Snow of such epic proportions, like Sunday’s blizzard, always creates problems.  It becomes a logistical nightmare, whether you’re driving or attempting to retrieve your mail.  It’s hazardous, and left untreated creates even more perils.

Packed down, matted down, driven-on snow is dangerous, especially when followed by freezing temperatures.  The once rather benign-looking blanket soon becomes a frozen wasteland where driving and walking are neither possible.  Sure, shoveling and snow-blowing can be a complete and utter hassle, but for your own safety, and the safety of others, it’s a necessity, and certain rules of etiquette should be observed.

Never, ever, never shovel or blow snow into the street or onto a passing car.  In many municipalities, fines can be levied.  Now, I’ll fully admit that village plows don’t always do a stellar job when plowing streets, but this doesn’t give anyone the right to displace snow from their property onto municipal property that the community relies upon.  I realize this may sound a bit harsh, but I witnessed first hand, the morphing of a clean street into a hodge podge of piles and ridges created by neighbors who deemed it more convenient to throw their snow into the road.  Also, if your street has sidewalks, you should always attempt to clear the stretch in front of your home and on each side of your drive.  This can be the most arduous of tasks, especially if a plow has already cleared the street.  Why?  Street plows tend to push a lot of snow onto the sidewalks, and the end of driveways; thereby creating a heavy, wet snow that can be quite difficult to move.  In cases like this, proceed with the utmost caution.  This type of snow can easily tax a heart, so take it slow and steady or reach out to neighbor, family member, or local teenager looking to make a few bucks.  Again, in some municipalities, fines can be imposed for snow-cluttered walks.  The bottom line is safety, and the safe passageway of emergency vehicles and our neighbors.

Large snow falls are difficult to manage for both the homeowner and professional snow mitigation teams.  If we work together by doing our part, everyone wins.

“A lot of people like snow.  I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.”

-Carl Reiner

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney