Click to hear our ad:  WINTER WEATHER PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

Click to hear our ad:  WINTER WEATHER SNOW SHOVELING

February is a time when snow falls, leaving piles of the white stuff to clear from your sidewalks and driveway. Snowblowers are a great help in clearing snow, but shoveling snow can be good exercise when performed correctly and with safety in mind. Before taking on the task of snow shoveling, consider these safety tips:

• If you are generally inactive, or have a history of heart trouble, talk to your doctor before beginning.
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine or other stimulants that may increase your heart rate and put extra stress on your heart.
• Drink plenty of water, and dress in several layers that you can remove as needed.
• Warm up and stretch your muscles before you start.
• Begin shoveling slowly to avoid putting sudden demand on your heart. Pace yourself and take breaks.
• Protect your back, by keeping the shovel close to your body and bending from the knees when lifting. Push snow as much as possible.
• Most important - listen to your body and stop if you feel pain.

Walking to and from parking lots, on streets and sidewalks and outside buildings during winter weather requires special attention to avoid slipping and falling. When walking outdoors during snow and ice season:

• Don’t rush, take short steps and keep your hands free for balance.
• Walk in designated areas as much as possible. Look ahead in parking lots, and if necessary walk along a grassy edge of the pavement.
• Watch out for black ice. Assume that all wet, dark areas on pavement are slippery and icy.
• If a sidewalk is clear and available, use it.
• If there is no sidewalk available on a street, walk on the left edge of the road, NOT on snowbanks where you might fall.
• Remember that vehicles have a harder time stopping on slippery roads, and snow piles can block a driver's view of you.
• Stay away from roads when plows are trying to clear snow or treating the road surface.
• Watch out for icicles hanging from buildings.
• Be aware and watch for melted snow and ice in entryways of buildings.