Shoveling and blowing snow is a way of life here in Minnesota. Most of us don’t give it a second thought. However, snow removal can be dangerous. It’s important to take all safety precautions when shoveling, operating a snowblower, or using a roof rake. Here are 10 tips for safe snow removal.
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Safe Snow Removal Tips
- When snowblowing, don’t start a snowblower in an enclosed space. Snowblowers create exhaust just like cars do.
- Keep snowblower shields in place, and wear protective eyewear.
- Use a snowblower no-stick spray to reduce the likelihood of clogs.
- If clogs do occur, turn the snowblower completely off before attempting to remove them, and wait for the augers to stop spinning. Use a shovel or a broom to remove clogs – never reach your hand or arm inside the discharge chute.
- Keep kids and pets away from snowblowers to avoid flying debris. In addition, snowblowers create a cloud of snow that can reduce visibility, so be aware of any other person or animal who might be nearby.
- When shoveling, save your back with a shovel attachment, and coat your shovel with cooking spray to prevent heavy snow from sticking to the shovel.
- Wear socks over your boots or shoes for better traction on slippery sidewalks and driveways.
- When using a roof rake, work from the ground whenever possible. Don’t stand directly below the area you’re clearing, or you could be injured by falling snow.
- Don’t pile up snow before moving it off the roof. This could cause damage to your roof and make falling snow heavier and more dangerous.
- Whether you’re shoveling, snow blowing, or removing ice dams, don’t work alone. Make sure someone knows what you’re doing and can help, or at least periodically check up on you.
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This is an updated blog post, taken from a post that was originally published in January 2016.
