Dealing with snow removal and safety?

1

This is for hosts who live in climates with seasons, especially winter!

I was curious how you deal with snow removal. I have found a service that will do my driveway & all sidewalks. They will snowblow and get the bulk of it cleared, but I will still have to put down rock salt and stuff like that and clear any remaining ice with a shovel. I also will have no control over what time they come to clear the snow.

I’m worried a guest will slip/trip/fall if I don’t have all snow PERFECTLY dealt with the entire time they are here or complain that sidewalks aren’t cleared. I’ve almost considered blocking winter months entirely so I don’t have to worry about it.

If you live somewhere with winter snowfall, what’s your snow routine to make sure it’s safe for guests? Am I overthinking?

Also: my municipality is notoriously bad when it comes to plowing side streets. That part is beyond my control. You can definitely still access the neighborhood but it’s much easier with 4WD, which I have with my vehicle. Considering adding this to my welcome message ahead of winter arrivals, if snow is in the forecast. Thankfully the rest of this month it looks like it will be too warm to snow but we’ve gotten snow as early as October before so it just depends. I still want to be prepared though.

2

We close our Airbnb from November to March because of this.

1 Like
3

We plan to do what we have always done. Clear the snow within the city-mandated 4-hr post-snow window. I have no more concerns about guests falling than I already do about kids walking to school on our sidewalk. Ice and snow removal is a really important [and onerous] task of winter no matter how you “slice” it. Our AirBNB is within our home, so, we will know exactly when the snow stopped, and when the city requires that it be removed. Our street is cleared pretty quickly. The city’s Mayor lives right around the corner and the police station is four blocks away, at the end of the street.

I have considered a no car policy for the winter months, but, since that is one of the draws of our property, I haven’t quite pulled that trigger.

As to preparation, go to the Home Depot and buy two 5 gallon buckets and two scoops [or use a laundry detergent cup.] Fill one with No-Salt ice remover, and the other one with sand. Have these out by the porch/front door/where ever so that guests can sprinkle more if they are feeling unsteady. Have a boot matt and a chair right inside the door so that guests can remove their outdoor and sand encrusted shoes before walking around the house. I would also recommend that you have a shovel out for guests to use should they need to leave before your snow removal service arrives.

4

Just take normal measures to remove snow/ice. Nothing extraordinary is needed. There is a level of assumed risk here. Just make sure you have the proper insurance in place. Not just your standard homeowner’s policy either.

5

There are many snow removal shortcuts that save time and energy like the snow blower, snow shoveling, provided you use the right tools for the cleaning. Based on your property the cleaning techniques also vary. Be careful about the snow blower injuries like finger injuries and even amputations . Make sure you don’t overexert yourself. Never clean the auger with your hands. Check for some safety tips for snow removal http://infinitygardens.ca/blog/11-essential-safety-tips-for-proper-snow-removal/ . While removing snow, remove only as much snow as is comfortable for you.