Caution, icicles!

Heavy snowfall and warming can cause icicles to form and snow to slide off building roofs. The sliding of accumulated snow mass from the roof is very dangerous! As a rule, such a mass is heterogeneous in its composition and contains both loose masses of melted snow and chunks of compacted ice, often of significant volume and mass.

Icicles on the roofs of houses also pose a great danger because they sometimes fall. It is impossible to guess the exact moment when an icicle decides it has had enough of hanging. It is foolish to think that an ice icicle cannot cause great harm.

Remember: icicles most often form above drainpipes, so these areas of building facades can be particularly dangerous. They should be avoided. Exercise caution and, even if there is no fencing near the building, try not to get too close to the building walls.

If you hear a suspicious noise from above while walking on the sidewalk, do not stop, look up, or try to see what happened. It could be falling snow or a block of ice. Do not run away from the building either. You need to press yourself against the wall as quickly as possible; the roof overhang will serve as shelter.

One of the factors that prevent the formation of icicles and snow slides is the regular and timely removal of snow from roofs. In the absence of snow, icicles simply have nothing to form from, which means people below are safe.

In addition, pay attention to icy sidewalks. Usually, a thicker layer of ice forms under icicles.

Inspector of the Fire and Rescue Department of the Miory District Department for Emergency Situations O.M. Girzhda