Old Man Winter is peeking around the corner: Are you ready for his arrival?

This may be a hard pill to swallow right now, but the fact is we live in New England, and in New England winter means snow.

"Oh but the leaves are just starting to fall; we're still having a bit of an Indian Summer," you may say. That can change in an instant. What that means is be prepared. Protect yourself from the harshness of Old Man Winter in a variety of ways - from the clothes you wear to the tools and technique you use in shoveling snow.

Every year, physicians and staff at Baystate Medical Center advise people on the ill effects of improper shoveling, frost bite and other maladies that occur during the winter months. As the area's only and largest trauma center, BMC in Springfield treats an increasing number of patients who incur heart attacks, back injuries and severe frostbite during New England's harsh winter season.

"If you haven't already, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself on how to protect your heart while removing that often beautiful, but heavy white stuff," said Dr. John Santoro, vice chairman, Emergency Medicine, Baystate Medical Center, on the Baystate Health news website. "Persons who have coronary artery disease and other illness should avoid exposure to cold weather, especially when shoveling."  Anyone experiencing symptoms suggestive of a heart attack should be brought to the Emergency Department immediately.

Signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Pressure or pain in the chest, arms or neck
• Nausea.
• Lightheadedness.
• Sweating or feeling clammy.
• Unusual fatigue. 

Unusual exertion from shoveling snow can also cause severe back pain for those with healthy and bad backs, and result in pain in the hips and knees. A standard shovel full of snow weighs about 16 pounds. Shoveling 10 times every minute for ten minutes  alone is equivalent to lifting about 1,600 pounds after 10 minutes of shoveling.

For the elderly and disabled, shoveling snow and experiencing long periods of time in the cold is an even more harmful combination. We need to be neighborly and help them out. Get a youngster in the neighborhood to shovel their walkways, or call the city to inform them that snow removal services are needed. 

Winter and Snow Removal Safety Tips:

• Dress warmly with a hat, gloves, winter coat, scarf and boots. There are many agencies in Greater Springfield that provide free winter outerwear including the Salvation Army, the Springfield Rescue Mission, the Survival Center in Indian Orchard, area Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters and area churches.
• Stretch before you begin to shovel. Use the proper technique which means using a medium-sized ergonomically-designed shovel. Pick up smaller amounts of shovel on the blade and lift with your legs, not your arms.
• If you have a driveway, clear the snow build up at the base of the driveway near the street first while your strength is greatest; then clear the snow from the middle of the driveway pushing out to the sides from the middle. It's easier and results in less wear and tear on your body.
• Lastly, if you simply don't have the strength, physical wellness or stamina to shovel snow, then don't. Don't be too prideful to ask for help. It's better to seek help from someone then face a possible life-threatening health challenge because you didn't.

Now, let's all zip up our coats and buckle down for Mother Nature's next season of treats.