With the close of the frequently action-packed holiday season, attention turns to the often long winter ahead, Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions notwithstanding.

Those dreaded words will likely soon become popular among television weather pros: snow, sleet, freezing rain, wintry mix and the perennial fear generator, Nor’easter.

Many residents of Lower and Upper Milford townships are seasoned at dealing with winter weather, however, the occasional refresher never hurts.

Upper Milford residents are reminded to dig out fire hydrants. Mailboxes also should be shoveled clear. Motorists are encouraged to park off the roadway, especially when predicted snow totals move from a dusting or covering to inches, and as in the case of last winter, feet, of flakes.

Some residents go the extra mile like a neighbor who “plants” tall slender reflective posts along the edge of his front lawn to help snowplow drivers and motorists be cautious near the curved road running past his yard.

Lower Milford Township offers residents a detailed list of weather-related safety tips on the township website www.lowermilford.org.

For example, residents are advised to shovel snow to the right of a driveway to lessen the amount plows inadvertently move back into residential drives while clearing snowy roads.

Also, township officials caution, snow tossed into plowed or cleared roads may freeze and create a driving hazard.

Both townships include state roads maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation crews. This includes responsibility for clearing the roads during snowstorms.

Broader road safety tips also are worthy of review.

Among PennDOT recommendations for winter motorists are:

•Check windshield wipers and wiper fluid levels. Install new wiper blades if necessary

•Make sure heater, defroster and all lights are working properly

•Check tires for sufficient tread and air pressure

•Put an emergency kit, including items such as a blanket, extra clothing, a flashlight, first aid supplies, a snow shovel, an ice scraper, nonperishable snacks and bottled water in your vehicle. Check the PennDOT website for a complete list of items to pack.

•When driving, slow down, increase the distance from the next vehicle and avoid sudden stops and starts

PennDOT also advises residents to avoiding mounding snow at driveway entrances to their properties to ensure visibility when pulling out onto roads.

Limiting travel if possible is also advised.

Residents of Upper Milford Township, for instance, may elect to use the Emmaus Public Library drop box at the township building, 5671 Chestnut St., to return borrowed items instead of trekking into town.

Lower Milford Township offers a snow removal FAQ page on its website to help residents navigate the hows and whys of plowing, obtaining information on road conditions and other insights.

Winter weather permitting, the next meeting of the Lower Milford Township Board of Supervisors begins 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3 in the township building, 7607 Chestnut Hill Church Road.

Upper Milford Township supervisors next meet 7 p.m. Jan. 20.

Stay safe this winter.