Me and My Snow Shovel

With the first real (if moderate) snow of the season this week, here are a few reminders about clearing snow, plus a little song you can whistle as you work.

In particular, during very heavy snows (6 inches or more) please remember to keep the snow piles clear of the street gutters to allow melt-off to drain, and please also keep the stormdrain grates clear.

A scene from Snowmageddon 2010 elsewhere in Howard County

Details:

• During very heavy snows, snow piled next to the gutters keeps melt-off from reaching the storm drains and creates large pools of water. (Fortunately, storms this big are rare here!)
• The snow plows help create some of these piles, but it helps if we all pitch in to keep at least a few inches next to the curb clear all the way down the street for the water to drain away.
• As always, local laws require you to remove snow and ice within 48 hours.
• The County is responsible for the street itself, but homeowners must shovel their own sidewalks and driveways.
• Autumn Walk HOA is only responsible for the parking spaces and the short strips of sidewalk adjacent to the common areas.
• During major snowstorms, it may take an extended amount of time for Howard County to reach our street, as priority is given to major roadways over side streets.
• Live Snow Removal Tracker
• When shoveling snow, remember to warm up to the task and pace yourself, taking frequent breaks and drinking plenty of water. The strenuous exertion in cold weather can trigger cardiovascular problems as it raises blood pressure, interrupts blood flow to parts of the heart, and makes blood clots more likely:
• Shoveling Snow Can Be Hard on the Heart (Harvard Health Blog)

Otherwise, in keeping with Maryland tradition, for the next big snow we expect a major run on the grocery stores to stock up on milk, bread, and toilet paper! :)

Me and My (Snow) Shovel

I like it when the snow starts to fall
Like great big flakes I do see
Like I’ll never get rid of this (snow) shovel
Frankly it’ll never get rid of me

Let all the others fight and fuss
Whatever happens, we’ve got us

Me and my (snow) shovel
Scraping down the avenue
Me and my (snow) shovel

Not a soul can bust this ice in two
It sticks to sidewalks like glue

And when it’s shoveling time
(That’s when we rise)
We start to swing
(Swing to the skies)
Our clocks don’t chime
(What a surprise)
They ring-a-ding-ding!
Happy New Year!

Me and my (snow) shovel
(And now to repeat what I said at the start)
(They'll need a large crowbar to break this ice apart)

We’re alone but far from through

Before we get finished our backs will be sore
We’ll be late for work and a few hours more
We’ll wind up a bit chilly when we finish this chore
Life is gonna be we-wow-whee
For my (snow) shovel and me!