News & Events

Clearing Ice from Your Home and Vehicle

Icicles and frozen snow look very pretty in the sunlight. However, should they break loose, they can cause serious damage or even death.

Ice and snow buildups are often caused by a combination of the heat escaping from homes and buildings along with fluctuating temperatures. This causes ice and snow to melt and refreeze. This cycle causes icicles to keep getting larger and heavier. Sloped roofs on older homes and buildings create the biggest danger for falling ice. The onus of clearing dangerous ice and icicles from a building rests with the owner of the structure and/or the occupier of the premises.

Falling frozen snow and icicles can cause serious damage to vehicles below or even cause injury or death to a person standing below them. You should always be aware of your surroundings and do your best to never stand below icicles and frozen snow.

Frozen snow and ice must also be cleared from your vehicle. Snow and ice flying off the roofs of vehicles is a hazard because it can obscure the vision of the driver or that of the drivers of vehicles travelling behind. This can cause accidents, damage to vehicles and injuries to people. Currently the Ontario Provincial Government has introduced Bill 183. Bill 183 states that drivers who refuse or neglect to remove snow and ice from their vehicle are subject to a penalty. Failure to clear ice and snow from a passenger vehicle will lead to a fine between $50.00 and $500.00. Failure to do so with commercial vehicles may lead to a fine between $100.00 and $1,000.00.

Snow and ice can produce some of the most beautiful but potentially dangerous times of the year. We hope that everyone can stay safe and avoid the hazards described in this article.