Snow Blower Safety: Avoid Unnecessary Injury This Winter Print E-mail
Friday, 20 January 2012 15:03

Take the proper safety precautions to avoid unnecessary injury while clearing snow this winter.

Before Use

  • Be familiar with the operations manual.
  • Inspect the area you're about to clear. Look for things that may be hidden under the snow like doormats or newspapers.
  • Check the snow blower’s oil level before each use.
  • Never start the snow blower indoors. If you are in a garage, make sure the door is open before you start the machine.

Clearing Snow

  • Be aware of where you are aiming the shoot. Rocks and ice can become dangerous missiles if picked up by the blower.
  • Never blow snow toward people or cars.
  • Keep your hands and feet away from all moving parts.
  • Never override automatic shutoff features.
  • Do not operate the snow blower on a steep incline.
  • Operate the blower at a speed no faster than a walk.

Clogs and Jams

  • Turn the machine off and wait until all moving parts have stopped before attempting to fix anything.
  • Never reach into the blower shoot with your hands for any reason, even if the machine is off. Use a stick to work any debris out of the shoot.

Proper Maintenance Counts

  • Always add fresh fuel and oil at the start of each season; also, check the spark plug.
  • If you are using an electric snow blower or an electric start for a gas-powered blower, make sure any power cords being used are in good condition
  • Maintain proper tire pressure to provide the best handling.
  • Run all of the fuel out of the snow blower before storing it at the end of each season.