With snow falling across many parts of the country including the North East this week, households have been faced with the task of clearing snow and ice from their driveways and pavements.
As the weather forecast for the region predicts blizzards that could cause travel mayhem ahead of a white Christmas, the gritters will be out in force to clear the roads - but it's worth knowing how best to shift ice at home to avoid any nasty accidents. If you don't have the time to spend shovelling snow, there are some effective tricks you can try to melt it away by using what you already have at home.
The Gov.UK website advises using salt to help clear driveways and pavements, as this melts ice and snow by lowering its freezing point and prevents it from refreezing overnight. Avoid digging into salting bins on the street, as these are used to keep roads clear - regular table salt from your kitchen cupboard will do the trick.
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If you're using salt to clear steps or steep pathways, it may be worth sprinkling more in these areas to avoid injuries. You can also use ash or sand if you have a shortage of salt at home, the Government advises, as this will help to provide a grip underfoot and reduce the risk of slipping on the ice.
Households are warned not to use water to melt ice, as there's a risk that this could refreeze in the cold weather and turn into deadly black ice. If you have to clear snow from your drive or path, it's also advisable to try shifting it as early in the day as you can as it will be easier to move the snow while it is still fresh and loose.
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