Use caution when using snow blowers

Updated: Wednesday, 09 Dec 2009, 9:39 PM EST
Published : Wednesday, 09 Dec 2009, 7:43 PM EST

• Lynn Barry

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - With the first significant snowfall here, people should use extreme caution when using snow blowers.

Each year, 5,000 people in this country suffer a hand injury from using a snow blower. Some of those injuries can be severe like losing a finger.

Hand surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Wint of the Hand Center of western Massachusetts says if you're snow blower jams, turn it off and never put your hands or feet in the intake or outtake.

If you have a snow blower that has a clutch, disengage the clutch. Then wait or delay about 10-15 seconds because it takes time for the machine to calm down and then use a stick.

Dr. Wint also said that 500 people each year lose a finger as a result of a snow blower injury.

Snow Blower Safety OCD STICK

As the first snowfall comes to the Northeast, we are reminded all too often of the devastating effecets of a snowblower injury to the hand. It is important to keep a few snowblower safety tips in mind.

If you remember anything SNOWBLOWER SAFETY ....OCD STICK

If a snow blower jams, turn it off, disengage the clutch, delay, wait until the machine has less torque as there may be still some "spin" left in the impeller. Finally use a stick or broom handle to clear the snow. Never use hands, fingers or feet. It is often the impeller that spins very quickly in the outflow chute that causes injury as the advancing finger dosnt know that this it at the bottom of the chute.

Heavy wet snow, greater than 6 inches and in conditions greater than 28 degrees F are associated with a greater frequency of injury. The most common injury is to the middle finger in a male aged 44 years.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL..OCD STICK

Put a stick on your snow blower, an old broom handle or a hockey stick tied to the hand works well. ( remember to watch out for flying debris ..your eyes.. as well)