I now have the perfect excuse...

To not shovel snow anymore. With apologies to my wife, a new study confirms what I have known for some time - shoveling snow can be dangerous to your health.

A recent article on EHS Today, an industry publication for those involved in environment, health, and safety, details the risks associated with the timely tradition of getting up at the crack of dawn and dutifully heading out to do battle with the raging blizzard one driveway and one sidewalk at a time.

All joking aside, there really are risks associated with this wonderful winter tradition: an average of 11,500 snow shoveling-related injuries and medical emergencies were treated in U.S. emergency departments each year from 1990 to 2006. The article cites a study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the most common injury diagnoses were soft tissue injuries (55 percent), lacerations (16 percent) and fractures (seven percent). The lower back was the most frequently injured region of the body (34 percent), followed by injuries to the arms and hands (16 percent) and head (15 percent). Acute musculoskeletal exertion (54 percent), slips or falls (20 percent) and being struck by a snow shovel (15 percent) were the most frequent mechanisms of snow shovel-related injuries.

And yes, heart attacks are an increased risk while shoveling in the frigid cold. In fact, the cold alone is a factor for at-risk  individuals who have a history of medical conditions. "Cardiac-related events", which I guess is the new euphemism for what is more commonly known as a heart attack, accounted for only 7% of the cases but were responsible for more than 50% of the hospitalizations and 100% of the fatalities associated with snow shoveling.

The article points out that there are some things you can do to mitigate the risk.
The following are a few additional tips for preventing injuries when shoveling snow:

• Warm up with light exercise before you start.
• Make sure to pace yourself by taking frequent breaks for rest.
• The best way to clear snow is by pushing it instead of lifting.
• Ergonomically designed shovels can reduce the need for bending and heavy lifting.
• When possible, avoid large shoveling jobs by clearing snow several times throughout the day.
• Remember to wear warm clothing, including a hat, gloves and slip-resistant, high-traction footwear.

With all due respect to these great recommendations, I think I have a far better solution - the next time its a blizzard with the snow blowing sideways, just stay indoors by the fire. Watch out the window as the snow piles higher and higher and smile, comfortable in the knowledge that Spring is just a couple of months away. My new motto is if it's eventually going to melt away, why shovel it today? Now if I can only get my wife to buy in...