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Yes, People Actually Die from Shoveling Snow

1/11/2019

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Far be it from us to be fearmongers, but it’s true. About 100 people die in the U.S. every year during everybody’s favorite form of exercise: snow shoveling. But why is that? A study from researchers at the U.S. Nationwide Children’s Hospital looked at data from across a 17-year span from 1990-2006. During that time, there were 1,647 cardiac-related deaths related to snow shoveling.

Barry Franklin, director of preventative cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI, says, “I believe we lose hundreds of people each year because of this activity.” Much more than what was documented in the Children’s Hospital study.

The physiology of snow shoveling involves increases in heart rate and blood pressure that are greater than what is seen when running on a treadmill. Franklin continues, “Combine this with cold air, which causes arteries to constrict and decrease blood supply, you have a perfect storm for a heart attack.”

Whereas most exercises in which we commonly partake primarily rely heavily on the legs, the arm work of snow shoveling seems particularly taxing to our bodies. When we strain to lift snow, particularly the wet and heavy stuff, it is more likely to prompt a sudden surge in heart rate and blood pressure.

To further complicate the matter, many people—who knows why?—also hold their breath while shoveling snow. This reduces oxygen flow at a time when the body needs it most, further taxing the cardiac system. The cherry on the sundae is that the most common time for snow shoveling is between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., which is usually when our natural circadian fluctuations render us more vulnerable to heart attacks.

In fact, Franklin believes snow shoveling can be such a dangerous activity, that he recommends people ages 55+ should refrain from doing it.

He says, “People at greatest risk are those who are habitually sedentary with known or suspected coronary disease, who go out once a year to clear snow.” He added that smoking and obesity, predictably, increase the risk of heart attack by quite a bit. Finally, he recommended that, if you must shovel snow, try to push the snow instead of lift it; allow yourself regular breaks; dress in layers; and, don’t smoke or even eat right before you start shoveling.

In Conclusion
At E.P.M., we are big advocates of smart shoveling. Plan ahead. Take breaks when you need them. Shovel lesser amounts of snow more frequently rather than waiting to shovel a huge amount all at once.

Of course, if you or someone you know is in need of commercial snow shoveling services, don’t hesitate to contact us online or give us a call at (517) 990-0110 today!


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The Quickest Way to Remove Snow from Your Car

1/11/2019

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Is it cold? Yes. Do you want to spend all morning cleaning off the car? No. Here are some pointers on how to do it as quickly as possible so you can have some more hot coffee before heading off to the daily grind.

Step 1: If you park your car in a driveway, as opposed to on the street or in a lot, get ready for the storm by parking as close the street as you can get, but be mindful not to block the sidewalk. When you do this, you don’t have to get up extra early to shovel the whole driveway to get out. You can clear the driveway when you want to. Plus, if you aim to remove that snow later, the sun might help take care of some that by the time you get to it.

Step 2: Clear snow from around your tires before you get to shoveling the rest of the driveway. Also, while you are down there, be sure your exhaust pipe is free from any snow buildup. If that is blocked, it could lead to a carbon monoxide buildup inside the car when you turn it on. And that stuff is deadly.

Step 3: Gently start to remove the snow from your car with a non-abrasive broom or foam brush. Improper snow removal techniques are a common cause of scratches in your car’s paint. Even a nylon brush can, over time, leave many little scratches in the finish that become visible when the car is washed and the sun is shining on it. And, for goodness sake, please don’t try to remove the snow with a shovel. (Yes, some people actually try this.) If you use a shovel, you are setting yourself up from some serious scratches that will lead to some serious bills at your local body shop.

Step 4: Start the snow removal at the top of the car. Work your way down from the roof, to the windows, to the trunk/hood, to the lights, and bumpers. Pulling the snow, rather than pushing it, gives you more control. Try your best to keep your swipes in a straight line. This technique helps prevent accidental scratches from being as visible.

Step 5: Know when to good enough is good enough. You don’t have to brush off every single snowflake. Turn up the heat and defroster and let the heat from the engine do some of the work. If, for some reason, that is not doing a good enough job, then you’ll want to stop driving and finish what is left. It’s worth noting that driving around with too much snow on your car is a hazard. In some cases, it’s even illegal.

In Conclusion
If you or someone you know is in need of commercial snow removal services, don’t hesitate to contact us online or give us a call at (517) 990-0110 today!

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How to Safely Remove Snow and Ice from Your Deck

1/11/2019

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When the inevitable winter storms come through, they can pile up a lot of snow and ice on your deck in a relatively short period of time. This snow and ice and pose problems for your deck, so it’s ideal to remove them. Sadly, improper removal techniques can do a real number on your deck, whether its wood or composite. Wood, however, usually sees the worst of it. Here are some tips on ways to safely remove snow and ice from your deck.

Does That Snow Really Need Removing?
The old adage is that you need to remove snow and ice from your deck so that moisture doesn’t cause damage or your deck doesn’t collapse under the weight of the snow and ice. The reality is that, if you are using a high-quality waterproof sealant on your deck, it should do a fine job of prevent against moisture damage from snow and ice. Also, if your deck is well-built, it should be able to handle up to about three feet of snow. It’s not often we get that much snow at once, so the urgent need to remove snow can usually be spread out across a few days. Of course, you could always let the sun do some melting for you, too. Still, you can still slip and fall on even the slightest amount of ice. So you’ll want to make sure your railings are stable, as you will need them for balance in icy conditions.

Eventually, however, you’re going to have to remove that snow and ice. We’ve assembled some pointers to keep your deck in good shape and keep you safe in the process.

Removing Snow and Ice from Your Deck
When you are removing snow and ice from your deck, there are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind.
  • Don’t use a metal shovel. Instead, use a shovel with a plastic or rubber blade. Using a metal shovel is a quick way to scratch the bejeepers out of your deck. If, for some reason, a metal shovel is your only option, then don’t let it come in direct contact with the deck surface. It’s okay to leave a thin layer of snow if it means preserving the deck surface.
  • Shovel with the deck boards, not against them. If you shovel perpendicular to the way the boards run, you increase the risk of catching the side of some boards and damaging them.
  • Sweep light snow with a broom. If it is light snow and it is not too deep, a broom could be the easiest way to clear that type of snow. It also greatly reduces the risk of scratching your deck. You could also use a leaf blower.
  • Don’t shatter ice on your deck. Seriously, don’t do it. I know it can be really tempting to shatter that ice, but don’t do it. This can do a lot of damage to your deck boards, especially if you are ignoring the first tip and whacking away with a metal shovel.
  • Use the right de-icer for your deck. Calcium chloride and salt are generally seen as safe for composite decks, but if you have a wood deck, you want to be extra careful when choosing the right de-icer. Do some research for which products are safe to use. Also, be mindful of products that have added colorants. They exist and they can stain your deck. If you opt to use simple salt in your wood deck, be sure to rinse your deck down after the snow is gone. Salt residue can corrode your deck hardware, leading to early replacement.
  • Don’t use sand for a wood deck. While sand can, in some cases, be used as an alternative to de-icers, it works because it is so abrasive. If you put sand on your wood deck, then walk all over it, you might as well be walking around with sandpaper soles on your shoes.
  • Clear icicles that are hanging above your deck. In winter weather, it can be common for icicles to form along eaves and other parts of the roof line. If these are suspended over your deck (or any other entryways, really), they should be cleared. They are not only a hazard to humans, but they are sharp and, if they fall, can damage the wood on your deck.

With these tips in your pocket, you should be able to keep your deck in tip-top shape in winter and avoid weather-related damage.

In Conclusion
If you or someone you know is in need of commercial snow removal services, don’t hesitate to contact us online or give us a call at (517) 990-0110 today!

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  • Home
  • Services
    • Concrete Services
    • Commercial Snow Removal >
      • Commercial Snow Plowing
      • Commercial Snow Shoveling
      • Commercial Salting and Deicing
    • Commercial Grounds Maintenance >
      • Commercial Landscaping Maintenance
      • Commercial Lawn Aeration
      • Commercial Lawn Fertilization
      • Commercial Lawn Maintenance
      • Commercial Weed Control
    • Landscaping >
      • Block Retaining Walls
      • Boulder Retaining Walls
      • Stone Retaining Walls
      • Decorative Brick Paving
      • Landscape Design / Installation
      • Landscape Removal
      • Tree and Shrub Care
      • Tree and Shrub Planting
    • Residential Lawn Care >
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      • Weed Control
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