If you use a snow thrower to clear the snow off your driveway or sidewalk this winter, beware. Government safety experts report thousands of people are injured each year while using such machines.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), some 2,800 people were treated in 1990 in hospital emergency rooms for snow thrower injuries. Most of the injuries occurred when consumers, thinking the machine's augers stopped rotating, put their hands into the auger/collector or discharge chute to clear snow or debris. Many consumers sustained severe hand and finger injuries, even amputations.
CPSC offers the following safety hints for snow thrower users:
-Always stop the engine before removing clogged snow. Use a push stick or similar item, not your hands. If repairs or adjustments are to be made, stop the engine first.
-Always keep your hands and feet away from all moving parts.
-Never leave a running machine unattended; always shut off the engine if you must leave the machine.
-Add gasoline to the tank outdoors and never to a running or hot engine. Always keep gasoline cans capped and stored out of the house and away from ignition sources.
-Inspect the machine often for loose or missing safety guards, loose nuts, bolts and fasteners. Always refer to the owner's manual for instructions on care and maintenance.
-If you use an electric-powered snow thrower, keep the power cords clear of the blades at all times.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is providing this information as part of its mission to protect the public from the unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
- Visit CPSC.gov.
- Sign up to receive our email alerts.
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- Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 800-638-8270).
- Contact a media specialist.
Please use the below phone number for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800