Icy sidewalks can be a health hazard and a liability issue. These three safety tips for icy sidewalks can help prevent slip and fall accidents on your sidewalks this winter.

1. Use Products That Prevent Freezing

Antifreeze products Cambridge MD, such as deicing salt, can melt existing ice and help keep new ice from forming. These products are particularly useful in conditions where melting and refreezing snow can create slippery conditions because they help prevent the water from melted snow from freezing when temperatures drop overnight. However, if weather conditions exist where snow alternates with periods of rainfall, these products may get washed away before they can be effective, so reapplication may be necessary.

2. Apply Substances That Increase Traction

In situations where ice can not be fully removed or prevented from forming, it can be a good idea to apply substances, such as sand, that increase traction. When properly applied and re-applied as necessary, putting sand on top of ice and snow can help prevent slip and fall accidents by making icy pathways less slippery. To be effective, sand needs to be re-applied whenever there is new snowfall or rain or other weather conditions may have blown or washed it away.

3. Remove Snow

Your sidewalks will be much less likely to be slippery if you remove as much snow as possible from them. This can be accomplished with snowmelt products, a snowblower or a shovel. If you are dealing with periods of repeat snowfall, you may need to remove snow multiple times to keep your walkways safe throughout the snow event. If possible, try not to pile snow up next to the sidewalk where melting can cause water to run onto your walkways and refreeze.

Slippery sidewalks can lead to accidents that result in serious injuries. These three safety tips can help you make your sidewalks safer.