Health Tip: Shovel Snow Safely

(HealthDay News) — Snow shoveling is a factor in thousands of injuries and as many as 100 deaths in the United States each year.

The National Safety Council suggests how to shovel safely:

• Do not shovel after eating or while smoking.
• Take it slow and stretch out before you begin.
• Shovel only fresh, powdery snow; it’s lighter
• Push the snow, rather than lifting it.
• If you do lift snow, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel.
• Lift with your legs, not your back.
• Do not work to the point of exhaustion.