Tropical Storm Rachel's remnants dropped up to 18 inches on Utah's Wasatch peaks in mid-October, and another storm brought snow levels down this week. Before winter settles in, use our six-step checklist to protect doorways, decks, gutters and cars from sliding snow, and learn when snow guards can still go on after the first snowfall.

Roof snow retention systems, including snow guards and snow fences, are designed to control the movement of snow and ice on a roof. Rather than allowing heavy snow to slide off in large, dangerous sheets, these systems hold snow in place so it can melt gradually and drain safely. This helps prevent roof avalanches that can damage property, injure people, and create costly liability concerns.