Winter Safety ABC: How to Keep Your Home Entrance Safe in Winter
The arrival of freezing temperatures brings both frost flowers on windows and miraculous winter views, but inevitably also slippery surfaces and the risk of falls. With sufficient foresight and the right techniques, it is possible to keep the home surroundings free of ice and snow without making it an overly burdensome undertaking. Advice is shared by Urve Vanker, service manager at the maintenance service company Krausberg.
The right materials for ice and snow removal
„Mistakes in ice and snow removal are often made right from the start. For example, snow is left unshoveled for too long and gets trampled down, which creates base ice that is much harder to remove later. Similarly, the wrong material is often used in the wrong place, or too little de-icing agent is used," explains Urve Vanker, service manager at Krausberg.
The best option for ice and snow removal is to use granite chips (2–6 mm), which are safe for surfaces and vegetation and provide good traction even on cold days. Granite chips don't make the surface dusty and continue to work thanks to their fraction even when thaws alternate with frost. It is also an environmentally friendly solution, as they can be collected and reused the following winter.
On stairs and slopes, salt (chlorides) should be avoided, as it damages stone and concrete surfaces and is carried into indoor spaces on the soles of shoes, where it is later difficult to clean.
If ice has already formed, chlorides or special de-icers can be used if necessary, but they should be scattered moderately and purposefully. It is worth knowing that salt works best at temperatures down to –10 °C, from that temperature onwards you should switch to using chips.
The most sensible approach is to keep de-icing material within reach in a larger box together with a small shovel and a snow pusher. It is best to store it in a dry room, as this preserves its properties best – moisture won't get into it, which could cause granite chips to freeze. An ice bar is also a good helper in ice and snow removal.
Consistency is key in snow clearing
Fresh snow is light and easy to remove, but if you leave snow shoveling until the next day, the snow is already trampled down or has turned to ice. Removing such a snow layer can take hours of hard work. Therefore, it is worth starting cleaning during the snowfall, not waiting until all the snow has fallen. Short, regular cleaning rounds are more efficient and healthier than one long and exhausting battle.
A snow blower is most efficient on larger surfaces, such as driveways, while a shovel or an ergonomic snow pusher is suitable for smaller areas and finishing touches. When it comes to plastic snow shovels, it is worth choosing a stronger material variant so it doesn't break in the cold and won't wear out in the first winter.
Surfaces that need attention
When removing snow, it is important to note that piling it up does not obstruct the visibility of pedestrians or drivers, and that meltwater can drain away later instead of freezing on the sidewalk. Also, drainage routes must be kept open to prevent ice from forming on driveways and parking lots. For heated stairs and slopes, it is advisable to ensure that they remain dry, so that melted snow doesn't turn to ice again when heating is off.
Stairs and slopes are the most risky areas around a house, as the fall risk is direct. Walkways and railings can be marked with posts or markers so they are more visible through the snow.
The condition of surfaces should be checked at least twice a day – morning and evening. During periods of thaw and frost alternating, it is recommended to do this as many as 2–3 times a day.
A small but impactful tip: preventative wetting of the surface with a chloride solution (provided chloride use is permitted) prevents ice from bonding and keeps future work easier.
Taking care of ourselves and others
Safety begins first and foremost with taking care of ourselves. Snow clearing is physical work, so it is important to dress in layers, take breaks, and avoid excessive exertion. You shouldn't overload your back, and on slippery surfaces you should use ice cleats, which make your shoes more secure. A reflective vest is also useful during dark hours, making those working on the street more visible to other road users.
For many elderly people, ice and snow removal is a serious challenge – not due to lack of willingness, but because of health and strength issues. That's why it's important to pay attention to the situation of relatives and neighbors. Sometimes just a helping hand or a bucket of granite chips is enough to make someone's day safer. If an elderly person finds it difficult to shovel snow, they can arrange early on who will help them or which service provider to contact.
„For example, a housing association or private individual can enter into a maintenance contract with a professional company that carries out snow and ice removal according to a schedule or weather conditions. This way, the surface needing maintenance is under constant control, not just when the problem has already arisen," explains Urve Vanker. „This is also convenient for those who like to travel in winter, so that the obligation to remove ice and snow doesn't remain unfulfilled on the sidewalk adjacent to their property."
Contributing to the community
Well-executed ice and snow removal is not just a tedious obligation, but also genuinely reduces the risk of accidents. If a homeowner looks beyond their own yard to the sidewalk and, if necessary, lends a helping hand to a neighbor, the whole street becomes safer. Winter doesn't go away, but informed action makes it more bearable for everyone.
