Shovel smart, stay safe Published Jan. 20, 2009 By Rod Krause 5th Bomb Wing ground safety MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Shoveling snow... everyone loves doing it, right? Not really. However, it's one of those things the majority of us encounter at least once during the winter season here at Minot AFB. Every winter people hurt themselves shoveling snow. The injuries range from minor aches and pulled muscles, particularly in the back and shoulders, to fatal heart attacks. What people often fail to realize is that shoveling is more than just a chore. It puts a lot of stress on the body in a short period of time. According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, more than 118,000 were treated for injuries sustained while shoveling or manually removing snow in 2007. While shoveling snow can be good exercise, it can also be dangerous for optimistic shovelers who take on more than they can handle. The National Safety Council offers the following tips to help people get a handle on safe shoveling: · Do not shovel after eating or while smoking. · Take it slow! Shoveling (like lifting weights) can raise the heart rate and blood pressure dramatically. Be sure to stretch out and warm up before taking on the task. · Shovel fresh snow if possible. Freshly fallen, powdery snow is easier to shovel than the wet, packed-down variety. · Push the snow as it is shoveled. It's easier on the back than lifting the snow out of the way. · Don't pick up too much at once. Use a small shovel, or fill only one-fourth or one-half of a large one. · Lift with the legs bent, not the back. Keep the back straight. By bending and "sitting" into the movement, one will keep the spine upright and less stressed. Shoulders, torso and thighs can do the work. · Do not work to the point of exhaustion. If out of breath, take a break. If people feel tightness in their chest, they should stop immediately. · Dress warmly. Remember extremities, such as the nose, ears, hands and feet, need extra attention during winter's cold. Wear a turtleneck sweater, cap, scarf, face protection, mittens, wool socks and water-proof boots. If a people fear they are unable to tackle this tiring task, look into spending a few bucks and have a neighborhood kid shovel after a storm; or having a contractor plow it when heavy snow falls. It's probably money well spent. For more information about winter safety, contact the 5th BW safety office at 723-2259.