Snow Advice

Clearing snow and ice from the pavement outside your home can help prevent slips and falls.  Here’s some handy advice issued by the Department for Transport.

 

Don’t be put off clearing paths because you are afraid someone will get injured.  Remember, people walking on snow and ice have a responsibility to be careful themselves.  Don’t believe the myths – it is unlikely you will be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries if you have cleared the path carefully.

 

Clear the snow and ice early in the day

 

It is easier to move fresh, loose snow rather than hard snow that has packed together from people walking on it.  So if possible, start removing the snow and ice in the morning.  If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath.  You can then cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight.

 

Clear and prevent slips

 

  • Pay extra attention to clearing snow and ice from steps and steep pathways – you might need to use more salt on these areas.

 

  • Use salt or sand – not water. If you use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and turn to black ice.  Black ice increases the risk of injuries as it is invisible and very slippery.

 

  • You can melt snow or prevent black ice by spreading some salt on the area you have cleared. You can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt – a tablespoon for each square metre you clear should work.  Use the salt found in our salting bins.

 

  • Be careful not to spread salt on plants or grass as it may damage them.

 

  • If you don’t have enough salt, you can also use sand or ash. These won’t stop the path icing over as effectively as salt, but will provide good grip underfoot.

 

Take care where you move the snow

 

When you are shovelling snow, take care where you put it so it does not block people’s paths or drains.  Make sure you make a path down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear suface to walk on.  Then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides.

 

Offer to clear your neighbours’ paths

 

If you neighbour will have difficulty getting in and out of their home, offer to clear snow and ice around their property as well.  Check that any elderly or disabled neighbours are alright in the cold weather.

 

CHERWELL DISTRICT COUNCIL ONLY GRIT/SALT MAIN ROADS AND BUS ROUTES.  THE VILLAGE HAS 6 SALT BINS – 3 IN THE BARFORD ROAD AND ONE EACH IN THE HIGH STREET, THE SLIBBER AND AT THE END OF MOOR LANE.

 

PETER THOMAS, Chairman.