It’s that time of year again where the snow starts to pile up and we all have to start winterizing our homes. This includes shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. While shoveling is a great way to get some exercise, it can also be very dangerous if you’re not careful. And many times it just better to hire a residential snow removal company to remove the snow for you. In this blog post, we will give you tips for safe shoveling so that you can avoid injury while clearing the snow from your property.
Safe Snow Removal: How to Avoid Injury When Winterizing Your Home
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of preparing your home for winter and forget that there are risks involved with certain tasks like clearing away snow from walkways or driveways. It might seem like a no-brainer but remember: Snow can be extremely heavy! If you don’t take care while moving it around, especially if you’re doing so by hand without any help from powered equipment (like an electric shovel or snow blower), then it can easily cause injury to both yourself as well as those who live near where this is going on – including pets and children who may be playing nearby.
That’s why it’s important to be smart about shoveling and take a few precautions before you start:
Know if You Shouldn’t Shovel Yourself
There are some cases where shoveling is just not safe, no matter how careful you are. If you have a heart condition, for example, then it’s best to leave the shoveling to someone else. The same goes for anyone who is pregnant or elderly – they should also avoid this strenuous task whenever possible.
Be sure to also check out these posts related to snow removal:
- 3 Tips to Remove Snow From Your House in Downriver MI
- Pay Your Landscaping & Snow Removal with Crypto
- Ice Control with Cutting Edge Landscape & Snow Removal | Downriver Michigan
Dress Warm When It’s Cold Out
This one may seem like common sense but make sure that when you go outside to shovel, you’re dressed appropriately for the weather conditions. That means wearing plenty of layers along with hats, scarves and gloves.
Choose the Right Shovel
If you are going to shovel, it’s important that you choose a type of shovel that is best suited for your needs. There are many different kinds out there and they all have their own pros/cons so think about what will work well with how much snow has fallen in your area before making any decisions on which one might be right for you!
Don’t Strain Yourself When Shoveling
It’s easy enough when we’re young but as we age our bodies become more susceptible to injury if not properly cared for during physical activity such as this task requires – especially since most people don’t do it very often throughout each year (if at all). So make sure that you take it slow, especially if this is the first time you’re shoveling this season. Breathe normally and go at a pace that feels comfortable for you – there’s no need to rush!
Be Careful in Deep Snow
One of the most common injuries from shoveling occurs when people try to move too much snow at once and end up bending over further than they should or even twisting their back in the process. If there is a lot of snow on the ground, try breaking it up into smaller chunks before lifting them so that you can avoid putting too much stress on your body.
Stay Hydrated
This is another important one, especially since shoveling can be quite taxing on your body both physically and mentally. Be sure to drink plenty of water before starting so that you can stay hydrated throughout the day.
Watch For Ice
If there are patches of ice on your driveway or sidewalk then be careful not just while walking but also while shoveling. Ice can be very slippery and it’s easy to lose your balance if you’re not paying attention.
Call a Professional Snow Removal Company
Finally, if all of this sounds like too much for you or if you’ve been injured while shoveling in the past, then don’t hesitate to call in a professional to help get the job done. This is definitely worth considering if there’s a lot of snow on the ground and especially if it continues to snow heavily throughout the season! If you live in southeastern Michigan and need snow removal services be sure to call Cutting Edge Property Maintenance at 734-787-7157 for a free quote on your snow removal needs.
Follow these tips and you’ll hopefully be able to avoid any injuries while winterizing your home! Stay safe out there!
