NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - It's Spring...scratch that. It's Winter...well...never mind. These days we never know what kind of weather to expect.

But in today's top 5 Tips we're going to tell you how you can keep safe (and stockpiled) this season when battling the elements.

If you live in colder areas prone to icing and heavy snowfall, you should have a strong de-icer on hand, like Calcium Chloride. It costs about 10 times more than rock salt, but it's also much more powerful.

If you live in more moderate climates that have occasional snowfall, you're probably better off just stocking up on rock salt, according to Dick Henneman of the Salt Industry. This is just a chunky version of what's on your table. A 50 pound bag can cost just about $6 to $8 dollars.

You won't want to over-salt because both rock salt and calcium chloride can be corrosive to concrete that has not been mixed or finished properly, according to Henneman. If you have a driveway that is full of chinks and scars, be very cautious when using salt. In fact, the damage that most people fear is caused by the cycle of freezing and thawing water that soaks into the concrete.

Make sure that when you de-ice, you keep cats and dogs indoors. If Fluffy or Fido eats rock salt or other de-icing products, it can kill them. Don't let them chew lumps of ice that get caught in their paws.

To get the best results from salt de-icers, throw it like chickenfeed before the first flakes truly begin to form. If you wait until the snow takes hold, it will take more salt to clear the path. If you missed the pre-storm, you should scatter about 4 to 6 ounces of salt per square yard and then scrape up the slush about 15 minutes later.

Some people turn to fertilizer to melt some of that ice. Our advice is to save the fertilizer for your plants. Fertilizers like Urea or Potassium Chloride won't do much if it's very cold out, so you won't get much bang for your buck.

And according to de-icing retailer Scottwood Industries, the price of Potassium Chloride is on the rise. Homeowners will also have to worry about the fertilizer refreezing. Even that leftover bag of garden fertilizer won't help you thaw out your sidewalk. It's too diluted with other chemicals. Plus, fertilizer isn't any safer on your driveways than salt.

If you live in an area where there you usually get less than 4 inches of snow, you'll want to consider an electric single stage blower. Electric is less noisy, cheaper and much lighter. But keep in mind, they're not as powerful as gas powered snowblowers.

If you get deeper snow or you have a gravel driveway that needs clearing, you'll need to get a stage two snow blower. These blowers can handle snowfalls of up to eight inches or so, according to Consumer Reports. With two stage snow blowers, the blades don't touch the plowing surface. Some of these machines can clear paths 28 to 30 inches wide.

Prices for two-stage gas snow blowers range from about $700 to $2,100. If you have a flat and paved mid-sized surface to work with, you may consider getting a gas single stage blower. They can range from $300 to $800.

While snowblowers may be a saving grace to all of you suffering from bad backs, there are a lot more safety concerns to keep in mind. Before you buy a machine, make sure there is what is called a "deadman" control for safety. This safety will cause the machine to stop if you release it. And while most models offer electric start buttons, instead of you having to pull a cord, some snow blowers may only have it as an option. Consumer Reports suggests it might be worth the extra expense.

Some electric snow blowers still have extension cord. If this is the case, make sure that the extension cord has a rating of twelve amperes electrical service and is polarized, grounded and rated for outdoor use. Always keep on top of where the cord is. If the electric cord gets caught in the machine and severed, you could be at risk for electrocution.

It's not only the machine functions you have to worry about, but how you can physically handle the task. Some machines can be over 250 pounds. These monsters can be very heavy and impossible to steer. If you're strength- and/or patience-challenged, go for a smaller model that's more tractable. And of course, don't ever use your hands or feet to unclog debris caught in the machine. Turn off the engine and then use a clearing tool, or a broomstick to unclog the thrower.

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Gerri Willis is a personal finance editor for CNN Business News and the host for Open House. E-mail comments to 5tips@cnn.com.

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