How to Prepare for NYC’s First Big Snowstorm of the Season

November 14, 2023 by

As winter approaches, the anticipation of New York City’s first significant snowstorm of the season brings both excitement and the need for important preparation. The city that never sleeps will soon transform into a winter wonderland, so now is the time to make plans for navigating the snowy streets and ensuring the warmth and safety of your home. Keep reading to explore the essential steps necessary to prepare for the first big snowstorm of the season!

Stay Informed

Staying informed is the key to navigating New York City’s winter weather successfully. Keep an eye on reliable weather sources for up-to-date forecasts. Whether it’s road closures, transit changes, or important updates, knowing what’s coming your way helps you plan ahead and adapt to changing conditions. Enroll in the Notify NYC alert system, which is New York City’s official source for information about emergency alerts and important city services. You can receive alerts through email, text, telephone, or social media.

Stock Up

Being prepared by stocking up on essentials before the first snowflake falls is the best defense for whatever winter throws your way. Having the essentials listed below already on hand can ease your mind during a snowstorm. 

  • Fill a winter emergency kit with a 72-hour supply of food, water, medications, and other essentials for each family member and all pets. Be sure your emergency kit also includes first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, a whistle to signal for help, and copies of important family documents. 
  • Arm yourself with rock salt, shovels, and other snow removal gear to keep the pathways around your home clear.
  • Stay warm and cozy this winter by stocking up on warm clothing, snow boots, hand warmers, and blankets.
  • Keep a couple of portable battery banks regularly charged that can support your mobile phones and any other important electronic equipment during a winter storm power outage.

Prepare Your Home

  • Keep that winter chill on the outside by sealing cracks and insulating windows, doors, attics. A cozy home starts with blocking out the cold drafts.
  • Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your HVAC running as efficiently as possible. Servicing the system now can help provide warmth all winter long.
  • Before winter storms approach, remove any dangerous or dangling tree branches over your house. Branches that are loaded with snow and ice can easily break causing damage to your roof.
  • Pipes can crack and burst when cold temperatures cause the water inside to freeze. Protect outdoor water spigots by disconnecting all garden hoses. If possible, shut off the water supply for external spigots and drain any remaining water. Place an insulated dome around each spigot for further protection. On extremely cold nights, maintain a slow drip to alleviate pressure in the water system, reducing the likelihood of pipe rupture if freezing occurs. The best faucet to leave dripping is the one that is the furthest away from the main pipeline that brings water into your house, allowing more pipes to receive the benefit of the drip.

Make Transportation Plans

If you can, steer clear of driving in a winter snowstorm. Opt for public transportation for a safer journey. If driving is unavoidable, follow the safety tips below. 

  • Make sure to slow down. Keep in mind that speed limits are designed for ideal weather conditions, and it takes longer for vehicles to stop on snowy and icy roads compared to dry pavement. 
  • Stick to major streets or highways whenever you can. 
  • While four-wheel drive vehicles might handle snow-covered roads better, they don’t stop any quicker than other vehicles. 
  • Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s braking system, especially if you have antilock brakes, as they require a different technique in icy or snowy conditions. 
  • When navigating a snowstorm, choose daylight hours for travel and let someone know your plans.

At Sentry Window Guards we make it our mission to help keep families safe. By staying informed about weather conditions, stocking up on winter and emergency supplies, preparing your home, and adopting safe driving practices, you can navigate the challenges of New York City’s first winter snowstorm with confidence! For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

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Shielding Your NYC Home: 6 Essential Strategies to Prevent Frozen Pipes

January 8, 2023 by

Winter in New York City can mean more than just chilly winds; it can bring a real threat to your residential homes and commercial establishments in the form of frozen pipes. The low temperatures can wreak havoc on your plumbing, leading to potential water damage if pipes burst. This risk intensifies, especially for those living in outer-wall residences or spaces with unheated areas like basements and crawl spaces where pipes and meters are often located.

However, there are specific steps New Yorkers can take to combat this risk:

1) Smart Thermostat Control: Invest in a smart thermostat that allows remote monitoring and control of your home or business temperature. These devices enable you to adjust the heating system even when you’re away, ensuring a consistent temperature level to prevent frozen pipes. Some smart thermostats also offer freeze warnings, alerting you if temperatures drop dangerously low so you can take action promptly.

2) Secure Outdoor Spigots: Disconnect garden hoses and shut down the water supply for outside spigots. Adding insulated domes provides extra protection.

3) Insulate Vulnerable Areas: Wrap all water supply lines in unheated areas with insulation. Check basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and under cabinets for pipes needing extra protection. Consider adding insulation to these areas to maintain a more stable temperature.

4) Maintain Temperature: Keep garage doors closed to retain warmth around water supply lines. Additionally, leave cabinet doors in bathrooms and kitchens open to allow warmer air circulation around the plumbing.

5) Allow a Slow Drip: On the coldest nights, let a faucet drip slowly. This helps reduce pressure in the water system and lowers the risk of pipes rupturing. Choose the faucet farthest from the main water pipeline to benefit more pipes.

6) Moderate Heating: Even if you’re away, don’t set the heat below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. While heating an unoccupied space might hike up your bill, it’s far less costly than repairing a broken pipe.

New York City residents should also be aware of what to do if pipes freeze but haven’t burst. Turning on faucets and using a hair dryer or space heater to thaw the frozen section safely can restore water flow. Avoid using open flames to thaw pipes. If unsure, it’s wise to call a plumber rather than attempting fixes alone.

For Sentry Window Guards, ensuring safety this winter is a top priority. We hope these helpful tips help keep your New York City home and business safe and cozy this winter. Reach out to us for more information on our window guard products and our expertise in understanding NYC safety requirements.

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How to Prevent Winter Slips and Falls

February 14, 2021 by

Although we have not had record breaking snowfall totals in NYC this winter, we have still had our city blanketed in white several times with more on the way. So, now is a good time to be mindful of how to prevent winter slips and falls. During the winter months, slippery conditions caused by snow and ice make slips and falls some of the leading causes of injury. Follow these tips to stay safe this winter.

  • Plan your trips around the weather. When conditions are bad, only go out when it is absolutely necessary. Stay home and wait for conditions to improve whenever possible.
  • When freezing rain or snow is in the forecast, pre-treat paved surfaces around your home with de-icer, rock salt, sand, or kitty litter.
  • Remove snow as soon as possible from your porch stoops, steps, sidewalks and driveways.
  • If you must go out, give yourself plenty of time. Being in a hurry will definitely increase your risk of falling. Ice and snow mean “take it slow!”
  • Wear shoes with plenty of traction. You might even want to consider purchasing ice grippers for your shoes if you have to be in wintery conditions frequently.
  • Dress appropriately for the weather. Keeping your muscles warm and relaxed will help you maintain balance. Also, cold weather gear has more padding if you do take a tumble.
  • Be careful getting out of your vehicle. Planting both feet firmly on the ground before moving and steadying yourself on the door frame will help your balance. Watch for other vehicles stopping and sliding in parking lots.
  • Look for routes that have been cleared or have better access to sunshine for melting the ice.
  • Take short, flat-footed steps with your toes pointed slightly outward to maintain a stable base of support – think of how a penguin walks.
  • Tap your foot on potentially slick areas to see if they are slippery.
  • Avoid carrying heavy loads or children that may cause you to become off balance. 
  • Carry a flashlight or use the light on your phone to see slippery areas at night.

If you do take a tumble in the snow or ice, our best advice is to take your time getting up. Lay there for a second to see how you feel, as getting up too soon or having someone move you too soon could lead to further injury. After a few minutes if you feel like you can get up, bend your knees toward you, push up with your arms and then use your legs to stand up the rest of the way. Always carry a charged mobile phone to call for help in an emergency situation.

At Sentry Window Guards we make it our mission to help keep families safe. We hope these tips will help protect you and your loved ones from slips and falls this winter. For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!

 

 

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