Snow Shoveling Tips: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Many of us in Southwest Missouri don’t have much experience shoveling snow. Most cities around the state only get 12-15 inches of snow per year. Over the past week or so, Missouri has seen record breaking snowfall, and many residents aren’t prepared to deal with it. How many of you own a snow shovel?

Clearing the driveway and walkways is always a good idea. It makes it safer for cars to get in and out of the drive and provides a safe path for people to get to the front door. Your Amazon delivery person will thank you! Before you pick up a shovel and brace for the cold, check out these quick tips to prevent exhaustion and injury while shoveling snow.

Be mindful of your body.

Of course you want to get this shoveling thing over with as soon as possible, but it’s important to take time for your body before, during, and after shoveling. Stretch and warm up your muscles before you head out. Take breaks often and stay hydrated. These are important steps in preventing injury.

Wear layers.

There’s no doubt it’s COLD out there! A warm coat, a hat, gloves, and boots are shoveling necessities. You might be surprised how quickly your body will warm up from the physical activity. Wear layers that you can remove to prevent overheating and sweating. Try to keep your body at a comfortable temperature.

Choose a good shovel.

Using a lighter shovel will decrease the weight of your load. Therefore, try a strong plastic shovel instead of a metal one in order to take care of your arms, shoulders, and back.

Need a shovel? Click here for The 7 Best Snow Shovels of 2021 from The Spruce.

**Pro tip: wax your shovel or coat it with cooking spray to prevent snow from sticking!

Form a plan of attack. 

Many people start from the top of the driveway and push the snow all the way to the end in long rows without realizing that they’re making things harder than they need to be. Why push snow across the entire length of the driveway? And, why work with such large loads at a time? If you start from the middle of the driveway and work your way out, you will be working with smaller, lighter loads and moving the snow a short distance. Why not make your job easier?

10 Surprising Tips and Tricks for Dealing with Ice and Snow

Limit the amount of lifting.

Use your shovel to push the snow across the pavement rather than lifting it. The pushing action puts less strain on your muscles and joints. When you do need to lift, be sure to lift with your legs and hold the shovel close to your body to save your back and prevent undue strain.

Shovel early and often.

There are a number of reasons why you want to start shoveling early, even before the snow is done falling. Shoveling periodically through a snowfall prevents you from clearing the entire load at once. Plus, wet snow is much heavier. The longer the snow sits, the heavier it will become. Shovel early and often to save time and energy. 

Let Frosty help you!

Have you built your snowman yet? Start your snowballs in the driveway and start rolling them around to collect snow. This will begin the process of clearing all of that snow from your driveway and will set you up for an epic snowman! Get the whole family involved!

Up Next: Cold Weather Precautions for Homeowners