Winter in the Boston area brings many pleasures, and probably just as many pains. One big responsibility that homeowners face is ensuring their property is safe for family and visitors. Are your walkways safe when snow covered? Or is your icy driveway presenting a very serious danger? And when is it time to act, making sure the area is safe to travel across?

Ice Melting and Beyond

A little bit of snow on your sidewalk or pathway may not be a problem. It's when that snow becomes slick or turns to ice that a real threat arises.

You could spread ice melting products on the stone, concrete or asphalt to help break up the frozen surface and expose the stone underneath. But that may not be enough in every case.

It helps to clear your walkways quickly, keeping to "bare pavement" as much as possible. That way any remnants of slippery slush or impossible ice are melted away with only a short burst of sunshine. Use a snow shovel to scrape your way right down to the hard surface.

Shoveling gravel walkways can make a mess, but it's better to clean up the stray gravel in spring than be faced with an injury due to negligence.

Turn Up the Heat

Consider using a heat mat on your porch or at the entranceways to your home and property. These products use electricity to warm up the immediate area and provide foot travelers with a handy spot to get their bearings. Snow melting cables can also be installed within your pathways to present a clear course with very little effort.

Some suggest laying corrugated cardboard boxes down on icy walkways for better traction. This method only works when the cardboard can be secured to the ground. Otherwise it poses a much greater risk by creating a makeshift sled or ski.

The main thing to remember is that when slippery conditions exist, it's your responsibility to do something about it. Clear the snow promptly and use ice melting products or heat mats to change the temperature of the area. These measures will allow family and guests to tromp through your property safely, no matter the weather.