Carefull when clearing that snow
The foot of
snow outside your door brings many thoughts to mind: the glistening outdoor scene, great skiing conditions, and strained back muscles from shoveling it all off your driveway!
But, shoveling doesn't have to be back-breaking work – just be smart, use the right equipment and try to have fun! The following tips will help you clear the drive pain-free and leave you time to enjoy the winter wonderland.
- Warm up before starting. Stretch your arms and shoulders or walk in place for a couple of minutes to get your blood pumping.
- Bend at the knees. You've heard it before because it works. Your legs have larger and stronger muscles than your back. Use them to lift the weight instead.
- At the first sign of pain, take an over-the-counter pan reliever such as Tylenol. Treating the pain before it worsens can help tackling the driveway become at least a little bit easier.
- Don't lift too much – clear out two inches of snow at a time. Smaller amounts of snow will be easier to lift.
- Choose the right size shovel for your height – not too long or short.
- Keep your hands spaced apart. The distance between your hands will help create greater balance.
- Shovel early and often. Light snow that has just fallen is easier to shovel than heavily packed snow.
Posted by Greg Gritchin
on January 20, 2011