News Release                           For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                  December 8, 2009

Keep Your Fingers This Winter

Want to keep your fingers this winter? Keep them away from your jammed snow blower.

Each year, people present at hospital emergency rooms with injuries associated with snow thrower or blowers. The injuries range from severe cuts, crushed or broken bones, finger amputations (two-thirds of the injuries involve fingers), and even death. Most injuries are from attempts to clear the auger or discharge chute by hand, instead of using an appropriately sized, solid object. Even after the snow blower engine is turned off, an auger can rotate unexpectedly when the cause of a jam is removed.

“Ninety per cent of all injuries are not ‘accidents’ or acts of fate - they are predictable and preventable. And we want Grey Bruce residents to stay healthy and free of harm.” says Public Health Nurse, Krista Witzke. She offers the following steps to prevent injury when a snow blower jams.

If your snow blower jams:

• Turn it off
• Disengage the clutch
• Wait 5 seconds to allow the blades to stop rotating
• Always use a stick or broom handle to clear snow or ice jams
• Never put your hand down the chute or around the blades
• Keep all the shields in place

Manage the risks when dealing with snow removal this winter. Concentrate on what you are doing. Remember, safety first at all times!

For further information, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:

Krista Witzke

Public Health Nurse

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 2230