Cancellations and winter storm safety tips - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

What's closed, delayed, rescheduled?

*LCT says the Charlotte, Vt.-Essex, N.Y. ferry is closed for the rest of the day (Dec. 27)

*Today's winter storm has prompted some CVPH outpatient and off site services to close early.
Closed (as of 2 p.m.) are the CVPH Open MRI, Dental Center, Business Center, Outpatient Rehabilitation (Tom Miller Road, Degrandpre Way  and PARC Wellness locations), Advanced Registration and  Cashier's Office.
Other outpatient or off site services, including Valcour Imaging (563-1900), CVPH Health Center (562-7700), FitzPatrick Cancer Center (562-7100) and the Diagnostic Testing Center (562-1043) will close when the last scheduled patient has been seen.  Calling before traveling for any of these services today is advised.
The H.K. Freedman Renal Center and the Kevin J. Carroll Ambulatory Surgery Center remain open.

*Due to the severity of the weather, the Chittenden Solid Waste District will close the Richmond Drop-Off Center one hour early, at 4 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 27. All other CSWD Drop-Off Centers and facilities will remain open for the duration of regular business hours today. For further information, please call the CSWD hotline at 872-8111 or visit cswd.net. Additionally, the Burlington Area Transfer Station, located on Redmond Road in Williston, is closed for the day. For further information, please call Interstate Waste Services at (802) 878-3506, ext. 26.

*Burlington Telecom will be closing Dec. 27 at 2 p.m. due to the current conditions. We will be open at 8 a.m. Friday. We apologize for any inconvenience.

*The Bee's Knees in Morrisville closing Dec. 27 at 3 p.m. due to the weather.

*American Legion Post 91 in Colchester canceled the Thursday dinner due to weather.

*Regal Gymnastics Academy closed Dec. 27, 2012, due to weather.

*IMPORTANT NOTICE: All Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) medical, dental and behavioral health clinics will be CLOSED today, Thursday, Dec. 27. Patients can call 864-6309 or visit chcb.org for schedule updates.

*Northfield Senior Center, Northfield VT will be closed Dec. 27, 2012, due to weather.

*Town of Plattsburgh Court will not be in session Dec. 27 due to the weather. Please appear Jan. 3, 2013.

*Click here for closings in the Brattleboro area on the WTSA 96.7-FM 1450-AM Brattleboro website.

*Click here for closings in the Plattsburgh area from the Press Republican website.

Click here for the latest road conditions from Vermont 511.

Click here for the latest updates on the storm from the WCAX Weather team.

TO REPORT OUTAGES:

Green Mountain Power has called in 40 outside line workers ahead of the storm to help crews respond to power outages. Customers can report outages by calling 1-888-835-4672, visiting GMP's Outage Center page at www.greenmountainpower.com or by clicking the "Power Out?" button on GMP's Facebook site.

PARKING BANS:

Officials remind everyone to check for winter parking bans in your area.

The Burlington winter parking ban has been extended through Dec. 28. All vehicles on city streets between 10 p.m. Dec. 27 and 7 a.m. Dec. 28 are subject to $100 ticket and towing. Vehicles in the business area (meters) must be off streets 12-6 a.m. For more parking ban info in Burlington call 802-658-SNOW (7669).

The city of Plattsburgh has extended its emergency parking ban. All vehicles must be off city roads from 12-6 a.m. Dec. 28. This includes city owned parking lots and the north end of the city parking lot on Durkee Street. Call City Police for more information 518-563-3411.

South Burlington has a parking ban Dec. 1-April 1. No parking on public streets from 12-7 a.m. You will be towed. Call 802-846-4111 to find your car.

Milton has a parking ban from Dec. 1-April 1. No parking on town streets from 12-8 a.m.

BURLINGTON AIRPORT:

The Burlington Airport reminds travelers to check with their airlines for any flight delays due to the storm. Click here for the flight status list from the Burlington Airport.

US Airways is waiving the fee to change flights due to the storm, but you have to reschedule by New Year's Day. Click here for more on that story.

WINTER STORM SAFETY TIPS FROM THE BURLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT:

With the threat of a winter storm over the days to follow in the greater Burlington area, the Burlington Fire Department would like to remind the public of key life safety messages related to winter safety:

KEEP GAS METERS AND APPLIANCE VENTS CLEAR OF SNOW AND ICE

If a vent is obstructed, an appliance may malfunction and create a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide. Snow and ice accumulation may impede emergency access to gas meters and could interfere with equipment operation.  Be careful when using snow plows and don't push or pile snow around meters.

MAKE SURE CARBON MONOXIDE AND SMOKE DETECTORS ARE INSTALLED IN YOUR HOME

SHOVEL OUT FIRE HYDRANTS AND BUILDING EXITS

Make sure fire hydrants are clear of snow, at least three feet in all directions with a two foot path leading to the hydrant, so the fire department can readily find and access them during an emergency. Fire escapes, back doors and other exits should also be kept clear of snow and ice.

CONTACT YOUR GAS COMPANY IF YOU SMELL A GAS ODOR

Anyone who smells a gas odor should leave the area, call 911 and immediately contact their fuel supplier.

PROTECT GAS METERS FROM FALLING ICE AND SNOW

Falling ice and snow can damage meters and piping. If you are unable to safely remove snow & ice accumulations above meters, contact a qualified roofing contractor for safe removal. Protect the meter while you remove ice and heavy snow.

ADDITIONAL WINTER WEATHER SAFETY TIPS CAN BE FOUND ON:

The Burlington Fire Department website at http://www.fire.ci.burlington.vt.us

SAFETY TIPS FROM THE VT. DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY:

The Vermont Division of Fire Safety reminds homeowners to think safety first by:

• Making sure your home is protected with working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. 

• With a large amount snow, to check the vents for your heating system to make sure they are not blocked by snow especially  direct vents that are located on lower walls.  A blocked vent can lead to Carbon Monoxide backing up into your home.

• Make use of safe practices when using gasoline-powered generators or alternative heating units during winter weather-related power outages. CO that is produced from these units can kill in minutes. Consumers should never use a generator, charcoal or gas grill inside of a building.

• Make sure that all emergency exits and outside stairs or fire escapes are clear of ice and snow.

• Store fireplace or wood stove ashes in a fire resistant container and cover it with a lid and keep the container outdoors, away from your home and other combustibles.

• Homeowners are also advised to monitor snow buildup on roofs of their home and any other external building like sheds and barns to avoid a collapse.

NATURAL GAS SAFETY TIPS FROM VERMONT GAS:

KEEP GAS METERS AND APPLIANCE VENTS CLEAR OF SNOW AND ICE AND MAKE SURE CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS ARE INSTALLED IN YOUR HOME
If a vent is obstructed, an appliance may malfunction and create a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide. Snow and ice accumulation may impede emergency access to gas meters and could interfere with equipment operation.  Be careful when using snow plows and don't push or pile snow around meters.

PROTECT GAS METERS FROM FALLING ICE AND SNOW
Falling ice and snow can damage meters and piping. If you are unable to safely remove snow & ice accumulations above meters, contact a qualified roofing contractor for safe removal. Protect meters while you remove ice and heavy snow.

CONTACT VERMONT GAS IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SMELL A GAS ODOR
Natural Gas has an odor similar to that of rotten eggs. If you smell a gas odor, leave the area immediately and call Vermont Gas at (802) 863-4511.

WINTER STORM SAFETY AND POWER OUTAGE ADVICE FROM GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER:

• Before outages occur, be sure you have a phone that is hard-wired and does not rely on electricity.
• Fill a bathtub with water before you lose service so the water can be used to flush toilets when the power is out. PREVENT UNSUPERVISED BATHROOM ACCESS TO CHILDREN.
• Treat any downed line as if it is live.  Report the line to your local utility and fire department, stay at least 50 feet away from the line, and keep children and pets away as well.
• If using a generator, read and follow the owner's manual before starting it.  Never operate a generator inside any structure or near a structure.  Use a transfer switch to ensure electricity is not accidentally fed onto a line where line crews must work.
• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed as much as possible to prevent food spoilage.
• If power goes out, turn off all electrical appliances except one light so you'll know when service returns.  Then, turn equipment back on slowly.
• Never use grills inside garages, sheds or other buildings, as the fumes can be poisonous.

WINTER WEATHER DRIVING SAFETY TIPS FROM THE VT. STATE POLICE:

Before you travel

• Avoid traveling unless necessary and always allow yourself extra time to get to your destination.
• Check road and weather conditions before leaving.
• Make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition with snow tires and winter windshield wiper blades.

On the Road

• Watch for and expect changing road conditions, black ice, blowing snow, high winds or whiteout conditions can appear when you least expect them to.
• The single most important rule is to drive at a speed that matches the prevailing visibility, traffic and road conditions. The posted speed limits are for dry, clear conditions only.
• Be sure to leave yourself plenty of extra room, extend the following distance from other vehicles ahead.
• If your car doesn't make it to your destination, pull as far off the road as possible, to minimize any further traffic hazards, and stay in the car. Even a short walk in winter storm conditions can be dangerous.
• Carry a cell phone and use 911 in case of an emergency, but do not become over dependent on a cell phone.

HOW TO SHOVEL SAFELY:

South Burlington Public Works shared these links for tips on how to shovel snow safely without injuring your back.

http://www.coloradospineinstitute.com/subject.php?pn=wellness-snow-shoveling

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/snow-shoveling-techniques-prevent-low-back-injuries