Saturday, February 20, 2016

(Family Features)—When snow is in the forecast, a fully stocked shed and plan of attack can help you weather the storm. Regardless of the predicted snowfall totals, it’s best to have the appropriate tools on hand for your home, your car and yourself.  

The driveway
To clear snow from large, flat areas, a snow blower is the best tool. Clear a path as it snows, if possible, to avoid a bigger end job. Once all of the snow has been removed, cover any slippery patches with salt or sand.

Sidewalks and pathways
Clearing sidewalks and pathways is not only courteous to your neighbors, but in many areas it’s the law. For lighter snow, putting down ice melt a few hours before a storm can melt snow up to 2 inches deep and keep ice from forming. For larger storms, it’s advised to remove smaller amounts of snow several times instead of waiting until the snow stops falling. This results in less strenuous activity and also allows the sun to warm up the pavement, preventing ice from forming.

The car
It’s important to keep your car stocked up for an emergency, just as you would your home. Fill your trunk with a small survival kit, including a blanket, water, flashlight and extra batteries. Another important tool to keep in your car in the winter is an ice scraper.

Yourself
While removing snow may make you work up a sweat, it’s still important to dress warmly and keep your body covered, especially parts of the body that are vulnerable to frostbite, such as your fingers, toes and face. Make sure that you are equipped with a warm jacket, thick gloves and socks, and a hat that covers your ears. Dress in layers so that you can take off pieces of clothing as your body warms up.

Source: snowjoe.com.

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