Eco-Friendly Tips for Conquering Snow and Ice Around Your Home

Winter came early for the East Coast this year. A ferocious winter storm dropped record levels of snowfall from Virginia to Maine, resulting in canceled flights and delayed trips home for the Christmas holidays. From the Mid-Atlantic to New England, residents spent days digging out from as much as two feet of snow. Up and down the East Coast, highways, driveways and sidewalks were piled high with snow.

Businesses were closed for several days, and residents were urged to stay home. Once the temperatures rose, snows melted and refroze causing even more dangerous icy conditions on pedestrian walkways and streets. Most residents were well-equipped for the snowstorm and wintry mix conditions. Others weren't, especially those looking for environmentally friendly ways to remove snow and ice, and deal with the winter conditions around their homes.

Homeowners take heed. Before you reach for the salt and chemicals this winter, try these Eco-Friendly Tips for Conquering Snow and Ice Around Your Home. There's no need to abandon your green values this winter. Eco-friendly help is right around the corner.

Invest in sand. Your local hardware store and home improvement center carry an ample supply of sand throughout the year. Before a snowstorm hits or whenever icy conditions are predicted, buy a couple of bags of sand to use on your sidewalks, driveway or side street. Sand is far more eco-friendly than salt and some brands of kitty litter. Sand is durable and easily swept away once snow and ice have melted.

Keep buckets or pails of sand near your doors and exits. Be sure to put a large scoop in each pail or bucket, and keep the sand under an eave or in a place where it won't be covered in snow or ice. By having sand in these particular locations in and around the home, you ensure that walkways and sidewalks are safe and sanded for residents, letter carriers and others who may need to enter or exit the home.

Use corrugated boxes to cover up mud and snow covered walkways. Inundated with snow? Tired of the slushy mess? If you need to create a walkway that's safe for pedestrian traffic, everyday boxes can be torn up and flattened out to do the job. To keep corrugated material from icing up once wet, apply sand on top of the corrugated material. Pull up material and replace, as needed.

Keep a small supply of sand in the trunk of your car. You never know when your vehicle is going to get stuck. Having sand on hand is both handy and eco-friendly. You can pick up sand and scoops at your local hardware store or home improvement center.

Warm up the car before driving. There's no need to use chemicals to unfreeze locks or remove ice from car windows this winter. If your car is left outside in the elements, warm it up for 10-15 minutes before scraping. Turn up the heat and turn on the windshield wipers, as needed. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to brush off snow and ice once a vehicle is warmed up.

Take public transportation. If snow and ice are a problem on your roadways, opt for public transportation. Of course, be careful on public streets and walkways. Wear appropriate shoes, boots and outerwear. REI has some excellent products for anyone braving the cold, wind and snow this winter, including snow boots and hand warmers.

Use eco-friendly snow and ice removal products. If sand doesn't cut it for you, consider the wide range of products available today that are both eco-friendly and effective, like Safe Paw Ice Melter, Keep it Green, Ice Clear De-Icer, among others. Do not use table or commercial salt and chemical products that can harm humans, pets, water supplies, and vegetation. Your local hardware store or home improvement center will also have other ideas on ways you can "keep it green" this winter.

Try Sno Wovel™ or Sno Wolf.™ These really cool, snow removal devices are recognized by Co-op America and National Green Pages for their eco-friendly attributes and positive impact on the environment. They're also better for the back. Check with your local hardware store and home improvement center for sturdy shovels and other tools to remove ice and snow from around your home.

RESOURCES

Winter Storm Safety Checklist
American Red Cross

Preparing for Winter Outdoor Activities Prevents Injury
American Chiropractic Association

Winter Safety Tips
American Academy of Pediatrics

Winter Driving Tips
American Automobile Association