A suburban man injured multiple fingers while attempting to unclog a snow blower machine during the heavy snow in the Chicago area over the weekend.
About 2:01 p.m. Saturday, Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts were dispatched to the 600 block of W. Prairie St. after a call for a snow blower-related injury. When crews arrived, they found a man had suffered “deep lacerations” to several of his fingers after he tried to clear a clog in the machine.
The man was transported to a Rockford area hospital for treatment, Alex Vucha, Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts Public Information Officer said in a release.
The incident came as parts of the Chicago area saw heavy snow and hundreds of flights canceled due to a powerful winter storm. In counties to the north and west, including McHenry county, between eight and 11 inches of snow was recorded, the National Weather Service said.
More snow was on the way Monday evening, with “quickly deteriorating conditions” expected for the evening commute, the NBC 5 Storm Team said.
Vucha warned that such heavy, wet snow can clog snowblower equipment quickly, and trying to reach inside a chute can lead to “serious injuries,” even when the machine is powered off.
“Residents are reminded to fully shut off equipment, wait for all moving parts to stop, and avoid placing their hands in the chute or anywhere near the front opening where the blades turn,” he said in a release.
Earlier this year, NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Brant Miller shared essential snow blower safety tips in a video posted to social media.
“The most dangerous part of this machine is the chute,” Miller warned. “If it’s heavy wet snow, this can get clogged with ice. Never, ever put your hand down there. Use something like a broom handle, and make sure the machine is turned off.”
from NBC Chicago https://ift.tt/YZOzXSd
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