Grey Bruce Public Health Nurse Krista Witzke says while stats are not available on frequency, most injuries result when people try to clear jams in their machines.
Witzke says typical injuries are severe cuts, broken bones, finger amputations, and even death – 19 deaths have been reported since 1992.
Witzke reminds us we have already seen the first major injury of the season.
A 61 year old Chatsworth area man severed his hand on December 9th when he reached into his snow blower to clear a blockage.
Witzke says simply turning off your machine before you try to clear something is not enough – the auger can still rotate unexpectedly when the jam is removed.
Witzke says you HAVE to turn off the spark plug.
And she says never use your hands to clear a jam – instead, use an appropriately sized solid object like a stick or broom handle.
