Follow these snow shoveling safety tips

Published Feb. 3, 2011
By Wendy E. Medley
87th Air Base Wing Safety Office

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --
Snow can be exciting to play in, but having to shovel is a pain in the back. Literally! Every winter, people hurt themselves shoveling snow. Injuries range from minor aches and pulled muscles, particularly in the back and shoulders, to fatal heart attacks.

What people often fail to realize is shoveling is more than just a chore; it is hard work that puts a lot of stress on the body in a short period of time. According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, more than 118,000 people were treated for injuries sustained while shoveling or manually removing snow in 2007.

While shoveling snow can be good exercise, it can also be dangerous for optimistic shovelers who take on more than they can handle. The National Safety Council offers the following tips to help get a handle on safe shoveling:

· Individuals over the age of 40, or those who are relatively inactive, should be especially careful. If you have a history of heart trouble, do not shovel without a doctor's permission.

· Do not shovel after eating or while smoking.

· Take it slow! Shoveling (like lifting weights) can raise your heart rate and blood pressure dramatically; so pace yourself. Be sure to stretch out and warm up before taking on the task.

· Shovel only fresh snow. Freshly fallen, powdery snow is easier to shovel than the wet, packed-down variety.

· Push the snow as you shovel. It's easier on your back than lifting the snow out of the way.

· Don't pick-up too much at once. Use a small shovel, or fill only one-fourth or one-half of a large one.

· Lift with your legs bent, not your back. Keep your back straight. By bending and "sitting" into the movement, you'll keep your spine upright and less stressed. Your shoulders, torso and thighs can do the work for you.

· Do not work to the point of exhaustion. If you run out of breath, take a break. If you feel tightness in your chest, stop immediately.

· Dress warmly. Remember that extremities, such as the nose, ears, hands and feet, need extra attention during winter's cold. Wear a turtleneck sweater, cap, scarf, face protection, mittens, wool socks and waterproof boots.

If you fear you're unable to tackle this tiring task, look into spending a few dollars to invest in a snow blower, or pay a neighborhood kid to shovel after a storm. For larger driveways and sidewalks, hire a contractor to plow it when there's heavy snow fall. It's probably money well spent.