With some frozen snow still kicking around and more of the white stuff forecast between Christmas and New Year, the City of Richmond is asking its residents to take some common sense steps to prepare themselves, their homes and vehicles.
Prepare your property for snow
Clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to your property. The new Bylaw 5870 requires residential (single-family and multi-family) owners and occupants, as well as commercial and industrial properties, to remove snow and ice no later than 10 a.m. every day;
Shovel snow onto your lawn, not the street. Shovelling snow onto the street is a hazard for vehicles and creates more work for snow plows, slowing down the clearing process — it also increases the chance that snow will be pushed back onto your driveway;
Look for street storm/drainage grates in the roadway in front of your home and clear away debris such as fallen leaves, branches and snow. Take care not to bury these storm grates or gutters when shovelling snow;
If salt or de-icers are left to sit on new concrete (poured within one year), they cause repetitive freeze-thaw cycles that lead to surface spalling (water crystalizing in pores.) To avoid costly repairs, do not use salt or de-icers on new concrete. Follow manufacturer’s instructions; which typically state not to use salt on new concrete; use sand instead;
If you have a fire hydrant in front of your home, clear the snow around it for easy emergency access;
If possible, park your vehicle in your driveway;
Talk to your neighbours about all parking on one side of the road. Keeping one side curb-free allows for better snow plow access. It also helps avoid possible snow pile-up on your car from the snow plow;
Keep curb free from debris and bins. Remove any decorations, garbage, recycling and organic bins off roadways where snow plowing may take place.
Ensure vehicle is safe
Install good winter tires on your vehicle;
Keep your gas tank full;
Ensure all lights and defrosters are in good working condition;
Replace windshield wipers with ones especially designed for icy weather;
Top up your vehicle’s reservoir with winter window wash fluid;
Check your vehicle battery — a vehicle with a weak battery won’t start in the cold;
Leave 50 metres distance between your vehicle and the city’s snow clearing equipment.
