With lows in the 20s Thursday and Friday mornings, north central Florida residents might be able to use some advice on driving in icy conditions and surviving the cold.
Here are some tips:
SAFETY TIPS WHILE DRIVING ON ICY ROADS
• Don't do it. Avoid driving, if at all possible. The safest place to be is off the roads.
• Slow down. When roads are icy, vehicles don't have the traction required to stop quickly.
• Stay alert. When the temperature is near freezing, the roadway may look wet when in fact ice is forming.
• Check tire inflation often. As temperatures drop, so can your tire pressure. Low tire pressure does not give tires better traction in icy conditions, it only makes them more vulnerable to damage.
• Remember that bridges and overpasses are more prone to freezing in these types of conditions and will ice over first. Proceed with caution when driving in these areas.
• Do not attempt to pass slower vehicles.
• Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
• Gently apply brakes and accelerate at a slow speed.
• Be patient and courteous. Driving in adverse weather conditions can be stressful.
• Florida does not allow tire chains. Tires with rubber studs designed to improve traction are permitted on public roadways.
If motorists observe any roadway problems or need assistance, they can dial *FHP(347).
— Courtesy of FHP
5 P'S OF COLD WEATHER SAFETY
Protect People - Dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try and stay out of the wind and to stay dry. Also, remember to check on young children and the elderly who are most sensitive to cold weather.
Protect Pets — If cold weather is in the forecast, be sure to bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter to stay in.
Protect Plants — Cover cold-sensitive plants to protect them from the dangerous temperatures.
Protect Pipes — Cover exposed outdoor pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent from freezing and breaking.
Practice Fire Safety — Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas. Also, make sure to use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames, such as candles.
— Courtesy of the city of Gainesville
MONEY-SAVING ENERGY TIPS DURING COLD WEATHER
• Reduce your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting when home, and bump the thermostat down a degree or two when leaving home.
• Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction, which pushes warm air back down into the room.
• Change air filters regularly. A dirty air filter makes a heating system work harder, which uses more energy.
• Have the HVAC system checked regularly by a qualified heating and air conditioning contractor to maintain efficiency and peak performance.
• Leave drapes or blinds open during sunny winter days to allow the sun's rays to warm the house, but close them at night to help insulate your home.
• Replace standard bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs or light emitting diodes (LED). CFLs and LEDs are more efficient than regular bulbs, while giving off the same amount of light.
• Video: https://illumination.duke-energy.com/articles/5-ways-to-save-energy-for-under-50.
— Courtesy of Duke Energy