Helpful Information

Safe Winter Driving Tips
When traveling during the winter, it pays to be prepared for the unexpected. There are three key elements to safe winter driving. Drive according to current road and weather conditions. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Avoid situations where you may have to brake suddenly on a slippery surface.

Important Tips:

• Have a mechanic check the battery, antifreeze, wipers and windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster, and the oil level.
• Install good winter tires and make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather tires are usually sufficient for most winter conditions
• Drive Slow. Drive according to road and weather conditions.
• Clean snow and ice from all windows, lights, hood and roof.
• Brake early. It takes more time to stop when roads are wet or icy.
• Watch out for icy surfaces. The road may seem to be in good condition but you can not see black ice.
• Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra seconds to react.
• Don't use your cruise control. When it's freezing, with overdrive you can have a loss of traction.
• Don't pump anti-lock brakes. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump your brakes. The right way is to "stomp and steer."
• Know your vehicle. Read your Owners Manual.
• Adjust to Road Conditions. The faster your vehicle is going, the more distance it will take to turn, slow, or stop.
• Allow extra time to reach your destination. Give yourself an extra 15-30 minutes to reach your destination.

Winterizing Your Home

Winter is here and it’s very important to check for potential weather-related problems throughout your home. The earlier a problem is detected, the easier it usually is to fix. The steps you take in winterizing your home will protect your property and save you money in heating costs.

Outside

• Trim all trees and branches because inclement weather can cause overgrown trees and dead branches to break, resulting in property damage and/or injury.
• Clean the gutters by removing leaves and other debris to allow melted snow and ice to properly flow away from the house and prevent ice dams from forming.
• Repair broken stairs and railings so that mail carriers, utility employees, and delivery persons are safe if they may need to come onto your property.
• Use sand to ease traction for those icy days. Salt is rough on asphalt and destroys surfaces.

Inside

• Maintain pipes by making sure exposed pipes in basements are properly insulated. Check for cracks and leaks; consider having your water system drained by a professional.
• Set the thermostat in your house to at least 50 degrees because anything lower won't prevent your pipes from freezing.
• Have your heating system inspected and check the furnace to make sure the filter does not need to be replaced.
• Add extra insulation to prevent heat from escaping and pipes from freezing, and pay special attention to attics and basements.
• Replace cracked or peeled caulking on windows to prevent cold air from seeping into your home and apply weather stripping to doors.

Winter Safety Tips

During the winter there are many factors that put your children at risk for injury including gatherings at the homes of friends and family, enjoying outdoor activities such as sledding and skiing, and keeping warm and dry while enjoying winter activities. Here are some tips to keep your child safe this winter:

• Check the weather report and pay attention to precautions and advisories.  If weather warnings suggest severe wind chill or extremely low temperatures, consider avoiding outdoor activities.
• Dress in layers.  It is very important to keep warm and dry while enjoying outdoor activities in the winter.
• When not wearing a helmet, wear a hat, and a neck guard. Noses can be covered with neck guard.  Keep ears covered too.  
• Make sure that clothes are comfortable.  Tight clothing restricts the circulation and can increase chances of frostbite.
• Wear brightly colored clothing so you can easily be seen.
• Sun glasses or goggles that provide sun safety can also protect eyes from cold, wind and snow.
• Don't overdo activities.  
• Try to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits.
• Take some time to relax and give children some "down time" as well.
• Teach children never to touch metal during cold temperatures.
• Don't let children eat snow.  Even white snow can contain pollutants from the air, including trace minerals like mercury.  Snow also can contain windblown soils that can include animal fecal matter.
• Teach children to never venture onto ice, ponds or lakes without an adult first checking the ice.
• Children should never play on snow piles near parking lots or on the road side. Make sure children never go near snow plows or areas being plowed.

The Lead Hazard Mitigation Law

The Lead Hazard Mitigation Law was implemented on November 1, 2005, and is designed to provide all Rhode Island residents with access to housing that is adequately maintained. The Law sets minimum standards that will help to keep properties safe and healthy for residents and is intended to improve the overall housing stock in Rhode Island.

To Comply with this new law, you must:

• Attend a 3-hour Lead Hazard Awareness meeting
• Visually assess your rental property for lead hazards
• Fix lead hazards on your property
• Get an Independent Clearance Inspection of the Unit
• Respond to tenant concerns regarding lead hazards
• Perform ongoing maintenance using lead safe work practices learned in the 3-hour Lead Hazard Awareness Class.

Lead insurance is available if you comply with the Lead Hazard Mitigation Law. Insurance will be available through your current insurer, another insurer, or through the FAIR Plan. For more information, call the Rhode Island Lead Technical Assistance Center at 1-800-570-0768 or visit www.hrc.ri.gov/mitigation.html

Preventing Frozen Pipes

When frigid arctic air hits, water freezes and it expands causing pipes to burst and possibly flooding to occur. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, such as outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.

You can avoid frozen water pipes with a little planning and a few simple steps. There are several things that people can do to prepare for freezing weather, and there is one important thing everyone needs to know. Determine where the water shut-off valve is in the house and how to use it in case pipes freeze and break. You can prevent the freezing of water supply lines and pipes by following these recommendations:

• Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing.(The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.)
• Wrap pipes with heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables.
• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside. (Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in.)
• Disconnect garden hoses and use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets.
• Don't take any chances. If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
• Turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house. If you detect that your water pipes have frozen and burst, shut the main valve. (Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shut-off valve is and how to open and close it.)
• Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer.
• Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water because you could be electrocuted.

Should You Consider Flood Insurance?
Flooding is the #1 natural hazard in the United States, but flood damage is excluded under traditional homeowner’s and business policies. You can protect your home and property by purchasing a flood insurance policy separately from the Doorley Agency. Flood insurance is only available where the local government has adopted adequate flood plain management regulations under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Flood insurance is classified as a "catastrophic" insurance and was intended to assist homeowner’s and businesses in regaining their bearings instead of total recovery. It is available to protect homes, condominiums, apartments and non-residential buildings, including commercial structures. Flood insurance basically covers direct physical damage to the main house and its foundation as well as erosion damage but does not cover structures extended over water or structures other than buildings.