How to Shovel Snow Safely in Calgary

Clearing snow is a chore many people dread, but with the right tools and techniques, you can make the task of shoveling your sidewalk, steps, and driveway much easier. This guide will show you how to effectively shovel snow, highlight the essential equipment you’ll need, and provide safety tips to help prevent injuries, tailored specifically for Calgary, Alberta’s winter conditions.¹

1. Safely Shovel Snow

Clearing snow is a physically demanding task that can also pose significant risks. Injuries such as muscle strains, fractures, cuts, and even heart attacks can occur while shoveling snow. Here are some safety tips to help you stay safe while tackling this winter chore in Calgary, Alberta:

• Don’t overexert yourself: Cold weather causes your arteries to constrict, making your heart work harder. This, combined with the physical effort of shoveling, can increase the risk of a heart attack for some individuals.²
• Seek medical attention if needed: If you experience chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or other signs of a heart attack, seek medical help immediately.
• Warm up before starting: Just like any other physical activity, warming up is crucial. Stretch and do light exercises to gradually increase your heart rate.³
• Pace yourself: Work in sections and take short breaks in between to avoid overexertion.
• Shovel smart: Shoveling smaller amounts of snow over a longer period can be less strenuous and more effective than lifting heavy loads.
• Dress appropriately: Wear layers to keep your body and extremities warm. Sturdy boots can help prevent falls on slippery surfaces.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that snow shoveling is safer and more manageable.

2. Adhere to Snow Shoveling Tips

Before heading outside to shovel snow, it’s essential to develop a plan using these tips. If the snowfall has stopped, work in sections to systematically clear your driveway and sidewalk. If it’s still snowing, make an initial pass to make complete removal easier once the storm has passed.

• Clear a path to your vehicle: If you park in the driveway, start by clearing a path to your car. Start the car and turn on the window defrosters to make snow and ice removal easier after you’ve shoveled the driveway.
• Leave the driveway entrance for last: Save the area where the driveway meets the street for last, as passing snow plows might cover the space you’ve already cleared.
• Clear around fire hydrants and storm drains: If there’s a fire hydrant or storm drain along your curb, make sure to remove snow from around them.
• Avoid shoveling the same snow twice: Throw scoops of snow completely out of the area that needs to be cleared to avoid double work.
• Use the wind to your advantage: Shovel snow in the direction the wind is blowing whenever possible to make the task easier.
• Protect your plants: Be mindful of your shrubs and other plants. Aim your snow tosses away from plants that could be damaged by heavy scoops of snow.
• Check for drifting snow: Remove any drifting snow that has reached the height of the dryer vent on the side of your house. If the vent faces the driveway, avoid piling snow in front of it.

3. Make Use of Appropriate Snow shoveling Tools

Chief Mass Communication Specialist Mary Popejoy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Using the right equipment can significantly reduce the risk of injury and make your snow removal tasks much easier. There’s lot’s of Good Deals Locally or if you plan ahead Amazon has some great deals!⁴

• Snow shovel blades: Available in metal or plastic, metal blades are more effective for hard-packed snow. Applying non-stick cooking spray to the blade can prevent snow and ice from sticking.
• Shovels and other tools: While shovels are great for scooping and throwing snow from sidewalks and driveways, other tools are designed for specific tasks and smaller amounts of snow.
• Snow pushers: These have curved blades that are often broader than typical shovels, designed to plow, push, and roll lesser accumulations of snow and slush from wide areas.
• Ice scrapers: Available in various styles for different tasks. A common car ice scraper/snow brush can clear your windshield, while a snow broom with a longer handle can push heavy, wet snow off your vehicle. A sidewalk scraper with a heavy metal blade can chip through accumulated ice.
• Ergonomic snow shovels: These shovels can reduce back strain and promote better hand positioning and foot placement, providing greater leverage while shoveling.
• Roof rakes: Commonly used in areas with significant snowfall, these have telescoping handles that allow you to remove snow from roofs while standing on the ground.

After shoveling, spread ice melt around the area to remove any remaining snow and ice.

Using a snow blower can be particularly helpful if you live in a region that regularly receives significant snowfall.⁵

4. Follow Snow Shoveling Tips

Before heading outside to shovel snow, it’s important to develop a plan using these tips. If the snowfall has stopped, work in sections to systematically clear your driveway and sidewalk. If it’s still snowing, make an initial pass to make complete removal easier once the storm has passed.

• Clear a path to your vehicle: If you park in the driveway, start by clearing a path to your car. Start the car and turn on the window defrosters to make snow and ice removal easier after you’ve shoveled the driveway.
• Leave the driveway entrance for last: Save the area where the driveway meets the street for last, as passing snow plows might cover the space you’ve already cleared.
• Clear around fire hydrants and storm drains: If there’s a fire hydrant or storm drain along your curb, make sure to remove snow from around them.
• Avoid shoveling the same snow twice: Throw scoops of snow completely out of the area that needs to be cleared to avoid double work.
• Use the wind to your advantage: Shovel snow in the direction the wind is blowing whenever possible to make the task easier.
• Protect your plants: Be mindful of your shrubs and other plants. Aim your snow tosses away from plants that could be damaged by heavy scoops of snow.⁶
• Check for drifting snow: Remove any drifting snow that has reached the height of the dryer vent on the side of your house. If the vent faces the driveway, avoid piling snow in front of it.

By following these steps, you can make snow shoveling more efficient and safer, especially in Calgary’s winter conditions.

5. Calgary By-Laws For Snow Removal

Mitchell Smith, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Calgary, it’s important to be aware of the local bylaws regarding snow removal to ensure safety and compliance⁷

• Responsibility: Property owners must remove snow and ice from public sidewalks bordering their property within 24 hours of a snowfall ending. This includes clearing a minimum width of 1.5 meters down to the bare surface.
• Rental Properties: Owners of rental properties are responsible for arranging snow and ice removal if they do not reside on the property.
• Snow Disposal: Snow from private driveways or walkways must be piled on the owner’s property, such as the front lawn. Snow from public sidewalks or pathways can be shoveled onto other public properties, like roads.
• Noise Exemption: Motorized snow-clearing equipment can be used at any time during the 48-hour period following a snowfall to ensure walkways are safe and accessible.
• Penalties: Failure to comply with these bylaws can result in fines. The first offense may incur a fine of $250, with repeat offenses leading to higher fines and potential court appearances. The City may also clear the sidewalk on behalf of the property owner and charge a minimum flat rate of $150 plus GST and an administration fee.

By adhering to these bylaws, you can help keep Calgary’s sidewalks safe and accessible during the winter months.

Sources

Image by pvproductions on Freepik

1. https://www.calgary.ca/ ↩︎
2. https://mycalgary.com/ ↩︎
3. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca ↩︎
4. https://amzn.to/3WqlolD ↩︎
5. https://www.arns.ca/ ↩︎
6. https://www.calgary.ca/ ↩︎
7. https://www.calgary.ca/ ↩︎