The city’s snow emergency parking ban ends at 4 p.m. Friday, and the city has a more emphatic than usual notice to explain that “Property owners are required to clear snow from sidewalks next to their property.” With three large snowfalls come and gone this winter and another due next week, the underlining of snow removal needs have become clear.

Here are some tips from eHow on the best ways to de-ice a driveway and shovel snow so plows don’t send it right back where you’ve cleared.