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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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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! 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.
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! |
Our Services:Commercial Snow Removal
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Contact & Location:Phone: (517) 990-0110
Email: nick@epmofmichigan.com 2840 Shirley Drive
Jackson, MI 49201 |
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