With the winter season approaching, it’s essential to be prepared and stay on top of safety. Shovelling might seem like an easy task before you are in a position to do it consistently all winter. However, snow removal requires a lot of time and energy from homeowners. In addition, snowfalls are unpredictable, and you might need to shovel daily for a few days.
Depending on your schedule, you might or might not be able to do it on time, so it’s good to think ahead and take care of all the details. In this article, we will discuss how you can shovel the snow safely to help you decide if it is a task you can commit to this winter.
1. Use Winter Boots
Use winter boots with a good grip when working outside. The extra grip will also help keep your feet warm when outdoors and make sure that they don’t get wet or cold when it’s raining or snowing. Frozen ground is like ice and can be slippery, so be prepared.
2. Take Breaks
When you’re shovelling snow, it’s essential to take breaks often so that you don’t overwork yourself. For seniors or people with health conditions, it’s crucial not to overwork, and it is best to hire snow removal services. It’s also a good idea to have someone watching a senior when they are active outside so that the accidents are avoided or quickly taken care of.
3. Stretch Your Muscles
Move or go for a walk before starting to clear the snow, so your muscles are ready for activity and don’t feel stiff. It is important to stretch our muscles before we go outside to prevent injury. When it is cold out, our muscles are more prone to damage because they are tight and contracted. When we warm up the muscle, it relaxes and lessens the risk of straining or pulling a muscle.
4. Push the Shovel Rather than Lift
Pushing the snow with the shovel instead of lifting it can make it much easier on your back and save your energy. When lifting snow, bend your knees and use your legs when possible.
5. Choose an Ergonomically Designed and Light Shovel
This type of shovel is designed to be safe and comfortable for long use because of its lightweight design. Ergonomically designed shovels also help reduce back pain, fatigue, and injury. Avoid metal shovels as they are less safe and heavier.
6. Don’t Wait for the Snow to Accumulate
It gets heavy and much harder to shovel. Also, if the snow gets walked on, it is compacted, and temperature drops will turn the snow into ice. If you can’t find time to shovel, consider using snow clearing services.
7. Dress for the Weather
Use gloves or mittens to keep your hands warm. Dress in layers, so you can remove them as you get warm to help maintain a comfortable body temperature. Wear a balaclava if your face gets cold to avoid frostbite. Take breaks to warm up.
8. Invest in a Snowblower
If you have large spaces to shovel, snow blowing might be an option for you, so you can consider investing in a snowblower, but it requires a storage area. Snowblowers are a significant way to remove snow from sidewalks and driveways. They usually come in electric or gas-powered models. Gas models use an engine to power the blades that fling the snow out of the machine.
These units are best for people with large amounts of snow and need to be cleared as quickly as possible. On the other hand, electric blowers use a blade that spins at high speeds and throws heaps of snow up into a collection bin. These units are quieter than gas ones and less expensive in up-front costs, but they can take twice as long to clear a driveway because they do not throw as much snow at one time. Of course, you still need to spend time outdoors, work physically, and show up in cold weather.
8. Hire the Snow Shovelling Service
If you are unsure you can commit to the snow removal routine, and it might be too strenuous for you, hire the snow shovelling service. This would be the safest way to go to avoid slips and falls for you and your family.
9. Apply Salt or Sand
Apply salt or sand on the ice that can’t be cleared immediately to avoid accidents. If you have pets such as dogs, use sand rather than salt to avoid your pets ingesting the salt and getting sick.
Last Words
Here are some tips for you to make snow shovelling this winter safer. Having the right tools and using them appropriately is essential. Wearing warm clothes and boots with good grips as well as mittens or gloves and a warm scarf will keep your body at a comfortable temperature. Shovel often to avoid snow buildup and compaction. Give yourself time, don’t rush, take breaks to warm up inside or grab a warm drink.
