Winter sidewalk safety tips for home and business owners
Winter sidewalk safety is a chore, 但是在冬天保持人行道上没有冰雪可能有助于防止事故和麻烦.
It's a chore, for sure, 但是在冬天保持人行道上没有冰雪是一项重要的任务. 这可能有助于防止事故，并为您节省很多麻烦，从长远来看. Whether you're a homeowner, a landlord, a business or a tenant, snow removal and sidewalk safety go hand-in-hand; and someone is ultimately responsible for getting it done. 让我们来了解一下这个众所周知但经常被忽视的冬季现实的一些安全方面.
Let's start with landlords and small businesses
不管是写在租赁协议里还是市政条例里, 除雪和人行道安全可能是你唯一的责任. 我们都看到并避开了那些忽视清理人行道和停车场的店面或企业. 事实是，他们的忽视只会成为更好地开展业务的障碍. 换句话说，他们将自己——以及他们的客户——置于巨大的风险之中 slips, trips and falls. As the old saying goes, "An ounce of prevention…".
如果你的租约没有明确规定房东是否会负责除雪, the responsibility may fall on you. 如果房东有协议，他们会处理除雪, 如果不及时有效地这样做，可能会导致投诉, injuries and lawsuits. Many businesses and landlords purchase business insurance and liability insurance coverage for unexpected accidents.
Are you a good neighbor after the snow has stopped falling?
有些人真的很期待铲雪和除冰的挑战人行道和车道. 我们都很熟悉这样的邻居:暴风雪过后，他的车道和人行道都打扫得干干净净. 他们通常也承担起自己的责任，帮助那些无法出门的老年邻居，清理人行道或车道.
Snow shoveling safety
Before you head out to conquer the snow-packed concrete, consider these helpful sidewalk safety tips to help prevent hypothermia and injury.
Wear the right winter clothing and protection
外出铲土前，应穿好安全防护服. Here are a few tips to consider.
- 根据天气和你的活动水平选择分层的衣服
- Waterproof boots with good traction
- Thick, warm socks
- Head covering to prevent loss of body heat
- Mittens or gloves to protect your hands
- Sunscreen and lip balm to protect exposed skin
Stretch
伸展运动可以使你的身体暖和起来，并有助于防止肌肉拉伤.
Use proper form when shoveling snow
- Push snow rather than lifting it.
- 不要把雪扔到你的侧面或背后，因为你可能会在扭转时受伤.
- Use your knees. 铲土或举重时，一定要用膝盖，而不是背部.
- 两腿分开蹲下来，背部挺直，脚跟着地.
Get outside as soon as you can
新鲜的、粉状的雪比湿的、致密的雪更容易清除. Shovel after every few inches of accumulation.
Work slowly and take breaks
Shoveling snow is exercise. It raises your heart rate and blood pressure. Pause every now and then to prevent exhaustion. Take time to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
如果你有疾病或不经常锻炼, 在铲雪或使用吹雪机之前，请咨询医生. Also, be aware of the signs and causes of hypothermia.
That Ice Isn't Very Nice
另一个重要但经常被忽视的考虑是为人行道和车道除冰. 你最不想要的就是把所有艰苦的工作都投入到除雪中——只是让自己或别人滑倒在表面上的一层冰上.
Tips for de-icing sidewalks
According to Consumer Reports, here are some tips for de-icing.
- Mix ice melt with sand. 它有助于减少冰融化的数量，并提供额外的牵引力.
- Spread the mix evenly in layers. 在坏天气来袭之前先涂上一层，然后再涂上第二层.
- Consider rock salt. 普通岩盐在5华氏度以上的温度下起作用.
- Get ice melt. 当温度低于5华氏度时，用氯化钙融化冰. 它可以在零下25华氏度的低温下融化冰.
- Scoop up the extra salt. After the ice melts, scoop up any excess and throw it away.
