Shoveling Snow The Safe Way
Posted on September 17, 2008
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Reduce The Risks Of Shoveling Snow
A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people who are not active and rarely exercise are more than 30 times likely to have a heart attack when they suddenly do something strenuous, such as snow shoveling.
Stay Safe While Shoveling Snow
Not all the injuries that occur while shoveling snow will be fatal or life threatening. It is also very common to injure your back, neck, or pull a muscle.
Researchers have also found that men in their 20’s and 30’s that run on a treadmill til exhaustion have the same as or higher heart rate after shoveling heavy wet snow for 10 minutes.
So after viewing the results of these findings anyone over 40 should be taking every precaution when shoveling snow. Taking this one step further if you or anyone in your family has a history of heart disease or is over 50, hire someone to shovel your snow or have the younger family members do it.
If you do choose to use a snow shovel from the start make sure you are using the right shoveling techniques. Take it slow and lift small amounts. The smartest thing you can do to keep your back injury free is to push the snow ahead and not lift it. If you do lift the snow, make sure you are bending at the knees and lifting with your legs and not your back and hamstrings. To avoid neck and spinal injuries stay away from bending, twisting or launching the snow over your shoulder.
Other snow shoveling safety tips and techniques:
Find a snow shovel that feels comfortable for your size and strength. A shovel that is too long or too heavy should always be avoided.
Its a good idea to warm up with some light stretching and warm up excercizes before you start to shovel.
Shovel when the snow is fresh and fluffier versus waiting for it to get deeper and packed down or slushy underneath.
Shovel in the late morning and afternoon hours because most injuries occur in the earliy morning hours when there is built up fluid pressure in your lower back’s discs.
Take frequent breaks while standing upright and stretching your back muscles. Although it is cold outside heat exhaustion can still occur so drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Every year high risk individuals still overexert their bodies tolerance while shoveling snow ignoring all the warnings and end up injured or worse. To help you save a trip to the emergency room or the orthopedist listen to your body and obey the signs like shortness of breath or discomfort in your chest. Be smart about how much strenuous activity your body can take.
Snow may be stunning to look at but using a shovel to move it can be a hazard to your health.
My reason for this article was for you to be able to see just how hazardous conventional snow shoveling can be and if you do use a shovel, and a few preventive measures to minimize the risks.
Let me ask you this…?
Would you rather go through another winter worrying whether your grandma or grandpa, mother or father, is going to be safe shoveling their walkways and driveways?
Or
Would you like to have the piece of mind knowing that your grandma or grandpa, mother or father, can clear all of their walkways and driveways with out lifting, throwing, or bending over to move snow? Without using a snow blower?
Let me recommend the best innovation for snow removal in years that can clear the snow in half the time versus conventional snow shoveling without heavy lifting, bending, and throwing snow over your shoulder. It is called The Dakota Snoblade and it is lightweight and easy to use and it will make your life easier this winter. Check out this Video Demo of the snoblade in action so you can see just how effective and easy it is to use.
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