The importance of removing snow and ice from sidewalks should never be underestimated. If it is not removed, sidewalks can become so dangerous that it is almost impossible to walk on them. This can pose a problem for homeowners and landlords alike.
It also means that emergency crews may not be able to get to your house if you need them. Furthermore, it makes doing simple things like walking out to get the mail or letting the dog out much more difficult and potentially hazardous than it needs to be.
Then there is a lot of snow and ice on your sidewalks, there is always a chance that you could slip and fall, and you could be severely injured. Having said that, it is equally important that you engage in the removal of snow and ice in a safe manner. People are injured on a daily basis when they are trying to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks. This usually happens for one of two reasons. They are either using an incorrect technique, and they end up with some type of musculoskeletal personal injury or they are overexerting themselves, and the problems can be even worse. In some rare cases, injuries happen because people stay out too long, and they don’t realize that they are becoming hypothermic.
In order to do it safely, it is important to take stock of your personal health and make sure that you are in good enough shape that you can safely do it. If you have a heart condition or a respiratory condition, it is best that you get someone else to do it for you. If that is not possible, try to tackle the job when there is not so much snow and ice that has to be removed and take frequent breaks. Furthermore, you need to have a good snow shovel and make sure that you are using your knees more than your back to remove everything. Otherwise, you could suffer a significant back injury. Last but not least, dress appropriately and do your best not to stay out in the cold for too long. The last thing that you want to do is allow your core body temperature to drop to potentially dangerous levels or suffer from frostbite because you are staying out there too long.
If you follow these safety procedures, you should be able to remove snow and ice from your sidewalks much more safely, thereby creating a safer situation for everyone involved.
