Some things you can do to help include:
- Start early - It is much easier to remove fresh snow compared to compacted ice that has been compressed by people walking on it
- Do not use hot water - This will melt the snow, but may replace it with black ice
- Be a good neighbour - Some people may be unable to clear snow and ice themselves
- Make sure shoveled snow does not block people's paths, or block drainage channels
- Make a pathway down the middle of the area to be cleared first, then you can shovel the snow from the centre to the sides
- Table salt or dishwasher salt works
- Avoid spreading on plants or grass as they may be damaged by it
- A few grams (a tablespoon) for each square metre you clear should work
- The salt found in salting bins will be needed for keeping roads clear
- Steps and steep gradients might need to additional salt
- Remove the top layer of snow to allow the sun to melt ice beneath (you will need to cover any ice with salt to stop it refreezing overnight)
- A little sand or ash is a reasonable salt substitute. It will not have the same de-icing properties as salt but should offer grip under foot.
If someone fell on a path you had cleared it is very unlikely that you would face any legal liability, as long as you are careful, and use common sense to ensure that you do not make the pavement or pathway clearly more dangerous than before.
People using areas affected by snow and ice also have responsibility to be careful themselves.