3 Simple Tips on How to Prepare for the Upcoming Winter Season

The seasons are changing once again and the colder weather is upon us. As a result, people

are beginning to prepare for the upcoming winter season. With every winter season comes

the inevitable need for snow removal services. No matter how gentle or harsh the winter

weather, it seems as if snow shoveling and/or removal is often unavoidable, especially in

certain parts of the U.S. (Northeastern U.S., Great Lakes regions, etc.). To help you better

prepare for the upcoming winter season, here are some tips for snow removal.

1. Using a snow blower vs. snow shovel

If you have a long driveway and/or walkways, a snow blower might be a wise investment.

However, if your property has several inclines or steps, a snow shovel will also be necessary

and likely more useful. Snow blowers are significant labor-saving devices for large, flat

areas, particularly in areas where the ground is level. However, those areas of a property

where there are inclines or stairs, a snow blower is not useful at all.

If a snow blower is used for snow removal purposes, experts say speed matters. Trial and

error will be your best guide. If you go too slow with the blower, you will not achieve much

distance with your projection or arc of blowing snow. However, if you go too fast, the snow

could spill out the side of your machine and pile up. Therefore, it is important to test it out

and find an effective speed for the snow blower that the operator is comfortable with.

If snow shoveling is your preferred method of snow removal, please keep these guidelines in

mind. With shoveling, people usually have two options. Either shovel after every few inches

of snow that falls or wait until the storm ends and remove the snow in sections or layers. It

is important to remove only as much snow as a person is comfortable lifting. Moreover, it is

very important to take frequent breaks and not overexert yourself.

2. Safety considerations

According to reports, more than 10,000 snow shoveling-related injuries were treated in the

ER each year from 1990 to 2006. Moreover, 1 in 3 of those reported lower back issues,

followed by injuries to the hands, arms, and head. Furthermore, slips and falls accounted for

1 in 5 mishaps and 15 percent of the injuries were snow shovel-related. Meanwhile, in 2012,

snow blower-related injuries (e.g. finger injuries such as lacerations, amputations, etc.)

accounted for at least half of the 3,300 estimated ER visits. Additionally, neck, back, and

shoulder strains, as well as other related injuries were also very common.

3. Make sure you have the right tools for the Job

Whatever snow removal method you opt to use, try to avoid walking or driving over the

snow before you begin clearing it. This is because packed snow is much harder to clear as

well as remove. If the snow sticks to the shovel or the snow blower's shoot, try spraying it

with either cooking spray or silicone. To find the best tools for the job, do your research in

advance and check consumer ratings, reviews, etc. Moreover, make sure your cleared areas

stay that way via the use of good ice melters. These products are also effective pre-treating

agents. However, they should also be evaluated for safety standards, temperature

guidelines, pet precautions, etc. Individual needs or circumstances could determine which

ice melter would work best.

With the change of seasons and the colder weather upon us, people are beginning to

prepare for the upcoming winter season. With every winter season comes the inevitable

need for snow removal. No matter how gentle or harsh the winter weather, it seems as if

snow shoveling and/or removal is often unavoidable. To help you better prepare for the

upcoming winter season, or if the weather catches you off-guard and you need help with

snow removal, same day pros might be the answer.