With a fresh wave of storms hitting the Midwest and Northeast, winter-weary folks are gearing up to dig their way out from yet another snowstorm.
Not only can shoveling be onerous, it can be dangerous, too.
According to a new study in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, shoveling snow can raise heart rates to dangerous levels after just two minutes.
Wall Street Journal writer Wendy Bounds appeared on "Good Morning America" today to discuss the newest tools – including electric shovels and snow-melting mats – that help make snow cleanup easier and safer.
Today's shovels have gotten a makeover. Rather than just a piece of steel on a stick, they have curved handles and deep scoops for shoveling or pushing snow while putting less strain on your heart and back.
How many of you leave work, come out of the train station and find your car is covered with snow?
These are even easier on the body and are a great option for the estimated 76 million baby boomers who are approaching retirement age, Bounds said.
They work with heavy grade power cords and start with the push of a button. They don't require gasoline, oil or spark plugs, so you won't get fumes on your clothes before you leave for work.
Snow melting mats take all the hassle out of snow clean up.
It's important to know what type of snow you'll be cleaning. Light and fluffy snow requires a different technique compared with heavy, wet snow.
1. If it's light and fluffy, you can push it. Start in driveway center and push snow the longest distance to edge of driveway while you're fresh. The path will resemble a gentle arch.
2. Walk back to start (allow your body to recover) and push the longest distance to other side.
3. Go back to start, turn around and work in opposite direction.
4. Repeat this process in a spider web fashion, with passes getting shorter and shorter.
5. With heavy, wet snow, start in driveway's middle, scoop up snow and walk or throw it as far off to side of driveway as you can. Dump and repeat, working outward from the middle. This allows you to move snow shortest distance once you get tired.
Other tips:
Source: Ames True Temper
1. Cut a path straight down middle of driveway with the chute facing one direction.
2. Without adjusting the chute, turn the machine around 180 degrees and come back to the start, slightly overlapping your last path. The chute will now throw snow in the other direction.
3. Return to the beginning of the driveway. Turn the machine same direction as before and clear a strip on the opposite side.
4. Continue making circles outward.
Other tips:
Sources: Toro Company; Ariens Company.