(Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Shovel with care

Take care when shovelling snow: Melfort Ambulance

Oct 31, 2019 | 12:00 PM

It may be Halloween, but it looks more like Christmas outside with recent snow.

Many of us still haven’t had a chance to shovel it all away, and Melfort Ambulance wants locals to know certain tips before picking up the shovel.

Manager Wayne Therres suggests a quick stretch and warm-up before heading out to remove the snow, and it’s also important to dress in layers that allow you to move naturally.

A light-weight, ergonomic shovel is also recommended to make snow removal easier.

Therres said your choice in footwear, while sometimes overlooked, is important.

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“Good footwear is a good idea to make sure you don’t slip, because right now we have a little bit of ice underneath because of the rain we got when it first started snowing there, it’s a little slippery underneath,” Therres said.

Melfort Ambulance also recommends trying to push the snow and avoid lifting and throwing snow if possible. You can also prevent injury by avoiding sudden twists while removing snow.

Therres said it’s also important to pace yourself, and if you feel tired, just rest for a few minutes. He suggests taking stock of your physical condition before shovelling. If you have a heart condition or high blood pressure or are not used to exercise, perhaps you can get someone to shovel for you.

If you develop chest pain while you are shovelling, stop immediately.

“If you experience that chest pain that doesn’t go away after five minutes of resting, make that call to 9-1-1, let us come and help you out,” Therres said.

Keep your shovels handy, as the forecast is calling for flurries off-and-on through much of the next week.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974