If 2020 has taught us anything, it has taught us the importance of preparation. Winter accident prevention should begin before winter weather actually sets in. Here are some preventative measures you can take to avoid icy accidents.
Don’t wait to purchase snow shovels, heavy duty mats, and ice melt. Last minute purchases before a storm arrives means encountering long lines with panic buyers and depleted or inferior inventories. Early fall is the best time to stock up so you can be prepared for surprise fall storms and temperature drops. Click the following links for helpful ideas on how to pick the best snow shovel, snow shoveling tips, and ice melt.
Winter weather requires a change in footwear for both home and work use. Again, don’t wait too long to purchase winter footwear, so you have plenty of purchase options. Your kids have possibly outgrown their winter shoes from last year, so take stock of what sizes you have before it gets too cold.
Winter footwear should have soles with grippy treads to improve your traction. You can also invest in heavier insulation and water proof options. If your property or job requires you to walk on non-paved areas where you cannot shovel or use ice melt, consider purchasing snow grips or traction cleats that can slip on and off your shoes as needed. Take care to not use these products on paved surfaces to prevent excessive wear on both your cleats and the pavement. Remember that even thick sole treads can quickly fill with compacted snow, so occasionally tap and clear your treads to stay on sure footing.
You will want to purchase ice melt that is coarse enough to provide stabilizing traction on paved surfaces. Nature’s Blend coarse granules improve friction much more efficiently than smooth particles. Store your ice melt containers in a dry and easy to access location so you can stay on top of ice accumulation. Nature’s Blend also provides longer lasting performance so you can reduce refreezing cycles for longer and not use as much product.
Unfortunately, Jack Frost doesn’t wait until the first day of winter to arrive. Sub-freezing temperatures come and go in the weeks (and sometimes months) leading up to winter’s official start. To stay up to date on your local conditions, install a trusted weather monitoring app or consult verified news sources. Ice can form even on clear sky days from freezing condensation. So don’t just look at chances of snow, keep an eye on temperature ranges as well.
Pay extra attention to areas of perpetual shadow, where the sun can't assist with melting. Due to the sun’s low angle during this time of year, there will likely be areas around your home and workplace that will not see the sun again until spring.
With shorter daylight hours, you are more likely to be leaving for work or arriving at home in partial or total darkness. Be extra vigilant coming and going during these times, because your risk of encountering hidden ice increases.
Winter driving rules are definitely applicable when you are walking as well. Slow down anytime you are walking outdoors, even if it doesn’t appear icy. Freeze/thaw cycles can create invisible slicks of black ice. Give yourself a little extra lead time to get to appointments to make sure you are not in a rush to get out the door.
Entry and exit points for any building can be a real hazard during the winter. On the outside, ice slicks build up easily under awnings, gables, and in the shade of the building. On the inside, slushy melt on floors combined with an urgency to get away from the cold create slippery conditions. Stay vigilant about clearing ice outside doorways and place down heavy duty mats inside entries and exits.
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