Another round of winter weather is headed to Somerset and temperatures are forecast in the teens for the next few nights. Here are several ways you can stay safe, warm, and keep your utility bills from rising:
• With temperatures dropping, ice from today’s rain (Jan. 19) may form quickly overnight on the roads before any snow accumulation. Our street department will be working overnight to salt and scrape roads. If you don’t have to travel Thursday morning, Jan. 20, please stay home. This ensures you stay safe and helps our first responders by reducing accidents and improving response time.
• Please move vehicles off the street when possible so road crews have plenty of space to clear roads.
• If you must travel, drive slowly and stay back from snow removal vehicles, as they cannot see motorists pulling in behind them.
• Let warm water drip overnight to prevent pipes from freezing, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
• Disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets.
• Seal air leaks and insulate well to prevent heat from escaping and cold air from entering your home.
• Keeping your thermostat set at the same temperature both day and night can help reduce strain on your furnace and risk of frozen pipes.
• Keep pets indoors and check on your neighbors whenever possible.
