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Safe Shoveling Practices

Welcome November!

The leaves have fallen from the trees and we have already started to experience a few snow flurries here and there. Soon these snow flurries will become plentiful and the frequent need to shovel sidewalks and driveways will become an almost daily occurrence.

Now is a good time to prepare yourself by making sure you have gloves to keep your hands warm, proper footwear to keep your feet dry from the damp and slushy streets, and to make a conscious effort to maintain good posture when it comes to shoveling your sidewalk or driveway.

The accumulation of snow and ice on the ground create hazardous situations. By maintaining shovelled paths and using salt, sand, or other ice-melting substances to help to reduce the potential for slip and fall accidents.

In order to make snow shovelling as safe as possible, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Stand with stability: Wear non-slips boots while shoveling to help you avoid slipping while shovelling. To maintain your balance, stand with your feet at hip-width apart.
Keep the weight close to your body: To guard against straining or pulling a muscle, hold the shovel close to your body. Try to shovel smaller amounts (3–5 centimetres/1–2 inches) of snow at a time.
Grip strategically: To increase leverage when lifting the snow, space your hands apart on the handle.
Lift with your legs: When lifting, bend from your knees not your back. Strengthen your legs and protect your back at the same time.
Engage your core: In order to protect your back as you lift snow, tighten your stomach muscles.
Don’t twist: Move your feet instead to twisting your body.
Don’t fling the snow: Walks over to place the snow on the side of the path rather than throwing it. To maintain good form, turn your feet in the direction you’re dumping the snow.

For more information specific to the prevention of back strain, consult your Chiropractic professional at Core Chiropractic Center.

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