Saturday, February 06, 2010
Oh, what a winter it's been: Stay safe while shoveling
More snow means, you guessed it, more shoveling. Here's how you can stay safe and healthy.
Photos by Eric Brady | The Roanoke Times
Cars and trucks move steadily on southbound Interstate 81 near exit 141 in Roanoke County Friday morning. [See more photos of the early morning snow]
Passengers load Flight 5543 en-route to Atlanta before it takes off from Roanoke Regional Airport Friday morning. [See more photos of the early morning snow]
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Yesterday
From this week's papers
- Winter turns deadly on I-81
- Third major storm slaps region with snow, sleet
- Grocers await stock after shopping frenzy
- Weather Journal: Storm likely to sprinkle more snow, less sleet
- Trusty winter tool in short supply locally
- Winter takes another wallop at Southwest Va.
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Update (12:02 p.m. Saturday): Follow our continuous updates throughout the weekend as the snow continues to fall.
At True Value Town Center Hardware in Dublin, manager Paul Talley provided a few tips to make sure shovelers are smart about the shovels and salts they choose to deal with the snow.
-- Plastic shovel blades often crack under the weight of the snow and freezing temperatures. Use a shovel with a metal blade or a plastic blade with a metal tip.
-- For deep snow, use a smaller blade, and for a shallower snow, use a bigger blade.
-- Instead of scooping up large amounts of snow all at once, scoop up the snow one layer at a time.
-- For less stress on the back, Talley suggested using ergonomic shovels, which have contoured handles that allow less bending while shoveling.
-- For icy sidewalks and steps, try using potassium-based salts such as "Fast Melt," rather than sodium-chloride-based rock salt.
"Rock salt is hard on concrete and grass," Talley said. "And with any kind of salt, be sure to use in moderation."
If your adrenaline and motivation kicks in this weekend, you may decide to go outside and shovel the mounds of snow that have piled up.
But be sure to not overdo it, said Dr. Jennifer Rathmann of Tuck Chiropractic Clinic in Blacksburg.
"Just because you have the time and the strength doesn't mean you should do it all at once," Rathmann said.
Since the first big snow in mid-December, Rathmann said at least a dozen patients have come in with health problems caused by shoveling. The most common problem was lower back pain, but others also had shoulder pain and injuries from falling on the ice. She said a combination of bending over to scoop up the snow and twisting the body when throwing it causes the pain and injuries.
Rathmann said most of the patients have been men.
"A lot of these men had the mind set that, 'Oh, I can get out there and do it,' " she said. "But they're not feeling the pain until they're done."
How to protect yourself while shoveling?
-- Take breaks while shoveling. Don't rush the process.
-- To prevent stress on the back, Rathmann said you should work to pivot your the feet, rather than twisting your whole body when throwing the snow.
-- Stretch before and after shoveling. "Any kind of range of motion stretch would be beneficial," Rathmann said. "Touch your toes, bend side to side and really focus on stretching your neck and lower back."
-- Stay hydrated.
Christiansburg and Blacksburg have ordinances that require property owners to remove snow from their sidewalks.
Officials from both towns said this week that no residents have been cited for not following those regulations this winter.
In Christiansburg, the occupant of any property in the town with a brick, wood or concrete sidewalk abutting the property has to remove snow from the sidewalk within 24 hours after the streets have been plowed.
When there is no occupant of the property, the owner of the property has to have the snow, ice and sleet removed or covered. If the owner cannot be found, the town can have the sidewalk cleaned or covered and may, after notice, work to have the owner cover the costs of the effort, according to the ordinance.
In Blacksburg, within 24 hours after a snowfall, property owners have to remove the snow from the paved sidewalks in front of their property. If the property is rented, the tenant has to remove the snow. Heather Browning, community relations manager for the town, said many of the local businesses have been diligent about keeping their sidewalks clear of snow.
"Not only does it demonstrate the pride they have in the Blacksburg community, but it shows that safety of their patrons is a priority," she said.
