Understanding the pedestrian safety measures you can take is essential, whether you’re enjoying the nightlife or just going for a stroll. These extra safety precautions ensure you stay visible and avoid accidents while walking at night.

• Always Assume Drivers Can’t See You: Never assume drivers see you as you walk, especially because they may be distracted or impaired. They may be texting or eating while driving and may not notice you until it’s too late to stop safely. Instead, wait a couple of seconds before walking on the street, even when the traffic walk signal is on. Check both directions for approaching cars before crossing the street. Attempt to make eye contact with the drivers and wave or nod at them to ensure they see you.
• Wear Brightly Colored Clothing: Make yourself visible by wearing brightly colored clothes and accessories. Orange, yellow, and green can help you stand out from the buildings, parked cars, and dimly lit areas. Black and other dark colored clothing may make you blend into the background.
• Use Reflective Vests and Accessories: Reflective materials react to other types of light, such as car headlights. Wearing a reflective vest or jacket over your shirt helps drivers spot you from all directions. A reflective armband, wristband, or belt can improve your visibility to drivers by illuminating your body outline at night. Headlamps, flashlights, and strobes can also help drivers see you better at night while also illuminating the path in front of you.
• Only Cross at Crosswalks: Crossing only at designated crosswalks is the safest way to cross an intersection without getting hit by a vehicle. South Carolina requires drivers to give pedestrians right-of-way when on a crosswalk. If there’s no pedestrian crossing available, use caution as you cross the street. Ensure you watch out for oncoming vehicles, as pedestrians must yield right-of-way to them under South Carolina law when outside a crosswalk.
• Walk Facing Oncoming Traffic: Walk in the direction where you can see approaching vehicles, rather than walking with traffic, which puts your back to oncoming cars. Drivers can see you when you are in their line of sight, so they know where you are on the road. Walking in this direction also lets you see oncoming cars before they get close enough to hit you, so you can better stay out of danger and move to the side, if needed. On one-way roads, walk on whichever side has the broadest shoulder facing traffic.
• Stay Alert: The NHTSA recommends paying attention to your surroundings when walking. If you are using your cellphone while walking, you may not hear a car horn or see the traffic signal not to cross a crosswalk. Instead, wait to send a text until you are in a safe area away from the roads, so you can focus on nearby cars and traffic lights with distraction.

Dry air, low precipitation, little soil moisture, and fluctuating temperatures are characteristics of fall and winter in many areas of Colorado. Often there is little or no snow cover to provide soil moisture from October through March.

• Trees, shrubs, perennials and lawns under these conditions may be damaged if they do not receive supplemental water
• Water only when air temperatures are above 40 degrees F
• Apply water at mid-day so it will have time to soak in before possible freezing at night

Learn more at https://www.pcva.org/uploads/7/8/8/7/78875826/csu_winter_water_fact_sheet.pdf

Scammers are clever, persuasive professional criminals skilled at finding unique ways to get what they want from their victims. They call or show up at your door when you're busy or distracted, and the last thing you want is to have your service disrupted.

If you are ever suspicious of a phone call or visitor from Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU), hang up or make the person wait outside and call CSU at (719) 448-4800 to confirm the call or visit.

See more scammer tips at https://www.csu.org/Pages/Scams.aspx

For more info: https://www.ready.gov/plan

Let's Keep the Holiday Spirit Safe and Healthy!

Follow these guidelines to ensure a joyful and safe holiday season full of fun dining:

• Food Handling
  • Clean Hands: Wash hands with soap and water before cooking or serving food, and before and after handling raw meats.
  • Sanitize Surfaces: Ensure cutting boards, utensils, and countertops are clean.
  • Separate Foods: Keep raw meats away from ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross-contamination.
•  Cooking
  • Cook Thoroughly: Ensure all dishes are cooked to the proper internal temperature (e.g., poultry to 165°F).
  • Use a Thermometer: Verify temperatures to ensure safety.
• Transporting Food
  • Keep It Safe: Use insulated containers to keep hot foods hot (above 140°F) and cold foods cold (below 40°F).
  • Time Matters: Food should not sit out for more than 2 hours.
• Serving
  • Label Dishes: Note common allergens like nuts, dairy, or gluten.
  • Use Utensils: Provide serving spoons and tongs to avoid hand contact with food.
• Storing Leftovers
  • Cool Quickly: Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of serving.
  • Safe Timeframe: Eat refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days.

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