Does Walk On Ice Work?
When it snows, it is beautiful. When it snows, it is beautiful. Yet, it is very dangerous to drive or walk on ice and snow.
Some data to put this into context:
- The CDC reports that over 800,000 people are hospitalized annually related to a slip and fall injury, and the same increases dramatically during winter months.
- From 2007 to 2016, fall death rates in the United States increased by 30%.
- 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes happen on snowy, slushy, or icy roads annually.
So how can we walk on ice without slipping? Good old Shovels and Ice Melts, you would think, and those Heated Driveways!
Shovels are cumbersome and exhausting, leading to back and joint pains.
Ice Melts or de-icers take time, are corrosive and hazardous, damaging the concrete driveways, can be extremely dangerous for our beloved pets and lovely plants, and are not environmentally friendly.
Heated Driveways will make a hole in your pocket. It needs installation and upkeep, incurring high utility bills, and one cannot carry it everywhere.
So what if there is a magical product that makes walking on ice safe, easy, and swift?
- Walk On Ice Without Slipping – Instant traction agent that creates a skid-free and slip-free surface that grips the ice. It is composed of seven nationally mined geo-crystals that are milled and dried. These crystals act like absorbers and grippers. Then the ‘absorbers’ siphon the water while the ‘grippers’ hold on to the ice/snow to create a non-slip surface. The treated surface can then be used right away by vehicles, people, animals, and pets.
- Simple And Easy To Use – Open and sprinkle. You do not require any help. Just the flick of the wrist is enough to spread it out. Children, senior citizens, and people with disabilities can easily use it.
- Handy And Travel-friendly – Conveniently designed in a portable canister, that makes it practical for frequent use. You can conveniently keep it in your car dashboard, in your purse, or your school bag and use it on the go, be it office pavement or school walkways. It is quick and reliable.
- Versatile – Use it anywhere like on driveways, sidewalks, pavements, stairs, backyards, or any surface. Carry it with you while on the go rub it on your tires for a safe anti-skid ride. It can keep walking tracks slip-free, protecting livestock traveling through multiple terrains; without compromising the surfaces encountered.
- Safe – For people, pets, and plants. It is all-natural and free of toxic salts and chemicals. Therefore, it is safe for the eyes, skin, and paws of pets. It is safe even if pets ingest it by mistake. Being gentle on the surface, such as pavers and concrete driveways, will not leave rigid stain marks, chemical-ice slush to clean or erode the surface. It can wash off easily with less effort. Being 100% harmful chemical-free, this not only makes walking on ice without slipping possible but is also environmentally safe.
- Works In All Temperatures And Thicknesses – It works on all types of ice (even black ice). The product is straightforward and does what it says.
- Excellent Spread Rate And Saves Money – We can use it sparingly while getting excellent traction on sizable areas. Only a thin layer can do wonders. Little goes a long way as a concentrated formula uses ¼ of what you would use with salt. If only absorbing water and alcohol, it is reusable as well. Absorption material absorbs water, oil, urine, feces, blood, and other liquids, making it easy to clean.
How Thick Does Ice Have To Be To Walk On Safely?
Now that we’ve seen how “Walk On Ice” works for surface traction, let’s zoom out and talk about another crucial safety factor—ice thickness. Many people assume if the surface looks frozen, it’s safe to walk on. Unfortunately, that’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
So, how thick does ice have to be to walk on? The general safety guideline is at least 4 inches of solid, clear ice for walking. Anything less can put you at serious risk of breaking through. For activities like ice fishing or skating with friends, thickness should be checked in multiple spots because ice doesn’t freeze evenly. If you’re thinking about driving on it, you’ll need far more—closer to 8–12 inches depending on the size of your vehicle.
Will Kitty Litter Melt Ice Or Just Add To The Mess?
Since we’re talking about myths and facts, let’s address a classic winter question: will kitty litter melt ice? The short answer—no. Kitty litter isn’t a deicer. It won’t lower the freezing point of water or break up the ice the way salt or Safe Paw ice melt does.
What kitty litter can do is add temporary traction. The granules create a gritty layer, making it easier to walk across slick patches or give car tires a bit more bite when stuck. But there’s a catch: once it absorbs water, it often clumps into a muddy paste that can make the surface even more slippery and messy to clean up later.
That’s why most homeowners eventually ditch kitty litter for purpose-made traction agents like Walk On Ice. You get the grip without the sludge or the endless sweeping afterward.
What To Put On Outside Steps To Prevent Slipping In Winter
Driveways and sidewalks get a lot of attention in winter safety, but steps are often the real troublemakers. One wrong move on icy wooden or concrete stairs can lead to serious injuries. So, what to put on outside steps to prevent slipping in winter?
Here are a few effective approaches:
- Outdoor stair treads: Rubber or composite stair treads can be attached to each step. They provide grip even when snow and ice settle.
- Pet-safe deicers: Chloride-free options like Safe Paw melt ice gradually without damaging wood or concrete, but remember—they’re not instant fixes.
- Traction agents: For immediate safety, sprinkle Walk On Ice right before you or your guests step outside. It creates a sandpaper-like grip that works on both wood and concrete.
- DIY quick fixes: Even an old towel or carpet remnant laid over the step can provide temporary traction, but they get soggy fast and aren’t a long-term solution.
The smartest strategy? Combine prevention with traction. Shovel snow quickly so it doesn’t compact into ice, then apply a safe agent to ensure grip.
Sand For Sidewalks: Practical Or Problematic?
Another question homeowners often ask: is sand for sidewalks worth it? The answer depends on your priorities.
Pros of sand for sidewalks:
- Provides immediate traction on icy patches.
- Works in extremely cold temperatures where some deicers fail.
- Inexpensive and widely available.
Cons of sand for sidewalks:
- Doesn’t actually melt the ice—it just sits on top.
- Requires frequent reapplication after new snow or wind.
- Leaves behind messy residue that can clog drains and be tracked indoors.
- Harmful to indoor flooring if it gets carried inside on shoes or pet paws.
So yes, sand can be part of your toolbox, but it’s far from perfect. Many homeowners now prefer a dual-approach: a safe deicer for melting plus a traction agent for instant grip. That way, you’re covered in both the short and long term.
Conclusion: Smarter, Safer Winters
So, does Walk On Ice work? By now, the answer should be clear—it doesn’t just work, it works smarter than most traditional options. But winter safety is about more than one solution. It’s about understanding how thick ice has to be to walk on safely, recognizing that kitty litter won’t melt ice, knowing what to put on outside steps to prevent slipping in winter, and deciding when sand for sidewalks makes sense.
With this layered approach, you protect your family, your pets, your property, and yourself. Walk On Ice takes care of the instant traction problem, while safe deicers handle melting when needed. Add in mindful habits—like checking ice thickness and keeping steps clear—and winter becomes less of a hazard and more of a season to enjoy.
Instead of dreading the freeze, you can face it confidently, knowing you’ve got both the knowledge and the tools to stay upright and safe.
Get ready for winter with Walk On Ice instant traction on snow and ice
Other Ice Melt Products
Safe Paw
The Original and #1 Selling Pet and Child Safe Ice Melt for over 20 years. Guaranteed environmentally safe – will not harm waterways and sensitive wetlands. All products are made in the USA.
Safe Thaw
Imagine an ice melt you can put down and never worry about. It won’t harm pets, kids, and your property. That’s Safe Thaw. Unlike anything else on the market, Safe Thaw can change how winter affects our planet.
