Snow Shoveling Safety

We’ve all had our fair share of snow shoveling in the past week, but have you thought about the health risks involved while doing it?

There are a variety of different concerns you need to keep in mid while shoveling. Some of those are frostbite, muscle strains, and even heart attacks. We spoke to Director of Nursing of the Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department, Carol Howdyshell who told us preparation is always good idea.

“It’s a really good idea if you take a little walk. Something to get those muscles warmed up. It would be better if you could push the snow instead of lift. If you do have to do any lifting with the shovel, use your leg muscles, those big muscles there, and lift with them, and not your back.”

Howdyshell says those who are at risk of snow shoveling injuries are those who are older with chronic disease, those who aren’t as physically active and those on medication. Howdyshell said shoveling is all about using your head.

“It would certainly be the heavier wet because that’s going to be more strain on you to move it. When snow first falls, that’s when its the lightest….try to keep up with it instead of waiting until its done because then you’ve really got some weight to move. So its common sense. Common sense would be what you need.”

To learn more about snow shoveling safety, you can visit the website: www.zmchd.org