Britain is braced for a seriously cold snap over the coming days, with snow expected in many parts of the country.
Plunging temperatures and colder air can lead to icy conditions on roads and railways.
Homeowners may also have to face treacherous paths to their own front door thanks to slippery ice underfoot.
But there are things that can be done to quickly get rid of, and even prevent, ice.
How to de-ice your driveway
Rock Salt
This is the most commonly used method to de-ice a driveway and has the benefit of being cheap and easily available.
Over two millions tonnes of salt are spread onto UK roads each year, according to Compass Minerals, and this doesn’t include the millions more used on driveways.
But there are drawbacks to using salt, as is contains cyanide and chloride which are harmful to pets and plants.
Heat Mats
A high tech solution that can be installed in to the ground if you are replacing your driveway or building a new house.
But they are very expensive – around £84 for 1.5m plus installation.
Sand
Using sand or gravel can make icy surfaces less dangerous to walk on because they create traction, so you are less likely to slip.
But they can also create a mess and clog drains once ice has thawed.
Environmentally Friendly
All-natural ‘green’ products have come onto the market in recent years, but results are mixed.
One type, calcium magnesium acetate, is biodegradable but on de-ices when air temperature is -3ºC or warmer, making it useless on bitterly cold nights.
Shovel
Preventing snow from building up will help prevent ice. The only way to do this effectively is to get out the shovel.
Shovelling snow as soon as it starts to hit the ground will be most effective.
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