Safety reminders for winter weather
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 5 years, 11 months AGO
Courtesy photo In most cities and towns, it is the law to ensure that your sidewalk or public walkways are kept clear of snow.
The Kootenai County Fire Chiefs would like to pass on a few reminders to the public in light of continued snow accumulations.
As you continue with snow removal at your home or business please take a couple extra minutes to clear snow from around fire hydrants which may be located on or near your property. When your home, or your neighbor’s home, is on fire, every second counts. If firefighters are unable to locate or access your closest fire hydrant, this will significantly decrease our ability to put out the fire in a safe and timely manner.
At your business please ensure that the Post Indicator Valve and Fire Department Connection are also clear. These devices are integral to the operation of your fire sprinkler system.
In rural areas, many people have their address numbers on or near their mailbox. As the snow continues to accumulate and pile up the address numbers may become buried by snow berms. If you, or a member of your family, needs emergency medical help, not being able to locate the address may mean the difference between life and death. Large, contrasting or reflective numbers visible from the street are recommended.
In most cities and towns, it is the law to ensure that your sidewalk or public walkways are kept clear of snow. Many people in our communities walk to and from work, our kids walk to and from school, and people with disabilities are dependent on a clear pathway to get around. When you don’t clear your sidewalk, you push pedestrians into the roadway which is already narrowed by the snow creating a potentially deadly conflict with motorists.
Finally, take time during these cold and snowy days to check on your elderly family members and neighbors. Help to ensure that they have safe pathways at their home and emergency supplies should the power go out. It is also a good time to recheck your emergency supplies to ensure that you can withstand a loss of power for up to three days. Every vehicle you drive should also have an emergency kit full of supplies to last until you are found, should you slide off the road during slick driving conditions.
– Craig Etherton, President