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Snowblower Safety: What You Need to Know

When a winter storm strikes, snowblowers are hugely helpful for clearing driveways and sidewalks, making them safer for cars and pedestrians. Using a snowblower instead of a shovel can help prevent the aches and pains that come with repeatedly lifting and moving heavy piles of snow.

But for all their health and safety benefits, snowblowers have also been linked to frightening wintertime injuries, some resulting in amputation. A study from the University of Arkansas found that there were more than 32,000 cases of snowblower-related injuries being treated in U.S. emergency departments over a six-year span.

Make no mistake, said Mike Pankow. Your average snowblower, he said, is "very dangerous and very powerful." Pankow, the president of Glen Rock Mower Service in Glen Rock, New Jersey, has been in the business of servicing snow blowers for 30 years. Customers complain of snowblower injuries nearly every year, not to mention property damage -- think mangled garden hoses -- that results from careless snowblower use.

  1. Hands Off

    • Pankow's top tip on snowblower safety is also just good common sense: Read the snowblower's manual. "Get to know the machine, start it and know how everything works," Pankow said. One of the things you may learn is that your snowblower has sharp, rotating metal augers powered by a strong engine -- this machinery is one of the reasons snowblowers can be so dangerous.

      Which leads us to another tip from Pankow: Don't ever try to reach into your snowblower with your bare hands. Whether it's the front of the machine that takes in snow -- also known as the hopper -- or its discharge shoot, know that both openings are dangerous. "You can get your hand stuck in it, lacerate fingers or amputate fingers," Pankow noted.

      If the snowblower is jammed and you're intent on fixing it yourself, shut off the machine and then use the tool that likely came with your blower. "A lot of snow blowers today are equipped with a clean out stick or brush," Pankow said.

    Plan Ahead

    • Of course, it's better to avoid dealing with a clogged machine in the first place. To do that, keep an eye out for objects that could get stuck in the blower, like newspapers, garden hoses, welcome mats and even decorative holiday lights. You'll be in the best shape, Pankow said, if you plan ahead: When the forecast calls for snow, make sure your driveway and sidewalks are clear of such objects before the flakes start falling.

      After the snow hits the ground, but before you turn on the blower, take a look in the mirror: Is what you're wearing appropriate for snowblower use? Pankow said you'll want to steer clear of any loose clothing like dangling scarves that can easily get caught in the machine. You'll also want to have on proper footwear: boots that won't slide on slippery patches of ice.

      But even the best footwear can't help you avoid every stumble. If you do fall, be sure to let go of the machine immediately. "Machines have safety devices on them," Pankow explained. "If you let go of it, the rotating parts are going to stop turning. It will stop traveling and the augers will shut down and stop spinning."

    Avoid Kids, Pets and Intoxication

    • A few more common sense tips:

      *Make sure children and pets aren't nearby when using your snowblower.
      *Don't operate your snowblower after consuming alcohol.
      *If you need to machine to move backwards, put it in reverse mode to reduce your chances of slipping.

      Last but not least: Drain your snowblower of gasoline before storing it at the end of the season. Leaving it unused and full of gas for an extended period can damage your machine. "It's not that it's dangerous, but it'll lead to an engine that won't start," Pankow said, "and now you're back to your shovel."

    Snowblower Injuries: Who Gets Hurt?

    • According to a 2010 study published in the journal Academic Emergency Medicine, men between the ages of 40 and 59 are the most likely to seek emergency department care for injuries related to snow blowers. In the data analyzed for the study, nearly 10 times more men than women were treated for injuries while the age breakdown for emergency department visits was as follows:

      *19 and Under: 5.9%
      *20 to 39: 23%
      *40 to 59: 43.7%
      *60 and Older: 27.4%

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