JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Whether it’s figuring out your two-wheel drive Honda Civic just isn’t going to cut it in Jackson Hole, or turning on your water for a morning shower when it’s 8 below and nothing comes out—spending a winter in the valley still has some elements of the same hardships our forefathers found challenging.
Get your rig right
First, you really should be driving something reliable. Wyoming’s wide-open expanses and long-distance travel put motorists at some risk should they become stranded by mechanical failure or driver error.
Have a set of winter clothes packed away in the trunk. School kids call them the Big 5: coat, pants, boots, hats, gloves. You never know when you might be needing the extra warmth if you break down or get stuck in the snow.
Other things to pack include a snow shovel, town rope, and jumper cables. Don’t rely on others to have these items. The likelihood of a good Samaritan stopping to pull you out of that snow drift, for example, increases significantly if you supply the rope and have it attached to your vehicle (if you know how to do so properly) ahead of time.
Home on the (wintery) range
Fire Marshal Kathy Clay is quick to remind homeowners of the importance of keeping up with snow removal chores.
Your roof, for instance. Most structures built in Teton County are able to handle quite a bit of snow load, but some older ones aren’t. Weight isn’t the only concern regarding snow buildup on the roof. Snow can slide during warmups and damage property or possibly injure someone below.
Also, Clay urges homeowners to be aware of roof vent pipes and encourages checking to ensure damage has not occurred after heavy snow slides off the roof. She says it is also important to make sure the vent is unobstructed by snow as it begins to accumulate.
“The vents on your roof remove toxic gases from the home and when snow slides off a roof, damage can often occur to these pipes,” Clay says.
When snow skids from a roof, a heavy snow load can also damage gas regulators, which can cause dangerous gas leaks.
“It’s important to have a heightened awareness of gas regulator locations and keep them protected and dug out from snow loads,” Clay adds.
Our natural winter climate includes extreme cold temperatures that last extended periods of time and can cause water pipes to freeze. In town, it is your responsibility (Municipal Code § 13.04.160) to keep your home’s pipes from freezing.
Here’s what to do to prevent your water from freezing and what to do if your pipes are frozen.
Another consideration during heavy snowfall is to ‘adopt a hydrant’ in your neighborhood by shoveling a pathway and a three-foot work area around fire hydrants. Doing this will save valuable time for firefighters when they arrive at the scene of a fire.
“Water supply is critical for fire department operations in the event of fire,” Clay assures. “The quicker we can access these hydrants, the better our fire suppression efforts.”
Finally, be mindful of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure they are in good working order.
