WESTFIELD, N.J. (PIX11) - If your driveway looks like an ice rink, you're not alone.

Ahead of more expected snowfall, there are steps experts say you can take for your safety and convenience.

One solution, they said, is spreading calcium chloride, or a mixture that has calcium chloride in it, on your driveway before the snow comes.

"This will actually help prevent freeze-up after cleanup for the next snow," said Mike Bush, owner of Bush Landscaping.

As the Cranford-based landscaping company loaded their trucks with rock salt to spread on parking lots and pavement, Bush said you should stick to using calcium chloride for your home.

"It would melt in colder temperatures," said Bush. "Regular type base salt after about 20 degrees. You're not going to melt."

As far as your home or car, locks can get frozen over.

"You can get lock de-icer. We actually have it," said Rich Herder, Jr., owner of McEntyre's Locksmith and Lawnmower Shop in Westfield. "You can definitely spray the locks with a lubricant; WD-40 works great."

Herder said there are some boxes to check off to ensure your home is ready.

"Outdoor faucets, I would say you should have had those turned off by now," said Herder.

He said most modern houses should have frost-free outdoor faucets. As far as gutters, make sure they're clean to prevent ice damming.

"Once the ice is already there, there's really not much you're going to do. You just got to let nature take its course," said Herder. 

Herder said when it comes to snowblowers, make sure you don't forget that newspaper buried in the snow at the end of your driveway; it could be a nightmare if it gets caught inside. He also recommends you use ethanol-free gas in your snowblower rather than the fuel you get at your local gas station.