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8 Tips for Getting Your Vehicle Out of the Snow

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As winter approaches it is important to winter-proof your vehicle and fleet can help keep it running its best so you, your workers, and fleet drivers can safely navigate the roads no matter the weather. Sometimes a winter storm can disrupt even the best laid plans, so check out the eight handy tips below for what to do if your vehicle or truck gets stuck in the snow:

Tip 1: Rock your vehicle instead of spinning your tires

If you’re stuck in the snow, your first instinct may be to press the gas hoping to gain momentum and become unstuck. This could make your tires spin, causing friction that may melt and pack snow, creating an icier, slicker surface—making it even harder to escape. Instead, put your vehicle in low gear and press the gas slightly to rock forward just a bit, then put the vehicle in reverse to rock backward. By repeating this rocking motion, you may gain enough momentum to help propel your vehicle out of the snow.

Tip 2: Shift to a lower gear

This tip pairs well with the rocking method. If possible, shift into a lower gear. For a manual transmission, this means first gear. For an automatic transmission, this means shifting from D (drive) to L or 1 (low or first gear) or 2 (second gear). This slows down the rotation of your tires, which decreases the likelihood of spinning and ice formation through melting.

Tip 3: Gain traction

If the rocking motion and using low gears are unsuccessful, you may need additional help gaining traction. Give your tires something to grab onto, such as your vehicle’s floor mats—or dry cardboard if you have some handy—and then try the rocking process again. Sprinkling cat litter or sand around the tires may also provide traction.

Tip 4: Watch where you park and keep moving

The best advice for getting unstuck is not to get stuck in the first place. If you drive a fleet vehicle or larger rig, you may find yourself parking in unfamiliar places for hours at a time. During snowy and icy weather, pay attention to where you park, avoiding muddy, slushy or soft ground when possible. If you will be at one location for several hours while wintry precipitation is falling or during frigid temperatures, move your vehicle frequently. This makes it less likely for snow and ice to accumulate around tires.

Tip 5: Start shoveling

Stock your vehicle with a snow shovel or pusher to clear a path around the wheels so you can move forward and back. If you don’t have a shovel, look for another tool that can help break up the snow and any ice that has formed such as a screwdriver or an ice scraper. Chopping up the ice can create a rougher surface, giving you more traction.

Tip 6: Add tire chains

If you regularly drive on snow-covered or icy roads, it may be a good idea to install tire chains. These chains fit around the tires of your vehicle and can help them navigate slippery surfaces.

Tip 7: Deflate tires slightly

Another option is to slightly deflate your tires. A flatter tire has more gripping surface and could provide the traction you need to get out of the snow. Only use this option if it’s a short drive to an air filling station. Driving long distances on deflated tires may cause structural damage to the tire and make steering difficult due to the increased surface area on the road.

Tip 8: Phone a friend—or a towing service

If you’ve given your best effort and still can’t get your vehicle out of the snow, it may be time to call for assistance. If it’s safe for drivers to be on the road, call a friend or coworker to pick you up. If the roads are unsafe, call for emergency assistance or for a towing service to transport you and your vehicle somewhere safe.

Once out of the snow, if you deflated your tires head to the nearest service station. Return any snow shovels, ice scrapers and tire chains to the vehicle. Restock any depleted supplies, such as ice melt or cat litter, that may be needed for the next snow or ice event.

If you must be outside in cold weather, make sure to familiarize yourself and your driving team with how to avoid frostbite, hypothermia and other cold-related injuries.

Learn more about how to respond for a winter storm.

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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Customer Infomation, From the Office, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Pine Cove Water District, Road Conditions, Snow, Storms, Uncategorized, Upcoming Events, Weather, Winter, winterizing

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How to Turn Off Your Water

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A water leak, planned work on your sprinkler system, venturing away from home, or an emergency may necessitate turning off the water to your home. Do you, and everyone in your household, know how to turn off the water to your home? The information below guides you on locating and turning off your water by utilizing the “house valve” aka “customer valve.”

Locating your house valve

  1. Your house valve is typically outside your home and may be located in the front, on the side or in the backyard.
  2. Locate the hose bib (outside faucet) next to your home that is mounted on a pipe coming up from the ground. (See Photo)
  3. The house valve is located on that pipe between the ground and the hose bib.

Operating your house valve

Your house valve can be one of two types: a gate valve or a ball valve.

  • Gate valves close by turning the wheel clockwise until the water is off.
  • Ball valves close by turning the straight handle a quarter turn clockwise until the water if off.
  • To verify the water is off, turn on the hose bib next to the house valve. As you turn the house valve off, the water from the hose bib should stop.
  • To turn the water back on, either turn the gate valve counterclockwise or turn the ball valve a quarter turn counterclockwise.

You may want to attach a tag or label to your house valve for quick identification so that you and the members of your household can find it even in the dark.

Everyone in your home should know how to shut off the water to your home. In the event of an emergency, such as an earthquake or an unexpected winter freeze, you may want to turn off the water supply to your home to prevent water damage to your property. Take a few minutes to locate and learn how to operate your house valve.

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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Customer Infomation, Freebies, From the Office, Leaks, Pine Cove Water District, Snow, Uncategorized, Upcoming Events, Water Conservation, Weather, Weekend, winterizing

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Veteran’s Day Closure

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THANK YOU to ALL who have served. We APPRECIATE your SERVICE!

The Pine Cove Water District office will be closed Monday, November 11th in honor of Veteran’s Day.

We will reopen with normal hours Tuesday the 12th.

If you have a water emergency please call (951)-294-8282

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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Customer Infomation, From the Office, Holidays, Pine Cove Water District, Uncategorized, Upcoming Events, Weekend

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Simple Ways to Save Water During the Holidays

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The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is approaching! Time for decorating, baking, and celebrating with your household. While you might be putting final touches together, or maybe you are still in the early stages, one thing you may or may have not thought about is water.

The consumption of this precious resource can often be overlooked when preparing your favorite holiday dishes, but water plays a huge role in the kitchen, from food preparation to the clean-up process.

Here are some simple ways to save water while preparing your favorite holiday meals:

Defrosting Frozen Foods

Leaving the faucet on to defrost a frozen ham or turkey will waste a ton of water. It can cause quite the dent in your water bill, too. Instead, let your frozen items defrost overnight in the fridge.

Rinse Veggies and Fruits

Fill a large bowl or pan with water to rinse vegetables and fruits rather than running the tap. This water can be reused to water your garden or any indoor plants you may have around the house.

Food Scraps

Don’t use your garbage disposal to discard food waste after holiday meals. Toss scraps into the garbage can or save those leaves, rinds, and stems for making compost. Not only will you save water, but the compost can later be used to fertilize your garden.

Dishwashing

If you have a dishwasher, use it. Washing full loads of dishes saves 5-15 gallons per load and uses significantly less water than washing by hand.

Inspect for Leaks

Inspect your bathroom fixtures for malfunctions and leaks before your guests arrive. During the holidays, bathrooms are likely to experience heavier usage than normal which can lead to more issues. Fixing a leak as small as the tip of a ball point pen can save up to 110 gallons!

For more water saving tips that you can use year-round visit saveourwater.com

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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Conservation, Customer Infomation, From the Office, Frugal Friday, Holidays, Pine Cove Water District, Uncategorized, Upcoming Events, Water Conservation, Weekend

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October Billing

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Hello Residents of Pine Cove!

October billing (due November 1, 2024) is going out. If you get emailed bills, you may have already received yours. The mailing included our updated Newsletter which you can view here, as well as Winterizing tips which you can read about here.

The bi-monthly minimum is $80.00 for two month billing period, excluding any water usage. Water usage is billed as follows:
$8.00 per thousand gallons from 0 to 7,500 gallons
$10.00 per thousand gallons from 7,500 to 15,000 gallons
$12.00 per thousand gallons over 15,000

(Because we weren’t able to read meters last billing cycle due to snow, the gallons of usage is doubled in this billing period.)

Water bills are mailed around the 1st of the Billing Month (even months). All bills are due and payable by the 1st of the following month (odd months). Any bill not paid by the due date will be termed delinquent and subject to a $15.00 late fee and/or termination. If shut off, a reconnect fee of $75.00 will be charged, in addition to the current amount due, to re-establish service.

There are several ways to pay your bill. ACH Auto Draft is a free service; the payment is automatically taken out of your bank account (filled out form required). You can log on to your account online, and pay with a Visa/Mastercard/Discover, or E-check. To register your account online, you will need your account number, and the Municipality Code which is PineCoveWDCA. Go to www.pcwd.org and click the “Billing” tab and the Payment option link. Next, click on the www.ub-pay.com link and register your account from there. You can come into the office and pay by check, cash, or card (one person at a time). Call with a credit/debit card (Please note that there is a convenience fee of $3.00 per hundred dollars charged if using a credit card). Drop payments thru the slot on the front door or mail a check or money order.

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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Company News, Customer Infomation, From the Office, Pine Cove Water District, Upcoming Events, Water Bills, Winter, winterizing

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Closed for Labor Day

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The Pine Cove Water District office will be closed on Monday, September 2nd in honor of Labor Day.  We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, September 3rd at 9 a.m.  If you have a water emergency, there will be someone on call.  You can call the office and listen to the recorded message or call 951-294-8282, which is our emergency number.  Remember, this number is for true water emergencies only.  Please wait until Tuesday to call about an other water issues.  Our normal business hours will continue Tuesday through Friday, from 9 am until 4 pm.
Happy Labor Day!!!

Labor Day: What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.

More information can be found at https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

Celebrate Safely

The American Red Cross regularly puts out safety precautions and as this coming weekend is going to be another hot one, there are additional precautions to consider.

  • Stay hydrated with water
  • If traveling; check on road conditions, buckle up, slow down, and don’t drink and drive
  • Designate a driver who won’t drink or plan on staying where you are celebrating
  • Carry a Disaster Supply Kit
  • Don’t let your vehicle’s gas tank get too low
  • Check with weather alerts before doing any BBQing
  • Grills should only be used outdoors
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays
  • Have outdoor activities and games at a time when it’s not so hot
  • Apply sunscreen before you head out in the sun and reapply as necessary
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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Company News, Customer Infomation, From the Office, Holidays, Pine Cove Water District, Uncategorized, Upcoming Events, Weekend

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Summer Tips

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As we all head outside to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather this summer, the American Red Cross offers 20 steps you can follow to help keep you safe.

Do your plans include a road trip?

With more people on the roads, it’s important to drive safely.

1.     Be well rested and alert, use your seat belts, observe speed limits and follow the rules of the road.

2.     If you plan on drinking alcohol, designate a driver who won’t drink.

3.     Avoid distractions such as cell phones.

4.     Use caution in work zones. There are lots of construction projects underway.

5.     Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather. Don’t overdrive your headlights.

Drowning can happen quickly and silently. Unless rescued, it could take as little as 20 to 60 seconds for a drowning person to submerge.

6.     Prevent unsupervised access to water, provide constant, active adult supervision and know how to swim.

7.     Swim in an area with lifeguards.

8.     Designate a “water watcher” whose sole responsibility is to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.

9.     Don’t just pack it, wear your life jacket — always on a boat and if you are in a situation beyond your skill level.

10.  Reach or throw, don’t go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on to it. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself.

Summer is a great time for a picnic. But be careful grilling, which causes 10,000 home fires every year.

11.  Wash your hands, utensils and workstation before preparing the food.

12.  Separate uncooked meats, poultry and seafood from ready-to-eat foods like salads, fruits, vegetables, cheeses and desserts. Use separate plates and utensils to prevent cross-contamination.

13.  Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use and never grill indoors. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.

14.  Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.

15.  Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs. 

Camping is one of the most popular outdoor recreational activities in the U.S. But being prepared for emergencies is critical when you’re headed to an area with limited access to phone services and help.

16.  Know the level of ability of the people in your group and the environment around you. Plan accordingly.

17.  Pack a first aid kit to handle insect stings, sprains, cuts and bruises and other injuries that could happen.

18.  Sprains and falls are some of the most common misfortunes travelers may face. Dehydration is also a danger. Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR/AED course and download the free First Aid app so that you will know what to do in case help is delayed.

19.  Share your travel plans and locations with a family member, neighbor or friend.

20.  Bring nutritious food items and water, light-weight clothing to layer and supplies for any pets.

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Posted in: Around the District, Community, Customer Infomation, From the Office, Pine Cove Water District, Uncategorized, Upcoming Events, Weather, Weekend

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