APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – A local healthcare professional is reminding people to practice safety habits when clearing snow this winter.
ThedaCare Injury Prevention Coordinator Kathi Hegranes gives advice for folks who shovel their snow.
“Consider a curved handle, which will help you keep your back straighter. It’s also important because people are different heights, that they consider how long their shovel is.”
Hegranes suggests people push the snow, rather than lift it, and avoid throwing loads over the shoulder.
“Be out there multiple times. You’ll have lighter loads. You can use, perhaps, a smaller shovel if it’s a heavy snow.”
She also has tips for those who use snow blowers.
“Are you running over the cord if it’s an electric snowblower? Because that can cause electrocution or a burn. The engine is so hot, very likely to burn your hands.”
Hegranes says it’s important to follow practices that prevent hand and finger injuries.
One involves the possibility of motors and blades springing back.
“Quite often, even if the machine is off, it can recoil, and even amputate a figure.”
She also advises keeping hands away from moving parts and using a clearing tool to take care of any jams.
Hegranes suggests refueling outside in open air, never refueling when the engine is running, and turning the machine off if going instead, even briefly.
In addition, she recommends people be at least 15 years old to operate a snow blower and for those who have troubles clearing snow to hire someone.
She notes there are more than 11,500 shoveling-related injuries reported each year, along with 500 amputations and over 5,000 emergency room visits resulting from snow blower usage.
