Snow clearing your sidewalk is necessary to provide a safe walking surface, but you must be careful shoveling snow or you risk hurting yourself. Use a light shovel and one that has a scoop that doesn’t hold more snow than you can move safely. Your hands should be about 12 inches apart on the handle and at a position that allows you to bend forwards slightly and have the blade reach the ground slightly in front of your forward foot.

Walk ahead, rather than lean forwards, as you load up the blade to a lift size that is right for you. Lift with your legs; walk to where you need to dump the snow and throw it straight ahead WITHOUT TWISTING your back. Alternate the side of the body you hold the shovel on. Take rest breaks. And if your physical or medical health is compromised, hire someone to do your snow clearing.