Collingswood Snow Protocols from Borough Gov't.

The following was provided by the Borough of Collingswood.

Collingswood officials are urging residents to refrain from parking vehicles in the street due to the expected heavy snowfall on January 21. If possible, please pull cars into driveways and off the roads. Our Public Works Department will be extremely busy with plowing operations.

Vehicles parked in the roadway cause a hindrance to the plowing operations and put plow drivers at risk for possible accidents with parked vehicles in the roadway. We (really, really!) appreciate your cooperation.

SNOW REMOVAL GUIDELINES
Depending on the duration and amount of snowfall, Borough trucks may plow your street several times. As snow rolls off our plows, it will accumulate in driveways. Please understand that this is unavoidable and it is the homeowner's responsibility to clear it.

Here are some helpful hints:

• Shovel snow to the right side of your driveway (facing the street) to minimize the amount of snow entering your driveway.
• If possible, wait until borough trucks have made at least two passes on your street before clearing your driveway.
• Shovel and/or blow snow onto the curb, not into the street.
• Do not park cars on the street from one hour after snow has continuously fallen until 12 hours after snow has stopped. This speeds the removal process and prevents cars from being plowed in.
• To insure safety of pedestrians, residents must remove snow from sidewalks following a snow fall. 
• In the event of deep snow, please shovel around your mailbox and fire hydrants near your house for your safety and that of your neighbors.

• Dress in layers and cover your exposed skin to avoid frostbite. It only takes 30 to 45 minutes for exposed skin to develop frostbite.
• Mittens keep children’s hands warmer than gloves.
• Avoid wearing cotton, it holds in moisture and loses its insulating properties.
• Remember that even clear-looking sidewalks can be slippery.
• Keep dog walks brief, don’t leave animals outside, and consider a dog coat.
• Please check on your neighbors, especially those that are elderly, disabled or live alone.
• Using your ceiling fan clockwise on low recirculates warm air through the room.
• Never use a stove, oven or a gas grill to heat your home.
• Use space heaters safely on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away. Turn off space heaters before going to bed.
• Wood -burning fireplaces should have a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks or rolling logs. Never leave children alone in the room when a fire is lit. Keep all flammable items at least three feet away from the fireplace. Always make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Keep your thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you could avoid the costly repair of pipes that freeze and burst.
• To prevent pipes from freezing, run water, even at a trickle. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, but be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children. Keep garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage.
• In order to conserve electricity, turn off lights and appliances that you do not need or are not using.
• At night, cover windows with drapes or blankets to minimize heat loss. During the day, open blinds to let sun warm the space.