You shovel your driveway, clear the snow off your car, but what about that fire hydrant near your property?

While it isn't codified in either village that residents are supposed to clear fire hydrants, the sheer amount of snow on village streets is making it hard to clear every fire hydrant in the village, let alone find them. 

"The last thing you want to see when your house is on fire is a firefighter trying to find a hydrant," said Sleepy Hollow Fire Department Chief John Korzelius.

A simple stroll in either village will reveal dozens of fire hydrants buried in snow. Many have flags indicating where they are, but many more hydrants are completely covered without identification.

In Tarrytown, the village's Volunteer Fire Department does some of the clearing. Village Administrator Michael Blau said he would be receiving an update later on the progress of hydrant clearing, but noted that residents could always clear their own hydrants if they wanted.

"Certainly if resident's feel civic minded they can clear a hydrant, we would appreciate that," Blau said.

When clearing a hydrant, it is suggested that there be a two-foot-wide path around the hydrant free from snow and ice. (See attached photo from the Tarrytown Fire Department)

If done properly, a few minutes of work can ensure your neighborhood has that extra bit of fire protection.

"My suggestions is, if you have a hydrant on your block, don't wait for anyone to clear it," Korzelius said. "It takes two minutes to shovel your hydrant."