Snow shoveling kills several people every year (Milwaukee, West Allis: houses, live in)

[AguaDulce]

Snow shoveling kills about a dozen people a year in Milwaukee, yet homeowners are required by law to shovel snow on sidewalks in front of their houses.

I'm a southern transplant, so I'm trying to understand this phenomenon. I don't mind shoveling personally. I'm just alarmed at the body count.

I mean, how many people die from walking on snowy sidewalks every year? Why force people to shovel?

[K12144]

You're obviously not disabled, nor close to anyone who is...

[Milwaukee City]

From someone who really enjoys shoveling, and I shovel my long drive way when I could easily use my snow blower, there is a trick to being able to shovel all day long without killing yourself...take smaller bites. That's it, when I see people shoveling they all are trying to get the most amount of snow on their shovel and toss it 6 ft away and they try to get it all done in under 20min. This is wrong, take your time and slowly shovel smaller loads and you will barely break a sweat. Granted on days like today I understand why you want to get it done asap, take a break, do the sidewalks then come back later and do driveways. It's not rocket surgery but people who rarely shovel act like it's a strongman competition oh sorry Strong Person competition. Be less rabbit more turtle.


Oh btw get an awesome shovel, the right tool is worth it's weight in gold!

[AguaDulce]

Originally Posted by K12144

You're obviously not disabled, nor close to anyone who is...

And you have obviously never lost anyone who died shoveling.

[AguaDulce]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

From someone who really enjoys shoveling, and I shovel my long drive way when I could easily use my snow blower, there is a trick to being able to shovel all day long without killing yourself...take smaller bites. That's it, when I see people shoveling they all are trying to get the most amount of snow on their shovel and toss it 6 ft away and they try to get it all done in under 20min. This is wrong, take your time and slowly shovel smaller loads and you will barely break a sweat. Granted on days like today I understand why you want to get it done asap, take a break, do the sidewalks then come back later and do driveways. It's not rocket surgery but people who rarely shovel act like it's a strongman competition oh sorry Strong Person competition. Be less rabbit more turtle.

Oh btw get an awesome shovel, the right tool is worth it's weight in gold!

Like I said, I actually don't mind shoveling. I always do it.

I'm just alarmed at the number of people who die shoveling snow every single time it snows.

[everwinter]

Shoveling out a driveway and push mowing a lawn are the only forms of exercise some people get. Add extreme weather to a poor cardiopulmonary system & those individuals are asking for trouble.

[AguaDulce]

Originally Posted by everwinter

Shoveling out a driveway and push mowing a lawn are the only forms of exercise some people get. Add extreme weather to a poor cardiopulmonary system & those individuals are asking for trouble.

And yet, homeowners are required by law to undertake these tasks. No liability issues?

[everwinter]

Where would walkers or commuters walk if sidewalks aren't shoveled? The street? There'd be more deaths then.

[AguaDulce]

Originally Posted by everwinter

Where would walkers or commuters walk if sidewalks aren't shoveled? The street? There'd be more deaths then.

Good point.

I live in West Allis. For the past week many people have been walking in the street anyway because, even if the sidewalks are shoveled, the snow plows push the snow so that it blocks the part of the sidewalk at the end of the block where it meets the street.

Just sayin.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by AguaDulce

. No liability issues?

None.