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Take Precautions Against Winter Hazards

  

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Here they come again, those beautiful white flakes falling from the sky.  Only this time, they’re suppose to be followed up by sleet and freezing rain.  With hazardous winter weather conditions like this, you should take precautions on the roads and at home.

• Before driving, remove ice and snow from your vehicle. Clear all windows, windshield wipers, headlights, and brake lights. Clear ice and snow from your vehicle’s roof so they do not blow off while you’re driving and create hazards for drivers behind you.
• Since the roads already have a covering of snow, slow down.  Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and others.  You need more distance to stop safely on slippery surfaces.
• Never lock your brakes on icy roads. You will lose steering control. If you do skid, remember to turn into the direction of the skid.
• Because the earth does not insulate them, bridges and highway overpasses tend to freeze before the rest of the road and can be very slippery.

It’s better to arrive at your destination late than end up in a ditch or with a surcharge on your auto insurance as a result of an accident.

If you already have snow on the edges of your home’s roof, remove it or you may end up with water damage from ice dams building up.  Since clearing roofs is a dangerous task, consider safety options first. 

• When possible, use long-handled snow rakes or poles. 
• If you must use a ladder, make certain that the base is securely anchored. Ask a friend, neighbor or adult family member to hold the ladder while you climb.
• Know where the snow is going to fall before clearing the area.  
• Make certain not to contact electrical wires.  

To prevent the mess and aggravation of frozen water pipes, protect your home, apartment or business by following these simple steps when it’s cold out. 

• Let hot and cold water trickle at night from a faucet on an outside wall. 
• Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to un-insulated pipes under a sink or appliance near an outer wall. 
• Make sure heat is left on and set no lower than 55 degrees. 
• If you plan to be away: (1) Have someone check your house daily to make sure the heat is still on to prevent freezing, or (2) drain and shut off the water system (except indoor sprinkler systems).