December Safety Tips

Now that we are beginning to experience the effects of winter, it is a good time to focus on a few small things this holiday season that we can do to keep our homes and ourselves safe.  Please take a moment to read this month’s tips on how to stay safe as we enjoy “the most wonderful time of year.”

December Safety Tips

·        Now that our furnaces are fired up and running, it’s a good time to check and replace the filter.  Filters can be easily purchased at any hardware store and can be replaced in about a minute.  I would also recommend having your furnace checked and serviced, especially if it’s been awhile since the last check-up.  Like any other appliance, furnaces can break down and not work, and that’s the last thing you want during cold temperatures.  Also, consider getting a carbon-monoxide detector installed in your home.  For example, you can get one at Home Depot for $20 to $60, and they’re very easy to install.

·         Next, as weather conditions worsen, so does our commute to work.  Check your tire pressure often.  Make sure your tires are filled to manufacturer’s recommendations.  This will not only improve your traction in icy and snowy conditions, but will also improve your fuel economy as well, and lessen the chance of getting stuck on the side of the road with a flat.  Not cool, and not safe in bad driving conditions.

·        Finally, if you haven’t already, disconnect your outside water hoses from your hose bibs (the faucet on the outside of your house).  When hoses remain attached, water freezes and travels up the hose bib and can crack or damage your water pipes, creating a flood in your home.  By disconnecting your hoses, you help prevent this.  Also, if you decide to take a trip for the Holidays, it’s wise to turn off your main water valve before you leave.  This is cheap flood insurance, and helps prevent hundreds if not thousands of dollars in weather related flood damage.

Keep yourself and your family safe this season by following these simple suggestions.  

Sincerely,

The Neumont University Safety Committee

Dave Conger

Erin McCormick

Jason Thompson

Larry Crandall