subject: Snow Blower Injuries Can Be Avoided [print this page] Every season brings with it a changing of the guard when it comes to lawn and garden equipment and home maintenance machinery.
The spring is for gardening tools, paint brushes and a little lawn mower repair or maintenance to ready our machines for the rigors of summer. Summertime is for riding mowers, walk-behind mowers, hedge trimmers and weed whackers. When autumns falls, we grab the leaf blower, rake or maybe the chainsaw to help us fortify our woodpile for the coming winter.
Now with the winter upon us, its time for our snow blowers and snow throwers to take center stage!
For all intents and purposes, the terms snow blower and snow thrower are interchangeable. These machines come in a wide variety of sizes; from the single-stage electric snow blower for small jobs, to the two-stage gas units for deep, heavy snowfalls. A well-running snow thrower can save time as well as wear and tear on your body. With a little snow thrower maintenance before the season begins, this machine can be your best friend.
ButBe Careful!
As with any piece of machinery especially those with blades or mechanisms which churn or grind caution and safety measures must always be adhered. When operating, cleaning or even performing light snow blower repair, never take anything for granted. Every year we hear stories of people attempting to unclog their snow throwers who have lost fingers or even hands in the process.
Numerous snow blower-related injuries are reported each winter. Unfortunately with additional snowfall in regions such as the Northeast, snow blower-related injuries are not likely to decrease.
With more snow on the ground, it can be a struggle to navigate and maneuver your snow thrower. As a result, slip and falls, as well as sprains, strains and the occasional broken bone are more likely to occur.
Some of the snow blower-related injuries reported so far this winter occurred while people attempted to unclog their snow blower by kicking it or even reaching inside or underneath it with their hands. This is not smart, and very dangerous. If you like the idea of having ten fingers and ten toes, step back from your machine. Take a breath, and approach your unclogging endeavors with a little more patience this time.
Safety Measures
If your snow thrower does become clogged or shuts down during use, make sure the engine is off and pull it into your garage or a snow-free area to give it some clearance. If its an electrical machine, unplug it. If its a gas-powered machine, take the extra precaution of removing the spark plug connection during maintenance.
Once you are assured the machine is turned off and theres no chance for it to restart, you can begin unclogging it and performing minor repairs. Sometimes all it takes to get your snow blower running again is to let the machine thaw for a few minutes so the snow and ice can melt from the blades or augers.
Overall, keep your snow blower well-maintained, even in the off season. And use common sense while operating it. Also, be careful when you approach any kind of debris or area where rocks or stones might lay underneath the snow. Always be aware of the direction you are throwing the snow.
Respect your machine and keep your cool when working in heavy snow. Its worth taking a little extra time rather than risking injury by being in a hurry.
by: David Cochran
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