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WEATHER IMPACT FORECAST: Dry but still windy for Thursday
VERIFYING 5 claims about staying warm and protecting your home from the cold
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Local 5 - weareiowa.com | Des Moines Local News & Weather | Des Moines, Iowa
Extreme Weather
Winter driving safety: 5 Fast Facts
Weather
Do not plug space heaters into extension cords or power strips
If you’re using a space heater to stay warm, plug it directly into a wall outlet. Extension cords or power strips can overheat, and potentially start a fire.
Winter Guide
No, it is not safe to use an oven to heat your home
Ovens aren’t designed to heat your home. They also pose risks of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning if they are left on for prolonged periods of time.
Electric Vehicles
Yes, electric vehicles lose range in cold weather
The batteries in electric cars drain faster when it’s cold out. Here’s what the research shows.
Winter Guide
Yes, tire pressure does drop when the weather gets colder
If you’ve noticed your car has a deflated tire or even a tire pressure warning light on a cold morning, then you can curse physics before adding air to your tires.
Winter Guide
No, drinking alcohol doesn’t help you stay warm in cold weather
Contrary to popular belief, drinking an alcoholic beverage doesn’t help keep you warm in the cold. It actually cools you down instead.
Extreme Weather
Protecting your home’s pipes in winter weather: VERIFY Fact Sheet
Worried about pipes bursting during cold weather? We VERIFY questions about running appliances, dripping pipes and turning off water.
Pets
Dog winter safety: VERIFY Fact Sheet
Worried about keeping your dog safe in freezing weather? We VERIFY answers to common questions about dogs in ice and snow.
Weather
Yes, warming up your car before driving in cold weather can damage the engine over time
Excessive idling can cause engine damage, and experts agree that modern gas-powered engines don’t need to warm up to run effectively.
Extreme Weather
Starlink’s promise of free service after hurricanes is misleading
Elon Musk’s satellite internet company offered Helene, Milton victims a free month of access. But there’s a $400 catch.
Extreme Weather
Elon’s Starlink promise to Helene, Milton victims misleading
The SpaceX company promised a free month of satellite internet connection to hurricane victims in Florida and North Carolina, but for most it will cost hundreds.
Extreme Weather
No, a ‘1,000-year storm’ doesn’t mean it only happens once every 1,000 years
Meteorologists aren’t referring to the last time a storm of this magnitude happened when they say “100-year” or “1,000-year storm.” We VERIFY what the term means.
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