Winter Safety Reminders

• Check the forecast every morning to ensure you know what to expect and can prepare appropriately.
• Wear winter-weather attire. Insulated, waterproof boots with a non-slip tread are helpful. Dressing in layers and wearing a thick winter jacket, hat, scarf and gloves are also recommended.
• Only use actual sidewalks, pathways, crosswalks and roads that are cleared and maintained by the university or local municipality. Do not take shortcuts through areas that have not been cleared because there may be ice, debris or other hazards hidden under the snow.
  
• Pay attention to the risk of frostbite and hypothermia for both yourself and your friends.
  • Covering extremities like your fingers, nose and ears is especially important to prevent frostbite when the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Warning signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, confusion, difficulty speaking and more.
  • Alcohol can lower your body temperature, making people even more susceptible to hypothermia during the winter.
  • Call 911 or University Police (UPD) immediately if you or someone you know may be experiencing hypothermia.
  • Wind chill makes the air temperature feel even colder and increases the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. 
    
• Use special care and allow extra time when driving, traveling, or walking on snowy or icy surfaces. Once temperatures drop below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, ice melt is less effective and you should be even more careful.
  
• If you have a car, be prepared with a winter car survival kit.
• The National Weather Service offers several resources for staying safe during the winter months.
• Students living off-campus should review rules and regulations regarding parking and public transportation for the local municipality, especially during the winter. View helpful reminders and information about responsibilities for those who reside in the City of Oneonta.

• The grounds crew constantly watches the weather forecast and is prepared to treat sidewalks and roads to reduce hazards as quickly as possible. If you notice a sidewalk, ramp, road, or set of stairs that you believe needs attention for snow removal or treatment for ice, please call the Maintenance Operations Center (from 7a.m. – 3:30p.m. M-F) at 607-436-2507, or report the hazard to UPD at 607-436-3550 any time, 24/7.
• Building custodians pay special attention to entryways and floors during the winter, but all students and employees should watch for wet or slippery surfaces and report any hazards to a custodian as soon as possible.
• Students with cars on campus should check their email in advance of predicted heavy snow in case the grounds crew needs you to move your car to clear the parking lot. Remember, lots with "No parking from 2a-6a" signs are closed from 2 a.m. - 6 a.m. so that grounds can plow in preparation for daily traffic.