Ice is a problem this time of year for every one. Perhaps, like me, you have
cleverly titled your driveway, "The Ice Skating Rink." Once it hits subzero
temperatures with strong wind chill, I am loathe to attempt the clearing of the
driveway. Because of this, and also because I am a wicked and cruel Mother, I
send my children out to the mailbox to retrieve the mail for me on below
zero days. Normally, they come running in exactly .03 seconds later with rosy
cheeks and mail in hand, the quick dash to the mailbox a simple task.
Recently, I watched as my daughter cheerfully dashed out onto the ice rink.
Within seconds she careened out of control with arms pin-wheeling and legs
flying. She landed hard on the ice with an "umph!" and a whack. She came limping
back up to the door, tears in her eyes, and gave me a look that would melt the
heart of any ice queen. With a horrifying guilt only a Mother can have, I
realized I had not scraped or salted the driveway and the poor kid nearly got a
concussion because of it. Of course the salt box was empty and most of the
stores were sold out, so I went online to frantically search for a solution.
What I discovered was a whole list of environmentally helpful ice melting
products.
(To continue reading this post, please click the link below... )
Salt based ice-melters are not "green" or safe for your garden and only work
to about 15 degrees. They cause damage to plants, trees and grass. It is unsafe
for pets and children and runs off into our ground water and sewage areas. There
is an organic compound which is pet safe and flowerbed/environment safe. It is
effective to 20 degrees below zero and offers a better alternative for your home
and family instead of using salt or other chemicals to melt ice. In fact, there
are so many brands of safe ice-melt I was surprised, and see no reason to use
the old stand-by; salt. My advice, if you are interested in finding a green
ice-melt product is to go no farther than the local pet or hardware store, there
are many available. If online shopping is more convenient for you, search for
"pet safe ice melt" on your favorite search engine.
If you would like to learn more about safely cleaning ice away, go to this
web page link. It
has detailed information and links to other ice and snow removal experts.
By the way, my daughter DID get her revenge. We came home the day after her
fall, "ice skating rink" still in place, and she noticed a mail package sitting
on our front stoop. She casually set me up. Smiling, she said, "Mom, I'll get
the package, YOU get the mail." I swear she looked at me with a twinkle in her
eye. I agreed, and started off for the mailbox and what-do-ya-know, felt my feet
slipping and sliding. I gradually picked up speed as I zoomed down the driveway
towards my destination like a skier in a downhill race. Shrieking loudly, legs
gyrating wildly, I achieved lift-off about half-way down landing hard in a
bone-charring belly-flop and spun to a halt next to the mailbox.
Ah yes... revenge is sweet.
Filed under: Green Family
Tags: anti-ice, calcium chloride, cold weather, De-ice, ice, ice skate, magnesium chloride, pets, plants, safety
