AccuWeather speaks with Matt Lewis of D.R. Power on the best safety tips and finding the right snow removal equipment to remove snow and ice from your home this winter season.
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00:00snow and freezing weather can make walkways around your home an icy danger.
00:05How can you safely make sure your driveway and walkways are clear?
00:11Well, you got a couple of options. The best method to clear snow really depends on the size
00:16and the snow conditions. So smaller driveways and walkways, light snowfall, a snow shovel might do
00:23the trick. But larger driveways, heavier snow, a snowblower really helps to clear the snow quickly
00:28easily. And then in the event of a large storm with wet heavy snow, plan to clear the snow every
00:34four to six inches of accumulation if clearing with a shovel or eight to 12 inches of accumulation
00:40if you're using a snowblower. And then once the snow has been cleared, you want to go back over
00:44the area with like a granule ice melter or some salt to reduce any additional snow accumulation.
00:50Keep ice from reforming. You can also apply salt before the storm to help slow the accumulation
00:56of snow and ice and make it easier to manage. All right, you mentioned the snowblower here.
01:01Is it really only for heavy snowfall or could you use it with maybe just a few inches of snow?
01:07So whether a snowblower is necessary really depends on your property type, your budget,
01:12personal needs. Snowblowers can be used in all types of snow conditions, light or heavy.
01:17They're versatile for all depths and types of snow, may be used on parking areas, driveways,
01:23and walkways. Areas with long winters or those prone to heavy wet snow, snowblowers are
01:29certainly an effective way to clear accumulation without heavy lifting, making snow removal easier,
01:35less prone to causing back or shoulder injuries. Snowblowers are designed to direct the flow of
01:40snow where you want it so you can clear the snow away from doorways and vehicles.
01:46And what are some safety precautions to remember when using snowblowers?
01:51Yeah, important question. So really before the season begins, we'd recommend priming your
01:56snowblower by checking over any wires for possible damage during the off-season,
02:01changing the oils so your machine is good to run all season long and ready to go when the first
02:06snow comes. Check your machine's oil level before each use. Have extra oil on hand to top off when
02:12you need it. When operating the snowblower, you should always be mindful of your surroundings.
02:18Make sure you're not directing the flow of snow towards vehicles, buildings, or anyone who might
02:22be outside. And then like any small engine machine, snowblowers can be loud, so wearing
02:27hearing protection is important when you're operating a snowblower. And then because a
02:32snowblower can throw snow and ice, possibly, you know, small stones or gravel that might be on your
02:38driveway up to 40 feet, really wearing eye protection is important and adjusting the skids
02:44on the bottom of the intake when clearing snow of a gravel driveway
02:49so that the auger doesn't scrape up loose stones along the way.