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Politics & Government

Snow Blower Safety Tips

Recently, there were about 590 finger amputations involving snow blowers.

With more snow on the way Thursday, it's a good idea to review some simple snow blower safety tips. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in a recent year there were approximately 590 finger amputations involving snow blowers and 5,740 emergency room related injuries due to snow blowers.  

Injuries most frequently occur when people try to unclog their snow blowers by using their hands.  Take some time to review the following snow blower safety tips and keep them in mind throughout this winter season:

  • Stop the engine and use a long stick to unclog wet snow and debris from the machine.
  • Do not use your hands to unclog a snow thrower.
  • Always keep hands and feet away from all moving parts.
  • Never leave the machine running in an enclosed area.
  • Add fuel to the tank outdoors before starting the machine; don't add gasoline to a running or hot engine. Always keep the gasoline can capped, and store gasoline out of the house and away from ignition sources.

If you have an electric-powered snow thrower, be aware of where the power cord is at all times.

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