How To Prepare For More Rain, And Snow – Safety Tips For Shoveling

Another in a series of storms will hit the Southland this week, with rain arriving as early as Sunday and intensifying Monday through Wednesday, forecasters said Saturday.

The weather system will also bring colder temperatures to the area, with daytime highs dropping into the low 60s on Monday and the mid-50s on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

A weak storm system will bring a chance of rain to the area late Saturday into Sunday, then a stronger storm system will likely bring heavier rain Monday through Wednesday, the NWS said.

Rainfall totals for Tuesday through Wednesday are expected to be 1 to 2 inches across the coasts and valleys and 2 to 4 inches in the mountains.

Snow levels will start out at about 5,000 feet but will quickly fall to 4,000 feet Tuesday afternoon and then to 3,000 feet Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning — low enough to bring accumulating snow to the major mountain passes. The weather service said 2 inches of snow is possible with this system.

Source: CBS NEWS

Snow Shoveling Safety Tips

1-Consult Your Physician.

You might be better off sitting out this shoveling season if you have a history of problems with exertion, shoveling, lifting, and so on. If your doctor believes you aren’t ready to shovel, they are probably correct.

2-Make An Effort To Stretch Your Muscles.

Shoveling is a strenuous activity that should be approached similarly to going to the gym. Warming up and stretching your muscles before engaging in physical activity can help you avoid injuries and prepare your heart for physical activity.

3-Shovel Frequently.

Shoveling often is one of the best ways to avoid injury and ice build-up. Rather than waiting until Nature has given you everything, get out early and often and work your way through the heavy white stuff one step at a time. When you’ve cleared enough snow to reach the pavement, use sand, salt, or a driveway-safe ice melt like a safe paw to prevent ice from forming.

How to protect your pet’s paws in winter?

Every pet owner’s most common problem is sticky dirty snow, clogged between the pads, forming lumps of ice on the fur and hair which injure the delicate skin. The solution could be shoes for dogs. However, it isn’t always possible to find a suitable option and not all pets safely tolerate walking in shoes, which are completely unnatural to them.

To make sure your pets paws are safe you can follow these simple procedures:

1. Before going out wax your pet’s pads and the areas between them with Vaseline or a special cream for dogs, protecting animal paws in winter. You can also use butter, just don’t let it walk on the carpet.
2. After walking, thoroughly wash your pet’s paws in warm water and gently wipe with a soft towel or cloth. It is crucial to use warm and not hot water, as it may lead to the formation of cracks in the paws.
3. Carefully inspect paws for any irritation, inflammation or cuts. If you find anything, it will require an immediate treatment. Use any lubrication ointment that heals wounds. After applying the ointment to your pet’s paws put some socks on them, so your pet will not be able to lick it off.
4. Such chemicals as salt and other harmful reagents found in snow may cause an allergic reaction, so it is highly advisable to have an anti-allergic ointment to relieve a local reaction on the skin. A great way to protect pet’s paws in the winter is with Safe Paw pet friendly ice melt.
5. Don’t forget that in winter claws aren’t worn down, so you would have to cut the claws yourself more frequently than during other seasons.

Regardless of what happens, we desperately need any kind of wet weather to help our current and expanding drought. Winter rains and snows are usually good drought-busters, but this year, timing may not be on our side.

Use An Ice Melter To Treat The Surface.

Preventative maintenance with an ice melter prepares the driveway surface for snowfall. Safe Paw is an ice melter that is non-toxic, pet-friendly, and environmentally friendly. It can go a long way toward preventing ice accumulation. It’s designed to melt ice and make it easier to get through the winter months without having to shovel your driveway. If you are thinking about where to buy safe paw? It’s easy to find online, and you can also pick it up in person from the store.

Wrapping Up!

A plastic blade can make quick work of lighter snow without tiring you out, but having a sturdy metal snow shovel on hand can give you the extra leverage you need to move thick, wet snow and scrape through tough ice. Having one of each can help you tackle snow shoveling more efficiently.

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