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Safety Tips

  • When shovelling, don't twist as you lift the snow – lift, then use your feet to turn if needed. Walk to dump snow rather than throwing.



  • To shovel safely, stand with your feet at hip width for balance, hold the shovel close to your body and space your hands apart on the shovel handle to get more leverage.Push snow rather than lifting it as much as possible.
  • Set a time limit for how long you will shovel before taking an extended rest. Try to shovel when the snow reaches the two-inch mark, even if it's still snowing. New snow is easier to shovel, as it is light and less compact.
  • Wait an hour or two after eating before you shovel. Avoid caffeine or nicotine just before shovelling, as both will increase your heart rate.
  • Choose a sturdy, lightweight shovel with an ergonomically curved handle - it will reduce fatigue and prevent injury. You can even spray the blade with a silicone-based lubricant to help the snow slide instead of stick.
  • Equip yourself to shovel your driveway with warm layers, boots with non-skid or no-slip rubber soles, and a bottle of water.
  • If you must go on to the ice to rescue someone who has fallen through, wear a lifejacket and test the ice in front of you with a branch. Near the break, lie down and slowly crawl forward. Extend your pole or rope to the person. Have them kick while you pull.
  • If you need to rescue someone who has fallen through the ice, stay on shore if possible and use a long pole, branch or rope to reach the other person.
  • If you are alone and fall through the ice, use the air in your clothing to get into a floating position on your stomach. Reach onto the ice, kicking your legs to push your torso onto the ice. Crawl or roll away from the open area and spread out as far as possible. Don't stand up!
  • Take notice of all trail signs. Check trail conditions on the Snoman and Manitoba Parks websites.
  • Always approach winter trails on lakes and rivers with caution. Ice colour can tell you something about its strength: clear blue ice is strongest; white opaque or snow ice is half as strong as blue ice; grey ice is unsafe.
  • Keep a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle, including: windshield scraper, snow brush, lightweight shovel, bag of sand or traction mat, properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and jack, first aid kit, flares, battery jumper cables, blanket, candles, lighter or matches, warm clothing and non-perishable snacks.
  • To see and be seen in winter, switch to winter wiper blades and cold weather washer fluid.
  • Do a pre-winter tune-up on your vehicle to keep it running smoothly through the cold. The tune-up should include: looking for worn spark plugs and faulty wiring; checking the cooling, braking and exhaust systems; changing the oil and filter; and checking the fuel, air and transmission filters.
  • Install snow tires in the last weeks of October to prepare for winter. Snow tires increase your traction and reduce your stopping distance on slippery surfaces.
  • Increase lighting around walkways and stairs to prevent slips, trips and falls. Highlight uneven surfaces with tape or paint in easy-to-see colours.
  • Keep walkways clear of liquid, ice, snow, gravel, sand and clutter. Move extension cords out of paths when possible. If you cannot clear the hazard, mark it with signs or guard it with cones or tape.
  • Inspect your workplace for common slip and trip hazards: wet or oily surfaces, ice or snow, loose gravel or sand, spills, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, extension cords, clutter and poor housekeeping.
  • Install a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified CO detector with an audible alarm to warn you of high CO concentrations in your home. The most important place to install a detector is in hallways, outside of sleeping areas.
  • Ice can look thicker than it actually is. Be on the lookout for warning signs that tell you to stay off the ice.   
  • How thick does ice need to be to be safe? It should be 15 cm for walking or skating alone, 20 cm for skating parties or games and 25 cm for snowmobiles.
  • Use SLIDE to improve ice safety: Supervise (watch children around water/ice at all times), Learn what to do in case of emergency, Implement a safety plan, Dress Appropriately, Educate (learn how to be safe and teach your children how to be safe).

  • Cuts, amputations, crush injuries and fractures are the most common hand injuries.

  • Never ride the inching pedal when operating a lift truck. This causes premature transmission and brake wear.

  • Before you mow - check your lawn for items like sticks, rocks, toys, sports equipment, dog bones, wire and equipment parts. Make sure miscellaneous items are not hidden in tall grass. Also look for and remember immovable objects, such as pipes or partially buried rocks.
  • Use the 1:4 ratio to ensure a stable working platform.
    Place the base of the ladder 1 foot away of whatever it leans against for every 4 feet of height to the point where the ladder contacts at the top.    
  • Be your child's lifeguard!
    Make sure children are well supervised by adults at all times in, on and around the water.
  • Sunglasses are one of the best lines of defense against damaging radiation from sunlight. Wear lenses that are labeled 98 percent to 100 percent UV protection. Amber lenses block HEV light and newly developed lenses that incorporate synthetic melanin reduce HEV light without significant loss in color perception.
  • Handrails and proper lighting in stairwells will help prevent falls.
  • Position your computer monitor away from and at a right angle to windows to reduce glare.

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