Now that we are firmly in winter, it is appropriate to talk about steps you can take to protected yourself while shoveling snow. It is important to make sure you are safe and avoid potential pitfalls that can lead to injury.

1. Good Footwear: Make sure you are wearing good supportive shoes with traction. Slip and fall injuries on ice have the potential to be very damaging to the body including broken bones and head injuries. Always carefully test the surface you intend to walk on when stepping out into the elements to understand what it is you will be walking on.
2. Dress for the elements: Dress in layers so you can remove one as your body temperature rises when shoveling snow. At the same time, do make sure your skin is protected from the elements – hands and face in particular especially if windy to avoid any potential for frostbite.
3. Break work down into smaller chunks: If the snow is rather deep or heavy, you may want to complete the task in several segments. This is especially true for someone who may not be as physically fit, has health issues, or has a lower activity level on a day-to-day basis. Believe it or not, shoveling snow can be a strenuous physical activity especially for someone with a lower fitness level. As such, physically straining the body (and heart) shoveling snow needs to be done with consideration for your health. Every year hundreds of individuals suffer heart attacks while shoveling snow.
4. Move smaller loads: In an effort to protect one’s back, it is wise to not scoop the maximum amount of snow possible especially if snow is heavy. Yes it may take longer to complete the job, but your back and body will thank you later. A way to make this happen more easily is to use a smaller shovel to complete the job.
5. Avoid the bend and twist/throw approach: An effort should also be made to avoid the bend-scoop- twist and throw approach. In an effort for speed this is how may individuals approach the task, but this also puts a lot of strain on the back…and especially as a person gets tired from shoveling for an extended period of time. To combat this, after you scoop the snow, turn and pivot your body before tossing the snow onto a pile. True, this may take a few minutes more in total, but you will be protecting your back from injury.

There you have it. 5 Key ways to reduce your risk of snow shoveling injuries this year. For more ways to protect your back or ways to heal should you back be bothering you, click this LINK to get some more tips and tricks FREE.