Snow Blower Safety Tips

Now that the snow is beginning to fly, many people are turning to snow blowers for help keeping their sidewalks, walkways, and driveways clear. As convenient and labor-saving as snow blowers are, it shouldn’t be overlooked that using these powerful machines incorrectly can lead to serious injuries.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2021 there were over 4,200 snow blower related injuries treated in the ER with over 40 percent of those injuries to the wrist, hand, and finger.

The five most common snowblower injuries include:

1. Broken bones (25.9%)

2. Lacerations (20.2%)

3. Strains/Sprains (15.0%)

4. Amputated fingers or hands (11.2%)

5. Contusions/abrasion (10.2%)

Of those injuries, the majority (44.5%) are the result of placing a hand into the snow blower shoot.

To avoid becoming a statistic, follows these five tips for using a snow thrower provided by the CPSC:

1. Stop the engine and use a safety tool such as a snow blower clean out tool to unclog wet snow and debris from the machine. Most modern snow blowers come with these tools, or you can purchase them separately.  If you do not have a clean out tool, you can use a long stick.  Do NOT use your hands to unclog a snow thrower. Even if the snowblower is turned off, it can have stored energy and recoil once the clog is removed.  Stay safe!

2. Always keep your hands and feet away from all moving parts.

3. Never leave the machine running in an enclosed area.

4. Add fuel to the tank outdoors before starting the machine; don’t add gasoline to a running or hot engine. Always keep the gasoline can capped, and store gasoline out of the house and away from ignition sources.

5. If you have a plug-in electric-powered snow thrower, be aware of where the power cord is at all times.

Other important safety measures to follow when operating your machine include:

• Wear ear protection.
• Wear goggles or safety glasses, especially if you are unclogging the machine, to protect your eyes from flying debris.
• Always aim your snow blower with care to avoid injuring others or damaging property.
• Stay focused while snow blowing.
• Wear boots with traction to avoid slipping.
• Do not drink alcohol or use narcotics before using your snow blower.
• Never remove safety devices, such as shields, from your snow blower.
• Keep children and pets inside while operating your machine.  

Finally, always respect that your snow blower is a piece of power equipment—emphasis on power. Following these tips can help you avoid a life-altering injury to yourself and others.  

David Veltre, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity surgery at SVMC Orthopedics, which has offices in Bennington, VT and Williamstown, MA.