7 Snow Shovelling Tips to Make Things Easier

December 17th, 2012  |  Insurance

Shovelling snow is one of those things that most people don’t like, but as Canadians, we have to tolerate. And, why would we like it? It’s cold outside, time consuming and snow can get heavy. And if you don’t do it correctly, you can seriously hurt yourself.

Outside of hiring a contractor and some kids in your neighborhood to do it for you, there are a number of tips and tricks you can use to become an effective and efficient snow shovelling expert.

They are as follows:

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff: Before you go outside to shovel that inch of fresh snow, take a look at the forecast first. If it is going to be mild in the next day or so it will likely melt on its own. Just make sure your walkway is clear for the mailman!
2. Clear off your car first: There is no sense in brushing off your car after you have shovelled the driveway. Clear the car off first so you don’t have to shovel the same area twice.
3. Only move snow once: Know where you are going to put the snow before you start shovelling. There is no sense in moving it twice.
4. Move snow the shortest distance possible: Divide your driveway up into sections and move the snow the shortest distance possible. This will reduce your load and the amount of strain you place on your body.
5. Don’t lift too much: Know your limits and don’t try to lift more snow than you can handle.
6. Don’t let the snow pile up: One of the biggest mistakes that people make is letting the snow pile up. When it piles up it can become more difficult to shovel because it can get heavy and it can stick to your driveway.
7. Invest in a good shovel: If you have a cheap shovel you will have much more difficulty shovelling snow. Invest a few extra bucks and get a good shovel. And if you are lucky enough to have the money, invest in a snow blower to make things really easy.