Wear your boots in combination with wool socks to keep your feet as warm and dry as possible. [2] X Research source
Your shovel should have a long enough handle so that you can keep bending to a minimum while using it. Select a shovel that is right for your height. You may wish to choose a plastic shovel as opposed to a heavier metal one. There are two basic types of shovel: digging and pushing. It is far easier to push snow than it is to lift it, so if the snow is not too heavy try to push the snow rather than lift it. Consider a shovel with a smaller blade to lighten the load and reduce the risk of spinal injury. The blade is the part that actually shovels the snow.
Spraying a silicon lubricant on the shovel before using it will prevent snow from sticking to the surface. Alternatively, a non-stick surface can be produced at home by coating the blade of the snow shovel with shortening or vegetable oil. [1] X Research source
Be sure to remove clothing as you heat up, as sweat can become clammy on your skin and actually make you colder. Your skin should remain warm (not hot) and dry. Wear gloves that will prevent blisters and keep your hands warm and dry. You can also wear hand and foot warmers (like Hot Hands or Yaktrax Handwarmers/Footwarmers) in your gloves and shoes to prevent your hands and feet from getting too cold. You lose a large amount of body heat through your head. Wear a hat and earmuffs to retain that body heat and keep yourself warm. If it is very cold you may consider breathing through a scarf but be careful that it does not obstruct your view. [1] X Research source A cold-weather face mask is also a good option.
Be aware of areas which are uneven and could cause you to trip, slip or fall, causing injury.
Use your shoulder muscles as much as possible. Scoop small amounts of snow at a time so that they will not be too heavy. [1] X Research source
Choose a close location to dump loads so that you do not have to carry the snow far. If clearing a certain area then dump the first loads farthest away from you so that the last shovel loads will have to travel the shortest distance to be dumped. Do not throw snow over your shoulder! If you must lift snow then move it forward rather than throwing it backwards. [1] X Research source
Stretch while taking breaks to keep your muscles loose. Especially focus on your extremities (arms and legs) and back. [1] X Research source
Wait until the snowplow has come by before finishing the driveway. A snowplow will usually “plow in” the driveway at least a bit, pushing more snow onto the part of your driveway adjoining the road. It can be more efficient to suit up, stretch, and clear the driveway all at once. Use extra care when shoveling snow that is pushed onto your driveway by the plow. Plows pack the snow, making it much heavier than undisturbed, freshly fallen snow. One shovelful of snow can weigh 20 pounds (9kg) or more![1] X Research source
If you are clearing a rectangle, it is better to work from the center out. First clear a strip of snow around the perimeter of the rectangle. Then, starting in the center, push snow towards the cleared area. [4] X Research source From there, lift the snow out of the area. [5] X Research source
Sand provides traction, but if more snow falls on top, it will become useless. Salting the ground before or during a storm can actually increase the amount of snow on your sidewalks and driveways because dry snow sticks to a salted paved area but does not stick to an unsalted paved area.
