Any side effects to using calcium chloride as a desiccant?
The only issue with $\ce{CaCl2}$ I've encountered is that eventually it pulls in so much water that it dissolves. 

To keep dust down and to prevent the $\ce{CaCl2}$ solution from sloshing around, place it in a plastic container with a tightly-fitting sponge atop.

$\ce{CaCl2}$ is relatively non-toxic (it's used to make pickles), is inexpensive and is readily available, in cold climates, for melting snow and ice.