It’s a lot easier to prevent ice from freezing on your driveway than it is to chip it off, so the first thing you want to do is get the precipitate off before it has a chance to harden. Once the rain/sleet/wintry mix stops, bust out the shovel and start getting as much slush off as possible.

You can also spread sand and salt on the driveway on high points on the driveway. The salt will melt under the ice and make it easier for you to get a shovel in. The sand will absorb heat and help to melt the ice.

(The shoveling and chipping part you’ve probably got figured out already.)

Calcium chloride is also useful as it will continue to help melt ice even when the temperature is between 0 and 25 degrees. Salt is great but won’t really work after the temps go below 20. You can pick up a jar of calcium chloride at automotive or hardware stores.

So those are your tools. Salt, sand, calcium chloride, a shovel, and your willpower. Use them together, early, and you have a better chance of keeping your driveway from turning into a winter-long curling range.

How to De-Ice a Driveway [eHow]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.