Prepare for winter in Waltham

Sunday’s flurries were a cold reminder that it’s just a matter of time before a major snow storm hits. Make sure you’re prepared for the winter season by following these tips and recommendations from the city.

• Sign up for emergency notification. Snow emergencies and parking bans are communicated via Waltham’s new emergency notification system. You can sign up and get city-wide alerts and urgent notifications via phone, text, or email.

• Bookmark the Winter Weather Alert Center. All weather-related alerts and information are posted to the city’s Winter Weather Alert Center webpage. It’s recommended that residents bookmark the page now for future reference. This page is also pinned to the city’s website homepage.

• Follow social media. Waltham weather-related alerts are also posted to the city’s social media accounts on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram. You can edit your follower settings to make sure you don’t miss a post.

• Have a plan in place for parking bans. When significant snowfall is expected a snow emergency or parking ban may be put in place, which prohibits on-street parking. All vehicles must be removed from roadways or they’re subject to tow. Residents can use school and municipal parking lots temporarily; however, cars must be removed within two hours (at schools) or 24 hours (in municipal lots) once the ban is lifted.

• Check sidewalk clearing policy. During a significant snowfall, the city  will plow sidewalks as soon as possible on selected roadways and school routes. See the city website for rules on clearing residential and commercial sidewalks, which are outlined in detail to ensure safe pedestrian passage across the city.

Finally, the Waltham Fire Department is responsible for shoveling out all hydrants, but you can help by digging out the hydrants near your property. Aim to clear a three-foot perimeter around the hydrant for firefighter access as well as a path from the hydrant to the street. When there’s a fire, seconds matter!