Snow removal might seem like a dreaded wintry task in Northeast Ohio, but don’t let it take you down.
Shoveling and even snowblowing can cause serious injuries to limbs, joints and the spine. The exertion can stress your heart, too.
Nationwide, more than 11,000 adults and children are hospitalized due to shoveling injuries each year, according to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine (AJEM). The most common injuries include sprains and strains, particularly in the back and shoulders, as well as lacerations, broken bones and heart attacks.
“Know your limits,” says Mike Mager, licensed physical therapy assistant with Portage Physical Therapists in Ravenna. “Listen to your body. Take frequent rest breaks. Don’t overdo. If you have a chronic condition, hire someone else to do snow removal at your home.”
HEART CARE
Lifting heavy snow, especially in the early morning hours when the heart is most susceptible to coronary events, can be deadly.
The AJEM study found that cardiac-related injuries during snow removal accounted for 100 percent of the more than 1,600 snow removal fatalities that occurred in the U.S. over a 16-year period. Snow shoveling can raise heart rates above recommended limits after only two minutes of digging.
No one who has a cardiac stent or a history of cardiovascular disease should shovel snow. People who don’t exercise regularly should pace themselves and take breaks. If you get tired or if you experience any chest pain or shortness of breath, stop, rest or contact a doctor.
Age affects risk. Adults over 55 are 4.25 times more likely than younger people to have heart-related symptoms while shoveling. The National Safety Council warns that those over 40 years old and relatively inactive should be careful while shoveling snow. Stretch before starting, take it slow and only pick up a small amount of snow at a time to avoid injury, the organization advises.
Last year, 13 people in the Chicago area died after removing snow from their driveways following a weekend blizzard. Nine of the people who died were in their 60s, three were in their 50s, and one man was in his 40s, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Most victims died from shoveling snow; one died while using a snow blower.
WATCH YOUR BACK
Heart issues aside, protect yourself from back and joint pain while shoveling and snowblowing.
You can tackle this challenge without getting hurt. Start with the proper tools. Prevent slips and falls on ice and snow with heavy-tread boots or with traction accessories like Yaktrax, Mager advises.
At E&H Ace Hardware in Garrettsville, manager Casey Everett recommends using a new ergonomic shovel with a bent handle. “The bent handle makes it so that you don’t need to bend so much while shoveling, so it’s a lot easier on the back,” he says. “It’s the best thing we’ve got going, short of hiring someone else to do the job for you. It’s specifically designed for those who don’t want to work too hard.”
Other options to consider include a straight-handled snow pusher, which sports an extra-wide blade for pushing aside large swaths of snow each pass. A snow ‘sleigh’ or Snowboss type of shovel/pusher allows folks to push and tilt large amounts of snow away using both hands; no lifting or twisting required.
Don’t be a hero this winter. Find the right equipment and use the correct techniques to stay safe on snow and ice.
