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Winter Approaches, But There's Still Time To Prepare In Westchester

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. - - Winter is fast approaching, but that does not mean it is too late to get ready for the cold and snow.

Joe DiPietro, owner of Chubby's Hardware in Pound Ridge.

Joe DiPietro, owner of Chubby's Hardware in Pound Ridge.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Snow shovels available outside Chubby's Hardware in Pound Ridge.

Snow shovels available outside Chubby's Hardware in Pound Ridge.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Chubby's Hardware in Pound Ridge.

Chubby's Hardware in Pound Ridge.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie

Joe DiPietro, owner of Chubby's Hardware in Pound Ridge, suggests making sure that people have their snow shovels and ice melter. On the home-preparation side, DiPietro recommends making sure you have an insulated house and that all drafts are stopped. He also suggests the use of energy-saving thermostats.

DiPietro, whose father founded Chubby's, does not believe that it's too late to take the aforementioned steps.

“You can still do those now,” he said.

Goods at Chubby's include snow shovels and snow blowers. This year, DiPietro reports that winter-product demand has been stronger due to the severity of last winter.

Discussing snow blower sales, DiPietro said they have been “exceptionally strong this year because last year was such a bad winter.”

Other winter items at Chubby's, according to DiPietro, include Christmas lights and driveway markers, with the latter meant for delinating driveways from lawns.

Marshall & Sterling, an insurance company with offices in Carmel and Mount Kisco, offers advice for car winterization on its website. Their advice includes switching to snow tires, checking a vehicle's tire pressure and car battery, and checking the mixture of antifreeze. Other advice the insurance company offers includes checking a vehicles four-wheel drive system for possible malfunctions, having an emergency roadside kit, and having hoses, belts and wipers checked.

New York State's Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) also offers guides for winter preparation. For home safety, the DHSES recommends flushing your water heater, having proper insulation, having annual checks of your heating system, and keeping cold air out of the building by by caulking and weatherstripping windowsills and doors.

For cars, DHSES recommends having a mechanic check various components, including (but not just) the defroster, antifreeze and brakes. Keeping a windshield scraper and planning of trips is also recommended.

The agency's full winter-safety guide is available here.

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