Gary Higgins, physical therapist and director of Rehabilitative Services for Blue Mountain Hospital, offered these tips:

PREVENTING BACK INJURIES WHILE SNOW SHOVELING:• Use an ergonomic shovel. That's a shovel that has a curved shaft that allows you to reach the snow without bending excessively at the waist or back, which helps prevent injury. • Shovel small portions rather than bigger, heavier portions. Smaller portions are lighter.• Bend your knees to reach the snow with a shovel, and try to keep your back as vertical as possible. This will help prevent back strain.• Take rest periods. This allows your muscles and joints to recover, and it helps to prevent muscular strain from overuse.PREVENTING SLIPS AND FALLS:• Plan your outside excursions around the weather, if possible. Wait for sidewalks to be cleared of ice and snow.• Use salt or ice melt on your outside main walkways.• Remove snow from your outside walkways.• Take short steps when walking on ice, and walk flat-footed. This helps keep your center of gravity over your front leg."Walk like a penguin!" Higgins said.• Keep your hands free and out of your pockets to help with your balance.• Ask for help to walk over potentially icy surfaces.• Avoid hurrying. Don't run, walk slowly with short steps.• Wearing cleats or traction devices on your shoes or boots can be helpful to prevent slipping on ice.Brian W. Myszkowski