Adopt A Hydrant and Other Safety Measures in the Snow

The is asking city residents and business owners to pitch in and help clear the city's fire hydrants of snow.

Recent heavy snowfall has partially buried or blocked fire hydrants throughout the city, and nobody is paid to dig them out.

According to Fire Inspector Jim Corcoran, it's the responsibility of Brighton residents and business owners to shovel around hydrants, and one that should be taken seriously.

"It's something that shouldn't take more than a couple minutes," Corcoran said. "It's not bad to do a good thing for free."

Corcoran recommended cleaning a 3-foot circle around hydrants "so we can find 'em and get at 'em. We have maps that generally locate them, but especially at night or in inclement weather they can be hard to find."

While you've got that shovel out, check all the doors around your own home or business and make sure they're clear to open, Corcoran said.

This is especially important for high-traffic businesses that fill with patrons.

"If all those people have to go out one exit it can take longer, lead to panic, and obviously a lot of things can happen, all of them bad," Corcoran said.

Corcoran also reminds residents to help older neighbors shovel walks and doorways.

"I'd like to think people these days will help them out in a snowstorm anyway," he said.