ALBANY, N.Y. --  Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan explained, "It's not even so much how much snowfall but how cold it is and how windy it is and that combination if we have power outages causes real concern."

As parts of the Capital Region brace for 8 to 14 inches of snow and wind gusts of up to 35 mph, Mayor Sheehan wants to make sure residents are aware and ready for what's coming.

"If the snow is not clear within 24 hours after the end of the snowfall they can be ticketed and fined," Sheehan said.

City officials said they'll plow the streets but it's up to residents to make sure their sidewalks are clear.

With 1,200 tons of salt in the shed and more than two dozen trucks out on the roads, the American Red Cross is also encouraging everyone across 24 of New York's counties to be aware of others.

"We certainly want to be particularly mindful of seniors, children people who may need extra help getting in or out of the homes if there's an emergency."

The communications director of The American Red Cross ENY, Kimmy Venter explained that items like a crank radio, flashlight with extra batteries and warm weather clothing, in addition to non perishable food and one gallon of water per person per day, can mean the difference between life and death in a winter emergency.

"The other thing is in the case of a snow storm like this we never want people to use candles for light that's why we really encourage flashlights and batteries on hand," Venter added.

Another reminder that space heaters should be used with caution and never heat your home a stove range or oven. 

Venter said, "Just this month of January I think we've probably responded to well over 20 fires in our 24 county region, so one pretty much every day."

Residents in Albany are reminded to park on the even numbered side of the street starting Tuesday at 8 p.m. Wednesday at 8 p.m., cars should move to the odd numbered side. 

For more information on emergency preparedness, go to the American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness website.

Check out the full list of snow emergencies that are in effect in the Capital Region here.