The cyclical freeze and thaw of winter brings more than just slush to the streets. Czech firefighters issued a warning on Tuesday regarding the often underestimated danger of falling icicles and shifting snow masses from city rooftops.
As sunlight warms pitched roofs, melting snow trickles down to colder eaves where it refreezes into jagged formations. These icicles can quickly exceed half a meter in length. When the weather shifts again, these heavy shards detach, posing a significant threat to pedestrians on sidewalks and near building entrances.
While the flashing lights of emergency vehicles are a common sight during severe weather, officials were keen to clarify a common misconception regarding who handles the cleanup. The responsibility for maintaining safe roofs, gutters, and cornices falls exclusively on property owners rather than the state.
Owners have a legal obligation to ensure their real estate does not endanger the lives or property of others. This includes the proactive removal of snow and ice to prevent structural overloading. Experts advise that snow should be removed symmetrically from saddle roofs, ideally from both sides simultaneously, to avoid destabilizing the building’s framework.
The General Directorate of the Fire Rescue Service emphasized that crews will not deploy for routine maintenance. Residents and landlords should instead contact private contractors or municipal technical services for clearing operations. Emergency lines 150 and 112 remain reserved strictly for crises where lives are in immediate peril or where a situation has spiraled out of control.
Beyond the immediate threat of falling ice, heavy accumulation risks bringing down power lines and tree branches. With the potential for travel disruptions and utility outages, officials advise limiting outdoor movement during extreme conditions.
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