Weather
Christmas Tree Fire Safety 2026: The Latest NFPA Numbers, Watering, Lights and Why January Is Riskier Than You Think
Christmas tree lots and garden centers are already stocking up, and many families will bring a tree home in the days after Thanksgiving. Christmas tree fires are rare, but...
Travel
How to Drive on Snow and Ice: Winter Crash Data, Following Distance, Braking, Black Ice and What to Do if You Skid
The first snow and ice of the season catch many drivers off guard, especially in places that see only a few icy days a...
Weather
Snow Shoveling Safety: Why It Strains the Heart, Who Should Not Shovel and How to Clear Snow Without Getting Hurt
The first real snowfall of the season is when emergency rooms start seeing a familiar wave of patients: people with back strains, falls on...
Weather
Leonid Meteor Shower 2026: Peak Night Nov. 17-18, Moon Conditions, Where to Look and How Many Meteors to Expect
One of the year's most famous meteor showers peaks in less than two weeks, and the timing is better than you might expect. The...
Education
Clocks Fall Back Sunday: How to Test Your Smoke Alarms, When to Replace Them and Where Carbon Monoxide Alarms Belong
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, and most Americans will turn their clocks back an hour this weekend. Fire and...
Law And Order
Should You Warm Up Your Car in Winter? How Long to Idle, How to Clear Ice Fast and the ‘Puffing’ Laws That Can Get...
The first frosty mornings of the season bring back an old ritual: start the car, go back inside for a few minutes and come...
Weather
Fireplace Safety Before the First Fire of Winter: Chimney Inspections, Creosote, Seasoned Wood, Ashes and CO Alarms
The first cold night of the season is when a lot of people strike a match in a fireplace that has not been touched...
Weather
How to Winterize Your Car for 2026-27: Battery, Antifreeze, Wipers, Emergency Kit and the Tailpipe Warning
The first hard freeze is a bad time to learn your battery was on its last legs or that the washer fluid in your...
Weather
Fall Leaf Cleanup 2026: Leaf Burning Bans, Curbside Pickup Rules and Why Mulching Leaves Helps Your Lawn
The leaves are coming down across much of the country, and with them comes the annual weekend chore: rake, bag, blow, burn or leave...
Weather
Space Heater Safety This Winter: The Fire Data, the 3-Foot Rule and Why You Should Never Use an Extension Cord
The first truly cold night of the season usually sends someone down to the basement or out to the store for an electric space...
Weather
Winter Power Outage Preparedness for 2026-27: The Emergency Kit, Generator Rules and Grid Warnings to Know Before the First Storm
Winter power outage prep for 2026-27: NOAA's El Nino outlook, NERC grid warnings, a Ready.gov emergency kit and CPSC generator and heater safety rules.