We’re only a few weeks into winter, but we’ve already seen our fair share of snow here in Western New York. Shoveling snow is a pretty routine activity in our area, but it’s important to remember that strenuous shoveling can result in injuries if you’re not careful. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 158,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for shoveling-related injuries in the winter of 2015.

The good news is, the vast majority of these injuries are very preventable. By taking a few simple precautions, you can keep walkways clear without putting your health at risk.

Dress Appropriately.

Wear light, layered clothing with a waterproof outer layer, and try to avoid cotton garments. Protect your extremities with mittens, thick wool socks and a warm hat. If you feel yourself overheating, shed a layer or two and take a break until you feel comfortable again.

Don’t wait for the storm to end.

Instead of waiting to shovel a foot of snow all at once, it’s much safer and easier to shovel a few inches of snow at a time. When the snow starts to fall, go outside and do a little shoveling once every couple of hours so that you never have to clear too much snow at one time.

Push, rather than lift.

Using a shovel to push snow out of the way is less strenuous than using it to lift heavy loads of snow. If you must lift snow to get it out of your way, be sure to lift with your knees instead of your back. Back injuries are some of the most common injuries associated with manual snow removal.

Stay hydrated.

It can be easy to forget to drink enough water when you’re working in cold temperatures, but it’s important to stay hydrated when you shovel snow. Keep a bottle of water on hand, and take regular hydration breaks if you’re outside shoveling for more than a few minutes.