According to the National Safety Council, shoveling snow is responsible for thousands of injuries and as many as 100 deaths each year.

While shoveling may not seem more strenuous than running on a treadmill, it actually raises your blood pressure and heart rate more than other types of exercise. Shoveling also uses your arms, which is more taxing than work that requires your legs.

Because this overt exercise is rare for citizens over 55, they are more at risk for lower back and Cardiac-related injuries.

Shoveling Safety Tips

To prevent Lodge members from shoveling-related injuries, share these tips:

• Warm up your muscles before shoveling by doing some light movements and bending.
• Wear layers and remove them as you get warm.
• Choose an ergonomically designed shovel to help reduce the amount of bending you do. Plastic shovels are also lighter than metal shovels.
• Do not shovel after eating or while smoking. Stay hydrated as you shovel.
• Shovel only fresh, powdery snow, as wet snow is much heavier.
• Push the snow rather than lifting it. If you do lift it, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel. Always lift with your legs, not your back.
• Do not work to the point of exhaustion. Instead, try to keep up with the snow as it falls, or take breaks every 20-30 minutes.
• Know the signs of a heart attack, and stop immediately and call 911 if you or someone else is experiencing any of them.

Your Lodge may consider hiring a snow removal service to avoid member injury. It is also important that your Lodge remove snow and ice because as a property owner, you are responsible for keeping public walking areas around your property clear.

Learn more about property insurance to protect your Lodge against property-related claims.