We knew eventually we would have one of these days – after a pretty heavy dump of snow, the Tri-Counties (and all of Nova Scotia) woke up to a mess. A mess that we needed to dig out from.
I was pretty excited for it. I know, most roll their eyes at that, but I really enjoy using my snow blower, and it has sat quietly all winter. First thing this morning out I went, fired her up, and was off.
For many though, the snow means shoveling. The snow this time was fairly heavy, and that can be a risky thing. Intense shoveling can lead to bad backs, and it can also lead to heart attacks.
I went hunting for a few shoveling tips. Here’s what I found, with credit and thanks to the website travelers.com:
- Warm up. Warm your muscles before heading out to shovel by doing some light movements, such as bending side to side or walking in place.
- Push rather than lift. Pushing the snow with the shovel instead of lifting can help reduce the strain on your body. When lifting snow, bend your knees and use your legs when possible.
- Choose your shovel wisely. Ergonomically-designed shovels can help reduce the amount of bending you have to do.
- Lighten your load. Consider using a lighter-weight plastic shovel instead of a metal one to help decrease the weight being lifted.
- Hit the pause button. Pace yourself and be sure to take frequent breaks. Consider taking a break after 20 to 30 minutes of shoveling, especially when the snow is wet.
- Consider multiple trips. Consider shoveling periodically throughout the storm to avoid having to move large amounts of snow at once.
- Keep up with snowfall. Try to shovel snow shortly after it falls, when it is lighter and fluffier. The longer snow stays on the ground, the wetter it can become. Wet snow is heavier and harder to move.
- Wear layers. Dress in layers and remove them as you get warm to help maintain a comfortable body temperature.
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated while shoveling.
Here’s another statement from that same article:
A national study found that the most common shoveling-related injuries were to the lower back. Cardiac-related injuries account for only 7% of all injuries, but they were the most serious in nature. If you do not exercise on a regular basis, are middle-aged or older, or have any health conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, you should check with your doctor before doing any strenuous shoveling. Consider using a snow blower or snow removal service as an alternative means of snow removal.
