Safe Snow Removal Tips for Seniors This Winter

Senior Safety  |  January 19, 2024

What Every Senior in Vancouver, BC, Needs to Know About Safe Snow Removal

Are you up-to-date about safe snow removal tips? When the snow falls and accumulates, emergency room professionals can be assured of one thing – they will likely see an increased incidence of injuries related to snow removal. The injuries run the gamut in severity and can range from strained backs and broken bones to serious cuts and even fatal heart attacks.

According to the 2009 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 16,500 people in the U.S. were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries sustained when trying to remove snow.

Many people, especially seniors, can underestimate the time, strength, and stamina it takes to shovel snow. But in many municipalities, it is a homeowner’s responsibility to clear snow from sidewalks on his or her property, so seniors often feel compelled to take steps to shovel the snow.

Moreover, if an emergency vehicle needs to access a house and the snow is not cleared, it could cause a significant delay in necessary treatment. Experts recommend that seniors with physical challenges find help removing snow from sidewalks, driveways, and entryways.

How to Find a Qualified Individual or Company to Remove Your Senior’s Snow:

• Call the Better Business Bureau or visit its website for reviews of qualified professional snow removal services.
• Ask neighbours if they can recommend a neighbourhood youth who will shovel snow for a fee.
• Call a local church. Some churches have volunteers who help with snow removal for shut-ins.
• Call the local city or town administration office. Local government offices may have special programs.

Seniors, and others with physical challenges, should never remove snow manually without a doctor’s approval. Always review safety tips before the first snowflake flies to prevent minor and serious snow-removal injuries.

Safe Snow Removal Tips:

Snow Shoveling: Even for those who exercise regularly, shovelling snow is rigorous, physical work. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, shovelling is an intense activity that raises blood pressure and heart rates.

Safe Snow Removal Tips: 10 Strategies for Seniors

Tip #1 Dress Appropriately: 

Wearing layers will allow for adjustment to the temperature outside. Be sure to dress warmly and cover the head, face, and hands when outside for prolonged periods.

Tip #2 Pick the Right Waterproof Boots:

Protect feet from the cold and keep them dry with waterproof boots. Non-skid boots help guard against falls on slick snow or hidden ice.

Tip #3 Pick a Small Shovel:

Depending on how wet the snow is – a shovel full of snow can weigh up to 15 pounds! Selecting a smaller shovel means lighter loads of snow, which can help prevent injury to the body by creating less strain.

Tip #4 Stay Hydrated:

Water plays an important role when people exercise in the summer or winter. Having a water bottle handy inside the garage and taking a few sips after every 15 minutes of shovelling snow will help guard against dehydration.

Tip #4 Go Gently:

If a big storm is forecasted, go outside and shovel every time the snowfall is about 2 inches. This will help lessen the load and make snow shovelling more manageable.

Tip #5 Set a Time Limit:

Shovelling snow is a hard job, so take a break after 20 – 30 minutes of shovelling and resume after having rested.

Tip #6 Lift with the Legs, Not the Back:

The legs have muscle groups that ensure the legs carry the brunt of the lifting. When shovelling, bend and straighten the knees and ensure the back is straight.

Tip #7 Push the Snow:

It is easier to push a shovel full of snow, rather than lift and toss.

Tip #8 Separate Your Hands on the Shovel:

Creating space between your hands can increase leverage on the shovel and make it easier.

Tip #9 Avoid Caffeine and Nicotine Before Shovelling:

Caffeine and nicotine act as stimulants to our bodies by increasing the heart rate and constricting blood vessels, which puts more strain on the heart.

Tip #10 Never Shovel Alone:

Let a spouse or neighbour know you will be shovelling. That way, if a person does get into trouble someone will be looking out and can call for help quickly.

Safe Snow Removal Tips – Roof Snow and Ice Removal: 

An ice dam can form when water from melting snow re-freezes at the edge of a roofline. If it grows large enough, an ice dam prevents water from draining off the roof. If water backs up underneath the roof shingles, it’s likely to make its way inside. Here are tips to avoid ice dams:

• Ensure areas around downspouts are clear so gutters drain properly.
• Ensure the attic is well insulated. Before winter arrives, seal areas that can cause trouble such as vent pipes, exhaust fans, chimneys, attic hatches, and light fixtures.
• Install a water-repellent membrane underneath roof shingles.

Safe Snow Removal Tips – Utilizing Snow Removal Equipment: 

Many people who live in climates that get a lot of snow rely on machines such as snow blowers to remove snow. While these machines are useful and efficient, they can be dangerous. Here are critical tips to remember for those who use snow removal equipment.

• Test it before winter. Check all moving parts, and refer to the owner’s manual for ongoing maintenance requirements. Note all the safety features and use them 100% of the time.
• Ensure the snowblower never runs unattended, even for a short time.
• Beware of any motor or blade recoil that occurs when the machine is turned on or off.
• NEVER reach inside a snowblower to clear a clog. Stop the machine and wait at least 5 seconds.
• Be aware of the power cord, it can present a tripping hazard.
• Don’t rush, it will overload a snow removal machine.
• Don’t use a snow blower on slopes. Be careful of tree roots and similar potential hazards.
• Don’t run gasoline-powered equipment indoors to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide exposure.

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