
How to Make Snow Shoveling Easier
By Chris Petry
Show of hands, who here likes shoveling snow? No one? Fine. Living in the Northeast, there’s just not an option most years. Fortunately, we live in a time where there more tools than ever to expedite the job. Better yet, there are people who know or have tested out alternative methods of snow removal who can attest to the effectiveness online. Better yet-yet, there are a number of tested safety protocols that make your shoveling easier and less risky to your health.
The first thing to consider before grabbing the shovel to clear any walking path is that, since you’re the one blazing the trail, so to speak, there will be no clear path for you. So, invest in some warm waterproof winter boots with good traction. Nothing worse than cold wet snow making its way into the breathing ports on the side of your Chuck Taylor’s.
Next, you’ll want to make your shoveling as effective as possible to limit the time you have to spend doing it. Most people are not fans of the cold so anything that gets you inside faster is worth trying. There are also legitimate health concerns. Cardiovascular stress tests have shown that only two minutes of shoveling raised participants heart rates above 85% of the maximal rate, which is what one would expect from jumping rope extensively or running on a treadmill. This is because the cold weather can cause constriction of your blood vessels while simultaneously raising your blood pressure. If you suffer from hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes or you’re a smoker, your risk of a cardiovascular event only increases. So, what can you do to make shoveling more effective while reducing the strain on your ticker? Some people recommend applying cooking spray to the blade, allowing it to glide through the snow easier. It also prevents snow from sticking and weighing down the shovel.
If you’re worried about slipping and you share your home with big-eyed whiskered folk, borrow some of their fresh kittie litter. Apply it to the spot(s) where you’ll be standing. The grit will provide extra traction, preventing a slip. The value of kittie litter has long been known by mechanics and commercial cleaners. Just as it reacts with your cat’s urine to form tight, easier to remove clumps in the little box, it works much the same way with oil and grease on a shop floor. You can also pour some into paint cans, where it will sop up moisture allowing the paint to dry better for attempted disposal. The sanitation workers will appreciate your consideration. More of a dog person? Don’t worry, good old-fashioned play and pool sand can be used in much the same way.
Worried about your back? Trust me, once you hit 30, you’ll spend probably half your day worried about injuring your back. You go from bouncing down a set of stairs like a rubber ball at 29.9 to “I threw out my back reaching over to pick up the newspaper” a short while later. That’s why you probably shouldn’t be bent over like you’re about to pluck weeds while shoveling. Or, plucking weeds come to think of it. Invest in a long-handled back saver snow shovel. It’s so worth it.
The #1 thing you can do to make shoveling easier? Prepare. Batman has no superpowers. He’s not going to jump in there like Superman or Wonder Woman and start throwing hands without a plan. Neither should you. Salt your walkways BEFORE the snow falls. That will help limit the amount of ice accumulation underneath, which is the real danger of a covered walkway anyway. Shovel a little bit at a time as the snow falls instead of waiting until you have 18 inches to get started. Look, the people of Erie and Buffalo are just built different. They’re like modern Vikings. For the rest of us, we have to play it safe. Stay warm out there folks.