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Fort Smith/Fayetteville News | 5newsonline KFSM 5NEWS | Get the local news and weather where you live from 5NEWS. Covering Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Bentonville, and all of Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley.

Pets

Dog winter safety: VERIFY Fact Sheet

Weather

Do not plug space heaters into extension cords or power strips

If you’re using a space heater to stay warm, plug it directly into a wall outlet. Extension cords or power strips can overheat, and potentially start a fire.
Weather

VERIFYING 5 claims about staying warm and protecting your home from the cold

VERIFY looked into five common claims about staying warm and protecting your home against freezing temperatures.
Weather

Yes, warming up your car before driving in cold weather can damage the engine over time

Excessive idling can cause engine damage, and experts agree that modern gas-powered engines don’t need to warm up to run effectively.
Winter Guide

No, drinking alcohol doesn’t help you stay warm in cold weather

Contrary to popular belief, drinking an alcoholic beverage doesn’t help keep you warm in the cold. It actually cools you down instead.
Holiday

No, Coca-Cola did not invent the modern image of Santa Claus

While Coca-Cola helped popularize today’s image, its version of Santa Claus drew inspiration from an 1822 poem and earlier Santa depictions.
Travel

Yes, you can bring homemade Christmas foods on a plane

If you are traveling with food items for Christmas, here is what the TSA says you can bring in a carry-on and what needs to be in a checked bag.
Holiday

Reindeer roundup: 3 VERIFIED facts about the animals that inspired Santa's sleigh team

Can reindeer noses really turn red? We VERIFY myths and facts about the animals.
Holiday

Poinsettias’ danger to pets has long been overblown

Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not deadly to cats and dogs. But they still might get sick if they eat the plant.
Holiday

Yes, artificial Christmas trees can trigger allergies

Artificial trees can gather dust, mold spores and other allergens. This can trigger an allergic reaction that’s sometimes called “Christmas tree syndrome."
Winter Guide

Yes, tire pressure does drop when the weather gets colder

If you’ve noticed your car has a deflated tire or even a tire pressure warning light on a cold morning, then you can curse physics before adding air to your tires.
Holiday

VERIFYING what kinds of gifts postal carriers can accept

Postal workers can’t accept cash or checks, but they are legally allowed to accept some other gifts. Here’s what gift-givers should know.