[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For those who aren’t used to countries with Winter weather, experiencing your first Winter in Canada can be a bit of a stressful, and sometimes dangerous event. For newcomers and immigrants to Canada, its important to know about the potential hazards of Winter, making sure to remove snow safely, clearing your driveway, and removing ice with salt to prevent slips and falls. This article is your ultimate
guide to snow removal, so you can survive your first Winter without the risk of injury.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4012″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]
1. Be Prepared with the Snow Removal Essentials
Before you begin removing snow, its important to get some essentials in order. First, you should
speak to a family doctor in order to make sure you have no pre-existing conditions which could cause you harm when removing snow. This is because snow removal is a highly physical activity, and those with heart or blood pressure issues may not be able to complete the work safely. Next, you’ll need your snow removal tool; whether it be a shovel, snow blower, or plow. Depending on if the snow is light and dusting or heavy, frozen, and ice like; it’s important to know which tool is right for the job. Next, be sure to check the temperature. You don’t want to waste time shovelling light snow if the sun may melt in an hour later, and in turn you also don’t want to be shovelling snow in sub-zero temperatures.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4011″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]
2. The Right Shovel Can Make all the Difference
Despite what you might think, there are several different types of shovels you can utilize when removing snow. First, there’s the standard shovel; typically made of a wood handle and a plastic end, often with a metal edge for breaking up chunks of ice or frozen snow. These shovels offer leverage for the heavy lifting involved in order to low the usage of your back and prevent injury. There are also telescoping shovels, which are collapsible shovels that can be stored in your vehicle and utilized in emergency situations. While they may be smaller than conventional shovels, they’re still good in a pinch. Finally, there’s what is known as a “corn scoop” shovel. These shovels are great for lifting wet, heavy snow, but their shovel end is not particularly good for larger areas in need of clean-up.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4013″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]
3. Prevent Snow From Sticking on your Shovel
One issue you may experience while shoveling is snow sticking to your shovel. This can increase the weight of the amount of snow you’re moving, which could increase the strain on your body or cause injuries to your back. Thankfully, this is an easy issue to solve, and using a variety of petroleum based products; you can create a coating on your shovel to prevent sticking and in turn, extra weight. You can utilized oil based sprays and spreads, petroleum jelly, or even wax. Keep in mind however, these substances can cause rusting to the metal blade of your shovel; so be careful when applying it to your tool.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4007″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]
4. Choosing a snow blower
Now it’s time to discuss choosing a snow blower for heavy snow removal during or after blizzards. There are gas & electric models available, with gas models being considered more powerful. Moreover, electric models may lose power and require extension cords which can become tangled or damaged, and thus are hazardous. Additionally, you can purchase features and attachments for your snow blower such as lamps, multi-speed and gear shifts, plexi-glass shieldings, drift cutters, cabs, ice scrapers, heated grips, tire chains, or weight bars. You should also be diligent in reading reviews for various snow blower models so you can make an informed purchase.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4008″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]
5. Melting Your Ice: What Should You Choose
One common threat in Winter is ice. Whether its a clear sheet of ice, or the even more hazardous black ice; melting it is important in order to prevent potential injury from slips and falls. While rock salt is the common choice for businesses and individuals alike, it relies on a chemical process which is largely determined by the temperature. This means depending on the weather, rock salt might not work as intended. However, there are some alternatives such as using table salt and other similar compounds.
Keep in mind however, this can cause rust to vehicles and possibly do damage to vegetation or wildlife. Hot water can also be utilized for melt ice and snow, however it is recommended to use caution to prevent slipping, spilling the water, and possibly being burned.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4014″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]
6. Freeing your Car in the Event you get Stuck
Another very real reality of Winter weather is that your vehicle may become stuck. Thankfully, if you’re prepared for the situation; freeing your vehicle from snow or ice can be less of a headache. Start by clearing the snow and ice around your tires, digging them out as much as you can.
Next, remove as much snow an ice from underneath and around the vehicle as you can.
Then, if you have a pair of snow chains for your vehicle, install them in order to gain better traction. You can also create small paths of traction by laying out rock salt, cat litter, pieces of carboard, pieces of wood. Anything to give the drive wheels more traction. Slowly apply the throttle and see if you can move the vehicle.
If you have a capable passenger, you may want to have them push.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]
