Safety Tips for Home Ice & Snow Cleanup

Stay Warm

• Although cleaning up snow and ice can be aerobic exercise that makes your body heat up, you'll need to dress appropriately for the weather. If ice is present, the temperature outside is likely below freezing. Layer your clothing; wear an undershirt and thermal pants, thick outer pants, two pairs of socks, waterproof boots, an undershirt, a long-sleeved outer shirt, gloves, a winter coat, a winter scarf that covers your throat and mouth and a hat that covers your ears. As you work, monitor yourself closely for any signs of frostbite and hypothermia, including numbness in your appendages, poor concentration or coordination, slurred speaking, feeling sleepy or tired or uncontrolled shivering followed by a lack of shivering. If you feel any of these signs, get inside immediately. Take off any wet clothing, layer yourself with warm clothes, wrap up in a blanket and drink something warm. If your body temperature goes below 95 degrees, seek emergency medical attention.

Shovel as Soon as Possible

• Shovel snow as soon as the snow has finished falling as this is when snow is the lightest and easiest to remove. The longer snow sits, the more weight it gains. Do not drive over your driveway before shoveling as the weight of the car packs snow down and largely increases the difficulty of removal.

Move Slowly

• Extremely cold weather can put stress on your heart. That factor combined with the physical exertion of snow and ice removal can put you at a higher than usual risk for a heart attack. While shoveling, move slowly, take frequent breaks. If you're tired, stop.

Be Gentle With Yourself

• Most people don't realize how heavy snow can be. According to Money-Pit.com, wet snow can weigh up to 20 lbs. per shovel-full. Remember to lift snow with your legs and not your back to prevent unnecessary aches and pains. Instead of trying to throw the shovel full of snow into your snow pile, walk the snow over to where it will be dumped. Better to exert your legs than your back.

Dissolve Ice

• Ice can be a major hazard for anyone approaching or exiting your home. Pour down generous amounts of rock salt on ice patches, which creates traction for people walking, dissolves the ice and keeps more from forming. If you have an unusually thick patch of ice, slowly pour a bucket of steaming hot water over the patch first, and then add the salt.