Northeast Ohio Towns Share Tips For Surviving Harsh Winter Weather

Many Northeast Ohioans believed they had seen the last of this season's snow. They jinxed it for the rest of us, because large swaths of the area are getting pounded by heavy snowfall on Tuesday. Sections of Cleveland's western suburbs have reported getting very little snow, though flurries are expected to kick up again starting Tuesday evening and continuing through Wednesday morning.

Communities throughout the region have been sharing their best tips for surviving the brutal weather. We've collected some of the best tactics for getting your driveway clear of snow, your car unstuck, and your house warm and toasty.

• While driving, give snow plows plenty of space. It may seem like a common sense suggestion, but people in a rush frequently tailgate the plows, hoping to spur them to a faster speed.

• Don't get between a group of snow plow trucks that are driving together. The team of plows may be working in conjunction to clear specific roadways, the City of Westlake says.

• While driving, be aware that winds can blow snow back into roadways or kick snow up and obscure vision.

• The number one rule for driving safely during winter conditions? Go slow, the Ohio Department of Transportation says.

• If you're shoveling a driveway (yours or a neighbor's) there are some important tips to remember. The National Safety Council says you should not shovel after smoking or eating; you should not work to the point of total exhaustion, and you should lift with your legs, not your back. If you have any history of heart disease, keep away from the shovel.

• If you lose power, be cautious using a portable generator. Make sure your portable generator is outside of your home (or any enclosed spaces) to keep carbon monoxide from coming into your home.

• Finally, don't miss any breaking news from your town by signing up for Patch news alerts. To subscribe to breaking news alerts and daily newsletters for the Cleveland Patch, click here. You can subscribe to news from your neighborhood. Find your Patch town here.)

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