Illinois winters always find a way to humble us.  Every year, snow comes down in blizzards, the plows bury our driveways even deeper, and we all get that annual reminder that surviving winter here was really a choice.  A bad one.

While most of us dust off our snowblowers the second a snowflake hits the ground, there's a whole other layer to this season that people don't think about: safety.  Like, "this could change the entire trajectory of my life" safety.

Illinois Homeowners: Snowblower Blades Can Shred Fingers in Seconds

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Recently, an Illinois man learned just how quickly things can go wrong when operating heavy machinery, like a snowblower.  According to Marengo Fire & Rescue, he was trying to clear a clog in his snowblower, something we've all been tempted to do because snow gets packed in there like cement.  But instead of turning off the machine and waiting for everything to stop moving, he reached into the chute while the blower was still running.

You probably know what happened next.

In seconds, the blades struck his hand, leaving him with deep lacerations to multiple fingers.  He ended up needing medical attention.  It's a scary reminder that snowblowers aren't toys.  They're tools built to chew through ice and snow, and they absolutely do not care if your hand gets caught in the way.

"Snowblowers can typically be clogged by heavy, wet snow, especially when freshly fallen or actively accumulating on the ground. While these clogs typically have to be cleared by going in side the machine, Vucha advised against reaching inside to do so, as it can lead to serious injuries even when the snowblower is off." [the-sun]

 

Related: Northern Illinois Snowfall Totals From The Weekend Storm

So this winter, while we continue to have random blizzards, take a second to remember the basics:

• Turn the machine completely off before touching anything
• Use an inanimate object or tool to clear the area (not your hand!)
• Wear gloves with grip, durable enough to withstand blades
• Never assume the blades stop rotating the moment you let go of the handle

Winter in Illinois is already stressful enough, the last thing anyone needs is a trip to the ER because of a rushed moment.  Stay safe, stay warm, and let the snowblower do its job... without cutting your fingers off!