(COLORADO SPRINGS)– After a hot summer and fall, the Pikes Peak region might be saying goodbye to warm days after getting the first glimpse of winter weather. On Wednesday, Oct. 30, many people whipped out their warm jackets and bundled up, some might have even turned up the thermostat.

“Now is the time to winterize, you don’t want to wait to winterize until you’re jam-packed stuck with snow in your driveway. You want to get your car ready now,” said Skyler McKinley, AAA Regional Director.

The mild and sunny weather in the Pikes Peak region is about to take a turn, which is why it’s important to make sure your car and home are ready.

“It is a good idea to check your furnace filter, that just helps your furnace run more efficiently and save you on energy, especially if you have natural gas,” said Danielle Nieves with Colorado Springs Utilities (Springs Utilities).

When it comes to tackling cold temperatures, there are some important tips to follow. First, Springs Utilities says to lower your thermostat and keep it at 68 degrees.

“Make sure to blow out your sprinkler system, that will keep your pipes from freezing and having burst pipes. You can also do insulation on your outdoor pipes. You can buy some foam, kind of like pull noodles, cut them and use that to cover your outdoor pipes,” added Nieves.

Another suggestion is to let a small stream of water run through a faucet to keep pipes from freezing.

Beginning on Friday, Nov. 1, eligible Springs Utilities customers can apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). The program is designed to help low-income households with winter home heating costs. To apply, call Pikes Peak United Way at 2-1-1.

When temperatures drop, Springs Utilities customers typically use up to six times more natural gas than the rest of the year.

It’s also important to make sure cars are ready.

“I can tell you that the number one call AAA gets during the winter months are for dead batteries,” said McKinley.

He said it’s important to swap on winter tires and adjust the air pressure to its recommended pressure for the cold.

“Your tires are rated for what’s called the cold-pressure temperature. That’s the number that’s listed on the door jammer in your owner’s manual. So, on a cold morning, fill up to that number, on a hotter day, you’re going to rise above that number,” he said.

They also recommend changing your windshield wipers twice a year and always have a first aid kit in your car.

“Consider half a tank empty. So, always fill up at half a tank and I know it can be a chore, but the reason you want to do that is so that you have enough gas in your vehicle to be able to run your heater until help arrives,” he added.

AAA also says if you are a new driver or new to Colorado, they recommend taking a winter driving course.

“Even if you think you’re completely winter ready with studded tires, know that you’ve still got to drive slower than you do in the summer months. And that’s our responsibility as Coloradans to look out for each other,” said McKinley.

Springs Utilities and AAA say their crews are ready to help, and crews have a lot of experience working in these weather conditions.

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