Staying Safe This Winter
A snowfall is beautiful – until you have to contend with the ice that accompanies it. Here’s what to remember when de-icing roads and pavements.
It seems as though summer was only yesterday, but now winter is fast approaching. With winter comes lower temperatures – which in turn comes with the risk of snow and ice. If you’re always caught out by the bad weather, take a look at our handy de-icing tips.
Stock up on salt
Many people pour boiling water on snow in an attempt to melt it. However, if you do use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and then turn into the one thing that everyone dreads – black ice. Black ice is so dangerous as it is invisible and very, very slippery. To stop black ice from forming, put salt on the area that you want to clear. It will melt the snow and then stop it from re-freezing overnight, so you won’t have any super-slippery ice to contend with the next day!
Remember, always order de-icing salt online rather than taking any from salting bins – that salt is there for use by the local authorities.
Clear snow in the morning
It’s so much easier to clear snow that has just fallen and is loose on the ground rather than trying to shovel snow that has become compacted from people walking and driving on it. It’s never a nice job, but start removing the snow and ice in the morning for best results. If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, the winter sunshine will help to melt any lingering ice that is underneath. Then salt it before the end of the day, so that any remaining moisture will not freeze again overnight.
Pay attention to problem areas
It’s important to pay extra attention when you are clearing areas like steep pathways and steps. People are especially prone to slipping and falling on areas like these, so they do pose more of a risk, It’s a good idea to stock up on plenty of salt, so that you can be generous with how much you use on these areas. After all, if black ice forms on problem areas such as these, an accident could be just around the corner. Take care while you’re working on them, too!
Be mindful of where you leave snow
When you are clearing snow and taking steps to de-ice roads, pavements and driveways, it can be easy to just move it out of the way and forget about it. But you should always be careful where you dump the snow that you have cleared. Piling it up in the road can cause accidents or block access for vehicles. Additionally, make sure that you don’t shovel it onto someone else’s property – as it could prevent them from being able to get in and out of their home, as well as raise their risk of slipping or falling.
Be prepared – you’ll thank yourself this winter!
So many accidents are caused by ice. Whether a person is just enjoying a winter stroll or driving to work, slipping and skipping on ice can have terrible consequences. Stock up on some salt now, and have a shovel handy! If you do have a cold snap, you’ll be able to clear the snow and ice with ease.