As fun as the holiday season can be, no one likes slipping and falling on icy and snowy driveways. It is important to shovel snow before it freezes and turns into ice. However, during heavy snowstorms, it can be tough to keep up with the snowfall before it turns into dangerous ice. Learning some safe ways to salt your driveway can help you avoid dangerous ice build up which could lead to personal injury and vehicles getting stuck.

Remove the top layer of snow before salting driveways
It will be easier for you to make the most out of your driveway salt when you remove the top layer of snow before applying it. When snow has just fallen, it usually has a soft powder-like consistency that is easy to remove. You won’t have to waste your salt melting snow that can easily be shoveled away.

Put down salt before expected snowfall
When it starts to get cloudy and weather reports say snow is coming, you should start salting your driveways. This is a great preemptive way to keep snow from turning into dangerous ice. This will also allow you to salt your driveway without the danger of slipping and falling on a slick surface.

Wear the proper clothing
No one likes being cold and wet while they are trying to clear their driveway. This is why it is important to wear warm snow boots and gloves while you are deicing your driveway. When you are handling rocksalt and you come in contact with ice, you could give yourself a chemical burn. The tread on your snow boots can also help save you from possible slips on the ice. The thick soles of a snow boot will also keep your socks warm and dry.

Apply the salt evenly
Using a sifter can be a great way to apply salt evenly on your driveway. A little bit of salt can really go a long way. You should focus on spreading an even amount of salt over your whole driveway. This will make your salt last longer and also prevent you from missing areas and wasting salt in certain places.

Use alternatives like kitty litter
Because rock salt is used so frequently during the colder months, you may have an emergency where you need to use an alternative. Kitty litter is a great alternative that comes in a gritty form and acts similarly to rock salt. Also, if you have animals who live with you, rock salt could burn their feet. Using kitty litter can help prevent chemical burns on animals. Kitty litter is also a great way to stop tires from spinning on ice.

No one likes an icy driveway in the cold winter months. However, without the proper use of driveway salt, an icy driveway is inevitable. You need to utilize safe ways of deicing your driveway to ensure a safer holiday season this year. Make sure you are wearing the proper gear and using safety precautions when salting your driveway this winter.