**SAVE THE DATE**

Alliance Bible Church and Ministries In Motion is having a Food Drive April 9, 2011.   All food donations will benefit the Hanover Park Township Food Pantry.

More information coming soon on this special event.

Help support Ministries In Motion TODAY!!   Click on the CompUSA logo above and every purchase your make, Ministries In Motions benefits with a percentage of your sale.

Also visit our Support Page for more companies that Ministries In Motion benefits from your purchases.

You may have heard the phrase Change Your Clock Change Your Battery, this year on March 13, 2011, it will be time to change your clocks ahead by 1 hour.   It is also be a time to remember to change your batteries in your smoke detectors and CO detectors.  This should be a practice in your household each time you must change your clocks.  Keeping fresh batteries in your detectors will help you insure that they are operating properly.   Also, you should test your detectors as well.

As a special project, Ministries In Motion team members will be giving away FREE batteries (while supplies last) on March 12, 2011 from 10am-noon at our church, Alliance Bible Church, 430 E. Stearns Rd, Bartlett, IL 60103.

Winter is upon us….recent temps are below freezing and soon snow will be coming.   As we sit in our homes nice and warm, how many of us take the time to be sure we are safe in our own homes during this winter season.  What if the furnace goes out?  What if the power goes out?  Do you have a plan?   If you do not have a plan why not take some time to develop a plan of action for your winter safety in your home.

Lets start with some simple steps.

1.  CO Detector, by now you should have one installed in your home.  If not I would suggest you purchase one and install it today.   Carbon Monoxide is know as a “silent killer” you can not see it, smell it, or taste it.  CO poisoning claims at least 300 people each year.  CO is a deadly gas that is produced from furnaces, wood burning stoves, and kerosene heaters.

2.  You may tune up your car every year, how about your furnace?  A furnace is like an engine that needs regular maintenance and tune ups.   Each year in the fall months you should contact a heating and AC company to come out and have your furnace checked.   By spending roughly 100.00 your furnace will be in tip top shape for the upcoming winter months, plus if any problems they can be fixed before the cold temps move in.

So what if your furnace does break in the middle of winter, first thing you do is call a heating/AC company to come out a fix the problem.   Easy?  sure, but keep in mind that you may be waiting a long time for someone to come out.  So what do you do next to keep you and your family warm.

• Never turn your stove or oven on to keep warm.
• If you lucky to have a fireplace, use it.  As always in a safe manner.
• Keep a couple of small electrical type space heaters on hand.   They will help keep your home warm while waiting.  Remember to use these appliances in a safe manner, they need plenty of space around them.
• Run your water at a trickle to avoid pipes from freezing.
• Avoid constant opening and closing of outside doors to help keep the warm air in your home.
• Have plenty of blankets on hand, especially if the power goes out and can not use portable electrical space heaters.
• NEVER use kerosene space heaters inside a home.

3.  Be sure to have a small survival kit for the winter if the power goes out.   Most items you have in your home.   Create one today to be prepared for the winter.

• Flashlights and batteries.  Avoid using candles.
• Portable radio
• Blankets

If you have a portable generator, be sure to use it in a safe manner and never indoors.   Most portable generators will not be able to power your furnace, but you will be able to use small electrical space heaters for warmth.

Two more important items to mention.  Be sure to look out for your pets too during the winter months.   Though they may have a nice coat to keep them warm, they still need to be taken care of.

And the most important thing to remember do not forget about our seniors.   If you have neighbors or family who are seniors be sure to check up on them.   Perhaps develop a plan with them and make sure one of their plans is to call you in a winter emergency.

There are lot more tips in the internet that you can follow.   If you just take the time you can have a safe winter.

Merry Christmas to you and your family and have a safe and fun filled winter season.

Tom

Bartlett Illinois Fence Repairs

On Saturday November 6th, 2010, members of Ministries In Motion assisted homeowners in repairing their fences in Bartlett, due to the severe wind storm in Illinois.

We were all blessed with nice November weather and able to complete the task on hand.

After approximately 6 hours of work, we completely repaired 2 8′ lengths of fencing with new posts.   We also were able to completely remove damage fence and fence posts and set new posts in place.

Setting of Fence Posts

2 8' Length Fence Repair Completion

Winter Safety Tip #1-When you are traveling

Whether you are traveling a short or long distance during the winter months,  it is always a good idea to create a small survival bag to keep in the trunk of your car.

Now some of you may say that keeping such a bag in your car for short distances is not practical.   Keep in mind that when it snows, travel times increase.  It may take you for example 20 minutes to get from point A to point B, but when snow flies, travel times could increase to 1 hour or more, especially during rush hour times.  Also keep in mind that if you do get stuck you may be there awhile waiting for a tow truck, family member or friend to come and rescue you.  As they are traveling in the same weather.

So what should you need to keep in your survival bag?  Below is a small list of items, most items you can get from searching around your home.

• Blankets at least two (remember you may have passengers)
• Nonperishable food items (granola bars are great)
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Bottled water (yes it may freeze but if your heat is working in your car the water will melt)
• Small bucket of sand and salt (use these items for traction if you get stuck)
• Folding camping shovel
• Jumper cables
• Lighter and candle (Candle can be used for warmth if your vehicle is not working.  Be very careful when using a candle in your vehicle.  An old coffee tin can will help keep your candle secure.
• Extra Gloves and socks

Another good item to have in your vehicle at all times is a car charger for your cell phone.

What should you do if you get stranded on the road?

• Call a family member or friend to let them know your situation and tell them where you are stranded.
• Ask them to call the local police department of where you are at or dial 911 yourself.   The police department may be able to assist you faster than asking a family member or friend to come and get you and risk getting stuck themselves.   Now each situation is different and this is a judgement call.  If you feel that your vehicle is stranded in such a way of blocking traffic or weather conditions are deteriorating fast, by all means contact the police.
• If you can, get to a place of safety such as a gas station or restaurant, if you can not venture out stay with your vehicle.
• Remember put your emergency flashers on if you do get stuck.

Every situation is different and these are just some tips if you do get stranded.

A little side story to these tips.  In the late 70’s there was a severe winter storm that came through Chicago.   At the time I was volunteering for ESDA in one of the western suburbs.  I remember helping rescue about 10 people from I-290.   Their cars were stuck on the expressway due to the storm, and they were there about 6-8 hours by the time we came along to get them.   Where were they going when they got stuck?   Home from their work places.

Something to think about when you are packing a survival bag.

In His Service

Tom