Understanding the Dangers of Snow Shoveling and How to Protect Yourself

Posted: January 12, 2024 1:23 pm

The year 2024 has got off to a cold and snowy start for many parts of the U.S. as winter weather is finally making an appearance after a relatively mild December. While the snowy landscape may look beautiful, it can often be challenging to get out of the driveway when the snow is piling up. Read on for more information about the hidden dangers of snow shoveling and how you can make this chore a bit easier and safer.

Dangers of Shoveling Snow

Shoveling snow is more than just a nuisance. When performed incorrectly, the chore can also lead to injury or death. Medical experts estimate that about 100 people die each year in the U.S. performing this winter task. The most common cause of fatalities performing this chore is cardiac arrest.

Studies have shown that shoveling snow can raise the heart rate as much as running on a treadmill. This physical exertion combines with the cold air to cause the body’s arteries to constrict and reduce the blood supply to the heart, raising the risk of a cardiac event.

Shoveling snow is also more strenuous than other types of exercise because it relies on arm movement more than leg movement. The strain that comes from lifting wet and heavy snow leads to a rise in both the heart rate and blood pressure, putting the body at further risk.

The individuals at the highest risk of suffering a cardiac event while shoveling snow are those over the age of 55. People who lead sedentary lifestyles are also more susceptible to injury while shoveling snow. Being overweight or a smoker also dramatically increases this risk.

The good news is that there are things that you can do to make this task easier. Changing your approach to this task will make the chore both easier and safer. Here are a few tips that you can use to help make snow shoveling easier.

Invest in the Right Equipment

The equipment and tools that you use when shoveling snow can have a significant impact on how comfortable you are while performing the task. Using an ice shovel hand attachment will give the freedom to put the handle in an area and at an angle that helps you to grip it more comfortably.

You can also choose a shovel that comes equipped with more than one handle, making it less difficult to break up thick ice or heavy snow. The goal is to choose the equipment that is most comfortable for you so that you are not putting unnecessary strain on your body.

Use Socks to Cover Snow Boots

While the proper footwear is essential for optimal shoveling and comfort, you can take this one step further by covering your boots with socks. This simple step will give you more traction while out on the slippery ice and snow. This will lower the risk of slipping and falling. As a bonus, it will also deliver more warmth to your feet.

Pull Out the Leaf Blower

Do not let your leaf blower sit around and gather dust in the garage during the winter months. This common landscaping tool is also helpful in clearing snow from your driveway and sidewalk. Most powerful leaf blowers have the capacity to disperse snow that is up to one inch thick.

One caveat is that leaf blowers do not work particularly well with wet snow. The heaviness of this type of snow makes it more difficult to blow. However, this tool is a good choice when trying to get rid of small amounts of dry and powdery snow. Just be sure not to use an electric leaf blower on snow as the current could shock you if moisture creeps into the machine.

Lean on Cooking Spray, Oil, or Wax to Coat the Snow Shovel

One of the most time-consuming parts of shoveling snow is getting rid of the white stuff that accumulates on the shovel as you go about the business of clearing it out. You can cut down on the amount of time that you spend removing the snow from the shovel by coating it with a substance that repels the moisture.

Good choices for this include wax, cooking spray, or vegetable oil. Any of these materials will serve as a lubricant, mitigating the amount of snow that sticks to the shovel. You will need to reapply your coating in regular intervals if you have a good amount of snow to clear.

Eliminate the Chore Completely

If you are really feeling creative, consider eliminating the dreaded task of snow shoveling completely by laying a thick trap over the driveway or sidewalk prior to an anticipated snow event. This method works best if you are not expecting a large amount of snow and when the snow is lighter and drier.

You will want to use smaller pieces of tarp if there is a lot of snow in the forecast. Smaller pieces will be easier to lift and move when the snow gets too heavy. Simply put rope or twine around the tarp to make handles so that you can lift it away. A large rock will work to keep the tarp weighed down if the forecast is also calling for gusty winds.

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