Between November and March, pedestrians and motorist should be aware of black ice & manhole fires in New York.

Black Ice
This is the result of melting snow or rain that has reached freezing temperatures. This causes pedestrians to slip and fall causing injury and in some cases death depending on where one falls and vehicles to skid into objects and pedestrians that are nearby. [video]

Manhole Fires
These are are result of melting snow or rain mixed with road salt that enters the manhole instead of drains that are blocked with leaves and unplowed snow. The salt solution gets in contact with the cables underground which causes electricial fires, smoke and fumes that start small and grow underground until the pressures blows the metal manhole cover off which can become a deadly projectile for passing motorist and pedestrians. Motorist should avoid parking over these ground access as it can cause fire damage to your vehicle when the heat of the vehicle melts any snow that is underneath the vehicle. [video]

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