Winter's Last Gasp Packs A Punch: Tips to Handle the Latest Snow Storm from SIMA

MILWAUKEE-- In the first week of spring the Mid-West is battling a significant snowstorm. To survive what might be the final (hopefully) winter event, the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA), the North American organization representing snow removal professionals, has some tips to help consumers.

"According to the NOAA, cities such as Minneapolis, Des Moines, Cheyenne and Watertown, NY, can get up to 16" of snow in March," said Martin B. Tirado, CAE, Executive Director of SIMA. "These storms may be dangerous because they can catch people off guard and unprepared."

To make sure you are prepared for the next snow event, SIMA has these tips:

Tip #1: Keep your snow removal equipment close at hand. While Spring has teased us with a few nice days, March can still pack a winter punch. So keep your shovel handy, make sure your windshield scraper is in your car--not in your trunk, and keep some salt handy for a possible snow/ice mix.

Tip #2: Don't put away your boots. When you go to get rid of the snow, ice or slush, you need to be dressed appropriately so don't put away your winter clothing just yet. It's especially important to keep snow boots or shoes with a flat bottom and solid tread. Proper footwear will allow you to walk initially in snow or ice that may quickly turn to slush or ice when daytime temperatures rise.

Tip #3: Start planning for next winter. It's not too early to start thinking about how you will deal with snow removal next winter. To help you, SIMA just released a NEW timeline chronicling how best to obtain snow removal services. March is the time to start the planning process. Check out the timeline at http://www.sima.org.

For more snow and ice removal tips, visit SIMA (www.sima.org).

About the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA)

Founded in 1996, the Snow & Ice Management Association is the North American trade association for professionals involved with the snow and ice industry including snow plowing as well as commercial and residential snow removal for shopping centers, grocery stores, sporting complexes, apartment buildings, offices, schools and universities, hospitals and other necessary facilities in your community.