Driving in the rain: Use these tips to avoid the ditch

Unfortunately, that old nursery rhyme, "Rain, rain, go away; Come again some other day" rarely works, which is why there are over 5,760,000 vehicle crashes each year in the U.S. on average. Not surprising that weather, including wet pavement and rainfall, contributes to over 1.2 million of them. Getting pelted with the elements will always be inevitable, but knowing how to safely maneuver the wet pavement is important to any driver. An alarming statistic from the U.S. Department of Transportation states that 73% of accidents occur on wet pavement, and 46% during rainfall. So, whether you safely maneuver the terrain or you begin to hydroplane, Arnold Insurance wants to prepare you for any situation with these important must-reads:

Getting Your Car Rain-Ready

Check your tire treads before tackling the roads. Low tire treads don't grip the road as well as fully functional tires, so consider using the penny test to effectively diagnose your tire's health. If you can see Lincoln's head, drive on over to the auto shop! If not, you're good to go.

Maneuvering Wet Pavement

• Avoid cruise control, which increases your chance of losing control of the vehicle.

• Reduce speed by at least 15%. If the speed limit is 45, drive at around 35–38 mph to diminish the risk of hydroplaning [tires rising up onto a layer of water], if not lower.

• Avoid hard breaking to give your vehicle a longer opportunity to slow down.

• Increase following distance between cars so stopping and slowing down are less of a surprise and necessary reaction times stay reasonable.

• Keep headlights on, but do not use high beams. Even during the daytime, keep headlights on so oncoming traffic can see you, but do not blind them with your high beams.

• Don't drive through a river!  If you see a deep and flowing body of water growing on the pavement, avoid it and find a way to drive around it.

Ahh, I'm Hydroplaning!

Stay calm. Even experienced drivers can experience this kind of incident, so make sure not to panic. Continue to move in the direction in which your car is pulling and avoiding hitting the brakes as much as possible. Deaccelerate slowly by lifting your foot from the gas pedal, and shift into a lower gear if you can. If you still find your car skidding on the pavement, you may have to think about an exit plan. Try to steer into an area with a low impact like an empty field, avoiding trees and telephone poles as much as you can.

When it's raining cats and dogs, it is unlikely that driving will be enjoyable. However, you can make sure you can handle the rain while driving and stay safe.

Original article from Foremost Insurance Group

Cold Weather Pet Safety

If your pet is anything like mine, it probably loves the snow and being outside in the cold weather. Just like humans, all pets are different, so their cold tolerances vary. My dog can stay outside for hours, while my parents' dogs would rather cozy up inside than take one step in the "polar vortex."

Here are a few tips to keep our furry friends safe and warm during the cold weather months!

Avoid Dangerous Spills

Some ice melting substances may contain chemicals and are a danger to animals. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has a list of household hazards you should keep away from your pets, such as antifreeze, cleaning products, and certain foods. If your pet is poisoned, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 right away.

Protect those paws

When your pets come inside, wipe down their paws, legs, and belly to remove chemicals and keep snow and salt from clumping between their toes. Rub petroleum jelly or other paw protectants onto their paws before going outside. Cracked paws can cause discomfort and allow substances to soak in, which your pet may try to lick later.

Prevent Dry Skin

You should keep your home humidified because coming out of the cold into the dry heat can cause irritated skin. Bathe your pet as little as possible as this can remove essential oils and increase dryness. As always, make sure your pet has access to water.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

If you notice your pet losing weight, you may want to give them extra food as they are using more energy to stay warm. However, some pets will gain weight if they don't exercise that much. Figure out what your pet needs, and adjust to find the right balance.

It Might be Sweater Weather

Your pet already has on a handy winter coat, so you should avoid shaving it down to the skin. Longer and thicker hair will help keep them warm as they play outside. If your pet has short hair, a sweater may be a good idea. Make sure you have a couple of them on hand, because wearing a wet sweater may make your pet colder.

If temperatures are below freezing, no pet should be left outside for long periods of time.

Never Leave Your Pet in the Car

Your furry friend may love car rides, but if you're going somewhere you can't bring your dog inside, it will be better to just leave them at home. A vehicle gets cold faster than you may think. If left in a cold car for too long, they could get hypothermia and freeze.

Keep them Collared

Having a lost or runaway pet is terrible, and imagining them out in the cold weather by themselves is even worse. If you don't have a fenced-in yard, always leash and collar your dog. If your dog has a collar with updated information on it, this could help bring them back home if they run away or get lost.

Staying Cozy

Make sure your pet has a warm and comfortable place to sleep. Floors and drafts can make your pet feel chilly, so a blanket is perfect for them. If you have an outdoor pet, provide them with a closed-in shelter. This needs to be big enough for them to stand up in, but also small enough to contain heat. You may have to insulate the shelter with straw or other material to keep your pet warm.

If you have any other cold-weather pet tips, leave a comment below!