Cold Weather Preparation Tips from Knox Water Department Superintendent Todd Gardner

Today is officially the first day of winter and as temperatures are expected to dip below freezing in the coming weeks, home owners need to take necessary precautions to avoid frozen pipes.

Knox Water Department Superintendent Todd Gardner has a few helpful tips to help protect homes this winter season. Superintendent Gardner reported that most incidents happen at the beginning of the season since people don’t take these simple steps before cold weather hits.

His first tip is to be sure that all hoses are disconnected and outdoor faucets are turned off. He said even “frost-free” faucets can freeze and break if they’re not disconnected and completely switched off. He also stressed the importance of making sure that crawlspace doors and other openings are securely shut to keep drafts from entering the home and cooling the water pipes. Continue reading

Winter Weather Preparedness Week Vehicle Tips

Today is the final day of Winter Weather Preparedness Week.

Readiness extends beyond being safe in your own home so the Indiana Department of Homeland Security has a few helpful vehicle tips to keep in mind as road conditions become more dangerous with incoming inclement weather.

First, be sure to have your vehicles looked over by a mechanic before the cold weather hits. The mechanic should check the brakes, heater, defroster, tires, windshield wipers and any other parts they may be susceptible to issues in the winter-time. You may also take this time to review your car insurance coverage or even compare bear river insurance products to get the best deal for you. Continue reading

Protect Your Pets From Holiday Pitfalls

 Holidays can seem hectic at times,especially for our four-legged friends. The director of pet care issues at the Humane Society of the United States, K.C. Theisen, advises pet owners to take some precautionary steps to ensure a safe holiday for all members of the family, including the furry ones.

Before putting your pets outside consider the weather conditions. Although dogs and cats do have fur coats, they are still in danger of hypothermia or frostbite if left outdoors in freezing temperatures for an extended period of time.

Establish a “safe space” for your pet when guests come to visit. Some pets mingle among groups without an issue but others may be a bit skittish. Having a space where your animals can get away from all the hustle and bustle can reduce anxiety for yourself and your pets using THC extracts like the Delta-8 THC gummies.

Keep absolutely all chocolate out of reach because it contains a toxin that is dangerous for cats or dogs to ingest. Plants to place in a pet-free space are poinsettias, mistletoe and holly. These plants can be poisonous and cause stomach problems if consumed.

If your pet is known to act rambunctiously be sure to securely anchor your Christmas tree and place garland, tinsel, breakable decorations and ornaments out of reach. Even the most well-behaved pets can become curious about decorations, so to be safe, hang them in pet free zones.

Avoid Winter Accidents With These SCILL Center Tips

Next time you go to wipe the snow off your car, be courteous – get all of the snow off your vehicle to prevent it from whipping around your car as you drive down the road, worsening the visibility for those behind you. If you get involved in a road accident caused by a reckless driver, you may hire a vehicle accident lawyer to help you file a claim for your injuries and other damages.

Ron Dawson of the SCILL Center said one of the key things that most people do not do in the winter time that could prevent an accident is to clean off the car completely. Snow flying off your car can obstruct the view of drivers behind you and cause an accident. On top of that, Dawson encourages drivers to wipe their lights clean from snow and ice to improve visibility.

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