With winter upon us and snow in the forecast again, here are some Snow Blower Safety Tips.
- Dress properly to not only keep yourself warm but also safe.
- Wear boots with adequate traction.
- Wear ear and eye protection.
- Avoid long scarves or other loose clothing that could become caught in the snow blower's moving parts.
- Before you begin -
- Familiarize yourself with the manual and how to operate the snow blower, if new to using it.
- Inspect the area for items that may be in your path like tree branches.
- Check the snow blower's oil and gas level before each use.
- Always start the machine outside.
- While clearing snow -
- Watch where you're aiming the snow and avoid directing it towards people, cars, windows, lampposts or other items that could be damaged by debris.
- Keep your hands and feet away from all moving parts.
- Never override automatic shutoff features.
- Operate the blower at a speed you're comfortable keeping up with.
- Never reach into the blower shoot with your hands for any reason, even when the machine is off. Use a stick to loosen debris or packed snow/ice.
- Proper maintenance -
- Check the spark plug at the start of the season and replace if necessary.
- Maintain proper tire pressure for best handling.
- Run all of the gas out of the snow blower or drain it at the end of the season.
