Snow Center

You don't know when the next emergency or disaster will occur, so take some time to make a plan of what you and your family will do during emergencies. Your family may not all be together when an emergency occurs, so you should sit down and create a Family Plan to keep you and your family safe.

• If you heat your dwelling with oil, check to make sure that you have enough home heating fuel to get through the storm.
• Make sure your heating equipment and/or fireplaces have been serviced by a professional.
• Install and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home.Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. Remember, if the smoke detector sounds leave your home immediately and call 911. 
• Make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are current and operating properly.
• If you have medical conditions, make sure you have a supply of necessary medications.
• To be prepared for a possible power outage, stock up on batteries, flashlights, and canned goods and bottled water.

Following the creation of multiple street-level separated bicycle lanes in Cambridge in recent years, the City has gained experience with the installation and maintenance of the separators (often referred to as flex posts) that are installed between these types of separated bicycle lanes and the adjacent travel or parking lane. There are three primary locations where separators are used: In clear zones, adjacent to travel lanes, and adjacent to parking lanes. 

• Use of screw-in separators than can more easily be removed and reinstalled, particularly in the case of a last-minute decision to remove separators. The City has outstanding concerns about the impact the long-term use of this type of separator will have on pavement conditions and will continue to experiment with other options.
• Installation of additional “flip signs” that allow us to easily create/extend temporary parking restrictions after snow storms, improving the process of snow removal.
• Creation of special snow removal areas (as has been done on Hampshire Street), where residents are notified in advance that temporary overnight parking restrictions may be needed to accomplish snow removal operations.

While we continue to refine our use of these separators based on the lessons learned, our current policy on the installation of separators can be found below.

This winter, the Department of Public Works is piloting a program in North Cambridge to treat icy road surfaces using a brine solution of salt and water. A 250-gallon tank in the back of a truck sprays the solution on streets in advance of a predicted storm, creating a layer that prevents snow and ice from bonding with the surface. This process offers protection against ice formation, but uses only a quarter of the salt that is normally used in treating these areas. Instead of seeing actual salt crystals, residents in the Dudley Street neighborhood and along Alewife Linear Park can expect to see faint stripes running down the roadway a day prior to a predicted storm.

One of the goals of this pilot is to reduce the amount of overall salt used, but there will likely be times when a brine solution isn’t the most effective option for keeping roads safe.

• In case of a power outage, stock up on batteries, flashlights, and canned goods.
• Avoid using candles during any power outage.
• If power is lost, unplug all appliances except one lamp to prevent power surge damage.
• Keep refrigerators closed as much as possible and keep temperature at 45° or below. Food will stay fresh for between 36-48 hours in a full fridge; 24 hours in a half-filled one.
• Keep a battery-operated radio, extra medicine, blankets, and bottled water on hand.
• Report power outages to Eversource at 800-592-2000.

Home and business owners need to be aware of the danger posed by heavy snow and ice building on roofs. Flat and low pitched roofs are at the greatest risk of buckling under heavy snow and ice accumulations. To safely remove snow from roofs, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts recommends:

DO's

• Use a snow rake for pitched roofs (available in most hardware stores).
• Start from the edge and work your way into the roof.
• Try to shave snow down to 2-3" instead of scraping the roof clean to reduce the risk of damage to your shingles/roof.
• Consider hiring professionals.

DON'Ts

• Unless approved by a registered professional engineer, don’t add your weight to the roof when clearing now.
• Don’t use a ladder since ice tends to build up on both the rungs of the ladder and the soles of your boots.
• Don’t use blow torches, open-flames, or electric heating devices like hair dryers or heat guns to remove snow and ice.
• Don’t try to remove ice or icicles from utility wires or meters. Call your utility company for assistance.

• Keep heat at adequate levels or leave faucets open with a slight drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Check for open windows, air vents, and wind drafts near water pipes.
• Seal leaks in the basement foundation where cold air may enter. Stuff holes with insulation. A tiny opening may cause an exposed pipe to freeze.
• Locate the main water shut off valve in your home and mark it for quick identification. Learn how to turn it off, and educate others in your household. If a water pipe bursts, shutting your home’s main valve quickly will minimize flooding and property damage.
• Leave kitchen/sink cabinet doors open if pipes are subject to freezing. This will allow heat to reach the pipes.
• Don’t use an open flame to thaw pipes. If your pipes do freeze, use a hair dryer or rags soaked in hot water to thaw lines.
• Insulate pipes in unheated spaces like garages, basements, and crawl spaces. This will help prevent frozen pipes, avoiding property damage and the costs of repairs. Additionally, insulating hot water pipes will decrease your wait time for warm water.
• Protect your water meter from icy drafts and freezing temperatures. Most frozen meters are caused by drafts from an open basement door or window. Double check your property for drafts as the cold weather sets in.

• Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
• NEVER use your oven for heat.
• NEVER bring charcoal or gas grills indoors (they are a carbon monoxide hazard).
• Liquid or gas-fired portable space heaters are illegal in Massachusetts.
• Use electric space heaters with extreme care; avoid placing them near curtains or other flammable materials and turn them off before going to bed.
• Make sure all portable heat-producing appliances are unplugged when not in use (irons, hair devices, etc.).
• NEVER leave candles unattended.
• Keep dryer vents clear of snow and ice.
• If gas and oil appliances and heating systems are not installed correctly, working well, or cleaned and serviced regularly, they can be sources of Carbon Monoxide exposure. Winter is a particularly dangerous time for CO poisoning. 

• Avoid wearing loose clothing.
• Wear sturdy footwear with good traction.
• Always start your snow blower in a well-ventilated area to avoid possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
• If you haven’t used your snow blower in a while, remember that gasoline may still be inside from the last time you used it. Gasoline is only good for about 30 days, unless you’ve added a fuel stabilizer.
• Always make sure that the snow blower is completely turned off before replacing any parts.
• Fix clogs carefully. If your snow blower becomes clogged, turn it off, and remove the key before trying to clear it. Use a stick and NOT your hands to clear debris.
• If your snow blower hasn’t been checked up by a professional in a while, have it serviced before you use it.

For emergencies or issues requiring immediate assistance, ALWAYS call 9-1-1

• Cambridge Public Works Dept:  617-349-4800
• Cambridge Traffic, Parking & Transportation Dept:  617-349-4700
• Cambridge Water Dept:  617-349-4770
• Cambridge Inspectional Services Dept:  617-349-6100
• Cambridge Police/Fire (Non-Emergency) Line:  617-349-3300
• Eversource Gas:  800-592-2000
• Eversource Electric:  800-592-2000 
• National Grid Gas:  800-233-5325
• National Grid Electric:  800-322-3223