Northwest Iowa — There is some snow in the forecast for early next week, so now is the time to talk about ways to stay out of the ER with snow removal injuries.
According to the staff at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, you should follow these snow-removal safety tips to help stay out of the emergency room:
Talk to your doc. Shoveling snow is like a strenuous workout. If you aren’t usually active or you have heart or vascular problems, check with your doctor before picking up a shovel.
Hand the shovel over. If shoveling or snowblowing isn’t safe for you, hire a professional or a neighborhood teen. You can also ask a local organization, like your church, about volunteers who can help.
Layer up. Dress in layers you can remove if you get hot. A scarf or other mouth covering can help warm air before it reaches your lungs. This helps reduce the risk of asthma-related problems. Also wear boots with a good grip to avoid slipping on ice.
Stretch out. Just like you stretch before a session at the gym, loosen up before shoveling.
Shovel small amounts. Use a small shovel so you aren’t tempted to pick up too much snow at a time. If there’s a lot of snow in the forecast, shovel several times during the snowfall so you don’t have to shovel as much at once.
Push, don‘t lift. Whenever possible, don’t lift snow, push it. If lifting is unavoidable, bend at the knees and lift with the legs. Don’t twist and throw snow. Try to keep your back in a neutral position.
Take it slow. Don’t rush or overdo it. Take breaks and drink water as needed.
Pay attention to your heart
Shoveling heavy snow has been linked to heart attacks. Call 911 if you experience nausea, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or pressure in the chest that may resolve when resting.
