Whether you like it or not, winter weather is here to stay—at least for the next few months—and that means snowfall in the yard and around the house. Though you may not be able to control where the snow lands, you can definitely choose where the snow is allowed to stay, and, as men, it is our job to make sure doorsteps and driveways remain serviceable during winter’s most unforgiving conditions. For many of us, it is a task we’ve done since we were old enough to hold a shovel, but even the most experienced anti-snow operatives will admit that stormy conditions can create all sorts of hazards on the job. That in mind, let’s check out a few key tips to help make snow removal as safe as possible so we can finish the job in good time and in one piece.

The Right Tool for the Job: The first thing to take into consideration is the tool you will use to remove the snow. When it comes to snow shovels there are all sorts of shapes and sizes, and though the question of metal vs. plastic is more personal preference than scientific fact, both types of shovels should be the appropriate size and in proper shape to keep you from having to break posture or over-strain to get the job done.

Loosen Up: Though there may not be teams or a referee to get things started, shoveling snow is an intense physical activity that puts stress on the entire body. In order to help prevent injury, make sure to take a few minutes before heading outside to stretch out your muscles. The arms and the upper body are both important, but be careful not to forget about areas such as the hamstrings and lower back since they’re also featured when lifting heavy loads.

Fighting Snow with Water: Does the thought of shoveling snow in freezing cold weather make you thirsty? Probably not, but the fact that cold weather makes us forget about our thirst makes it even more important for us to remind ourselves that we need to stay hydrated. Taking breaks to go inside to have a drink during long shoveling sessions will give your muscles a time-out and will allow you to ensure your body is getting the fluids it needs.

Posture Perfect: Even if you can get away with bad posture when you were younger, years of repeated tweaking motions on the spine is going to catch up with you and cause you some trouble down the road. There’s no better time than now to set good habits for your posture while shoveling snow, so the next time you go head out to with spade in hand keep these tips in mind:

1. When lifting snow from a lower position, keep your back straight and focus on bending at the knees rather than at the waste.
2. Keep your body close to the area of snow being shoveled. Overextension of the arms causes stress to be transferred to the spine.
3. Pile snow in a way that doesn’t require you to rotate at the waste. Repeated rotating under heavy weight can lead to chronic back problems.

Shoveling snow may not be your favorite way to spend the morning, but remember these suggestions you’ll be able to get the job done easily and injury free.

 

TIP: WD-40_® Multi-Use Product can be applied to keep snow from sticking to the shovel.