Smart Snow Removal – Tips For Home and Business Owners

It’s safe to say it has been a snowy season in New York this winter. While we’ve given you some advice on how to protect your pipes in these freezing temperatures, we don’t want you to forget about the safety issues associated with managing the property outside of your home either.

Thanks to the Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA) in Milwaukee, we can provide you with 9 simple tips to help keep you safe this winter and make the snowstorms more manageable. Find them here:

1. Don't Wait – to prevent snow and ice from sticking to the sidewalk or street, clear the snow every few inches instead of waiting for the snow to stop falling.

2. Take time to stretch – shoveling snow is a workout. Stretch to help prevent injury and fatigue.

3. Push, don’t lift – push the snow to the side rather than trying to lift it to remove it. You exert less energy and place less stress on your back, legs and arms.

4. Drink water – take breaks. Drink water as if you were enduring a tough workout at the gym or running five miles.

5. Stay connected – have your cell phone on you so you can make a call in the event of an emergency.

6. Use the right material – salt may lose its effectiveness below 20 degrees. Consider using calcium chloride, magnesium chloride or other blended materials.

7. Store materials carefully – moisture can cause de-icers to lose effectiveness and clump or freeze. Store them in airtight containers in a garage on a high shelf away from young children and pets.

8. Watch your back – be careful about how much you try to carry at one time — especially when walking on ice and snow. Use a small container to carry the salt or invest in a spreader.

9. Beware of Icy places – areas ripe for melting and refreezing include Northern exposures, drainage areas, roof gutters, large piles of snow, overhangs, between parking spaces or buildings, or tree lined walkways.

Shoveling snow may be something you cannot avoid, but the potential injuries associated with shoveling can be! Make sure to review this checklist each time it snows to keep your winter season as hassle-free as possible.

Read more at silive.com.