Snow Shoveling: How To Avoid Injury And Stay Safe

Rhode Island was hit with upwards of foot of snow that brought the state to a halt Monday morning. The heavy, wet snow was considerably more difficult to shovel and clean from cars than the light, powdery snow that hit the area just a few days earlier.

To prevent injury during shoveling, the American Heart Association published a list of safe practices while shoveling.

First, when dealing with heavy snow it's important to use a smaller shovel to prevent overloading. The larger the shovel, the more likely you are to fill it with more snow than you can handle, which increases the risk of injury, especially to the back, as well as raise blood pressure suddenly.

Dress in layers before going out to shovel, which prevents the risk of hypothermia or frostbite and allows for the removal of layers as you warm up.

Before going outside, avoid eating a large, heavy meal or drinking alcohol, and always consult a doctor if you have a medical condition.

Most importantly, know the signs of a heart attack and keep a cell phone with you in case of emergency. Common heart attack signs include chest pain or discomfort, pain in the arms, neck, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath or cold sweats.

It's also important to clear snow from gas meters so they are accessible. However, shovels should not be used to clear meters, as they could cause damage. Instead, use a broom to gently brush off snow.

Finally, fire departments across the state are urging residents to clear snow away from fire hydrants following storms so they are immediately accessible in the event of an emergency.

To ensure firefighters can access hydrants, there should be a clear path all the way to the street in the front and a three-foot radius on all other sides.