PSA: When Shoveling Your Sidewalk, Please be Considerate
by CrownHeights.info
A annual request between Crown Heights residents is again making its rounds of the community as parents beg home owners to please be considerate when shoveling their sidewalks.
One Crown Heights resident reached out to CrownHeights.info requesting that the following message be posted.
“My fellow Crown Heights Neighbors as I’m sure many of you are parents who have a very difficult time going out in the snow with baby carriages, especially those who don’t have a car and are forced to walk. I urge you all, please don’t be selfish, and when you shovel your property shovel the width of a double wide stroller not the size of a pigeon. You’re helping yourself and your fellow Neighbors.”
“Also please if you happen to live on a corner property please be generous and shovel the entire corner leading into the street not just the sidewalk this way everyone can cross with ease.”
This request is also important for another reason. As an unshoveled sidewalk will ultimately lead to a thick sheet of ice, and many residents, especially the elderly, will find each step a hazard.
Each year, Hatzalah fields multiple calls for people “slipping and falling” on such ice patches, many times leading to major injuries.
Anonymous
The law for shoveling is the width of a single stroller. Anything more is extra. Be happy we are shoveling to begin with.
A mom
Don’t shovel and get sued instead when Someone slips and breaks a body part
A Bubby
Not true. And besides owners of corners homes are required to clear a path to the street for pedestrian. And there are some people who don’t shovel more that the width of a boot..
Please, be kind. Your neighbor’s kids will be happy to shovel for you.
FYI
The path shoveled must be at least four feet wide, according to the city.
See here – https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01397
Senior Home Owner
Yes we as homeowners have the responsibility that the city has put upon us.
And many do the best they can, buying loads of snow melt and either shoveling ourselves, if we are able or getting hired or family assistance. How about “Hakasos HaTov”, a little gratitude for the avodah we do to keep you safe, not just complaints?
Ari-free
It is important to understand though that people over a certain age risk getting a heart attack from shoveling snow. Be appreciative when they do more than the minimum but don’t pressure people into doing more than what they are capable of.