Tips and Knowledge

Everything you need to know about outdoor fires in Savannah

As the weather cools throughout Georgia in the fall, families and neighbors flock to fire pits to enjoy the outdoors and the warmth of the fire. But, you can't just grab whatever you want to burn and start a fire anywhere you please. The Savannah Police Department has provided a handy guide for what you can burn, where you can burn it and what types of outdoor fires are considered legal. Setting a fire in a fire pit or other outdoor container is commonly known as “open burning." Bonfires are prohibited under Savannah's ordinances. The city defines bonfires as being…

4 DIY home projects for fall

(StatePoint) While spending more time at home, you may have noticed the little things that need to be fixed, and small ways you can improve the appearance and functionality of your home. So why not use this time to test your skills with a few DIY projects? Here are some easy, affordable tips to fix those items that have been nagging at you, as well as check off small projects that will boost your home’s aesthetic. First impressions are everything. From your family and friends to the mail carrier, your front door greets everyone who comes to your home. But…

Cool weather means fall insects are about to invade your home

As the weather cools across the state, several fall insects will begin to take center stage around Georgia homes. Be on the lookout for these nuisance pests and make preparations to deter them from entering your home for the winter. Asian needle ants University of Georgia entomologist Dan Suiter tells homeowners to be on the lookout for a particularly problematic ant called the Asian needle ant (Brachyponera chinensis). This invasive species was first reported in the U.S. in the 1930s in Decatur, Georgia. “For decades this ant hasn’t been considered an issue, but over the past several years population sizes…

How to get rid of mosquitoes

During the summer months it is common to see a lot of rain in South Georgia. Many mosquito problems in your neighborhood are likely to come from water-filled containers that you can help to eliminate. All mosquitoes require water in to breed. Be sure to drain any standing water around your house. Here are a few tips from the City of Valdosta Public Works Department that can help decrease the population of mosquitoes in your yard: * Dispose of any tires. Tires can breed thousands of mosquitoes. * Clear roof gutters of debris. * Clean pet water dishes regularly. *…

VIDEO: Fireworks Safety Tips

The video above is from the Cobb County Fire Department and offers a few safety tips for you to follow before you start shooting off fireworks this Fourth of July weekend. Below is a full list of safety tips: Never allow young children to handle fireworks.Always closely supervise kids around fireworks, even older ones. Many children burned by fireworks aren’t even lighting them. They’re just standing nearby when a firework goes off in the wrong direction.If you choose to give your kids sparklers, make sure they use them outside, wearing closed-toed shoes, holding them at arm’s length.Never use fireworks while…

20 Tips For The Class of 2020 to Always Remember

Graduates of the class of 2020, I know this isn't the graduation you were expecting when you first stepped inside the halls of your high school four years ago. Your graduation year has been without fanfare, without parties and without ceremony. You are graduating in the midst of a global pandemic that will shape you in some way. Know that despite the state of today's world, adults everywhere feel your pain, are on your side, and are rooting for you. Some of you will be immediately entering the adult world and some of you will be attending college. Whatever comes…

Why are the grocery store shelves really empty?

While all industries have been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, food and agriculture have been among the hardest hit segments of the U.S. economy. The primary reason lies in the composition of household food expenditures. The impacts of the pandemic appear to vary by commodity based on two critical issues: perishability and labor use. Perishables like fruits, vegetables and milk are among the hardest hit. Many of these industries also depend on labor for growing and harvesting. There is no immediate shortage of food in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), however the current demand for items…

Non-Perishable Foods: The secret to making the most out of grocery trips during the coronavirus pandemic

During the current COVID-19 crisis, many people find themselves wondering how to eat healthy meals while remaining at home. Making fewer trips to the grocery store means that personal food supplies need to last longer. If you are at a loss for what items to stock up on, use MyPlate, www.choosemyplate.gov, as a guide to help you and add some of these non-perishable (unrefrigerated) food items to your “shelter in” diet. Grains Grains, particularly whole grains, are high in fiber, vitamins and minerals and provide energy. Whole grain pasta, whole wheat flour, whole-grain cereal, brown or wild rice, quinoa, barley, amaranth,…

How to find out what’s in stock at grocery stores in Cobb County

During the coronavirus pandemic, hoarders have made it difficult for their neighbors to do something as simple and routine as shopping for groceries. Shortages of cleaning supplies, meat and bread are now common as shoppers scramble from store to store to meet the basic needs of their families or decide to do without until the stores restock. If you live in Cobb County, finding food just got a little easier thanks to an initiative launched by the Cobb County government. The county has launched a website that allows users to take a survey about what was available at the grocery…

How to find high speed WiFi while social distancing

Social distancing policies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic have caused businesses and schools to conduct their work remotely. For the average Georgian, that isn't a problem, provided they have access to high speed Internet, but not all Georgians -- particularly those in rural areas -- have the type of Internet connection that plays nice with Zoom video conferences. So, what is an employee to do when their boss wants them to attend a video conference? What is a child to do when their teacher wants them to attend a virtual class? Today, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and the…

Yearly Reminder: Be safe with fireworks on New Year’s Eve

As the turn of the new year approaches, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King is urging Georgia residents to use extreme caution to avoid fires and severe injuries when using fireworks this New Year’s Eve. “Each year in the U.S., hospital emergency rooms treat roughly 12,000 people for fireworks-related injuries,” King said. “The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks display.” According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires cause an…

Report: Georgia ranks among states with the least Christmas spirit

Maybe it's the lack of snow or the depletion of Christmas tree farms. Perhaps it is the dying out of shopping malls or the fact that we spent Thanksgiving in short-sleeves. Whatever the cause, a new report shows that Georgia is on the grinchy side of holiday spirit. According to a report released by CenturyLink, Georgia ranked 32 out of all 50 states as it relates to Christmas spirit. We aren't getting a lump of coal like the bottom 10 states, but we're still toward the bottom of the rankings. States were ranked based on their online activity related to…

Yearly Reminder: Don’t pour fat and grease down the drain on Thanksgiving

DeKalb County is reminding residents to be cautious about pouring grease down the drain this Thanksgiving. The below information may come from DeKalb County, but it is good advice for all Georgians Don't be a turkey when cleaning up your kitchen this holiday season. Pouring fats, oils and grease, also called FOG, down the sink can put a strain on your drain and cause blockages or sanitary sewer overflows. The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management is reminding residents how to properly dispose of turkey grease. When FOG is poured down the sink, it coats the inside of plumbing pipes…

How to lower your heating bill this fall and winter

According to the US Department of Energy, the typical US family spends at least $2,200 per year on energy bills—with nearly half of that paying for heating and cooling. To help you lower your utility bills this fall and winter, here are 10 tips from Rebecca Gramuglia, Personal Finance Expert at TopCashback.com. Bundle up on warm accessories. The cheapest, easiest and coziest way to stay warm this winter without a spike in your heating bill is to wear warm socks and sweaters while inside. You can also cuddle up in extra blankets while sleeping and lounging! If you feel that…

What to do if you catch a Snakehead fish

GWINNETT COUNTY -- The invasive and dangerous Snakehead fish has made its way to Georgia and the state's department of Natural resources did not mince words about what to do if you happen to catch one. In early October, an angler reported catching a northern snakehead, an aquatic invasive species, in a pond located on private property in Gwinnett County, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. This is the first time this fish species has been confirmed in Georgia waters. Snakeheads have been reported in 14 states in the United States, however, this is the…