City of Iowa City news release

As you prepare to head out of town for winter break or holiday travel, be sure your vehicle and home are in order before you leave. Avoid expensive fines and inconvenient issues by taking these four steps.

1. Move your car off the street

Vehicles parked on the street must be moved every 48 hours or risk ticketing and towing. If you plan to be out of town for more than two days, move your vehicle off the street. During a Snow Emergency, vehicles will need to move off the street for snow plows. Learn more at www.icgov.org/snow and sign up for alerts at www.icgov.org/subscribe under ‘Snow Alert.’

2. Prevent frozen pipes

Cold weather can lead to frozen pipes, which have the potential to burst and cause considerable damage to your home or rental.

Avoid frozen pipes with these tips:

• Don’t turn your heat off completely, keep it set to at least 55 degrees
• Close windows, but keep doors open to rooms that contain plumbing, like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms
• Ask someone to check on your home while you are away and show them where the water shut-off valve is located, typically in the basement between the water meter and wall

For water emergencies, call the 24/7 Water Division Emergency Line at 319-356-5166.

3. Arrange for snow shoveling

Sidewalks must be cleared of a one-inch or greater snowfall within 24 hours after it has stopped falling. The entire walk must be cleared, making it accessible to everyone, especially for pedestrians with limited mobility.

Snowy sidewalks can result in a $100 fine, plus the cost to clear the sidewalks.

If you are a renter, be sure you know if it is your or your landlord’s duty to clear sidewalks.

4. Protect your property

Take a moment to ensure your home and belongings are locked. Avoid break-ins, theft, and vandalism with these tips:

• Make it look like someone is home
  • Arrange to have your newspapers and mail suspended or collected
  • Set up lamps on timers so they turn on and off throughout the day
  • Move your garbage and recycling bins away from the curb
• Lock vehicle doors
• Move bicycles and other valuable items inside or lock them
• Ask a neighbor or friend to check on your home and to keep an eye out for anything suspicious