According to a CBS Chicago report, by early February 2015, at least 18 people in the Chicago area had died in incidents related to snow shoveling. Shoveling snow is practically a winter sport in North Dakota, and taking a few precautions can help avoid unnecessary pain and injury.
The National Safety Council (NSC) recommends the following tips for snow shovel safely:
Caution Urged While Snow Blowing Also
While potentially less physically taxing than shoveling, pushing a heavy snow blower can also cause injury. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons offer these tips:
Picking up a shovel or walking behind a snow blower and moving hundreds of pounds of snow, especially for those who are not in top physical shape, can put a great strain on the heart, and individuals over the age of 40 or who are relatively inactive should be extra careful.
Image courtesy of Santhan Naidoo/flickr.