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Safety Tips for Shoveling Snow

Most people love winter season, but one thing which everyone hates about winters is the snow menace. Shoveling snow is probably the most hated activity of the winter months that poses significant health risks. Snow shoveling is a daunting task and the overexertion caused by this activity can sometimes lead to health complications and even death. This demanding task puts pressure on the heart and can cause heart attack; especially at low temperatures, when blood vessels contract and the heart pumps faster to get blood to the extremities. Besides heart attack, there are various other problems that a person can face because of shoveling snow. Due to the repetitive lifting of heavy weight snow, one may put strain on the muscles and back. In order to avoid such complications, one needs to take preventive measures to stay safe.

Before you plan to shovel snow, you must consider your health condition. In case you have heart condition or back problem, you must certainly avoid snow shoveling. Even otherwise, do not jeopardize your health and check with your doctor if you are fit to shovel snow. Apart from health condition, also consider your physical condition. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle or are out of shape, you must proceed with caution. Before you start this physically challenging activity, you must stretch and warm-up like you would do before a strenuous activity. You must also drink some water to remain hydrated.

In case you are planning to shovel snow yourself, there are few simple things that you need to keep in mind. Foremost, avoid lifting snow-filled shovel as much as possible because it can be strenuous; instead try to push off the snow from the driveways, sidewalks or walkways. However, if it unavoidable and you do have to lift snow then you must face the direction in which you are lifting, but avoid twisting. On feeling sore or fatigued, you must stop shoveling for few minutes, take some rest and then start again. You must avoid over-exhausting yourself at all costs to avoid risk of heart attack. If it is extremely cold and you begin to feel its effects, stop shoveling and take rest, go inside for a while.

There are certain snow shoveling safety tips that you must always follow, such as you must never shovel immediately after you wake up. Lying down all night leads to build-up of fluid in the disc and a minor accident like fall increases risk of slipped disc injury. Dress in layers to keep yourself warm, and you can shed off layers as you become warm. Make sure to wear slip resistant boots and eye gear. In order to keep snow from sticking to the shovel, you can spray or rub some lubricant on it. It is advisable to keep the load lighter and take frequent breaks. Once you have cleared the snow, spread some rock salt to avoid icing.

In case you have a snow thrower, ensure to follow all the safety guidelines to avoid injuries. Even after shutting off, the augur blades can continue to rotate and one can reach into the snow thrower and suffer injuries. In such cases, people tend to break fingers or damage tendons, while some injuries are worst and can result in maiming or amputations. Hence, whether you shovel snow manually or with the help of high-powered snow thrower, be careful and take measures to avoid accidents or injuries.

Safety First!!!

Snow no longer a menace

Snow, even though beautiful can be dangerous and lead to accidents with varying degree of outcomes. However, one can easily avoid the menace by making use of the snow melting system. This is extremely helpful in removing the snow and ice from the driveways, walkways, stairways and garages, among others. Hence, you can bid goodbye to a messy winter by installing the snow melting system.

The snow melting system is generally installed on the exterior surfaces and concrete driveways to keep them snow-free and safe year round. It also eliminates the hassles of plowing, icy spills as well as backbreaking shoveling and de-icing. In addition, it also secures the concrete from the potential damages caused by snow-removal equipment and corrosive de-ices. Generally, installed in concrete, asphalt or under pavers, during the construction; these can also be retrofitted into the existing slabs.

The snow melting system offers a cost effective way of eliminating the snow menace. Further, these have minimal maintenance requirements as these have no moving parts to wear out. Moreover, the advancement in the technology provides it with ‘artificial intelligence’, where the system is designed to function only when necessary. This technology provides it with advanced temperature and snow sensing controls that automatically turn on when snow is falling. Hence, the snow melting system helps in conserving power, along with reducing the operation costs. Further, in comparison to the salt and chemicals used for melting snow, it is also an environment friendly option.

When it comes to the installation of the snow melting systems, there are certain points that you need to keep into consideration, such as; you have to determine the area where you want to install it, along with deciding the places where you have to install the junction boxes. You also need to determine the heat output required to have optimum heating, which mostly depends on the weather conditions. You must have a proper layout; take extra precaution while deciding about the installation of systems on the stairs and ramps. Further, care must be taken to ensure that the mats and cables are evenly spaced over the entire area to have uniform heating, with better results. If needed, you can take assistance of experts, to ensure that the design you have selected will work properly. Moreover, it is always advisable to work out a plan in advance, rather than regretting later in case the plan fails. Generally, the snow melting systems are installed in the driveways, parking areas, walkways, ramps and stairs.

Using the ‘intelligent’ snow melting system eliminates the problems encountered due to snow, as well as adds value to your home. It not only helps in avoiding injuries sustained due to slipping on snow, but also eliminates the hassle of plowing and shoveling after snowfall. Snow melting systems not only prove highly beneficial & convenient but are absolutely safe as well. Therefore, before the start of this winter season, invest in the snow melting system to set your mind at ease and have a pleasant time.

Radiant Snow melting A must for your winter preparation

Although the winter season brings with it beautiful snowfall and visually appealing scenes, one of the major problems associated with this season is that of accumulated snow around the house. Not only is snow accumulation on driveways problematic, but snow can also make stairs and patios dangerous and prone to accidents. Every year, a number of individuals slip and hurt themselves due to accumulated snow. It is for this reason that a product was required that could effectively melt away snow from drive ways, stairs and side-walks.

Thankfully, technological advancements have resulted in a revolutionary product in the form of electric snow melting. The concept of a snow melting mats or spools is relatively simple, yet quite effective. A snow melting mat can be easily installed beneath your driveway, side walk or stairs to ensure that the area remains free from accumulated snow.

One of the most widely preferred uses of a snow melting mat is beneath a wheelchair ramp. Anyone with a person in a wheel chair in their home would know how difficult it gets to clear out accumulated snow from the wheelchair ramp. Now you can easily install a snow melting mat beneath the wheelchair ramp and keep it safe to use all year round.

A numbers of people spray their drive ways and other snow affected areas in the house with harsh chemicals and salts to keep them snow free. Although effective in the short run, this method can significantly erode and damage the areas, and can result in a lot of repairs and maintenance expenses in the future. Further, depending on your specific snow melting requirements, the electricity consumption of these snow melting mats can cost you less as compared to hiring a professional snow remover.

Most of the snow melting mats or spools that you find in the market these days can be installed beneath different types of surfaces; be it concrete, asphalt, tile or brick. Further, you can also cut these mats according to the shape of a particular area to ensure maximum utility. This adaptability of snow melting mats ensures that you can use these mats anywhere in your home to ensure complete safety during the winter season.

It is due to such benefits and high adaptability of these snow melting mats that these are becoming a necessity for homeowners in the winter season. Not only can you ensure a snow free drive way, side walk and stairs, but can also save on the efforts of manually shoveling snow. Further, keeping the surrounding areas of your house snow free would also result in a significantly reduced number of accidents. This would ensure that you keep the liability claims against you to a minimum. Further, in case the area that you want to make snow free is of irregular shape you can use snow melting wires instead of a mat. These wires will offer the same benefits as that of a snow melting mat, with the added advantage of applicability in areas of any shape or size.

Tag: snow melt systems

Safety Tips for Shoveling Snow

Snow no longer a menace

Radiant Snow melting A must for your winter preparation

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