The snowblower can lend a hand during a wet Chicago winter, but it also can maim hands. Each year, snow-blower accidents account for nearly 6,000 emergency room-related injuries.
Here are some tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission for those clearing away the white stuff with a snow blower:
– 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-blower.
– 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 blower, be aware of where the power cord is at all times.
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Edited by Curt Wagner (cwwagner@tribune.com) and Kris Karnopp (kkarnopp@tribune.com)
