Don’t let winter weather slip you up!

Winter season has begun. Get snow, ice and cold tips to protect your property, vehicles, and yourself this winter season.

In the building

• Repair and seal any wall or roof holes or cracks and clear roof gutters and drains.
• Drain idle water pumps and pipes before cold weather hits.
• Keep building heat to at least 50 degrees during storms and cold snaps to prevent freezing pipes. Putting insulation around pipes can also help.
• Place non-slip floor mats both inside and outside of entrances

In the car

• Let vehicles warm up and defrost and de-ice all windows before driving and remove all snow from the roof.
• Drive with headlights on during a storm, even during the day.
• Increase your following distance for any potential sliding, unexpected stopping, or slow-moving vehicles.

Streets and sidewalks

• Develop a snow and ice removal policy for Public Works staff to follow and communicate the plan to the public through your website or social media during winter storms.
• Prioritize snow removal routes for main roads, emergency vehicles, and school buses. Mark right of way structures before snow to avoid hitting them when snow plowing.
• Clear storm drains ahead of winter storms to prevent melting snow from causing flooding.
• Pass snow removal ordinances that require abutting property owners to clear snow from sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall and require a 36-inch-wide path on sidewalks. Non-compliance should include public works removing snow at the property owner’s expense.