Now is the time to dust off your snow shovel and prepare for the winter season. As we move into early Fall, it’s a great opportunity to take a look at your winter tools in preparation for any adverse weather.
Whilst the sun may still be shining, giving false promise, the snow will be gearing up to fall in the months to come. So, grab the opportunity now to review your winter tools and make certain your snow shovel is up to the task.
Risk of Life and Limb to Shovel Snow is Not too Dramatic
Although not a happy topic to dwell on, it’s thought that each year about 11,500 people in the United States alone are treated for injuries linked to snow shoveling. According to Pubmed.gov, 100 of these snow shovel-related injuries are fatal, most often due to heart attacks.
With that thought in mind let’s look at what you can do to ensure you are not one of the statistics this coming winter season.
Why Shovel Snow Off Driveways at All?
After all, snow is soft and fluffy and good fun to be out in. So, why all the worry? To those of you in warm, sunny states, snow is seen as a benign entity, great for building snowmen and snowball fights.
However, the northern states cursed with long and protracted winter storms may disagree with your views. With tons of snow falling on your driveway and backyard, your entire way of life is jeopardized. Even opening your front door can become a challenge, let alone trying to reach your car before attempting to leave your driveway.
Clearing snow and ice is crucial for the safety of yourselves and others on your premises. Learning how to snow shovel for maximum removal and minimum effort is key.
The right winter tools can make all the difference. These days you wouldn’t use a dustpan and brush to clean the inside of your home – you’d use a decent vacuum cleaner. Similarly, using the best snow removal equipment will help you win the battle of the snow storm!
Taking all this into account, let’s take a look at the best winter tools to make snow shoveling less of a chore and more effective.
Benefits of Using Winter Tools to Snow Shovel
As with most jobs around the house, getting the right equipment is fundamental. Being able to save yourself hours of backbreaking work, and I do mean literally (remember the statistics…), you’ll be glad you chose a piece of equipment to help.
By choosing good quality winter tools you’ll reduce risk of injury and increase efficiency.
What to Look For When Buying Your Snow Shovel or Snow Plough
As you investigate the possibilities, you’ll be faced with various winter tools all claiming to help you shift snow. However, some of them may well be better at some aspects of the job than others. And it may be that a combination of different winter tools will be best for your location and situation.
For instance, a good snow shovel is a basic requirement you’ll want to have in your arsenal. Yet a snow plough (sometimes spelt snow plow) may help you shift more snow more quickly, especially if it’s fresh. Yes, that lovely soft, fluffy stuff we all think of when we hear it’s snowing!
Snow Shovel - Ideal Tool for Scraping and Chipping Ice and Shoveling Snow
Look out for ergonomic handles to help maintain good posture, and avoid strains to your back and limbs.
Take for instance Cresco’s Heavy Duty Snow Shovel with powder coated steel tube handle and large comfortable ergonomic grip. Or the Cresco Snow Blaster with a two grip design making snow removal easy, as it lessens lifting and stooping.
The Snow Blaster also incorporates an ergonomic bend in the shaft of the handle designed to give you a more upright positioning to shovel snow, and indeed to use the snow shovel to push the snow away.
Both of these snow shovels have a durable metal edge to increase cutting power through ice and to give the winter tool longevity.
Last but not least, here’s an impressive 3 in 1 Foldable Snow Shovel from Cresco. Ice scraper, shovel and brush combine to give you the ideal winter tool for your car. As it is sturdy enough to tackle hard ice, or dig through heavy snow, it is also capable of brushing off soft, fresh falls of the white stuff. Add to that the ability for easy storage, it is the perfect winter tool to store in your car.
So, let’s now take a look at the snow plow.
Snow Plow - Perfect Equipment For Clearing Fresh Snowfall
Cresco’s Snow Plough makes it simple to clear fresh snow. With its telescopic anodised aluminum handle and comfortable T-hand grip, you’ll be clearing that fresh snow in double quick time.
This is an excellent winter tool to use before gritting, allowing you to get through to the ice level with ice melt or salt, giving more potency.
Looking to clear snow by push method rather than shoveling? Then the Cresco Wide Snow Clearer is the tool for you!
Able to clear snow from a pavement quicker than any other device, you’ll find this winter tool will not let you down. With a steel blade to increase cutting power and longevity, the powder coated handle with comfortable grip is quick to assemble and easy to use.
How and When to Shovel Snow - Winter Maintenance Tips
As discussed earlier, how to shovel snow is as important as choosing the right winter tools. After all, you don’t want to spend the winter season laid up (or worse) through injury.
In the same way you would prepare for any exercise, take a moment to warm up your muscles. If in any doubt you are physically up to strenuous activity, consider alternatives such as a younger member of the family or paid help. It is not worth the stress – the weather will always win.
Here’s what to take into account when shoveling snow:
- Wear warm clothing, good waterproof footwear and gloves to prevent frostbite.
- Select a snow shovel with a handle that’s correct for your height.
- Coat shovel blade in silicone or cooking spray to allow snow to slide off the shovel, and not stick.
- Spread sand or salt on any slippery spots, especially if you have to stand on them, to increase traction.
- Avoid packing the snow – try not to walk or drive on fresh snow. Compacted snow becomes icy very quickly.
- Maintain good posture – as with any heavy lifting, keep your back straight and squat using your thigh muscles. Do not bend at the hip. Engage legs, not back when lifting.
- Use your shoulder muscles along with your thigh muscles, rather than your arms.
- Lift little and often – it’s better to scoop small amounts of snow at a time, so your lift is not too heavy.
- Hold the snow shovel close to the shovel blade, so you have greater control. This also helps with lifting technique.
- Minimize twisting – keep movement to the smallest amount possible.
- Avoid throwing snow. Use a pushing motion rather than lifting.
- Clear your car of snow first, so you don’t have to double up on snow shoveling!
- Take frequent breaks – it is heavy work, so don’t overdo it.
- As you would with any exercise, drink water.
When to Shovel Snow
When is the best time to shovel snow? It’s an age-old question that never gets easier. However, here’s what to consider when shoveling snow:
- Make a plan – prepare a snow shovel strategy.
- Only shovel snowfall in calm conditions.
- Snow shovel when the snow has stopped falling – it is easier to shovel when it hasn’t had a chance to freeze.
- Clear snow when there’s a break in the action – wet snow is heavy and therefore makes the job harder and longer.
- Clear off your front porch, so you can at least open your door.
- Shovel snow as often as possible to prevent build up.
How to Shovel Snow Properly with Winter Tools that Count
As with most jobs, having the right equipment is essential to help cut risk of injury and reduce time and effort. Snow shoveling is no different. With any of the Cresco winter tools you’ll be confident in the knowledge you’ll be able to shovel snow properly.
You may also get a chance to enjoy and have fun!
