Staying Safe While Shovelling Snow
Snow and other winter weather hazards can create serious risks for a person’s health and well-being. Even when attempting to make your own property safer from these conditions—by shovelling pavements and car parks, for instance—it’s necessary to understand the dangers that could present themselves.
Shovelling snow can lead to many adverse health effects, including heart attacks and musculoskeletal disorders. To keep yourself as safe as possible, implement these steps into your snow-clearing processes:
- Consider your health. It’s important to take personal health and well-being into consideration before shovelling. People with a history of heart problems or other conditions should think about finding friends, family or other assistance.
- Warm up. Do some light movements, including bending and stretching, before going outside to shovel. This will decrease your chance of strain injuries.
- Dress appropriately. Wear several layers of clothing, including a warm hat, mittens and wellies.
- Select proper equipment. Purchase a shovel designed with good ergonomics. Such tools may help lessen your need to bend or reach. Plastic shovels may also be advantageous compared with metal varieties because they are lighter.
- Push rather than lift. You can help reduce stress and strain on your body by using your shovel to push snow to the side of pavements rather than lifting it off of the ground.
- Take breaks. It’s necessary to know your limits. Give yourself frequent breaks, and be sure to stay hydrated.
- Don’t procrastinate. Allowing snow to accumulate and rest could make shovelling more difficult. Freshly fallen snow is lighter than snow that has started to melt.
For more home and winter safety tips, contact us today.