COMMUNITY CONNECTION
From the desk of Munroe Falls Service Director, Jim Bowery
I
t’s that time of year again when our crews will be working day and night clearing snow and salting our streets. Help us keep your streets clear by following these tips: • Remove vehicles from the street when snow accumulation is 2 inches or more. • Never push or blow snow in the street – it creates traffic hazards. • Plow drivers should never push snow off the property and into or across the street. • Never put trash cans in the street. Clear
a place for trash cans to be emptied from the curb, not the street. • Keep catch basins clear for proper drainage of melting snow and ice. • If there is a fire hydrant near your yard, remove any snow and ice within a 3-foot perimeter so it is accessible. • Secure your mailbox post. The weight of snow and ice can take down a poorly constructed or poorly installed mailbox. Thank you in advance for your assistance and have a safe and healthy winter season.
New Ways to Pay! The Water Department recently upgraded the water billing system and now offers several NEW options to pay your water bill. Customers can now pay online with a check or credit card, set up optional recurring payments, manage and view your water bills. If you are not registered online, visit our website www.munroefalls.com, click “Payments Portal,” click “Pay Your Water Bill,” then click “Register” and complete the required information.
For Our Snowbirds If you are heading to a warmer climate during the cold weather months, you are referred to as a “Snowbird”. Here are some helpful tips when leaving your home for an extended time during the winter: • Turn off the water at the main shut off valve (near the water meter). Make sure the valve is fully operational. Older valves can easily break if they haven’t been used in a long time. Call your plumber to check or replace it if needed. • Lower the thermostat, but do not turn off the heat. Set the temp no lower than 55° to prevent any water in the lines from freezing. Open cabinets so heat can reach lines that are located close to an outside wall. • Complete a Vacation House Watch form at the Police Department. • Contact the Water Department to let them know they can expect a drop in the water usage. We can even keep a watchful eye for any usage that might happen while you are away. • Contact other utility and service providers like gas, electric, phone, satellite service or internet provider.
Lindsey Malin
Director of Business Development lmalin@serenityhospiceoh.com 4491 Darrow Rd. Suite 1 Stow, OH 44224 Office: (330) 686-9900 Cell: (216) 318-3462 Fax: (234) 525-6234 serenityhospiceoh.com 26
• Suspend newspaper delivery so the papers don’t pile up. • Go to the post office and inquire about mail delivery options or stopping mail delivery. • Have a trusted neighbor or friend check for flyers, door hangers, accumulating at your door. • Unplug unnecessary electronics and appliances. • Arrange to have snow removed from the driveway so it’s not obvious you are not home. • Install timers on a few lights in the house. • Don’t post travel plans on social media. • Store valuables you are not taking with you in a safe or safety deposit box.
Winter Safety Tips • Make sure your home heating devices are in good working order. • Get your central heating system cleaned, inspected, and serviced by a certified HVAC technician. • If you have a gas heater, make sure that you have working carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home. • Make sure any space heaters are surrounded by at least three feet of empty space. • Turn off space heaters when you leave the house or go to bed. • Get your chimney inspected each year to make sure that it is safe and never leave any fire unattended. • Never leave burning candles unattended or when you go to sleep. • Verify that all holiday lights and extension cords have been tested by an organization such as Factory Mutual or Underwriters Laboratory. • Use only fire-retardant holiday decorations. • Make sure there are sufficient smoke detectors in your home. • Don’t leave food cooking unattended on the stove. • Ensure your fire extinguishers are fully charged. • Make sure young children know how to dial 911. • Practice stop, drop, and roll with your children so they learn how to escape beneath a fire. • Teach everyone in your family multiple ways to escape from every room in the event of a fire. • Remember, there is nothing more important than the safety of your family. • Have a Fire Safe Holiday Season.
