Who knew snow shoveling could lead to so much headache and injury? In this short video I share tips to make shoveling your driveway safe and easy.
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Hi, I’m John Schultz, owner of JDS Home Inspection Services in Denver, Colorado. It’s wintertime again and believe it or not, Colorado has laws about snow removal. This is to help prevent falling injuries and keep pedestrians from walking in the street. In many cities, snow must be removed from walkways and driveways within twenty-four hours of the snowstorm. Snow removal can be a laborious and physically demanding task. Over eleven and a half thousand injuries and one hundred fatalities occur every year during snow removal. So be sure to do it safely. Your most important tool is your snow shovel. Make sure its edge is sharp and there are no dents that will leave snow behind. These streaks can turn to ice quickly depending on temperatures. It’s a good idea to grease your shovel first so the snow slides off rather than sticking, which makes the shovel heavier and wears you out faster. Dress warm, but layer up so you can take things off as you heat up. Gloves are necessary not just to prevent frostbite but also to prevent blisters. Before you get started, go ahead and stretch, this will help prevent pulled muscles. A standard shovel of snow is about five point seven pounds, which may not sound like a lot, but that’s only about one and a half square feet of snow. Your driveway is several hundred square feet so it’s not about the weight; it’s the repetition. Remember to take frequent breaks. Stop if you feel dizzy, faint, or strange. Many don’t realize that just being out in the cold considerably raises your heart rate and blood pressure; couple that with heavy physical activity and you have a recipe for a heart attack. If you have an existing heart condition, it’s better to pay a neighbor kid to shovel the walk. The best time of day to start shoveling is in the morning. Late day shoveling allows snow moisture to refreeze leading to dangerous sheets of ice, which will need to be salted. If you’re expecting more than six inches of snow, it’s a good idea to get started even if it’s still snowing. When you’re shoveling, bend at the knees and lift with your legs. Keep the blade as close to you as possible to reduce back strain. As you go, alternate your hand positions as well as the direction you are tossing the snow. This will work all of your muscles rather than the same ones over and over. Just remember to pace yourself; this will take as long as it takes. If you already have a foot of snow on the ground, take the first six inches off the top, then the next rather than trying to do the whole thing at once. Wet slushy snow is heavier, so adjust your technique depending on the type and depth of snow. Trampled snow is harder to remove, so try and get to it before it's walked on or driven through. If your sidewalk and driveway face north, you will have ice regardless. Have snow melt handy. Keeping your spring plants in mind, try to avoid dumping heavy shovelfuls of snow onto any plants you want to see come back in the spring. It’s a good idea to knock any heavy snow from trees with a broom, since the weight can break tree limbs. At this point you may be wondering if you should just buy a snow blower. That question depends on how much snow your area receives and how much snow you really need to clear from your property. These are large machines that need to be maintained and stored for the rest of the year. Lastly, don’t just stop at clearing the snow away from the sidewalks and driveway. Make sure your house vents are clear. Blocked dryer vents can trap humidity and risk igniting dryer lint, which can lead to fire. Blocked furnace vents can de-oxygenate the utility area and even trap carbon monoxide in the home. Make sure deep snow is cleared from these areas. Thanks for listening and be sure to check out our other videos for helpful tips on other home-related subjects.
3 окт 2024
