BCAT News

Winter in the northeast is always a bit of a question-mark: Some years we get walloped with feet of snow, and other years we barely get a few dustings. But even a little bit of snow, sleet or black ice – can spell trouble. 

It’s wise to assemble an emergency kit with extra winter clothing, blankets, batteries, flashlights and shelf-stable foods, and check ahead of time to make sure you have enough heating fuel. But there are plenty of ways to prepare. BCAT reached out to some of Burlington’s smartest professionals for some tips and reminders for the months ahead. 

DPW Director Brian White had some practical tips for home and the road:  

• Clean your gutters. That will reduce the risk of ice dams, which occur when snow melts on the roof but freezes at the roof’s edge, causing a blockage that prevents water from draining properly and potentially causing water damage to the home. 
• Make sure your water heater and non-insulated pipes are in heated rooms to prevent freezing and breaking. Homeowners are responsible for water meters that break or freeze. 
• Relocate unauthorized items such as basketball hoops away from the edge of the pavement to keep the way clear for plows and to prevent damage
• The DPW plows a set list of sidewalks through the winter, but they’re the last thing the department gets to, after roads have been cleared. “Please bear with us while we get to it, especially during long storms where our small crew has to brea,” White said. 
• Finally, stay off the roads as long as possible during storms to allow for a quicker and better cleanup. 

And for seniors, BCAT reached out to Council on Aging Director Marge Yetman. Here were her recommendations: 

• Don’t go out in the snow unless you have to
• If you’re shovelling, take frequent breaks, pace your work, and use a smaller shovel so you aren’t lifting too much weight. 
• Plan ahead and have everything on hand you might need for a storm that might last a couple of days, including prescriptions and food you don’t need to heat or keep cold. 

Get more tips and learn more here.