Edmonton is a winter city that sees significant snowfall. The snow and ice that accumulate on sidewalks during the winter season are hazardous for everyone.

People with limited mobility, seniors, children, and parents with strollers (and even those with no limitations at all) may be severely injured from a fall on ice or snow. Uncleared walks can also make it difficult for those who deliver services in our city – mail carriers, meter readers, delivery drivers and emergency personnel — to do their jobs safely. In fact, each year, hospitals and doctors’ offices are filled with people, young and old, who have slipped and fallen on unmaintained sidewalks.

For these reasons, Community Standards Bylaw 14600 requires homeowners and tenants in a home to clear snow and ice from every walk and driveway on or beside their property, as well as from any other properties they own. The fine for failing to clear sidewalks within 48 hours of the last snowfall is $100.

Owners/tenants should use sand or ice-melting products to start the clearing process if they can’t shovel immediately after a snowfall. The City no longer maintains community sandboxes, but sand is available at the City’s roadway maintenance yards (see edmonton.ca/winterroads) and your local hardware store.

Here are some tips to help you get through winter:
*Be prepared. Have a good shovel, ice chipper and sand/ice melt at the ready.
*Dress appropriately in boots with grip or snow cleats, coat, hat and gloves.
*Timing is everything. Remove snow as soon as possible after a snowfall to prevent it from becoming hard-packed and before the freeze-thaw cycle begins.
*Do not shovel or place snow on the road, in the alley, or on other people’s property. Sidewalk and driveway snow pushed to the street creates more challenges for roadway snow removal crews and machinery.

Snow shovelling can be challenging for seniors and those with limited mobility, certain health conditions and disabilities. By becoming a Snow Angel and helping your neighbours with their shovelling, you can make Edmonton a more livable and lovable winter city for everyone.

Let’s work together to keep our sidewalks clear!

Article provided by the City of Edmonton.