Safe de-icer

[EYEFORGOT]

I have a brick sidewalk and I'm reading up on some face ways to keep it free of ice this winter. I have pets and don't want it tracked in on paws or left on the floor and have them lick it off.

I know there are safe ones you can buy at the store, but they're pretty pricey and I'm cheap. I'm looking into homemade remedies.

Table salt works.

I've read that vinegar or rubbing alcohol works.

Bird seed helps with traction but doesn't de-ice.

Anyone try this stuff? Anyone have a different potion?

[Logic]

We use salt-grit on our pavements/roads up here in freezing Scotland.
It's a bit messy because of the sand in the grit mixture, but it's comprised of stuff your pets will have come into contact with before (sand, salt, grit/crushed stone)
It's good because the grit gives you a bit of purchase on the ground, and the salt helps get rid of the icy deposits.

We don't make out own though, there's big yellow bins provided by the local councils for people to help themselves from when the winter sets in.

Logic