Winter tips: From shoveling your sidewalk to prepping your car, here’s everything you need to know
From who's responsible for shoveling snow to prepping your car and home for winter weather, here's everything you need to know about braving a Philly winter.
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Testing your snow equipment and having extra clothing and blankets available are things that can prepare you for when a winter storm hits. But are you aware of everything else that comes with Philly’s winter weather?
We have you covered with who’s responsible for shoveling sidewalks (and the fines you can face if you don’t). Plus, how to prep your car for the frigid cold — dead batteries and deflated tires are common in this weather.
As soon as the snow stops falling, it’s time to get shoveling. In Philadelphia, you have six hours to clear the sidewalks in front of your home before facing potential fines, according to city rules. Fines range from $50 to $300 for those who violate city snow-removal rules. Whether you rent or own, you’re responsible for clearing a path, unless you live in a multifamily dwelling, like an apartment building or a building with more than one unit. In this case, the building owner or agent is responsible for snow removal, unless your lease says otherwise.
For more details, here’s what you need to know.
Rock salt vs. calcium chloride, best shovel to use, and when you should re-salt the sidewalk. Here’s how to clear snow and salt your sidewalk the right way, with tips from Philly’s Four Seasons Total Landscaping.
How to jumpstart your car with cables, what emergency supplies should be in your trunk, and how to avoid winter roadside breakdowns. Philly experts weigh in on readying your car for winter.
When it gets colder, it’s not only important to be mindful of your pets and your plants but also your home’s pipes and water heater. Yes, those inanimate objects need extra care, too. As temperatures drop across the region, the risk of your home’s pipes freezing increases. There are steps, however, that homeowners can take to help stop that from happening and help you avoid a hefty plumbing bill this winter.
From Oct. 1 to April 30, landlords must ensure that heating in a rental unit is capable of maintaining a room temperature of 68 degrees, according to Philadelphia’s property maintenance code. This also applies to May and September if temperatures drop below 60 degrees. Despite these protections in Philadelphia, some tenants still go years without consistent heating.
Here’s a breakdown of how to report and resolve a rental unit heating issue.
Deciding to eat snow is very dependent on your situation. Are you clinging to the edge of life searching for water? Are you outside making snow angels and feeling a bit curious? Is the snow “yellow?”
Either way, it’s usually recommended not to eat snow, especially the kind found on the ground in Philadelphia, says the city’s top doc. And besides, you’re sort of eating and drinking air when consuming snow. Almost the entirety of snow is made up of air and very little water. Despite the lack of refreshment, the reason health experts and scientists won’t advise you to eat snow is because of the plethora of possible pollutants found in it.
Want to know what kind? Read more.
When weighing winter-related risks, chances are you think of spraining an ankle on the slopes or a road accident. But even more common of a seasonal threat are slips and falls, which can result in debilitating injuries such as broken bones or a head trauma. Fortunately, there are some simple steps to reduce your risk of experiencing these wintertime woes.