I hope everyone had a safe and peaceful holiday. I am always grateful when I don’t get that call in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve about a major emergency or incident! As far as I can tell our county fared well through the holiday season.

While winter settles in, I want to warn residents about scammers that take advantage during the cold weather season. This is a time when door knockers soliciting for work take advantage of those who would easily pay them to do jobs that they don’t finish or don’t even start. There are ways to prevent becoming a target:

• Get at least three estimates from reputable contractors that include details about materials and services to be provided for the job.

• Insist on a written contract that includes the price and description of the work needed, get references and then check references.

• Never pay unreasonable advanced sums. Negotiate a payment schedule tied to completion of specific stages of the job.

• You have three days to cancel after signing a contract for home improvements.

Door-to-Door

According to the Federal Trade Commission you have until midnight of the third business day after a contract was signed to cancel either of the following:

• a door-to-door sales contract for $25 or more (as long as the goods or services are primarily intended for personal, family, or household purposes), or

• a contract for $25 or more made anywhere other than the seller's normal place of business -- for instance, at a sales presentation at a hotel or restaurant, outdoor exhibit, computer show, or trade show. This rule does not apply to public car auctions, craft fairs, insurance, and securities. To learn more go to http://www.consumer.ftc.gov and look up buyer’s remorse.

New FAA “Drone” laws

As of December 21, 2015 anyone flying an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) including “drones” that weigh more than .55 pounds, must register their UAS with the FAA. More information about the new law and to register your UAS can be done online at: http://www.FAA.gov/UAS/registration. Registration fee is $5 but is waived if completed before January 21.