×

Snow Shoveling Safety Tips and Reminders

By Lindsay Romano Jan 5, 2025 | 1:10 PM

January 5, 2025 – With a possibility of eight or more inches of snow, here are a few tips and reminders to keep you safe shoveling your driveways.

Every year, snow shoveling is responsible for thousands of injuries and as many as 100 deaths. Shoveling snow from a snowstorm like the one hitting the midwest this weekend can result in moving hundreds of pounds of snow to clear a driveway. That heavy exertion can put a big strain on the heart and using a heavy snow blower can also lead to injury. The cold weather also increases heart rate and blood pressure while making blood clot more easily and restrict blood supply.

The National Safety Council has made a list of tips to follow for shoveling snow safely:

  • Do not shovel after eating or while smoking
  • Take it slow and stretch out before you begin
  • Shovel only fresh, powdery snow; it’s lighter
  • Push the snow rather than lifting it
  • If you do lift it, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel
  • Lift with your legs, not your back
  • Do not work to the point of exhaustion
  • Know the signs of a heart attack, and stop immediately and call 911 if you’re experiencing any of them; every minute counts

Get a doctor’s permission before shoveling if you have a history of heart disease. A clear driveway isn’t worth the risk.