Know Your Bylaws
Clearing snow isn’t just an annoying task, it’s also a responsibility. Before the snow hits, make sure to check your local bylaws to determine your responsibility for clearing snow away from your home or business. If there is a public sidewalk nearby, you may be obligated to shovel it within a certain timeframe after snowfall.
Planning for parking is important too, especially if this is your first winter in a new home. If you rely on street parking, sign up for alerts that will let you know when street parking is off-limits due to snowfall. Even if you live in a more rural area, it is valuable to pay attention to parking bylaws to find out how wide of a berth snowplows need to get by. You may be thinking of parking your vehicle close the road for a quick getaway after a snowstorm; just make sure it isn’t too close to the road and therefore susceptible to damage from a plow. Finally, after a snowfall remember to clear all snow off your vehicle. If you leave a layer of snow on top of your car, it could slide off and cause harm to other drivers.
Proper Shoveling
Shoveling is often cast firmly in the “chore” category, but really, it is a form of exercise and should be treated that way. The American Heart Association recommends taking frequent breaks when shoveling snow, and paying close attention to how your body feels during the activity. It’s important to not underestimate the level of physical exertion that comes from long period of shoveling, particularly in the cold weather.
It’s also important to adapt proper shoveling stance to minimize injury to your back when lifting heavy shovelfuls of snow. The key to safe shoveling is lifting from your knees, not your back, and also turning to safely throw the snow without twisting your back.
Don’ts of Snow Clearing
Some “don’ts” to keep in mind when faced with a snow covered home and car:
- Don’t stand or walk on a snowy roof, remain safely on the ground when dealing with a snow-covered roof. Consider investing in a roof-clearing tool if it is a problem you face every winter.
- Don’t use warm water to attempt to defrost your vehicle’s windshield. The sharp change in temperature could cause the glass to crack.
- Don’t use a shovel to clear snow and ice from your car; you may not be able to judge where the snow ends and car begins as well as you think.
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