Elmont, The Home Depot focus on winter safety

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano joined members of the Elmont Fire Department and representatives from The Home Depot in December to discuss important safety measures for residents.

Courtesy Liz Burke

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano joined members of the Elmont Fire Department and representatives from The Home Depot in December to discuss important safety measures for residents. The fire department highlighted Christmas tree, lighting and candle safety tips.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fires occurring during the holiday season claim 400 lives, injure more than 1,600 people, and cause more than $990 million in fire damage each year.

“This is the time when it’s very important for residents to follow certain precautions when it comes to holiday decorating,” Elmont Fire Department’s Second Assistant Chief Domenic Francavilla said last month.

Mangano also honored The Home Depot during the event, for their efforts in providing trucks to deliver critical supplies to Nassau County’s shelters during Hurricane Irene this past August.

Winter safety tips don’t end with the holidays. Last week, Mangano's office released several important measures, including being sure not to shovel snow across the road or shovel snow from driveways onto roadways.

Additionally, shoveling snow high near intersections or driveways can be dangerous, obstructing others’ vision, and vehicles should be parked away from the road and follow local parking ordinances related to snow removal. For more winter safety tips, from Mangano's office, read below:

Property Owners:

-Don’t plow snow across the road or shovel snow from your driveway onto shoulders or roadways.
-Don’t pile snow high near intersections or driveways obstructing others’ vision; Park vehicles away from the road and follow local parking ordinances related to snow removal.
-Keep rocks, timbers, fences, basketball hoops, garbage bins, reflectors and other items away from the road.
-Keep areas around mailboxes clear in order to assist in safe mail delivery and to help prevent damage to mailboxes.
-Maintaining the end of your driveway could decrease chances of getting plowed in, or having your mailbox damaged.
-Keep sidewalks and pathways clear for pedestrians.

Children:
-Never build snow forts, make tunnels, or play in ditches or snow banks by the road.
-Stay away from the edge of the roadway as you wait for the school bus, get the mail, or watch the snow plow.
-Stay away from the end of a driveway when a snow plow is approaching.
-Keep sleds and toys away from the roadways at all times.
-Remember, the plow driver can’t always see you.

Drivers:
-Drivers should use extra precautions on the roads this winter season, especially when driving near trucks that are plowing and salting.
-Always wear your seatbelt and allow extra time to reach your destination.
-Do your best to minimize distractions so your focus can be on driving.
-Don’t attempt to pass a snow plow vehicle while they are plowing.
-NEVER attempt to pass a snow plow on the right. Many plows are equipped with wings that weigh as much as a small compact car.
-Plows can suddenly move sideways from hitting drifts or by cutting through packed snow.
-Plow drivers have limited visibility and they cannot see directly behind their trucks.
-Avoid sudden starts, stops and turns. Accelerate carefully so car wheels don't spin.
-Improve visibility by clearing all snow and ice from the entire car – hood, roof, trunk, turn signals, tail lights, headlights, windows, mirrors and fender wells.
-Driving with headlights on low-beam provides better road illumination in snow and fog than using high-beams.