Winter Preparedness Guide 2021-22

Winter Preparedness PRESENTS THE INAUGURAL

GUIDE | 2021

December 8-14, 2021 FEATURE

W I N T E R P R E PA R E D N E S S G U I D E

Prepare Your Home for Winter

BY K AT H E R I N E E . H I L L

G

etting your home prepared for winter weather will save you thousands in repairs from broken water pipes and fires by following a few simple tips from FEMA, American Red Cross and Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team. This is even more important if your home is a vacation rental and not occupied full time. If you do rent out your home, hire a local agency to ensure your house is maintained properly.

PREPARE YOUR HOME • Insulated pipes save water and energy and can prevent them from freezing. Visit redcross.org for tips on insulating and thawing pipes.

Courtesy NOAA

• Drain irrigation systems to keep pipes from freezing.

• Use insulated window coverings to reduce heat loss.

• Check weather stripping around doors and windows to eliminate drafts.

• Install wall socket insulators.

• Have the heating system serviced.

• Replace the air filter to improve indoor air quality and save energy.

• Clear propane tanks and gas lines of snow.

• Be sure to keep roof vents, chimneys and flues free of snow. Blockages can cause carbon monoxide to buildup.

• Check and install, if needed, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.

• Have a grill and gas on hand in case of power outages.

• Leave thermostats set for at least 55 degrees when away from home to keep pipes from freezing.

• Bring pets indoors during snowstorms or cold weather and have supplies including crates inside for them.

• Inspect all appliance exhaust systems to ensure they have not become blocked by debris or nesting rodents.

• If space heaters are being used, place them three feet away from anything combustible and away from the path of traffic.

• Never use a surge protector to power a heating device; plug it directly into an outlet.

FIREPLACE SAFETY • Have the fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected annually.

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from a fireplace, wood stove or other heating appliance.

• Create a 3-foot kid-free zone around an open fire.

• Keep a sturdy screen in front of fireplaces.

• Allow ashes to cool completely before disposing of them. Four days or 96 hours is the minimum recommended cooling period.

• Place completely cooled ashes in a covered metal container. Keep the container at least 10 feet away from the home and other buildings. Check with local fire districts to see if they offer free ash can programs. Visit tahoe.livingwithfire.info to find a local fire district.

• Ashes should never be disposed of in a plastic garbage box or can, a cardboard box or paper grocery bag.

Never use a vacuum cleaner to pick up ashes.

• The metal container should be placed away from anything flammable.

• It should not be placed next to a firewood pile, against or in the garage, on or under a wood deck or porch.

• After sitting for a week in the metal container, check ashes again to be sure they are cool. If so, the ashes are then safe to dispose of in the trash or used as compost in the garden.

PREPARE FOR SNOW REMOVAL • Be prepared to shovel a lot. Have a snow shovel and scrapers for your vehicles on hand.

• Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

• Reduce the risk of a heart attack by avoiding overexertion when shoveling snow and walking in the snow.

• Have pet-friendly ice melt on hand.

• Consider a snow removal contract.

They are hard to come up this late in the season, but some are still available.

• If you have a snow plow contract, you need to be ready to move your vehicle when they come to plow your driveway, which if often the middle of the night. It’s your responsibility to keep your car clear and be ready to move it when they arrive.

• After the city or county plows your street, if will leave a berm at the end of your driveway. That is your responsibility to remove and doesn’t fall under your snow plow contract.

• If you have a lot of stairs or walkways, hire someone in advance to shovel those areas. Don’t forget your hot tub cover, which will collapse if left uncleared and ruin your hot tub.

It’s best to hire one with a monthly retainer to handle all the extra snow removal needs.

• If you don’t have someone on retainer, be prepared to wait several days or longer for help with snow removal on your property.

PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES • Consider investing in a whole-home generator and have it installed by a professional only.

• Have a grill and gas on hand in case of power outages.

• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows.

• Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.

• Keep battery-powered flashlights and an emergency radio on hand with extra batteries.

• Know how to use fireplaces in advance of power outages.

• Be prepared to evacuate if you lose power for extended periods and have a plan.

• Prepare a home disaster kit with 72 hours of supplies, including medications and food, for every member of the family and pets. Find a complete list at TheTahoeWeekly.com.

• Keep cell phones and devices charged.

ROOF SLIDES ARE DEADLY During snowstorms, snow will accumulate on the roof and slide as temperatures warm. NEVER play or walk next to a home or building where the snow will shed from the roof.

Unfortunately, people and pets have been killed by massive snow slides off roofs burying them before help could arrive. n

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EMERGENCY ALERTS Alpine County | alpinecountyca.gov City of South Lake Tahoe | cityofslt.us Douglas County | douglascountynv.gov El Dorado County | ready.edso.org Nevada County | mynevadacounty.com Placer County | placer.ca.gov Town of Truckee Nixle alerts | local.nixle.com Washoe County | washoecounty.us 11

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W I N T E R P R E PA R E D N E S S G U I D E

Winter Driving Tips

BY K AT H E R I N E E . H I L L

D

riving in the winter in the mountains presents its own challenges unique to the Tahoe Sierra from knowing how to drive in snowy conditions, when to put chains on your cars and when to stay home, and what to carry in your car in case you get stuck or stranded during a winter storm.

CHECK CONDITIONS FIRST Before going anywhere, check the weather conditions and the road conditions for potential chain controls and road closures. All the mountain passes in the Tahoe region may close during heavy snowstorms or require chains.

Also fill up your windshield wiper fluid with one that is rated for 0 degrees Fahrenheit; it has been known to dip into the single digits overnight.

• Ice scrapers and a shovel to dig out your car.

• Sand or cat litter for traction if you get stuck.

• Warm blankets and extra clothing • Water and food (don’t leave the food in your car once you arrive; bears do roam the area in the winter, too).

• Cell phone chargers and keep them charged.

• Keep the gas tank full. During power outages, gas pumps may not work.

NO PARKING ON ROADWAYS Parking is prohibited on roadway shoulders in nearly all localities between Nov. 1 and May 1 and will result in a ticket and damage to your vehicle during snow removal operations.

STAY ON THE HIGHWAYS

DRIVING TIPS

Don’t try to take sideroads through neighborhoods or lesser-used roads during a snowstorm. These roads will likely not be plowed, will not have shoulders to pull off on and conditions will be icier. The main highways are always the first to be plowed and are constantly maintained; side roads are not and you may get stuck in the snow.

• Remove all the snow from your car after a storm. Tahoe snow has a high-water content that will turn into ice when left on your car.

• Never pour hot water on car windows.

They will crack. Buy an ice scraper and let your car warm up.

• Remove all the snow from your car. Don’t leave snow on the roof; it will slide when it starts to melt and obscure your entire windshield. You’ll also get a ticket for doing so.

• Slow down and don’t tailgate. 4WD and snow tires or studs will not help you stop your car if it’s icy.

• Don’t use your high beams at night during a snowstorm.

• Stay at least 4 car lengths back from snowplows and snow removal equipment.

• Bridges freeze first, so slow down before reaching a bridge.

• Avalanches pose a danger to drivers on mountain roads. If you are caught in an avalanche, stay in your vehicle and turn off the engine to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning from a clogged tailpipe. n

USING CHAINS • Always carry chains. Ideally, you should purchase them before coming to Tahoe and practice putting them on. Know which wheels they go on in your car. It will vary by model. Watch our video made with Mountain Hardware on how to put chains on our Facebook page or visit dot.ca.gov.

• Carry cash if you plan to use a chain installer and be prepared to wait in long lines.

• Chain installers are not allowed to sell or rent chains.

• When removing chains, drive beyond the signs reading “End of Chain Control” to a pull-off area where you can safely remove them.

• Pack out all chains, even the broken ones, and any equipment.

• After a snowstorm, check chain control requirements. You can receive a ticket for not having chains on and you won’t be able to travel over many passes if you don’t have chains on.

• The speed limit when chains are required is 25 or 30 mph.

WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR CAR • Carry gloves, hats, winter jackets and snow boots for every member of the family Bring extra waterproof gloves to use for putting on chains (you don’t want to use your expensive ski gloves), a headlight to wear in case you’re doing this in the dark, and towels to kneel on and for clean up.

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WINTER RESOURCES California road conditions | quickmap.dot.ca.gov, (800) 427-7623 Chain requirements | dot.ca.gov Create a home disaster kit | redcross.org or thetahoeweekly.com Nevada Road conditions | nvroads.com, (877) 687-6237 or 511 (while in Nevada) Winter Driving Tips | dot.ca.gov

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