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Winter Survival Guide
SNOW: Proper technique, tools a must Sweat can turn clammy on your skin and cause problems. Shovel as soon as the snow Your skin should remain warm (not hot) and dry. starts to accumulate. ShovelPick the right shovel for ing snow is much easier if you you. It should be constructed keep up with it. Rather than for snow removal, with a shoveling away at two feet of no-stick surface and of lightsnow, shovel snow when an weight construction. Choose inch or more hits the ground and shovel more often rather a plastic shovel rather than metal because it is lighter to than waiting until shoveling lift. A non-stick surface can is a big chore. be produced at home. Simply If you are inactive and coat the blade of the snow have a history of heart trouble, talk to your doctor before shovel with vegetable oil. This will also help to make shovelyou take on the task of shoving less tiring. eling snow. A smaller blade will Warm up just as you would for exercise. Loosen your mus- require you to lift less snow, putting less strain on your cles by marching in place or stretching before tackling the body. Consider buying a benthandle shovel that’s designed sidewalk. Warm muscles will work more efficiently and are to prevent too much stooping. Space your hands sevless likely to be injured. eral inches apart on the tool Drink plenty of water. grip to increase your leverDehydration is just as big an issue in cold winter months as age. Begin shoveling slowly to avoid placing a sudden it is in the summer. demand on your heart. Pace Avoid caffeine or nicotine yourself and take breaks as before beginning. These needed. are stimulants, which may Shovel the worst part first. increase your heart rate and Shovel the deepest spot at the cause your blood vessels to constrict, placing extra stress end of the driveway where the snow plow dumps the snow on the heart. Dress in several layers and first. This area will need to be done without a doubt. You remove layers as needed. Be may find it unnecessary to sure to remove clothing as shovel areas that are not as you heat up while shoveling. Continued from Page 3
deep. If the goal is to get your vehicle out of the driveway, do that first before shoveling extra space around the cars. Protect your back from injury by lifting correctly. Stand with your feet about hip width for balance and keep the shovel close to your body. Bend from the knees (not the back) and tighten your stomach muscles as you lift the snow. Push the snow when possible — don’t lift it. Don’t throw it over your shoulder or to the side since this twisting motion can stress your back. If you need to move the snow to one side, reposition your feet to face the direction the snow will be going. For very light snow removal, a broom can work. Most importantly — listen to your body. Stop if you feel pain! Keep your heart and your back healthy as you tackle shoveling this winter. Roxie Rodgers Dinstel is a professor of extension on the Tanana District Extension faculty. Questions or column requests can be e-mailed to her at rrdinstel@alaska.edu or by calling 907-474-2426. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
SURVIVAL TIPS Vicki Rayburn: Go out to activities: music, theatre, sports, etc. take up a hobby. Like your home. Get it comfortable. You will be spending a lot of time there. Valerie Davis: Studded tires. Christina Uticone: Oh, and if you have a good camera, study up on how to shoot the aurora, & buy a tripod! Lara Poirrier: Slow down on the roads. Besides the ice, you have these large things called moose that can kill you if you hit them. Angela Sorlie Benjamin: Do not let the cold/ dark intimidate you and keep you inside. If you are worried the dark months will depress you, buy a bright halogen lamp for your living room. We had one the first time we lived here, and it was like our own mini sun! Also, stock up in good lip balm and lotion. Otherwise you will dry right up!
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