In the winter the conditions are just right to turn your driveway or walkway into a liability hazard. Slipping on ice can be dangerous, but it also can be prevented. Putting salt down can melt the ice, but it is not the only option. Salt can be a nuisance to pets, and can damage plants. Using a roof rake to take down snow that’s above entryways can help prevent ice dams and icy patches.

When winter has taken its grip, it can be hard to get rid of icy patches on your driveway. With a little elbow grease, a sharp shovel and sand, there is no amount of ice you can’t tackle. If you do have a stubborn patch of ice, apply deicer sparingly. After you have removed all of the remaining ice, apply a thin layer of sand to provide traction. The added traction will help add stability and can help prevent someone from slipping and sustaining a serious injury.

If you do need to apply a deicer, find one that won’t damage plants or irritate your pet’s paws. Try to find a deicer with calcium magnesium acetate, it is not as corrosive as traditional sodium chloride, and isn’t as damaging to plants. If you do have pets that are sensitive to deicer, try a liquid deicer. They tend to be more expensive but are also more effective.

Over entry ways that are prone to ice build ups. Use a roof rake to remove the snow to help aid drainage and mitigate the risk of ice dams or ice drips. Prior to winter or on a warm day, make sure your rain gutters are clear of debris. With clean gutters, when the ice melts, it will help drain the water away from the roof, driveway or walkway.

The winter can cause dangerous conditions on your driveway and walkways, but with some simple prevention you can mitigate the risk of someone slipping and getting hurt on your property. Finding the right deicer might take sometime, but if you do have pets, try using sand first.