If you don’t have the luxury of owning a snow blower then you’ll be manually removing snow from your driveway this winter. Shovelling snow quickly and safely requires proper preparation, a bit of knowledge and the right tools. The heavier the snow is, the more strain it puts on your body and increases the risk of a cardiac event so it’s important to know how to do it safely.
Below are tips that will help make clearing snow easier and safer:
- Dress properly. Wear layered clothing you can peel off as your body heats up
- Wear boots with a good tread that will give you traction when pushing snow
- Wear gloves and a hat. In extreme cold, switch out the gloves for mittens
- Warm up with some stretches to loosen your body
- Spray shovel blade with a silicone-based lubricant to prevent snow from sticking to the blade
- Shovel at a slow pace until you are fully warmed up
- Keep a water bottle handy to prevent dehydration
- Shovel early and often
- Take frequent breaks
- If possible, push the snow rather than lifting
- Bend and lift from your knees, not your back
- Don’t twist your back when lifting a snow-filled shovel
- Avoid walking or driving on the snow if possible. Compacted snow is harder to shovel
- Know your limits and don’t push it. It’s better to take a prolonged break than overdoing it
3 types of snow shovels
The best shovel for your snow conditions can vary from person to person. It will take some trial and error to figure out what shovel you are most comfortable with. Generally, there are 3 types of snow shovels: standard, ergonomic and pusher. It’s a good idea to have more than one type so you can switch them around depending on snow conditions.
Test out these different types of snow shovels in the isles of your local TIMBER MART, and find the one best suited for your needs:
