Mayor Michelle Wu discussed with city officials at the Public Works Institute on Frontage Road the winter preparations currently underway in the City of Boston and the resources available to residents, including the elderly and the homeless. 

"I am very grateful to the teams from multiple departments and several different cabinets who worked together to ensure our streets are safe, so that our residents feel warm, supported and connected with everything they need," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "As we continue to respond to the global pandemic, winter will be our next phase in supporting all residents."

The Emergency Management Office (OEM) monitors forecasts and maintains an open communication line with the National Meteorological Administration. OEMs also work across city departments and with external partners to ensure coordinated response plans are in place. If a snow emergency/parking ban is announced, residents can sign up to receive AlertBoston notifications via phone, SMS or email.

 The Public Works Department (PWD) currently has 40,000 tons of salt on hand to treat city streets. Together with 164 pieces of internal snow removal equipment, PWD has the ability to place more than 800 pieces on the road during larger storms. As part of the community's plowing operations during the winter storms, and to ensure the safety of riders after the incident, PWD will allocate some equipment to clear the snow on the dedicated bike lanes in Boston.

• The owner must completely remove snow, sleet and ice from sidewalks and roadside ramps adjacent to the property within three hours after the end of snowfall or three hours after sunrise (if the snowfall ends overnight). During the duration of the storm, curbs and sidewalk ramps leading to the street should be completely cleared to ensure barrier-free access for people with disabilities. If the storm will last for a long time, owners need to constantly check whether the ramp adjacent to their property is compliant. 

• It is forbidden to move snow and ice from private property onto streets or sidewalks. 

• Failure to follow the rules may result in fines from PWD's law enforcement agency. Fines related to improper snow removal can be found here.

Stop in the declared snow emergency:

• If a snow emergency is declared, a car parked in the marked snow emergency will be issued a ticket and towed away. The space saver must be removed within 48 hours after the snow emergency is resolved. Please note: Space saving is not allowed at the southern end.

• During the declared snow emergency, Boston residents can enjoy discounted parking in some parking lots and garages. A list of discounted parking lots can be found here.

• During severe snowstorms, recycling and garbage collection may be cancelled, but this is extremely rare. In most cases, severe snowstorms will cause service delays, so we ask for your cooperation and patience. To view recycling and garbage programs near you, find a textile safe near you, and find out what you can and cannot recycle, please download our free garbage day app.

• It is difficult for the staff to reach the trash cans and recycling trucks placed behind the snowdrifts. Please clear an area on the side of the road for collection or place the container next to or in front of the snow bank.

• If you see a homeless and vulnerable person looking motionless in the cold, disoriented, or under-dressed due to the cold, call 911.

• The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) uses a city-wide network of emergency shelters, outreach providers, city agencies, and first responders to help people in need of shelter.

• The emergency shelter in Boston is open 24 hours and can accommodate anyone in need. Men can get shelter at 112 Southampton Street Shelter, and women should go to Woods-Mullen Shelter at 794 Massachusetts Ave. BPHC and New York City work closely with the city’s shelter providers to ensure that no client has no shelter, food and resources, and a warm respite from the cold.

• Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 9 pm, please call 617-534-4440 to facilitate access to the shelter. Outside these hours, guests should enter the shelter directly.

• In extreme cold weather, the street outreach team will extend working hours and provide mobile outreach vehicles on the street at night and throughout the day.

• If possible, keep the collection basin and fire hydrant free of snow and debris. This will help prevent flooding and allow entry in emergency situations. For a map of the catch basin and fire hydrant, please visit here.

• Shoveling snow requires a lot of physical strength. Please be cautious and pay attention to the symptoms. If you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, stop. If these symptoms do not resolve quickly, call 911.

• Snowdrifts can make pedestrians and drivers dangerous when driving at intersections. Please be extra careful when turning in snowdrifts that may restrict visibility.

• Carbon monoxide poisoning is a problem in winter weather, especially when using generators. Residents should use their home heating system wisely and safely, and have a working carbon monoxide detector on every floor of the home. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, please call 911 immediately.

• If the exhaust pipe is blocked, sitting in the car idling may be fatal. Do not let children sit in an idling car when shoveling snow. Remove snow from any household exhaust pipes, such as exhaust from heating systems or dryers.

• Ask the contractor to inspect the roof to see if snow needs to be removed. If you can use a snowplow to remove snow from the roof on the ground, please do so with caution. Avoid working on ladders and pay attention to smooth surfaces.

• Wear several layers of loose, light, and warm clothing instead of one layer of heavy clothing.

• Outerwear should be tightly woven and waterproof.

• Wear gloves and gloves; layering is also suitable for your hands.

• Always wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

• Put your child in warm clothes and set a reasonable time limit for outdoor play.

• When the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, limit the exposure of the baby to the outdoors.

Watch for signs of frostbite:

• Signs of frostbite include loss of sensation and white or pale appearance of extremities (such as fingers, toes, earlobes, and tip of nose). If you notice symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

Watch for signs of hypothermia:

• These include uncontrollable tremors, memory loss, disorientation, incoherent speech, slurred speech, drowsiness, and obvious fatigue. If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider immediately. If the symptoms are severe, call 911.

Heating guidelines for landlords and tenants:

• According to Massachusetts health regulations, the heating season officially started on September 15th and lasted until June 15th. The owner must heat the minimum temperature of the livable space to 68 degrees between 7 am and 11 pm, and to 64 degrees between 11 pm. 01 PM and 6:59 AM

• In an emergency, the owner is encouraged to file the list of licensed contractors (electricians, plumbers, and general contractors). Tenants who have problems with the heating system should check the thermostat, make sure the dial is turned on, and immediately report to the owner or manager that there is insufficient heating or no heating problems.

• If your landlord or property manager does not respond, please call (617) 635-5300 to contact the Inspection Service Department (ISD) to file a complaint, or call 311.  

• Never try to use charcoal or gas grills, kitchen stoves, or other products that are not specifically used as heaters to heat your home. These can quickly cause a fire or produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. 

• Clean and inspect your heating system every year.

• Make sure that all vents are free of snow or any other debris.

• Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home. Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas that is produced whenever any fuel is burned. Common sources include oil or gas stoves, water heaters, fireplaces, stoves, and some space heaters. It has no smell, taste or color. It is a poison and it is deadly.

Tips to keep the water flow and pipes free from freezing during periods of extreme cold:

• The Boston Water and Sewer Commission recommends that homeowners find the main water shutoff valve in their home and learn how to use it. If the frozen pipeline bursts, closing the main valve quickly will minimize flooding and property damage.

• Homeowners should insulate pipes in unheated areas such as basements, garages, and crawl spaces. Use cheap hardware store materials to prevent the pipes from freezing and keep warm water flowing.

• Circulate hot air around the duct by keeping the cabinet door open. When it's extremely cold, circulate a stream of tap water through the pipe to help prevent them from freezing.

• Find your water meter, protect it from drafts, and make sure the doors and windows in the basement are closed tightly.

• If the pipe freezes, use a blower to slowly thaw it. Never use an open flame to thaw the pipe. If all taps are short of water, please call the BWSC 24-hour emergency assistance hotline 617-989-7000.

• Eligible homeowners and residents of Boston over 60 can receive winter emergency and repair assistance, such as repairing storm damage, roof leaks, furnaces, and leaking/frozen pipes. If you need help, residents should call the Mayor’s Hotline 311 or the Boston Family Center 617-635-HOME (4663).   

• Never use a flashlight to thaw frozen pipes. Always call a professional plumber to solve your problem.

• Provide subsidies for eligible homeowners over 60 years of age to reduce unexpected financial burdens caused by housing emergencies.

• In addition, the Mayor’s Senior Citizens Savings Plan helps Bostonians over 60 years of age who meet income criteria to replace old, inefficient heating systems with new heating systems, even before catastrophic failures occur in the cold winter. Seniors can also dial 311 or 617-635-HOME (4663) to contact the Boston Family Center, and contact a city staff to provide more detailed information.   

Tips to improve household energy efficiency:

• Disconnect the water pipe from the home.

• Wrap or cover exposed sockets.

• Ensure that the air doors in the kitchen and bathroom are closed properly.

• Close all storm doors and windows.

• Properly isolate all exposed pipes.

• Install heat insulation or heavy curtains to prevent cold air from entering.

• Don't forget to close the damper of the wood burning fireplace after each use. If you don’t have a damper, consider using a chimney balloon.

• For more home energy efficiency tips, please call Renew Boston at 617-635-SAVE (7283).

Precautions before power outage:

• Before the weather event, prepare your home by:

• Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and have new batteries.

• Consider purchasing a generator to provide electricity during a power outage. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and learn how to use it safely before a power outage.

• Make sure you have enough heating fuel. Consider safe alternative heating options, such as fireplaces or wood stoves.

• Have a landline phone with a wired receiver.

• Fully charge your mobile phone, laptop, and other electronic devices.

• If your water supply system (such as a well pump system) may be affected by a power outage, fill your bathtub and spare containers with water. The water in the bathtub can only be used for sanitary purposes. You can pour a bucket of this water directly into the toilet for flushing.

• Keep the car's gas tank full. During a power outage, pumps at gas stations may not work.

• Set your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting to keep the food cold (but remember, once the power is restored, reset them to normal).

• If you have life support equipment, such as a home dialysis machine or ventilator, or other medical equipment or supplies that rely on electricity:

• Discuss with your healthcare provider how to use them during power outages;

• Contact your local power company and equipment supplier to understand your power needs. Some utility companies will put you on the "priority reconnection service" list;

• Let the fire department know that you rely on life support equipment; and

• If you have medicines that require refrigeration, please consult your pharmacist for instructions on proper storage during long power outages.

Matters needing attention during power outage:

• Continue to monitor the media for emergency information.

• Follow the instructions of public safety officials.

• Dial 9-1-1 to report an emergency, including:

• If you rely on equipment that requires electricity and medical assistance.

• Call your utility company to report the outage and obtain recovery information.

• National Grid 800-322-3223

• Eversource (formerly NSTAR) 1-800-592-2000

• Keep away from collapsed utility wires. Always assume that the power cord that was shot down is live.

• If the traffic lights are off, the intersection is treated as a four-way stop.

• Carry a fire extinguisher with you.

• Use generators and grills outdoors because their smoke contains carbon monoxide. Make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working properly, because it is a silent and odorless killer. See more generator safety tips. 

• If possible, use flashlights instead of candles. If you must use candles, place them on a safe holder, away from anything that might catch fire. Never leave burning candles unattended. Never sleep with candles.

• In hot weather, use ice cubes to help keep food cool. In cold weather, refrigerate food in a safe place outside, away from animals.

• If the phone line is interrupted, use social media or text messages to let others know that you are okay.

• Unplug sensitive electronic devices to avoid power surges when power is restored.

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. An unopened refrigerator can keep food refrigerated for about four hours. A complete refrigerator will keep the temperature for about 48 hours.

• Be a good neighbor. Check family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, people living alone, people with health problems, and people who may need additional help.

 Tips for driving in winter storms:

• Avoid driving during the worst of the storm. If possible, only travel during the day, not alone, and stay on the main road instead of taking shortcuts.

• Remove ice and snow from windows, lights, hood, and roof before driving.

• Leave enough parking space.

• Don't try to exceed the conditions. Keep in mind that the posted speed limit applies to dry roads.

• Know the current road conditions. Use your mobile phone to dial 511, or use your mobile or landline to dial the following numbers.

• Brake correctly as soon as possible. It takes more time and distance to stop under adverse conditions.

• Watch out for bridge decks. They freeze first, making them more dangerous than approach roads.

• The exit ramp sometimes has less anti-icing material than the main line. Please be aware of this when driving off the highway.

• Do not use "cruise control" to drive in winter conditions. Even the seemingly clean roads suddenly appear slippery. Using the brakes in these positions will deactivate cruise control and may cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

• Many 4×4 vehicles are heavier than passenger cars. This means that it takes longer to park than a passenger car. Be careful of the traction of your 4×4 vehicle.

• Seeing farther in traffic than usual.

• Trucks are heavier than cars, so braking time is slower. Avoid cutting quickly in front of them.

• Don't squeeze in the plow. Leave room for repairing vehicles and plows. Step back at least 200 feet and do not pass on the right.

• Always wear seat belts.

• Let others know your destination, route, and estimated travel time.

• Allow extra travel time.

• Always keep the headlights on when driving, so that you can see and be seen.

For more information, visit the Boston Winter Guide and follow @CityofBoston on Twitter.

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