Well, it happened. The snow has finally come to McHenry. It was unlikely we’d go through this entire winter without it but still, somehow, after dodging the flaky-white bullet as long as we have, somehow we were surprised when it did come. Now the question is how to safely remove the snow from your walkways and driveway.

The sobering truth is that safely removing snow from surfaces around your McHenry home is not something you can assume to do without risks. People die removing snow every year. Most of those who die shoveling snow do so because they have coronary events brought on by the exertion required to clear all that snow away. People are also hurt shoveling snow because of falls and muscle injuries.

The National Safety Council has outlined some tips on how to reduce the risk of a heart attack while shoveling snow:

• Do not shovel after eating or while smoking (probably don’t want to eat while you shovel snow either)
• Take it slow and stretch out before you begin
• Shovel only fresh, powdery snow; it’s lighter (it’s not clear what they want you to do with the heavier, wetter snow)
• Push the snow rather than lifting it
• If you do lift it, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel
• Lift with your legs, not your back
• Do not work to the point of exhaustion
• Know the signs of a heart attack and stop immediately and call 911 if you’re experiencing any of them; every minute counts

Don’t pick up that shovel without a doctor’s permission if you have a history of heart disease – a clear driveway is not worth your life.

The National Safety Council also has some warnings if you use a snowblower (people die clearing driveways of snow using snowblowers, too):

• If the blower jams, turn it off
• Keep your hands away from the moving parts
• Be aware of the carbon monoxide risk of running a snow blower in an enclosed space
• Add fuel outdoors, before starting, and never add fuel when it is running
• Never leave it unattended when it is running

These are useful tips. You should also remember to dress appropriately for the weather (not to bundled that you sweat excessively – remember, layers). Wear a hat that keeps your head warm and gloves/mittens that will protect your hands and fingers. Proper boots and socks will help protect your toes from frostbite, too. But you want to make sure that your boots have good traction on slippery surfaces. 

Probably the best way to reduce the risks of shoveling snow around your McHenry home is to hire someone to do it for you. Hire a young person with the motivation to shovel or snow blow your driveway. Or you can hire someone with a plow to do the job. But hire someone reliable. You don’t want to discover, after 10 inches of snow have fallen that your snow removal provider isn’t going to show up to do the job.