Snow piles aren’t playgrounds, city reminds in PSA

Climbing on snow piles in parking lots and next to curbs around the city may seem like a lot of fun for kids, but the City of Saskatoon is reminding residents of the safety risks involved.

“It is easy to slip and slide into the path of an oncoming vehicle, and equipment operators moving snow into the pile or in the area may not be able to see or react in time to avoid injury,” the city said in a public service announcement.

After a major winter storm dropped more than a foot of snow onto the city last weekend, snow-clearing efforts left behind a small mountain range of snow piles.

The large piles may seem solid, but the city said they aren’t always as stable as they look, especially in warmer weather like the city is expecting this week. The piles often have air pockets or soft spots that people can fall into, and they can collapse completely when someone walks over them. That can leave people trapped, the city noted, with a chance of being suffocated.

“Everyone is advised to proceed around snow piles with caution,” the city said.

The city said it is still working to grade residential streets after the storm, but the piles left curbside in residential areas won’t be removed.

“Snow removal on residential streets will not take place unless there is a localized serious safety concern or significant drainage issue, which will be assessed and addressed as required,” the city said in a statement.

“Snow piles will only be removed from Priority 1 streets.”

Snow removal on the top-priority routes is expected to begin Monday, the city said, and efforts have already begun in school zones.

City crews are also working to address snow piles along roads that interfere with visibility.