Do you have a driveway and walkway covered in freshly fallen snow?  It’s that time of the year again– time to bring out the shovel and start clearing the sidewalks.  However, remember that shoveling snow can be a potentially dangerous task, and it is very important to practice safety when shoveling snow to avoid any injuries.

– First, it’s likely going to be very cold, so dress in several layers before starting.  As you get warmed up from shoveling, you can easily remove layers.

– Snow shoveling can be a rigorous activity, so be sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after. Warm up before beginning by taking a walk around outside or stretching indoors.

– Pace yourself while shoveling.  This is especially important for the elderly because shoveling can be very physically demanding and can sharply increase your heart rate.  Don’t risk a stroke or heart attack because you’re not used to such a strenuous activity.

– Protect your back.  It’s important to bend with your knees as opposed to bending over with your back when lifting the shovel.  Tighten your abdominal muscles as you lift and try not to use too many twisting movements.  It may even be easier to push the snow to the side, rather than to lift.

– Listen to your body.  Work at a steady pace, and if you are feeling pain, take a break.

– Pick the right shovel.  Plastic shovels usually weigh less than metal ones.  Shovels with smaller blades are also easier to lift and maneuver.

– Avoid caffeine or nicotine before you start shoveling.  If you have a history of strokes, heart attacks, heart disease or smoking, please contact a doctor before taking on this task.  Safety is always most important.

If you have too much snow to remove on your own, or you’d feel better hiring some help, try using TalkLocal, a completely free service that connects you with high quality snow removal companies in your area.  Simply enter in your problem, location and availability, and TalkLocal will do the rest.  Save time searching for the right company, and let TalkLocal do it for you.

This entry was updated on Thursday, June 4th, 2015 at 4:49 pm. This entry was originally posted on Wednesday, August 1st, 2012 at 6:00 am and is filed under Snow Removal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.