How To Get Rid Of Ice On Your Sidewalk Before It Causes A New Haven Slip And Fall Accident

November 30, 2021
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In our area snow is not likely before January 1st, although it happens, but the biggest concern in our area is ice and how dangerous it can be, especially on sidewalks.  As we covered before, sidewalks are your responsibility to make sure they are clear and that no one is injured in a New Haven slip and fall accident.

The challenge with keeping your sidewalks clear when there isn’t snow, but where ice is an issue is that often ice is hard to spot and it is not readily noticeable if your sidewalk needs some de-icing.  It is important that you, as the homeowner, checks regularly on your sidewalks to make sure that you are keeping them free of ice.  For you to do this well you should follow these steps;

  1. Don’t just use ice melt, you can mix it with sand.  This is done for two reasons, one it reduces how much ice melt you use and two, it can help provide extra traction for anyone that is walking on your sidewalk
  2. When the temperatures get really low make sure your ice melt can handle melting the ice.  Ice melt with calcium chloride will work when the temperatures fall below 5 degrees.
  3. Start before the bad weather hits.  Adding a layer of ice melt and sand before the weather even begins will keep the sidewalk from developing ice in the first place.
  4. Once the ice has melted, make sure to dispose of any ice melt that is left over as this itself, when dry, can become a hazard.

The temperatures in our area rarely get cold enough to need industrial strength ice melting on sidewalks, but if you have access to it, it’s a good idea to have something like that on hand.  You don’t want to be one of the people who is interviewed on the news in front of an empty row of store shelves when the storm is bearing down on us.  Be ready and be prepared and you won’t have to deal with a New Haven slip and fall accident or dangerous conditions on your sidewalks.

If an accident were to occur and you go yourself into an injury from slipping on a sidewalk that wasn’t properly cleared, you may want to reach out to our office for help from one of our experienced attorneys.  We will review your case and work with you protect your long-term interests.