Dealing with Icy Sidewalks

Chicago is famous for its winter weather. Many Chicagoans find the city's winter landscapes beautiful, but the dangers of icy sidewalks are familiar and can be severe. In heavier winter weather it can be difficult to keep sidewalks completely clear. But no matter how thick the ice is, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of injuries from slips and falls.

Although freezing rain can readily result in icy roads and sidewalks, the main source of ice during snowy winters is from melted snow. The ground takes a while to get cold, so if there is still warmth this can cause some of the snow to melt, leaving a layer of ice. Sometimes snowfall is preceded by freezing rain, leaving a layer of ice below the snow.

Preventing Dangerous Sidewalk Conditions

To prevent ice buildup, shovel the snow off the sidewalk as quickly as you can after it falls. The sooner you move the snow to a less dangerous location, the less ice will build up. If some of the snow melts, try to remove the water from the sidewalk while it's still a liquid. If your sidewalk is covered in thick ice, it might be advisable to break the ice up with a shovel or hoe and remove slabs of it by hand with gloves. Once it's been removed, apply a deicing agent.

There are numerous deicing products you can apply to the sidewalk, the most readily available of which is common table salt (sodium chloride). The downside to sodium chloride is that can damage the environment and has negative effects on cars, including encouraging the development of rust. Less corrosive chemicals exist, such as calcium magnesium acetate. Although many people believe otherwise, sand and coffee grounds do not melt ice. However, they do increase traction on the ice.

Contact Us

If you have been injured because of a sidewalk that should have been cleared of ice, contact the experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C., today at 312-466-2800 to speak with an experienced attorney.