With blizzard-like conditions heading for the D.C. area, many people are rushing to hardware stores to stock up on rock salt, sleds and other necessities.
George Currie of Oxon Hill on right, doesn’t need the 200 pounds of ice melt in his cart. He and his wife give some away.
“I can’t say what other people would do. But this is in our hearts to get enough so if someone doesn’t have — it’s enough for them too.”
(WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Shipments of snowblowers are being imported by numbers of area retailers. The equipment is selling quickly as it arrives.
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WTOP/Kristi King
Pallets of supplies are going quickly in local hardware stores. Salt is quickly diminishing Wednesday afternoon at the Alexandria Lowe’s.
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WTOP/Kristi King
Ice melt goes farther when mixed with play sand, said Manuel Flores of Dale City, Virginia. Flores also says the mixture helps provide traction.
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WTOP/Kristi King
Trash cans emptied of snow shovels should be restocked repeatedly as supplies come in to the Alexandria Lowe’s. Manager Earl Lee expects pre-storm deliveries of multiple snow related products.
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WTOP/Kristi King
Gloria Milhan of Kingstown plans to use the $5 “snow disc” to pull her two dogs through the snow. “How cute is that!” she exclaims.
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WTOP/Kristi King
If you can’t find windshield wiper fluid in stores or want to use a “natural” product “Do It Yourself — Natural ” wiper fluid ingredients include 16 oz. of 99 percent isopropyl alcohol and 1 ounce of liquid soap in a gallon jug topped off with water.
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WTOP/Kristi King
Bob Delong of Clifton, Virginia, will use this new thrower on his 200-foot driveway and to clear pasture areas for his horses. He and Lowe’s Department Manager Larry Schultz have been friends for years.
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WTOP/Kristi King
Hardware store shelves are being cleared by prestorm shoppers. Many stores however are getting new shipments to replenish supplies. Ask your store’s manager for specifics.
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WTOP/Kristi King
Greg King of Temple Hills, Maryland, doesn’t like popsicle toes. He says toe warmers he’s buying are more important to him than the hand warmers.
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WTOP/Kristi King
Using antifreeze designed for boats and RVs is recommended for drains in exterior stairwells leading to basements.
“If you don’t, that water starts melting and getting up in there and that drain clogs [then] it’s going to get up above your door levels and go right up on in the house, ” says Lowe’s Department Manager Larry Schultz.
Products such as “Freezproof” are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
(WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Sodium Chloride (pictured) also known as rock salt can damage asphalt, concrete, brick, stone, metal, grass, plants and wood decks and can be lethal to pets if ingested. An evaluation of various types of ice-melt by Consumer Reports finds Magnesium Chloride, Potasium Chloride and Urea/Carbonly Diamide are best for gardeners and pet owners.
(WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
WASHINGTON — With blizzard-like conditions heading for the D.C. area, many people are rushing to hardware stores to stock up on rock salt, sleds and other necessities.
WTOP’s Kristi King took a look at what shoppers were buying at the Alexandria Lowe’s on Wednesday.