PEMCO in the Northwest

​PEMCO says it's often a good idea to turn off your main water valve when you leave home for several days, in case a pipe bursts. Can you find yours?Imagine you leave town on vacation and while you're away, your washing machine hose cracks (because you forgot to replace it) and starts gushing water. Your hardwood floors flood, the walls get soaked, and your wet wiring shorts out, risking an electrical fire. But you're clueless – you're hFull post

Maybe they ought to start making cars with pup holders. ​In our latest PEMCO Northwest Poll, about half of Northwest drivers admit they've driven with an unrestrained pet in the car, and about one-third have allowed pets to roam free or sit on their laps when they're behind the wheel.That despite the fact that 43% of drivers in Washington find their pets more distracting to drive with than their kids! (Oregon drivers considered it a toss-upFull post

​Gov. Jay Inslee warns Washington drivers that using a cell phone behind the wheel is more dangerous than driving drunk, and starting Sunday the penalty stiffens.You should take note that other distractions also will cost you, such as grooming, eating, or reading while driving. I say whoopee, and it's about time.Washington's new distracted driving law carries a fine between $136 and $234 for using a handheld device. If you're pulled over forFull post

​July 4 remains the deadliest day of the year for vehicle crashes, and July and August are our deadliest months, a five-year IIHS crash study has confirmed.If you're reading this, great – that means you survived Independence Day. But stay alert, because two months of summer (and road trips) remain. Plus, the report ranks October and September as the next-deadliest of the upcoming months.The independent, nonprofit Insurance Institute for HighFull post

​You'll need to dial 10 digits in Western Washington starting July 29, even to reach someone across the street. That's because of the new 564 area code.An additional area code became necessary as the supply of phone numbers dwindled for existing area codes 360, 206, 253, and 425. Starting Aug. 28, all new phone lines west of the Cascades will get 564 area codes.Don't worry, local calls will remain local calls even when dialing 10 digits – yoFull post