snowfall are not particularly unusual here in New England, we are proud of our ability to cope with white matter. But members of the hospital's emergency room staff would be the first to tell you: a seemingly simple task like shoveling snow can cause a lot of grief - each year, they see thousands of people with snow removal injuries linked from back pain and hypothermia in heart attacks and amputations.
shoveling snow can be a pretty intense activity and you must approach it in the same way as you would any vigorous activity. Take health factors into consideration and check with your doctor if you have a question about the relevance of this type of activity. If you have heart disease or have had a heart attack, or if you have high levels of blood pressure or cholesterol, you should find someone else to do your shoveling. Other populations who should exercise extreme caution before taking a shovel :. Smokers, the elderly, and out of shape, sedentary kinds
Here are some basic safety tips shoveling
- Dress for the job. Wear layers of waterproof light clothing. Cover your extremities. Wear a hat, warm socks and gloves.
- Choose the right tool. Make sure you do not use a shovel that is too big for you. In general, smaller, lighter excavators are better than larger ones. Many ergonomists recommend a curve rather than a straight handle. Space your hands apart while gripping the handle to maximize your leverage.
- Before shoveling, start warming up. Walk or perform stretching exercises for 10 or 15 minutes.
- Pace yourself. Start slowly, do not rush. Maintain regular moderate pace. Take occasional breaks.
- Making your legs do the work. Keep your feet apart for balance and keep your shovel close to your body. Bend your knees and lift with your legs, not with your back. Avoid lifting if push will.
- Avoid twisting your torso. It is best to take some steps to clear your snow load that twist and throw it. Keep your feet pointed in the direction you lift and throw.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, but avoid caffeine and other stimulants that can increase your heart rate.
- Stop immediately if you feel any signs of dizziness, shortness of breath, pain, sweating, or nausea. If you feel pain, especially in the chest or arm, do check as soon as possible - better to be safe than sorry.
snowblowers are also a source of many winter trips to the emergency room - usually for injuries to hands and fingers, including amputations. If you have a blower, take a minute to review these tips from Consumer Reports safety snow blower.
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