Winter home maintenance tasks are sometimes neglected, partly because – understandably – many Canadians prefer to bundle up during the winter weather and await the spring.

But as tempting as such behaviour is, doing so can create safety hazards, cause lasting damage to your home, and potentially even void your home insurance.

Responsible homeowners know home maintenance is required all year-round. Here, we’ve included a few hopefully helpful reminders on winter home care.

1. Clear & Salt Your Driveway (Don’t Forget The Walk)

Let’s start with an obvious one: you must clear your driveway and sidewalk, then coat both with enough salt or de-icer to keep them from becoming slippery.

We say it’s obvious – but you wouldn’t know it by looking at all the white walkways out there, especially in areas less prone to heavy snow. But a slippery driveway or sidewalk is a hazard to you, your friends and family, and even strangers. So this one is truly a must.

If shovelling is difficult for you, consider buying an ergonomic or improved snow shovel, upgrading to a snow blower, shovelling during (not only after) heavy snowfalls, or using the classic Canadian technique of hiring the neighbour’s kid (or a reputable local business) to keep your walkways clear.

2. Protect Your Home’s Foundation

Many of us spend more time thinking about interior decoration and yard maintenance than the very structure our homes rest on: the foundation.

Our indifference can cause trouble because foundations are not as solid as we like to believe. They can be damaged by the elements, especially during winter. The main threat is melting snow and ice that seeps into, alongside, or under the foundation. As it re-freezes, the water expands, creating immense pressure that can crack even the thickest cement.

To prevent this, as well as get ahead of spring flooding issues, walk often around your home to ensure snow and ice are not collecting alongside it. If you see any, shovel it away.

Bonus Tip: In the spring, look for pooling water near the foundation. That’s where it’s most threatened and where drainage should be improved.

3. Repair All Your Stairs & Handrails

Remember the rickety handrail, the loose stair, the step without traction? Yes, that one. Last summer it was not as big a deal, though still a concern. But in the winter, it can mean the difference between catching yourself mid-slip or bumping your way down to the landing.

Those aren’t tough options to choose between, and neither is the decision about whether to fix and weather-proof your steps. Just do it. Your tailbone, or someone else’s, will thank you later.

A good place to start is by laying traction tape on all your stairs to give boots extra grip. Other repairs may require more work, but most can largely be done with simple tools like a hammer, nails, a circular saw, screws, and a drill. If in doubt, give a handyman a ring.

Of course, you’ll also want to keep all stairs and steps free of snow and ice.

4. De-Ice The Gutters

The rows of glistening icicles dangling from your home’s gutters are beautiful to look at. But they’re also a sure sign you’re developing an ice dam that could prevent water from flowing through the downspout.

Don’t let ice dams cause flooding, a damaged gutter system, or even injuries from falling ice. Instead, stay on top of the situation. Luckily, there are two main ways to deal with ice dams.

The first and easiest way is by installing de-icing wires in your gutters that can be used as needed to melt away ice dams as they develop. If winter has already started, it may be too late to install the wires.

In this case, the main approach is to chip the ice away by hand. Just be sure your ladder is secure and strongly consider having a spotter present to help you.

5. Monitor Your Heating System

During summer in Canada, an air conditioner is nice. But a heater in winter? That’s a necessity. Depending on the heating system you have, there is plenty to consider.

One of the first is ensuring all exterior vents are flowing freely and do not become clogged with snow or ice. Otherwise, the added pressure could damage your entire HVAC system. Also, always leave your heat on and set to at least 12 degrees, especially if you leave for a trip. Otherwise, your indoor pipes can freeze!

Beyond that, an annual check of your heating system and any necessary maintenance or cleaning must be done during winter, if not sooner. This may include having your chimney swept or changing your furnace filter.

These tips are intended to provide a nudge toward protecting your property and everyone in or around it this winter. But you can never be 100% risk-free.

That’s what home and life insurance are for. At London Drugs, we carry both. Talk to one of our insurance experts any time in-store or visit them online today.

Stay safe and enjoy our amazing winters, Canada.

Whether you only have a few items left on your list, or you’ve yet to buy a single gift, here are four shopping tips to keep you sane (and even help you save!) as you wrap-up your holiday shopping this year.

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The Christmas season is the most wonderful time of year, but it can also be jolly stressful. Here are 10 ways to give stress the cold shoulder over the holidays.

1. Get moving (even a little bit)

Good news! According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America a 10-minute walk is just as good as 45 minutes of aerobic activity at combatting stress and worry. Don your snow boots and mittens and enjoy a brisk view of your neighbourhood Christmas lights.

2. Celebrate cold weather

Try a new sport that helps you honour (rather than endure) peaceful, snow-drifted winter. Snow-shoeing burns 45% more calories than running on a treadmill, and is charmingly quiet compared to wilder downhill sports. Most Western Canadian cities and mountain towns have rentals and workshops. The Calgary Ski Club offers loads of group trips to Kananaskis, Canmore and Banff, if you don’t want to go it alone.

3. Shake it up

If you’re more indoors-y, try an exercise class that challenges the mind as well as major muscle groups. Tap-dancing calls on stamina as well as those little neurons responsible for keeping a beat, wherever they are. Here are nine unique workouts in Edmonton, Alberta, from trampolining to surfing. Look for equivalents in your nearest town.

4. Breathe deeply

Breathing comes naturally, it’s true–but it’s deep, conscious breathing that truly does your body and mind good. And thankfully, it’s simple. When you don’t get the Christmas cookies baked or the cards mailed, just stop and breathe. Or, try a routine: set a timer for five minutes per session to start. Just stop what you’re doing, pay attention to your breath, inhale and exhale deeply, and before you know it you’ll be relaxed and worry-free.

5. Let the sun shine in

The downside of living so close to Santa’s workshop is lack of winter sunlight. Many of us commute in the dark or stay indoors to avoid frigid temperatures. The Canadian Mental Health Association recommends taking a noon-hour walk and trimming tree branches near windows that may be blocking your light. Why not take those tips many steps further – right into the woods to chop your own Christmas tree! You’ll be exercising, soaking up vitamin D and proving that you are not a Christmas Grinch, after all. Check this website for a list of U-Cut tree farms in BC.

6. Laugh it off

Watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Or Christmas with the Kranks. Or whatever holiday comedy turns your crank. Research shows that laughter reduces stress hormones in the bloodstream, thus allowing more immunity-boosters, such as T and B cells, to make short work of viruses. Belly laughs also strengthen your diaphragm, heart, larynx, back and stomach muscles – no wonder you feel exhausted after a good giggle. Studies also show that laughter provides a safe release for intense pent-up emotions, such as fear or anger. So forgo the after dinner chats with bickering siblings and turn on the laugh tracks instead.

7. Treat yourself

Retail therapy – buying a little something new when you’re blue – sometimes does make you feel better. Running out of money does not. Another pair of ill-fitting jeans: also, not. Some suggest buying a new lipstick is a better solution, because makeup is generally cheaper, and you get that flash of happiness every time you look in the mirror. “The daily pick-me-up you’ll get from it will be more satisfying than clothes or accessories, which you’ll only wear every once in a while,” says Prevention magazine.

8. Drive, inhale, exhale

If you tend to lose your cool on the road, you might benefit from this Mindful Holiday Driving exercise. Instead of swearing at every red light, think: “Another chance to practice my breathing!” Sounds corny, but re-framing common triggers as opportunities is like positivity weight-training for your brain. Breathe slowly in and slowly out for as long as the delay lasts, noticing sensations in your body, emotions and destructive thoughts. Notice what you can’t control – poor weather or inconsiderate drivers – and focus on breathing instead.

9. Give thanks

Were you brought up to believe that Christmas cards have to be homemade and include a long family memoir about your year? So much pressure. No wonder some of us never even get started. The idea for Gratitude cards might work for you instead. Whether you make or buy the cards, personalization can come from writing one short but specific message of thanks. Just zero-in on family members’ good points, rather than their annoying habits. It’s a bit like that cocktail party trick for getting through small talk: focus on the other person and they’ll remember the conversation fondly.

10. Make your own gifts

We’ve all been there: overwhelmed with gift planning. How to choose – and afford – a great gift for spouses, kids, immediate family and in-laws? Try the old trick of just giving one gift, to the person whose name you’ve drawn from a hat, but–and here’s the twist–make it yourself. Indeed, not all of us are natural “makers” so it’s a real creativity challenge, often with hilarious results. Think: spicy pickled beans one year. Learn to knit and make a toque. Or scarves. Try a yoga-mat bag. Or hang printed photos from spray-painted tree branches to make your mom a “family tree.” You and your family will likely far more enjoy bumbling through your secret projects in the garage to grumbling through the mall.

These are some of the tricks that have worked for our extended London Drugs family. But if you still feel like cancelling Christmas and hiding under the duvet ‘til January, we say: do it. It’s your wonderful life, after all.

Care packages are the perfect remedy for those who are feeling homesick this holiday season. Whether they’re overseas on a business trip, across the country studying for exams, or even just next door fighting the flu, everyone will be grateful for a little thoughtful delivery. Perk up a loved one’s day by making them a care package for every occasion.

Keys to a great care package

You don’t have to blow the budget to assemble the perfect care package. Make sure to keep these tips in mind before you begin:

1. Look for decorative bins and multipurpose storage boxes to contain your gifts. Not only will they keep everything safe and neatly packed, but they can also be reused.
2. Wrap your items in tissue paper for added cushioning, and invest in some bubble wrap if you’ve included any breakables.
3. If you’re planning to send food, make sure to double check with your postal outlet for any restrictions. If anything has the ability to melt or burst, this is where the bubble wrap comes in handy.
4. Don’t go overboard – keep it small. This will make it cheaper to ship, and easier for the recipient to bring home.
5. Take your package to the post office and have it weighed to ensure that there are no shipping complications. If you’re on a deadline, have the parcel expedited.
6. Have fun! Surprise your loved one with inside joke items, heartfelt notes and anything you think will put a smile on their face.

Make it a treat

Most people are excited whenever they receive snail mail that isn’t a bill. Make it extra special for them this season, and include something that they may not have time to pamper themselves with on a day-to-day basis.

• At-home spa package – Include: slippers, book, chocolate, face mask, mani-pedi set, adult colouring book.
• Man-cave package – Include: slippers, book, jerky, massager, headphones, peanuts.

Make it tasty

If someone is missing home and unable to get their hands on certain food products where they are, make sure to include their favourite snack or holiday treat for a little taste of home.

• Holiday homesick package – Include: maple candies, candy canes, marshmallows, hot chocolate, biscuits.
• Comfort food package – Include: chips, chocolate, macaroni and cheese, coffee, dried fruit.

Make it helpful

Everyone needs an emergency kit during flu and exam season. Make yours functional and fun by including necessary distractions along with the essential cold fighters.

• Final exam package – Include: notebook, pens, instant lattes, energy snacks, instant noodles, computer game.
• Get well package – Include: soup, tea and thermos set, tissue packs, lozenges, DVD series, wipes.  

Make it personal

Make your care package unique to whoever is receiving it. Include family photos, handwritten cards and anything else that reminds them of home.

• Nostalgia package – Include: home team memorabilia, board game, personalized mug, tea, favourite magazine, childhood movie, popcorn.

For many, fall is a popular season. Cozy nights in front of the fireplace, a cup of steaming coffee on a rainy morning, wool socks and warm toques – what more could you ask for? Dessert, of course. Keep these universally pleasing fall dessert recipes in your repertoire to ensure your holiday weekends and chilly evenings are just as sweet.

No-Bake Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust

Fall would be incomplete without a pumpkin-based dessert. Even though it may be best known as the finale for Thanksgiving dinner, this delicious no-bake pumpkin pie recipe can stand alone. With a modern twist using ginger snaps instead of graham crackers, you can save on time by substituting pre-made vanilla pudding for the packaged mix.

[More at Reader’s Digest]

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First, my credentials. In Kindergarten, my son’s classmate told his mother, “It doesn’t matter if we’re on time. R— is late every day.” Now in Grade 1, I learned my child’s chosen goal for the year is to “get to school on time.” Not learn about how light bulbs work, or make papier mache, but be on time. So in an effort to liberate my child from the pain of chronic lateness, I’ve discovered a few techniques that work for us – and I’m sharing them here.

No yelling

This impossible-sounding step is so essential you need to internalize it as a mantra, rather than a breakable rule, to make the rest of the routine work. No matter how fool-proof your chart, how attractive your incentives, kids will be their regular non-listening, whining, last-minute pooping, still-hungry, forgot-library-books selves, and you will yell. Because they have it coming.

I’m not saying they don’t. They do. But if you make the no-yell commitment top priority – even higher than being on time – you’ll be more creative and successful at motivating all the other steps.

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