It's Cleanup Time in Alexandria: Tips for 'Healthy' Snow Shoveling

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The Alexandria Police Department posted a photo on its Facebook page of an Alexandria Police officer working the midnight shift getting in a little shoveling between responding to calls.

All across the City, residents are shoveling out after a monster blizzard walloped the area with 2 feet of snow over the weekend.

Now, it’s cleanup time. The City said that it will begin checking to be sure that sidewalks are shoveled; as of 9 p.m. Tuesday, it’s a requirement in Alexandria. Property owners and occupants must clear adjacent sidewalks. The City says to report a violation, use www.alexandriava.gov/SnowReport.

The City is asking residents to help elderly or disabled neighbors who are unable to shovel.

Here are some shoveling tips from one of our Patch sites in New York:

• If you have cardiovascular disease, pay someone else to clear your snow.
• Dress appropriately, wearing multiple layers of clothing, keeping as much skin covered as possible (frostbite can take place in much less time than you think).
• Shovel small sections at a time, taking frequent breaks.
• Do not overload the shovel with heavy amounts of snow.
• Bend at the knees when lifting the snow.
• Avoid twisting your body when moving the snow. Instead, move your feet in the direction you want to place the snow and toss it in front of you.
• If your back begins to bother you...STOP.
• If you experience chest pain...STOP IMMEDIATELY. If pain persists, is accompanied by numbness down your left arm, jaw pain, sweating or difficulty breathing, call 911.
• Drink plenty of water before you begin, to hydrate your muscles.
• Make it into a family affair and get help from the kids.

Story includes information from Long Beach (NY) Patch.