Windsorites prepare for winter after missing weekend wallop
As Niagara, midwestern Ontario and Buffalo, N.Y. found themselves buried by heavy snowfall caused by snow squalls over the weekend, it’s making some Windsorites wonder whether they’re prepared for a future winter wallop.
“We can go a winter season with very little snowfall or we can go with something similar to Buffalo, we just don't know. So it's always great to have the volunteers and people in need lined up so that we're ready to go if and when that need arises,” said Executive Director of Human Resources, Dana Paladino.
She's referring to the city's Snow Angels program, that is looking for volunteers to help clear snow.
“This year I think we already have about 344 people in need,” Paladino explained, “There's always more people in need than there are volunteers. Luckily some volunteers can be matched up with more than one individual, but we're always looking for volunteers to try and fill that gap.”
Meanwhile, Mike Bates, owner of Refine Fitness Studio on Wyandotte Street East said often times people do too much, too soon when it comes to shovelling snow.
“Shovelling snow is absolutely a workout,” Bates told CTV News Windsor. “If you haven't been exercising, you need to be extra, extra careful. But even if you have been exercising, you still need to be careful and you absolutely should do some form of a little simple warm up.”
Wingham, Ont., is seen on Nov.19, 2022 as it is walloped by lake-effect snow. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
Bates warned that serious injury can occur when shovelling snow, suggesting it’s a good idea to treat the seasonal activity like a gym workout.
“Very serious injuries can occur. No doubt about it,” Bates said. “Going from sitting on your couch or finishing up a day at work in the car and getting home and going outside and shoveling snow for 20 to 30 minutes is a recipe for disaster.”
So what’s the most efficient way to shovel snow?
“Use the legs, pick up smaller amounts. It's not a contest. Pick up smaller amounts,” said Bates. “I know all of us want to get the job done sooner but smaller amounts, take more time to do it. Take rests in between.”
He added, “Brace your core when you're bending down. That's super, super important and be careful with big huge twisting movements control those, your body's not using that when you have weight behind it. Really it's just like an exercise program. Learn proper technique, start out slow and take baby steps. So just lift little amounts and if you've got if you've got kids at home, make them earn their keep.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.