Shoveling Tips
Living in New England, shoveling snow is a part of our lives for about half of every year. We often get our first snowfall in November and our last sometime in April. One wish we have at FTBL is that the town plows would plow closer to our mailbox, so that we would not have to dig a tunnel to reach it each year! That being said, here are some tips to make the job of moving that snow a bit easier:
Shovel away from your house. This approach will help you to avoid the 'moat effect', and a flooded basement later when it rains and that snow melts!
Early in the season, assume that more snow will be coming. Move the snow as far away as possible, otherwise you will either run out of places to put it, or will have to throw it over a ten foot snow bank.
Lift with your knees, not with your back!
Try to stand on solid ground when throwing the snow.
Shovel the snow before anyone has walked on it, or driven on it. It is easier to shovel light fluffy snow, than hard-packed snow!
In a big storm, take breaks to warm up and catch your breath. Breaks are especially important if you have high blood pressure, heart troubles, asthma, or if you have children outside with you.
Finally, teach your children all of the above.Someday you will be able to delegate this job to them!