| On a cold snowy day, the only thing you are | | | | with a special baton-like object to use for this |
| interested in is how fast you can clear your | | | | purpose. |
| driveway of the white stuff and get back inside. | | | | Like any piece of lawn equipment, gas-powered |
| You've used your snowblower hundreds of times | | | | snow blowers emit carbon monoxide. Never run |
| before and never had any problems. What could | | | | one in an enclosed area and never leave a |
| go wrong this time? | | | | snowthrower unattended. Several people die |
| The Consumer Product Safety Commission | | | | every decade from snowblower-related carbon |
| estimates that more than 5,740 hospitalizations | | | | monoxide poisoning. |
| are the result of snow blower accidents. The | | | | Operating a snow thrower is like driving a car. |
| majority of these cases involve loss of fingers, | | | | Always watch where you're going and be mindful |
| but there are always a few accidents each year | | | | of what's around you. Colliding with a large rock |
| where someone dies. You may be in a rush to | | | | could ruin that $2,000 snowblower, but hitting a |
| finish your job and sit back and relax, but you | | | | person or small animal could have more |
| owe it to yourself and others to operate your | | | | permanent consequences. A number of people |
| snow thrower in a safe manner. Before ever | | | | have died over the years after being run over by |
| turning on any piece of lawn equipment, make | | | | a snow blower. To avoid a needless charge of |
| sure you read the manual and understand the ins | | | | manslaughter, pay attention and make sure you |
| and outs of the machine. You don't want to be | | | | have clear visibility. On a windy day, goggles might |
| learning what this button does or find out your | | | | be appropriate to keep snow out of the eyes. |
| blower had that time-saving feature halfway | | | | Just like you would turn off your automobile's |
| through winter. Reading the manual will not only | | | | engine before filling the tank, give your snow |
| help you maintain your equipment and lengthen its | | | | blower the same treatment. Otherwise your |
| life span, but also avoid safety pitfalls. | | | | investment could turn into a pile of flames. Also |
| Most fatalities occur when someone tries to clear | | | | be sure to fill the tank outdoors. If using an |
| a blockage in the snow blower. The auger | | | | electric blower, be mindful of where the extension |
| (spinning blade that collects snow) and chute can | | | | cord is and don't run over it. |
| sometimes get clogged with debris or wet snow, | | | | This guide is by no means all-inclusive. Always |
| and the user, either frustrated or unknowing, | | | | read your manual and if you have any questions |
| might try to clear the blockage with his hand. | | | | or concerns, contact the appropriate safety |
| These are the people who end up in the hospital | | | | expert. With a little common sense and attention, |
| begging to have fingers reattached. Instead of | | | | what should be a simple winter task doesn't have |
| using your hand, employ a stick or broom handle | | | | to turn into a trip to the emergency room. |
| as an alternative. Some snow blowers even come | | | | |