Tri Cities forecast is snow…Are you ready?
Thursday, January 12th, 2012The temperatures have been in the teens for the past few days. This morning it was 16 degrees, but I didn’t have to scrape any ice of my vehicle so the air seems to be fairly dry. However…..forecasters are saying there’s a likelihood of snow accumulation in the valleys of Eastern Washington.
Two years ago, I came home from a long day at work to find my driveway running with water and a sheet of ice beneath. As I clicked the garage door opener and watched the door rise, there was a cascade of water falling down across the white and blue checkerboard pattern, glistening in the light of the motion detectors. A pipe, in the attic over the garage (un-insulated) burst when the temperatures were below freezing for several days. With the low temps we experiencing here in the Tri Cities, I am making sure I am winter ready this year! Are you?
Here are a few tips to stay safe and warm during snow and icy conditions.
Let’s start with the most obvious…..Prevent Freezing Pipes! Insulate your homes pipes with proper insulation or even newspapers and plastic and allow your faucets to drip a little during cold weather to prevent them from freezing. Even at a trickle of running water helps prevent frozen pipes.
Be sure you know where your water shut off valve is located.
Avoid drafts and save on heating costs with a check of windows and doors. How is the caulking and weather-stripping? Does it need to be replaced? Installing storm windows or cover your windows with plastic to keep heat in.
Clean out rain gutters, repair leaky roofs and cut away tree branches that could fall on your house or outdoor buildings during a wind storm.
Be Safe: Avoid any fuel-burning equipment indoors. Any fuel burning equipment should be vented to the outside. If you are burning any fuel source, please keep a fire extinguisher close by. A house fire can be devastating.
When driving, practice safety for you and your passengers. Allow additional driving time so you are not rushing.
Take it easy. Slow your speed, braking and acceleration during your travels. Don’t use the cruise control.
Don’t Tailgate. The last thing you need to do is step on the brakes in the ice.
Keep a blanket and some protein bars in the vehicle in the event of an emergency.
if you have any other tips to contribute, please comment below!
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY JANUARY!
