I have a landline, I hear a dial tone every time I pick up the phone.

It’s been a long time since I looked at bar codes, but this link is to an old printer manual that has some useful information in its appendix: https://www.cognitivetpg.com//assets/downloads/105-008-02_Programming_Manual-HTML_revC2.pdf

Storm windows are a thing in four season climates, basically just another pane of glass over the existing window in winter. I have known low income people to just staple clear plastic over the frame for the same effect. You might give it a try. Ugly, but better than boarding them up.

Something like that happened to me how once. I was at an art gallery and asked if photography was ok. The guard said sure, and flash was ok as well, so I flashed him and he threw me out.