Consumer 6: Check your tires and tips for buying the dog you always wanted

With temperatures dropping below freezing, it's important to take care of your car's tires so you're not stranded in the cold. To avoid a tire blowout, keep tires inflated to the recommended

Thursday, December 21st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

With temperatures dropping below freezing, it's important to take care of your car's tires so you're not stranded in the cold. To avoid a tire blowout, keep tires inflated to the recommended air pressure. Check them once a month when tires are cool, and if you hear thumping while driving that often means the tread is worn out. If you do have a blowout, lift your foot off the accelerator steer to the shoulder, and avoid braking.

Tulsa is doing a good job preventing flooding problems according to the Federal Emergency Management Association or F-E-M-A. The agency recently ranked Tulsa number one nationwide for flood prevention efforts. Because of the rating, the National Flood Insurance Program has lowered its premiums another 10 percent. Those rates dropped 25 percent last year, because of Tulsa's high rating. This year's rating should save the community about $190,000 a year in premium costs.

Puppies are a popular gift for Christmas. However, before you buy from a breeder, visit the breeder's kennel to check it for cleanliness. Meet the puppy's mother, and be sure you like her personality. Request three generations of breeding records to check for possible inherited problems. Avoid dog breeders who keep their dogs outdoors all the time. And don't buy from a breeder that has more than five litters annually. It's most likely a puppy mill. Or you could always save a dog's life, and adopt from a shelter or rescue foundation.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions for Consumer 6, call our tip line at 732-6111 or send an e-mail to dwhite@kotv.com.