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

Cancellations and winter storm safety tips

What's closed, delayed, rescheduled?

SCHOOL CLOSINGS -- Click here for the list. *NOTE: This listing resets at 11 a.m. each day. Schools listed after 11 a.m. are for the following school day.

*U.S. Postal Service officials say all post offices in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine will be closed Saturday due to dangerous weather conditions forecast for the region. There will be no mail delivery as a result. Normal post office hours are expected to resume on Monday.

*State-run liquor stores in New Hampshire are closing at 6 p.m. Friday to encourage people to stay off the roads.

*UVM's off-campus shuttle will not run Friday night due to the weather. On-campus buses will continue to operate until 9 p.m. Off-campus service will resume at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

*Shaw's locations in Vermont and New Hampshire will temporarily close at 6 p.m. Fri., Feb. 8 .

*The opening reception for the exhibition "Resiliency: Works by Joyce Hayden & Nance Silliman," at Nuance Gallery in Windsor, Vt., has been rescheduled from Sat., Feb. 9, to Sat., Feb. 16, due to the snowstorm.

*Amtrak has canceled some of its train service in Vermont due to storm. Click here to visit their website for more information or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

*Champlain Housing Trust offices closing at 3 p.m. Friday.

*All Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) medical, dental and behavioral health clinics will close early Friday at 3 p.m. and will be closed Sat., Feb. 9. Patients can call 864-6309 or visit chcb.org for schedule updates.

*The Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival Winter Encore Concert is canceled for Friday, Feb. 8. They hope to reschedule.

*Many U.S. Postal Service offices in Vermont and New Hampshire will close at 3 p.m. Friday due to the weather. Postal officials advise customers to confirm individual post office hours by calling the USPS Call Center toll-free at 1-800-ASK-USPS

*All Burlington Recreation programs and events are canceled Friday. Will reopen tomorrow. Click here for more info.

*SUNY-Plattsburgh -- all main campus classes starting at noon or later Friday are canceled. Branch campus office closes at noon.

*Lyndon State College closing at 2 p.m. Friday due to weather

*Jaquith Public Library benefit contra/barn dance in Marshfield scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. is canceled

*Invasive Insect Seminar at Sportsmans Club in Brandon scheduled for 10-130 on Sat Feb 9th, will be rescheduled- watch for date!

*At the Wild Center in Tupper Lake -- Due to the impending winter storm The Frozen Visions of Adirondack Ice scheduled for Saturday, February 9th is cancelled. However, The Wild Center will be open.

*SUNY Plattsburgh Omicron Delta Kappa circle, leadership honor society event scheduled for Sat. Feb. 9 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. is canceled due to the forecasted storm.

*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 on 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 -- 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.

To report a power interruption, contact NYSEG at 1.800.572.1131; RG&E at 1.800.743.1701.

PARKING BANS:

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

Burlington parking ban information -- 802-658-SNOW (7669). A winter parking ban has been declared by the City of Burlington starting at 10 p.m. Fri., Feb. 8, lasting until 7 a.m. Sat., Feb. 9 in the residential area. The parking ban will last from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. Sat., Feb. 9 in the business area.

South Burlington Police say cars parked on city streets after 12 a.m. Feb. 8 will be towed as part of their regular winter parking ban.

Winooski parking ban in effect from midnight until 6:00 am. All vehicles must be off the road, including winter parking permit holders.

AIRPORTS:

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.

The Plattsburgh Airport is open, but says PenAir has canceled flights to Boston as of Friday morning and will resume service on Sunday. All passengers should check their flight status. Click here for the flight status list from the Plattsburgh Airport.

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.

SAFETY TIPS FROM VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

Health and safety

• Residents should use caution when digging out.  Excessive snow shoveling can cause a range of health problems, from back injuries to heart attack, if not done in moderation.  Vermonters should not over exert themselves and should take frequent breaks from shoveling.
• Vermonters who are able to help elderly neighbors and others who need assistance in removing snow are encouraged to do so.  Residents are also asked to check on the welfare of elderly neighbors and those with special needs during the storm.
• The elderly and those with special needs should contact their local power company and local community officials prior to the storm to alert them of those needs in the event of a power outage. 
• As always, it is advisable to have an emergency preparedness kit on hand with some or all of the following items:
  • Flashlights and batteries in your home and car;
  • A battery-powered radio or NOAA weather radio to listen for advisories;
  • Bottled water; 1 gallon per person, per day is advised;
  • Non-perishable food for the home and car;
  • A first aid kit.

Carbon Monoxide risks

• It is critical as snow piles up to ensure all outside heating vents are clear of snow.  A blocked vent can lead to carbon monoxide (CO) buildup in the home and CO poisoning.  Prolonged carbon monoxide exposure can be fatal, so it is imperative that vents be cleared as a blocked vent can create the danger of CO poisoning.  The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to flu, but without the fever and may include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness.  If you suspect that you are experiencing CO poisoning, get fresh air immediately.  Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department for assistance from a safe location.
• If power is lost and you run a generator, it is important that the generator is outdoors; an improperly operated generator can lead to CO poisoning; check your owner's manual before operating a generator.
• Also ensure your generator is installed according to manufacturers' standards; an improperly installed generator can feed back onto power lines, creating a hazard to line workers.

Travel safety

• If while traveling you get stuck in deep snow, do NOT let your engine idle if your exhaust pipe is buried.  Idling with a buried exhaust pipe also risks carbon monoxide poisoning.  If you suspect that you are experiencing CO poisoning, get fresh air immediately. 
• Other tips for the road
  • Check road and weather conditions before leaving.
  • 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.
  • Carry a cell phone and use 911 in case of an emergency, but do not become over dependent on a cell phone.

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

DON'T FORGET YOUR POSTAL CARRIER:

• Painted porches and steps are particularly hazardous. While salting or rubber-backed mats help make them less slippery, we rely on our customers to clear the snow before a letter carrier arrives with the mail.
• Keeping your steps and sidewalk clear of snow and ice — as well as removing snow from around curbside mailboxes — allows us to provide you with the safest, most efficient service possible.
• In those situations when delivery is suspended, we look for the customer to contact local postal officials to discuss ways to eliminate the hazard. Sometimes we are able to offer suggestions that help restore delivery quickly.
• Slips, trips and falls are the leading cause of accidents among letter carriers. In addition to the safety of the carrier, injuries to a letter carrier — or any visitor to your home — can result in costly liabilities to homeowners.