Ice and Snow Removal

Ice and snow buildup are part of the long Alaskan winter and will accumulate near walkways, on buildings, on houses, and on vehicles. Snow and ice accumulation is a major part of the Alaskan winter. As ice and snow continue to buildup throughout the winter, regular removal at your home is important to the safety of your family and visitors.

Ice And Snow Removal – Driveways And Walkways

Removing ice and snow from driveways and walkways regularly is important. If you wait, a thick layer of ice can form and make it harder to remove later. Additionally, leaving snow and ice to buildup on driveways or walkways creates a safety risk for falling when walking to your house or getting into and out of vehicles in your driveway. It is also easier to maintain a driveway or walkway rather than waiting until several inches of snow have built up.

Salt can be helpful with keeping ice and snow off driveways and walkways but can be dangerous to pets and the environment. Additionally, some temperatures are simply too cold for ice to work. Before purchasing ice, read the label to make sure it is safe for your area and lifestyle. Consider pets, plants or greenery under the snow that may be affected and wildlife. Salt can attract wildlife to your walkway and put your family in danger.

Fire Hydrants

If you have a fire hydrant on your property, take the time to remove the ice and snow around it. If there is an emergency, firefighters do not want to deal with removing snow before being able to assist with a fire. In some areas of Alaska, the area surrounding fire hydrants is handled by the borough. If you notice hydrants are not being maintained, take initiative to report it. If the fire hydrant is on your property, spend the extra time to clear the ice and snow from the surrounding area. Be careful not to damage the hydrant.

Look Up

ice and snow can accumulate around doorways and roofs. If you notice ice crystals forming, consider removing ice from overhead to avoid falling ice when temperatures warm up. It is also important to keep an eye on the snow building up on roofs. Too much snow accumulation can fall and hurt someone or cause other damage.

If you are unable to remove ice and snow yourself at your home, consider calling a professional before too much builds up. During peak winter months, it can take days for someone to come out and remove snow. If you are visiting family or friends and are injured at their home, you may need to contact an attorney to discuss potential claims.

Ice And Snow Removal – Windshields

Cleaning off your vehicle before driving down the road is imperative to keeping Alaskan roads safe. Ice and snow often builds up on windshields and needs to be cleaned off before driving. If you store your vehicle outside, lift wipers so they do not stick to the windshield.

Be cautious of how you defrost windshields and plan ahead. It is best to let your car warm up for five minutes before turning the defroster on in the vehicle. Letting your car warm up allows the internal temperature to gradually raise so the windshield does not crack.

Defrost windshields correctly to avoid cracking. It is best to let your vehicle warm up for at least five minutes before turning the defroster on. If you have auto start, turn the defroster to the “off” position before leaving the vehicle. Using the defroster in a cold car may cause the windshield to crack. Pouring hot water onto a windshield may also cause the windshield to break.

Windows

While the car is warming up, use a scraper to clean off other windows and glass. It is important to be able to see out of the vehicle while driving. It is also the law in Alaska. Ice buildup blocks the drivers view and causes safety concerns. Wear gloves when you are removing ice from windows and glass to avoid frost bite.

Snow and Ice Removal

Before driving down the road, remove ice and snow from your vehicle. Snow can blow off while driving and cause a motor vehicle accident. Remember, if you push snow right off your vehicle, large piles may make it more difficult to drive away. Move snow to an area away from regular traffic rather than pushing it straight to the ground. Always wear gloves when cleaning off vehicles as cold snow and ice can be cold and dangerous to your skin.

It is important to remove snow and ice from vehicles to keep Alaskan roads safe. Please do your part by properly cleaning your vehicle before driving.

This piece on Removing Ice and Snow Safely is the eighth of a nine-part winter safety series. See our safety tips for Outdoor Winter Walking Safety; Keeping Kids Safe and Warm; Heating Your Home; Cold Weather Vehicle Safety; Driving in Ice and Snow; Snowmachine Safety; and Surviving Extreme Cold.

Johnson Law, P.C. has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Please call Johnson Law, P.C. to discuss your case: (907)277-3090 or use our online contact form.

Sources: Alaska Administrative Code; Family Handyman; Angi.com

Image Source: Family Handyman