How to master the art of snow shoveling

 

If you don’t have the luxury of owning a snow blower then you’ll be manually removing snow from your driveway this winter. Shoveling snow quickly and safely requires proper preparation, a bit of knowledge and the right tools. The heavier the snow is, the more strain it puts on your body and increases the risk of a cardiac event so it’s important to know how to do it safely.

Below are tips that will help make clearing snow easier and safer:

• Dress properly. Wear layered clothing you can peel off as your body heats up
• Wear boots with a good tread that will give you traction when pushing snow
• Wear gloves and a hat. In extreme cold, switch out the gloves for mittens
• Warm up with some stretches to loosen your body
• Spray shovel blade with a silicone-based lubricant to prevent snow from sticking to the blade
• Shovel at a slow pace until you are fully warmed up
• Keep a water bottle handy to prevent dehydration
• Shovel early and often
• Take frequent breaks
• If possible, push the snow rather than lifting
• Bend and lift from your knees, not your back
• Don’t twist your back when lifting a snow-filled shovel
• Avoid walking or driving on the snow if possible. Compacted snow is harder to shovel
• Know your limits and don’t push it. It’s better to take a prolonged break than overdoing it

3 types of snow shovels

The best shovel for your snow conditions can vary from person to person. It will take some trial and error to figure out what shovel you are most comfortable with. Generally, there are 3 types of snow shovels: standard, ergonomic and pusher. It’s a good idea to have more than one type so you can switch them around depending on snow conditions.

Test out these different types of snow shovels in the isles of your local TIMBER MART, and find the one best suited for your needs:

Standard

This is the most common snow shovel and allows you to scoop up snow without having to bend down too far. The handle is straight and the blade has a slight curve. #194528 20", #194535 24"

Ergonomic

This shovel is designed to make snow shoveling easier and can benefit those with back, neck or arm issues. They typically have a curved handle that provides added support for back fatigue. #7071038

Pusher

The blade on this shovel is very wide and is designed to push the snow out of the way, much the same way a snow plow clears a street. Because the blade is so wide, they are not meant to lift and throw snow. A version of the pusher shovel is the sleigh shovel with it’s U-shaped handle. It is designed to push large amounts of snow. Snow Pushers Snow Scoops