More snowstorms are in the forecast and staying safe at home and at work is extremely important.
Ice is one of the hardest things to deal with when snow comes around. However, preventing slips and falls, as well as getting rid of ice, can be easy.
To get rid of ice on the sidewalks or walkways, use the following ingredients:
- 6 drops Dawn Dish Soap
- 2 oz of rubbing alcohol
- 1/2 gallon warm water
Mix together in a gallon milk jug. You can add the mixture to a spray bottle to handle it easier. You don’t need the whole jug to do the job. It keeps your walkways clear and won’t eat away at the concrete over time.
Ice cleats: There are ice cleats for your shoes. They wrap around your boots and are easy to slip on and off. They provide extra traction and keep your loved ones safe.
Icicles: Do not wander under the icicles when they are beginning to drip. They can crash down easily and hurt people quite easily.
Trust yourself: You know what your body can handle. Do not push yourself to get everything done right off the bat. It can do more harm than good. Take breaks when shoveling snow and clearing up icy areas.
Keep people in the loop: If you are planning on traveling, keep your family members in the loop. Let them know your timeline and what route you will take. If you are working with groups of people, I recommend checking the emergency plans for your building.
Keep a work and car kit snow ready: Keep some granola bars and munchies that will not freeze in your car. This way you can keep food in your car in case you get stuck. During emergency situations, responders can take a while to get to your position.
Car Heater: There is a way to keep a heater in your car without your battery getting bogged down.
- Take a roll of toilet paper, small and large clean paint cans, and a bottle of rubbing alcohol.
- Remove the cardboard center from the toilet paper and stuff the paper in the small paint can.
- Douse the toilet roll in the rubbing alcohol until it is completely saturated. Place the lid on the small paint can. (Don’t worry it won’t freeze in your car. Alcohol has a lower freezing temperature than water.)
If you get stuck, you can light the toilet roll to keep warm — just place the small can into the larger can to keep it from burning the area around it. When you light the toilet paper in the small can, you can use the lid to keep the flame at a reasonable size. When you light this in your car, you must open your window a crack to let the carbon monoxide escape the car. This is quite a handy little trick and will keep you warm until help arrives.
These tricks are quite easy to work on and experiment with. Give them a try and see what works for you. This winter has been quite different from the previous few years, and many people might have forgotten these tricks. Be safe in the snow.
Emily Thornton is an English Teacher at Pocatello High School and is working on her Master’s Degree at Idaho State University.
