The holidays have come and gone but the snow is here to stay. Colorado has already gotten its fair share of winter snow and now is a good time to assess if you have a safe plan in place for removal. AARP breaks down tips for safe shoveling.
Get ahead of the snow: Before a snowstorm, put salt down on the pathways near your home to help melt snow before it sticks.
Take care of your back: Using a shovel to remove heavy snow can put a strain on your back if not done properly. To keep your low back safe:
Look for a lightweight shovel with a curved handle.
Walk around the block to warm up your body; stretch your lower back and legs after shoveling.
Face the snow that you want to lift straight on.
Bend at the hips (not the low back), bend your knees, and lift with your legs.
Lift only a little snow at a time to keep the loads light.
Protect your heart: Strenuous movement in cold temperatures can constrict your blood vessels while increasing your heart rate and blood pressure, putting some at risk of heart attack. To lower your risk:
Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure whether it’s safe for you to be shoveling snow.
Don’t shovel first thing in the morning after you wake up. Give your body time to warm up.
Use a small shovel to decrease the strain on your body and work slowly, taking frequent breaks to rest.
Wear lots of layers to keep warm.
Wear shoes with tread: Prevent slipping by wearing snow boots or shoes with a gripping tread on the bottom.
If you feel that you cannot remove snow and ice from your walkways safely it is important to get a plan in place. Reach out to neighbors first before paying a snow removal company with may get costly.
This article was featured at AARP:
https://heretostay.aarpfoundation.org/how-tos/remove-snow-and-ice-from-pathways/?utm_source=Here+to+Stay%3A+Home+Upkeep+for+All&utm_campaign=152e5830e2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_11_12_11_42_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e3a52a2794-152e5830e2-363297695
