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Frigid temperatures are a fact of life for many florists throughout
North America, and they add another element of difficulty and risk to
the flower and plant delivery process.
Follow these tips to make successful deliveries when temps drop below 32
F.
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Ensure your arrangements and plants are properly wrapped to
protect them from extreme elements. Heavy plastic bags
designed for flower arrangement and plant delivery are one
line of defense, but in extremely low temperatures,
surrounding flowers in layers of tissue paper and heavy kraft or butcher paper inside the plastic bags is necessary.
Double and triple bagging also can provide additional
protection.
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Have your delivery vehicle(s) properly serviced before
wintry weather arrives.
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Get an engine tune-up in the fall. Switch to
winter-weight oil if you aren’t already using
all-season oil.
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Be sure all fluids are at proper levels.
Antifreeze should be strong enough to prevent
freezing in your area and fresh enough to
prevent rust. Some car care experts recommend
that radiators be flushed and antifreeze be
changed seasonally. Check with your favorite
service technician, or follow the recommended
maintenance schedule in your vehicle owner’s
manual.
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Have your battery and voltage regulator checked.
Replace the battery, if necessary; don’t wait
until it is shot. Winter is not the time to be
stranded by a bad battery. Also make sure
battery connections are good and battery
terminal posts are free of corrosion.
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Have the brakes adjusted.
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Make sure your tires are designed for driving
conditions in your area and that the tread is
adequate. Get your tire chains/cleats ready to
go (if you use them in your area).
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Be sure all lights are in working order.
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Make sure wiper blades are cleaning properly.
Consider changing to winter wiper blades, which
are made for driving in snow. They are covered
with a rubber “boot” to keep moisture away from
working parts of the blade.
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Depending on how extreme winter weather
conditions are in your area, consider an engine
block heater system or electric dipstick, if you
don’t already utilize one. If you do, make sure
they are ready to go for the season.
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Equip each vehicle with your winter driving supplies,
including:
• long-handled windshield scraper(s) with a brush on one
end
• windshield and door lock de-icer
• a snow shovel
• a tow chain or strap
• a flashlight (with extra batteries)
• cat litter, sand, salt or traction mats
• jumper cables
• warning devices (flares or reflective triangles)
• a brightly colored cloth to signal for help; and so on.
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Consider insulating and/or heating the back of your delivery
van. Insulation options include spray foam insulation
(www.rhhfoamsystems.com/apps_trucks.php)
and insulated van liners (www.vanliner.net,
www.sprinteraccessories.com/047_insulation_kit.html).
If you have a Ford E-Series cargo van, check out Ford’s EconoCargo® Interior System Liner Panels.
Insulation will serve double duty during the hot days of
summer, too.
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