OCR Text |
Show Ityc THE DAILY HI.RALD. Hume 16 Marine. niky jurtwry 7, ) 2000 i SHOVELING SAFETY Sudden weakness, Knight Rldder Newipapen As storms hit, homeowners should evaluate options By Labor-savin- JIM QUINN Knight RidJcr Ncwpper It's going to happen sooner or later. Onu morning, you're going to wake up to a landscape. Whether it happens next week or next month, you'll find your driveway coated with enough hiiow to require some kind of action if you want to get yf)iir car out of the driveway. There's no doubt that it's going to snow. The only questions are, How much? When? Should you shovel? Should you look at get a snowblower? each question, one at a time. Know-covere- d Jt's On the mild side Whether the cause is Global Warming or the La Nifta weather pattern, much of the nation has enjoyed several years of warmer winters with less snowfall. Although weather forecasts remain more an art than a science, both the Formers' Almanac and the National Weather Service expect a mild winter, "A more moderate winter hfciiHon appears to be on the way," according, to the Almanac's national forecast for . Climate The Prediction Center for the National Weather Service agrees, calling for slightly warmer average temperatures for the season. Don't put the shovel in storage just yet, though. The weather service says the nation remains under the control of the La Nina winds in the upper atmosphere, which mukes the weather more variable. Most of the nation is expected to get more storms overall, and more precipitation in the form of long-rang- e 1999-2000- snow. Danger signs Every authorities winter, medical issue warnings about snow shoveling, saying it's a dangerous activity for certain folks. Does that mean you? According to the American Heart Association, you should not shovel or use a snowblower ntall if you are elderly, if you have any form of heart disease or if you are at a high risk of heart disease. The problem, the association's doctors say, is that, cold weather puts stress on the body and causes some blood vessels to. constrict. Kxercise during cold weather tends to be much more stressful. devices g Single-stag- If you plan to get rid of the snow yourself, the basic question is this: Do you shovel, or do you blow? This year there's a new twist on the old, technique. Several manufacturers are selling ergonomic show shovel designs that are intended to make the work less difficult. Most home centers offer some version of these shovels, along with more traditional designs. One design that seems to be especially popular this season low-tec- h handle features an intended to reduce the stress on your back. Steve Peck, president of Rugg Manufacturing Co. in Greenfield, Mass,, said the curved design has been around for more than 30 years, but has never been as popular as right now. "The idea is to allow you to work in a more upright position so you do more work with your shoulders and upper back, and less with your lower back," Peck said. His company's which is carried by numerous national retail outlets, sells for $16 to $24. For the same price, consumers can buy the company's r if they shovel can find it. This Bhovel looks "more conventional, but it features a patented steel shock absorber in the handle. Peck said it was invented by a man who injured himself when he hit a rock while shoveling. The shock absorber reduces the jolt when you hit a rock, brick, or crack. Although some of the shovels are sold through the Lowe's chain, most consumers won't r be able to buy the unless they call the company directly at You're in for a much more complicated decision if you opt for a snowblower. Hack-Save- r, Shock-Save- Shock-Save- Demand for snowblowers Rick Erickson, manager of the Sears Hardware Store in the. Ellet area of Akron, Ohio, said snowblowers are selling better than shovels this year. "I could sell more if I could get them," said Erickson, adding that the smaller blowers are especially scarce. think that people must anticipate a lot of snow, because there's been a lot of "I interest in snowblowers," Erickson. Mechanically, there are two basic types of snowblowers. blowers e are small, light machines equipped with a rotating blade that picks up the snow and throws it in one smooth motion. blowers are bigger, more powerful machines with a rotating blade that picks up the snow and a second blade that pushes it up and away. Each type attracts a certain type of customer, Erickson said. Elderly consumers gravitate toward the smaller, lighter Two-stag- e machines; Sears' one-stag- e most popular model for these customers has been a $350 blower equipped with a engine, he said. Younger customers about 25 to 35 years old gravitate toward bigger, more powerful blowers that sell for to $600 $700, Erickson said. Sudden change in vision, especially in only one eye. Sudden loss of speech. th ere's a misconception that its safer for women to shovel snow because they are at less risk for heart attack. The problem with this theory is that the difference in risk factors disappears after menopause, according to the heart association. Since this is the age group that experiences the most problems with snow shoveling, it's not usually a good idea to cdnsider snow shoveling to be women's work. Because so many people with heart conditions don't know It, there's a chance the first sign of trouble will come In The association says you should Immediately stop shoveling and get indoors If you experience any of the following symptoms of heart attack or stroke: An uncomfortable feeling of pressure or fullness In the center of your chest. mid-shove- l. Pain in the chest that spreads to your shoulders, neck or arms. t Feelings of faintness, nausea or sudden sweating. Visit us online com www.hcraldoxtra V two-stag- e These machines are 'much faster and are recommended icr for homeowners with big drive- ways, but they require more strength to operate, he said. You can find advice on the from Internet numb- ness or headache. Buy Now Thru Dec. 31st http;www.whatsthebe8tsnow' blower.com by operated What's The Best Guides; the concern also operates Web sites devoted to leaf blowers, weed trimmers, chain saws, trash compactors and garden tillers. Although the site does not recommend specific brands, it maintains listings of dozens of different types of blowers by five different manufacturers. By scanning the listings, you can see what's available among small, machines selling for Icbb than $300 all the way up to big, blowers that cost more than $2,200. Erickson, 55, said he clears his driveway with a blower he purchased three years ago, "It has worked great," he said, Medical concerns didn't influence his purchase, he said. "Shoveling is just too Drs! i .. SPANISH FORK RANCH PREMIER HOME COMMUNITY" "UTAH VAllEY Centrally Located at 1100 E. Expressway Lane, Spanish Fork Homes starting 3-- 4 as low as $68,000 Bedrooms, 2 Baths. Models with 2 car attached garage Convenient Location Easy Access to -15 Jfk JUfediyie you Sjetewe much work," said Erickson. CxdutUtefy Mankded 3iif OAK CREEK V I 19 nw hu coming toonl Only 14 loll Ivfl In Pba II Sveludtd J--4 aim lull with imtacular lulu mln vlnui, Wtitrr, jxiuvr, Ivluphon, tlectrtmic Rtttrvt Nowl gated ttHmm-t- , limnii A batheball ctmrti, 11001 from boat launch, inilvi of year round nicrvuUonal Iralli & llay antut nvarliy ' ASPEN OV.E (W)l)4H'J-772- 7 OwmrAgenl- "your one-no- 1 L A O t home source ' Call us today, or 489-334- 4 K 945 stop N. Springville in 2000W. 1 |