Important Reminders from the Department of Public Works

Take simple steps this season to ensure your driveway and sidewalks aren’t the only things that get cleared after a winter storm, whether you’re home or not. Snow and ice buildup around fire hydrants, your gas meter and external appliance vents can become dangerous for homeowners and their property.

Adopt a Fire Hydrant!

A clearly visible, accessible fire hydrant could save your home – or even your life. If a fire hydrant is buried in snow, firefighters can lose valuable time trying to locate it when they arrive at a fire. You can perform a valuable public service and protect yourself, your family and your neighbors by taking on the responsibility of shoveling out and clearing a fire hydrant near your home during and after a snowstorm. With snow here to stay, we’d like to share with you these suggestions: 

• Know the location of the nearest fire hydrants.
• Make sure they are shoveled after each snowfall.
• Clear the snow 3 feet around the hydrant so firefighters have enough room to use the hydrant.

Taking the time to remove the snow from around a hydrant near you can save precious minutes in case of a fire. 

Clear Your Gas Meter and Vents!

Accumulating snow and ice buildup can interfere with the natural gas flow to and from your meter. Frozen gas meters can disrupt heating, potentially causing water pipes inside the home to freeze and burst.

Exhaust vents for natural gas appliances such as water heaters, furnaces, stoves, and fireplaces should also be cleared of snow and ice. The vents provide a clear opening for exhaust gases to vent to the outside and prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas that can cause death. 

Follow these tips to help keep you, your family, renters, and your property safe during the winter:

• Gently remove snow or ice with a brush from the natural gas meter, any associated piping and external appliance vents. 
• Carefully shovel around a meter and then remove the snow to create a clear path to the meter for quick access in an emergency. 
• Avoid using a snow blower near a meter. 
• Accumulating snow on the roof can fall and bury meters and clog vent openings. Use precautions when clearing snow from the roof or call a professional.

Anytime you experience a natural gas outage, please don’t try to relight gas appliances yourself.