Snow shovelling safety tips
9 minute read Published on Dec 9, 2024 by BrokerLink Communications
Canada is known for its bitter-cold winters, heavy snowfall and high winds. When the temperature drops below zero, and you find a bunch of fluffy white stuff on the ground, you know winter has arrived, and so has Canada’s least favourite chore: shovelling snow. Besides being a rather monotonous task, snow shovelling can also be dangerous. When you head out to clear your driveway, you risk pulling a muscle, slipping and falling and even overexerting yourself.
Sometimes, the consequences of what seems like a superficial injury are more serious than they seem. A study from the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests a link between heart attacks and shovelling snow. Is this a permanent excuse for your kids to stop shovelling snow? The answer is not necessarily. Keep reading to learn a few tips and tricks to keep you safe while shovelling this year.
Why do people die shovelling snow?
Many people won’t have a problem shovelling snow. However, some are at risk of a heart attack. Sudden exertion, such as moving hundreds of pounds of snow after being sedentary for several months, can strain the heart. Additionally, cold weather can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. In turn, your blood can clot more easily and constrict arteries, which lowers your blood supply.
Shovelling snow is a strenuous activity, and you have to be careful. However, when winter rolls around, you don’t have much choice. That’s why it’s best for those with certain health conditions to ask for help as necessary to prevent injury. This means maintaining a good grip and keeping your shovel close to your body. Before you head, you need to prepare, and we will let you know how you can do this in the next section.
Preparing to shovel snow
You can take a few steps to avoid back and joint pain when shovelling snow. Taking these precautions can help prevent injury and make throwing snow off your driveway or walkway a breeze. Along with preparing to shovel, you can get your home ready for the snow with our winter home checklist. Here’s what you need to know:
- Stretch before shoveling snow to prevent injury.
- Dress in several layers to stay warm.
- Wear boots with good traction to avoid slipping on ice that’s formed beneath the snow.
- Remember to breathe.
- Take frequent breaks! If you don’t take breaks, you risk overexerting yourself and getting injured or, even worse, having a heart attack. This is especially true if you are sedentary.
- Ensure that you properly hydrate with water.
- Try spraying your shovel with cooking spray. This will allow your shovel to cut right through the snow and help you get the job done faster.
Before you pick up the shovel, do some warm-ups, and remember to take frequent breaks once you’re out there. Otherwise, you put yourself at a higher risk for injury. If you push your body to its limits, you’ll feel the pain later, which is why you should take your time while clearing snow away. Hard ice can hurt if you fall on it, and those with heart disease can easily overexert themselves. Next, we will show you how to select the right shovel.
Choosing the right snow shovel
When it’s time to clear your driveway or walkway, you should come prepared with the right equipment. Multiple types of shovels are available, and knowing which one to choose is essential to pushing the snow out of the way. For example, a smaller shovel won’t work well for lifting wet snow, while a larger shovel won’t be efficient when clearing a skinny sidewalk. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of snow shovels available:
Standard snow shovel
When you walk into any store, the standard snow shovel will be the first one you see. They have straight shafts made out of wood, metal, or plastic and blades consisting of metal or metal-edge plastic. Using one is fairly straightforward. All you need to do is use the rectangular, curved blade to scoop up without having to bend over and hurt your back.
Ergonomic snow shovel
If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, you might want to consider an ergonomic snow shovel. They come in many shapes and sizes, but they often have a curve up to the middle to eliminate the need to reach super low. Sometimes, there’s a second shaft behind the blade that allows the user to grab it with their lifting hand. This shovel can benefit those with back, neck, or arm mobility problems. However, anyone can use it to get the job done faster.
Pusher or wider shovel
Pusher or wider shovels can be as wide as 24 inches to push the snow out of the way with ease. Instead of lifting, you simply slide the snow out of your path. However, because of their blade size, they are usually too big for lifting and throwing the majority of snow. If you choose this option, you should invest in a standard snow shovel. You will need one to remove snow from smaller areas.
As your broker does for your insurance policy, shop around for shovels. You should weigh your options like you do with coverage because sometimes, two is better than one. Similar to how you can save money by bundling your home and auto insurance policies, having multiple shovels can help you be more efficient when shovelling snow. Regardless of the shovel you choose, you need to understand the proper technique to shovel safely. Next, we will discuss the proper shovelling technique that will help you clear snow away safely.
Proper shovelling technique
Before you pick up a snow shovel, you should get the technique down. It will help prevent issues such as an increased heart rate or high blood pressure. When you shovel, remember the following:
- Bend your knees and lift your legs.
- When you lift the snow, keep the shovel blade close to reduce back strain.
- When shovelling, switch between right-handed and left-handed to work different muscles.
- Change your grip periodically on whichever hand of yours is holding the shovel handle (palm under vs. palm over).
- When the snowfall is heavy (at least a foot deep), avoid trying to clean right down to the ground with a single scoop. Try skimming six inches off and then scooping up the bottom six inches. Not doing so increases your chance of injury.
Once you have the proper shovelling technique down, you’ll feel like you can take on the world (or at least your driveway or walkway)! The only things you have left to do is grab some warm clothing, a hat and some gloves and get shovelling. Once you do this, you can safely shovel snow out of the way without a worry in the world. Next, we will explore some tips to help you lower your risk of injuries while shovelling snow.
Tips to lower your risk of snow shovelling injuries
As you now know, it’s not uncommon to suffer an injury while shovelling snow. Not only can slips and falls do a number on your body, but shovelling with poor technique can also lead to injuries to your back, hips, and knees.
Therefore, next time you head out to start shovelling snow, be sure to keep these tips in mind:
1. Stay on top of the snow—literally!
A little planning goes a long way. Spread some salt on your driveway or sidewalk before the snow really starts coming down to reduce slips. Also, don’t let the snow pile up too much, especially on busy days when people are walking on it and packing it down. Try to get out there every 3–4 hours to shovel. It’s easier to handle smaller amounts of freshly fallen snow than tackling a heavy, compacted mess later.
2. Use the right gear for the job
Pick a lightweight shovel with a long handle and a good grip—it’ll make the work easier on your arms and back. And don’t forget your feet! Add traction cleats or microspikes to your shoes for better grip in slippery conditions.
3. Warm up first
Shoveling snow isn’t just a chore—it’s a serious workout. Imagine weightlifting while navigating uneven, slippery ground in bulky winter gear. So, just like you would before a workout at the gym, spend 10 minutes doing stretches or light exercises like squats before you head out to shovel to help your body warm up.
4. Take it slow and steady
Set a timer for 5–10 minutes of work, then take a short break to stretch and catch your breath. It’s better to pace yourself than overdo it. Remember, overexerting yourself to the point of exhaustion increases your risk of injury, frostbite, hypothermia, or even a heart attack! So listen to your body. If you’re feeling tired or sore, give yourself a breather.
5. Push, don’t twist or lift
Avoid straining or twisting your back by bending your knees and using your legs to push the snow straight ahead or to the side in smooth lines. And remember, it’s better to push the snow than lift it—snow is heavy and lifting it is what will likely cause you to strain your back. If you do need to lift the snow, scoop up smaller amounts at a time, even if it means taking a little longer, and turn your whole body to throw it so that you’re not twisting at the waist.
6. Keep salt or sand nearby
If the ground’s icy or slippery, don’t risk a fall. Sprinkle some salt, sand, or even cat litter to give yourself better traction and stay steady on your feet while you continue to shovel.
7. Keep moving year-round
Staying active isn’t just good for your health—it makes shovelling easier, too. Regular exercise throughout the year builds strength and stamina, so try to aim for 150 minutes a week.
Home insurance for snow shovelling
If you’re shovelling snow and get injured, you’ll need an insurance policy to cover the damages. This is the same case if someone gets injured while shovelling your driveway. If you don’t have insurance, you will have to pay for damages, such as legal fees, if someone files a lawsuit out of pocket.
What part of your home insurance policy does this fall under? Well, it’s your liability coverage that will help compensate someone if they get injured on your property. It’s important to note that your insurance will not cover you if you get injured on your property. You can prevent incidents like these ones from occurring by reviewing our home protection tips.
The majority of people have some type of home insurance already. Whether you purchased a policy on your own or you were required to get it for mortgage approval, it’s important to have one. The damages associated with shovelling injuries can add up, especially when someone slips on hard ice and hits their head. That’s why you should protect yourself at all costs. If you don’t, you will have to pay for all the damages out of pocket.
Contact BrokerLink for all your insurance needs
The more snow there is, the longer it will take to shovel. It’s a fact of life if you live in Canada, but you can’t just leave your snow to sit there. When snow or ice melts, it can cause serious damage to your home. It’s not uncommon for a power outage to occur in the midst of a winter storm. That’s where having a great home insurance policy can help. It will reimburse you for the costs of damage caused by inclement weather events such as snow storms.
Not everyone lives in the same type of building. That’s why insurance coverage is available for people who live in a variety of dwellings. Common types of home insurance coverage include the following:
Shovelling snow can put a big strain on your physical health. Despite this, it can be good exercise if you are able to do it safely. However, if you’re going to shovel, you’ll want a decent home insurance policy. But how do you find one? Reach out to BrokerLink by calling, using our online quote tool, or visiting one of our community branches across Canada.
Snow shoveling safety tips FAQs
At what age should you stop shovelling snow?
Again, the answer to this question depends on your personal health. If you are unsure if you can pick up the shovel this year, contact your doctor before winter arrives.
Should I shovel while it’s still snowing?
Yes! Spending a little bit of time shovelling makes a difference because you won’t have to deal with heavy amounts of snow all at once, especially if there’s wet snow. Break out the shovel while the snow is still falling.
Should you salt before it snows?
Many people put salt down after shovelling. However, rock salt is supposed to be put down before snow falls to prevent snow from sticking, simplifying shovelling!
If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.