Uh... I have another idea. Maybe you could just turn up the heat?! And what about that anti-freeze tip? Sure, you might end up poisoning some wildlife, but at least your toilet won't freeze. WTF?
Sometimes you just have to shake your head and laugh. (And then pick up the phone to call the Department of Conservation!)
Those of you who are familiar with our displeasure of the New Zealand winter, know how we can go on about the deplorable energy efficiency of Kiwi houses. Our version of Mark Twain's famous quip goes..."The coldest winter we ever spent was Winter in a Kiwi house." or
"First there was San Fran... but then...after the winter in a Kiwi house, well...."
Keep in mind that both of us grew up in the midwest, where there can be snow on the ground for 4-5 months out of the year! Anyway, big news story last week, as follows...
NZ catches death of cold - study
By KIM THOMAS - The Press | Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Sixteen hundred more New Zealanders die every winter than during other seasons, with researchers pinning part of the blame on cold, damp and poorly maintained homes.
Scary part is when they mention that "excess winter mortality" (catchy term, eh?) accounts for 4 times as many deaths as auto accidents in NZ each year. Yikes! The whole story, as well as some entertaining comments, can be found here for you real masochists.
