorations.”

With those safety tips in mind, here are all the details on the DeLonghi space heater.

SHERI KAZ FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN

We Tried It

DeLonghi Mica Panel Heater

This energy efficient space heater has a flat panel design that allows it to be wall mounted or on wheels.

Shop on Delonghi

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$129.95 at Amazon

What is the DeLonghi Space Heater?

The DeLonghi space heater is a 1500-watt, corded space heater that measures 27 by 21  inches. Its flat panel design allows it to be mounted on the wall or on wheels. What makes this space heater unique is the fact that it converts 100% of electricity into heat once it’s switched on, making it the most energy-efficient space heater we tested.

It has a simple design with a minimum and maximum setting, as well as a knob with six different heat levels. This heater does not oscillate and does not have a fan which leads to silent operation. It doesn’t have a built-in cord management system, but our tester, Sheri Kaz, used the wheelbase for cord storage. Speaking of wheels, Sheri points out that the wheels roll smoothly and are very stable. “It would be almost impossible to tip this heater over,” she says. And if it does tip over, the internal tip-over switch ensures the heater will shut off.

How We Tested It

For our series of articles on the best space heaters, our product testing team ran a total of 12 space heaters in rooms ranging from 169 to 196 square feet. They paid special attention to each unit’s safety features, size and price point. Product tester Sheri Kaz used the DeLonghi space heater in her 169-square-foot bedroom for three hours at a time. During that time, she monitored temperature changes by tracking the temperature at the start of the test, halfway through the test and at the end of the test. She captured the temperature in the middle of the room and at the far corner.

Sheri immediately liked the simple controls and sturdy wheels, which she notes rotate 360 degrees. “It can roll over a thick shag rug,” she says. But what really impressed Sheri was how quickly the DeLonghi space heater warmed up.

On the low setting, the room rose 6 degrees in 90 minutes. On high, the temp rose a whopping 12 degrees in 90 minutes. She also points out that it doesn’t emit a dry heat, but makes the room warm and cozy.  “The heat that radiates out of the mica panel is soft, gentle and cozy. Rather than hot air blowing on you, it warms surfaces for a deep, soothing warmth,” she raves. “I love that this machine doesn’t use a fan to dry out the space; rather, it’s unobtrusive and silent. The face stays dark while it is on, so there are no distracting hot red coils, plus it’s relatively cool to the touch.”

The only thing Sheri didn’t care for was the manual thermostat. “The thermostat is not as intuitive as others because, once the desired temperature is reached, you have to manually turn the thermostat knob until it clicks,” she explains. “Only then will it maintain that temperature.”

Pros

• Energy efficient
• Soft, radiant heat
• Flat panel design can be wall mounted or on wheels
• Silent operation
• Affordable
• Easy to wheel around

Cons:

• Manual thermostat to maintain an even temperature
• No cord management

Product Comparison

DeLonghi makes a variety of space heaters including ceramic tower heaters, compact capsule heaters, convection heaters, panel heaters and radiator space heaters. Here’s a look at some of their latest and greatest heaters.

The Mica panel heater we tested is an electric heater that converts electricity into heat. And since there’s no fan, it doesn’t blow hot, dry air. Instead, it radiates a gentle heat that quickly warms up a room.

DeLonghi’s Comfort Temp Full Room Radiant Heater is an oil-filled radiator space heater that also emits gentle heat. Unlike the Mica panel heater, the Radiant heater has a modern aesthetic and slot design that maximizes heat flow while maintaining surface temperature. Its control panel features an adjustable thermostat with three heat settings and a ComfortTemp setting for efficiency.

If you’re looking for something more traditional, then DeLonghi offers a ceramic digital tower heater. This heater is made with 40% recycled plastic—a first for DeLonghi’s North American line. This heater is similar to the Dyson space heater we tested in the sense that it functions as a space heater and a fan. Its easy-to-read digital display panel and remote make it easy to use so you can rest comfortably all year long.

Final Verdict

The DeLonghi Mica Panel Heater is an energy-efficient power house that is both easy to use and move from room to room. “I was surprised by how quickly it heated up the bedroom. It can be mounted to a wheel base or hung on the wall making this a versatile, energy- efficient heater. I highly recommend,” raves Sheri.

Where to Buy the DeLonghi Space Heater

SHERI KAZ FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN

We Tried It

DeLonghi Mica Panel Heater

The DeLonghi space heater heats up immediately and emits a soft, gentle heat.

Shop on DeLonghi

Shop on Wayfair

$129.95 at Amazon

The DeLonghi space heater can be purchased directly on the DeLonghi website. It’s also available on Wayfair and Amazon.

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FAQ

How does a DeLonghi heater work?

The DeLonghi space heater uses micathermic technology, which converts 100% of electricity into heat when it’s switched on. This prevents wasted electricity.

How do you turn on a DeLonghi heater?

The DeLonghi heater is simple to operate. It has two knobs: one controls the power while the other adjusts the temperature.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our product testing team at Family Handyman, spearheaded by Sheri Kaz, Dylan Fischer and Sydney Manning, put 12 space heaters through our fine-tuned testing process. During testing, they analyzed the specs, performance and features of each model and only recommended those that met or exceeded their expectations.

Kaz, who tested multiple space heaters, has tested hundreds of products across various brands, including Family Handyman, Taste of Home and Reader’s Digest, and has built sets to simulate true-to-life scenarios for product testing. She tested each space heater in her own home and provided detailed and unbiased feedback so that we could help you find a dependable, safe space heater to get you through the coming months.

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Live Like a Kennedy: JFK and Jackie O’s DC Mansion Listed for $7.5 Million

Celebrity mansions come with high price tags, but typically have the types of features that make that figure a little bit easier to swallow. Whether it’s large grounds, unique amenities or a storied history, it’s always fun to look at the listings. Recently, a Kennedy home made it’s way to market: the home of former president John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy (now colloquially known as Jackie O). JFK and Jackie O’s Washington, DC, mansion comes with a price tag of $7.5 million, but it’s got quite the history.

What Is JFK and Jackie O’s Mansion Like?

According to the Sotheby’s listing, the mansion is a 5200 square foot, 5-bedroom and 5 1/2-bathroom dwelling. When you first see it, you’re greeted by red brick and green shutters. After setting foot inside, you’ll find “a centered entry crowned by a delicate fanlight and a refined cornice that completes the composition.” The home also includes “a gracious stair hall, high ceilings, and double parlor with large scaled spaces conceived for conversation, music, and entertaining.”

The dining room provides access to the gardens, so your meals will have a lovely backdrop. And this is just the main level. The listing says that “the upper floors proved five bedrooms, numerous full baths, a library and an easily accessible walk up attic with high ceilings and windows.”

What’s the History of This Mansion?

If you think that a gorgeous Georgetown mansion comes with a remarkable pedigree, you’re correct. Per the Sotheby’s listing, this home is known as the Marbury House and dates back to 1811. It was originally built for William Marbury, of Marbury v. Madison fame. If your memory of US History is a little fuzzy, the listing explains that that was the case that “established the doctrine of judicial review, making his name synonymous with the balance of powers.”

The Kennedys purchased the home in 1957 and lived there until they moved into the White House in 1961. Sotheby says that “during the 1960 campaign and transition, the townhouse became an informal nerve center.” JFK held meetings with his advisors, worked to decide on different Cabinet appointments, and even used the home as a backdrop when he would “share announcements with the press gathered along the brick sidewalk.”

The gorgeous home is an incredible space, and some lucky buyer is going to be able to enjoy the Georgetown mansion, after they’ve spent several million dollars, that is.

Source

• 3307 N Street NW Washington, District Of Columbia, 20007 United States, Sotheby’s International Realty, 2025.

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How To Make the Most of Prime Day and Avoid Amazon Scams

While the Amazon Prime Day event this week can be a fun time for shoppers filled with deals, Prime Day scams are an unfortunately common occurrence. That said, as long as you stay informed and on the ball, you can take full advantage of this savings event while navigating the platform on some of its busiest days.

Here’s how to avoid falling victim to scams when you may be in a hurry to add items to your cart before stock runs low. Ahead, we explore how you can best prepare for Amazon Prime Day. Plus, we tap scam-busting duo and founders of Trilogy Media, Ashton Bingham and Art Kulik, to learn ways you can ensure a deal is actually a deal, signs you can look for when it comes to spotting Prime Day scams or bad deals, and how to spot fake sellers and phishing scams on Amazon (especially during these popular online shopping events).

Are There Still Good Deals On Prime Day?

Yes, there are still good deals on Amazon Prime Day you can look forward to this October 7th and 8th, including:

• Kalorik Vivid Touch Air Fryer — $135.99 (originally $159.99)
• Monument Grills Denali 605 — $699.99 (originally $799.00)
• ColourPop Lippie Lip Pencil — $5.60 (originally $7.00)
• Great Jones Stud Muffin Nonstick 12-Cup Muffin Pan — $36.00 (originally $45.00)
• AURA 12-Inch Aspen Digital Picture Frame — $199.00 (originally $229.00)
• Amazon Echo Dot — $34.99 (originally $44.99)

How To Prepare For Prime Day Shopping

One of the best ways to avoid scams is to go in with a plan. Before just jumping into the search for deals, you should know exactly what you’re looking for on Prime Day to maximize your day (and savings). But before anything else, make sure you’re an Amazon Prime member. Once you’ve done this, Kulik recommends double-checking that you have set up two-factor authentication and that your payment information is correct.

To reduce the risk of fraud, keep your desired items to those that are Amazon-branded and/or those that are sold and fulfilled by Amazon (especially if you are unsure whether or not the seller or store page is a reputable one). This goes hand in hand with creating your Amazon Prime Day wishlist, which you can refer to when monitoring prices beforehand, which we’ll provide more details about below.

How To Make Sure A Deal is Actually a Deal

There are numerous methods you can use to make sure a deal is actually a deal, with one of the main ones being tracking the prices of your desired items before the days of the actual savings event. Keepa and CamelCamelCamel are popular price tracking platforms and extensions. “Scammers and shady sellers often raise the price days before Prime Day, only to ‘slash’ it back down to regular price and call it a discount,” explains Bingham. This is why it’s important to research beforehand.

While this may sound counterintuitive, Kulik notes that if a deal seems as though it couldn’t be real, it probably isn’t and is best to stay away from.

How To Spot Scams and Bad Deals

There are many ways you can spot Prime Day scams and bad deals. “To spot them, check seller history and fulfillment method,” says Bingham. “If it’s not fulfilled by Amazon and the seller has zero history or ratings, skip it.”

While you might be tempted to quickly scan the information listed on the product pages of those you’re most interested in buying, carefully reading through a listing can help decipher whether or not you might be about to get scammed.

“Be wary of listings with poor grammar, blurry photos, or barely any reviews,” says Kulik. “Also, avoid products with tons of glowing 5-star reviews that look fake or repetitive, as those are likely bought or botted.”

On the flip side, you’ll be able to spot a legitimate deal if the product is sold and fulfilled by Amazon, and if you’re using a price tracking tool to discover that there was an actual substantial decrease in the prices of your desired items compared to their standard prices most of the time, as opposed to just the days leading up to the event.

FAQ

Are there fake sellers on Amazon during Prime Day?

Yes, unfortunately, there are fake sellers on Amazon during Prime Day. While it can be difficult to know which sellers are fake beyond first glance, that’s when it is useful to look at the reviews, photos, and listing text.

Can phishing scams happen during Prime Day?

Yes, phishing scams can happen during Prime Day. Bingham notes that the number of phishing scams that occur surges during the savings event. “Watch out for fake Amazon emails or texts claiming there’s a problem with your order or account,” advises Bingham. “These often link to copycat login pages designed to steal your credentials.” If you receive any suspicious-looking text messages, never click on the links. Instead, go directly to Amazon.com and check the status of your order or chat with a trusted customer service representative on the platform.

If you do receive a phishing text, the Federal Trade Commission advises reporting the message and/or forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM).

About the Experts

• Ahston Bingham is a co-founder of Trilogy Media, a Los Angeles-based investigative content company specializing in scam prevention, cybercrime, and online safety awareness.
• Art Kulik is a co-founder of Trilogy Media and an expert scam-buster known for undercover operations targeting online fraud and social engineering scams.

Sources

• Consumer.ftc.gov: “Scammy texts offering ‘refunds’ for Amazon purchases“

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