This article was adapted from a publication of the Vermont Department of Public Safety Fire Safety Division.
Snowblower safety
While they can sometimes be fun to use, snowblowers and snowthrowers are not toys and shouldn't be treated as such. Used improperly, they cause thousands of injuries each year. Here's how you can use yours safely:
- Read and understand the procedures and precautions in your owner's manual.
- Only use the machine when you have good light and good visibility.
- Never move at a pace faster than a walk with the machine.
- Keep the work area clear of others, especially the kids and pets who don't understand the dangers.
- Clear the area of all obstacles that can clog the chute.
- Never put your hand in the blower while it's still running. If you have to remove snow or debris, turn it off, wait a few seconds, then use a stick or a broom handle to clear the obstruction.
- Never leave the blower or thrower unattended, and never let kids operate it.
- Wear boots that give you good traction in slippery conditions. Don't wear loose clothing that could get caught in the machine.
- Don't try to clear steep slopes with the snowblower; the machine isn't designed to do that safely.