Ice on the Streets of Ukraine: Experts Named the Best Means Against Falls.

According to ТСН: With the drop in temperature, sidewalks and steps become dangerous. In order to avoid mass falls and visits to emergency rooms, it is important to treat surfaces with anti-slip agents in time.

For processing the territory around a private house or entrance, it is recommended to use accessible and proven agents, each with its own features.

Traditional Method

In Ukraine, the most popular option remains a mixture of sand and salt, known as "sand-salt". This method is effective even at temperatures down to -25 degrees, as the components complement each other.

Salt reacts with ice, melting it, while sand creates an abrasive layer, improving the grip of the sole with the surface.

However, it is worth considering the disadvantages of this option. The aggressive salt mixture can damage paving stones, bricks, and artificial stone. Additionally, salt negatively affects pedestrians' winter shoes and can harm plants due to soil salinization.

If you decide to use this method, experts recommend regularly removing the snow "slush" to reduce damage to surfaces and the environment.

What is the Alternative

Experts consider stone or marble chips one of the best alternatives for combating ice, although this option is more expensive.

The main advantage of this material is its eco-friendliness and safety, as the chips do not damage shoes, soil, or pets' paws. It quickly provides reliable grip and retains its properties even in severe frosts. Additionally, the material can be reused: in spring, the chips can be swept and stored for the next season.

A budget alternative to marble chips can be ordinary fine gravel, which works similarly.

What Can Be Done with Improvised Means

For owners of private homes with stove heating or fireplaces, a good option for combating ice is ordinary ash.

It performs a similar function to sand, creating a rough surface, as well as fertilizing the soil without harming it.

To enhance the anti-slip effect, owners often mix ash with sand or add sawdust from coniferous trees. Although this mixture cannot melt a thick layer of ice, it helps avoid falls on slippery steps or paths in the garden.

There is also a simple life hack for emergency situations: first pour boiling water on the ice, then quickly scrape off the thawed mass with a shovel and sprinkle the surface with sand for reliability.

Given that winter often brings dangerous ice, timely treatment of sidewalks and steps becomes an important task for everyone. Using proven means can help reduce the risk of injury and make walks safer. It is important to consider not only effectiveness but also the environmental consequences of material choices. This will help find a balance between comfort and safety in the cold season.