An adult man suffered serious lacerations to several fingers on his left hand on Saturday afternoon (29) in Marengo, in the state of Illinois, in Estados Unidos. The accident occurred around 2pm local time when the victim attempted to manually unclog a snow blower clogged by heavy, wet snow.
Teams from Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts were called to the 600 block of West Prairie Street. At the scene, firefighters found the man with deep injuries and immediately transported him to a hospital in the Rockford region, where he received specialized care.
The case revives the warning about the risks of domestic accidents with snow removal equipment, especially on days of intense precipitation.
Heavy snow increases the risk of clogging
The snow that has fallen in the region in recent days has a wet and heavy characteristic, typical of the end of November in the American West. Esse type of snow easily adheres to the blades and ejection tube of blowers, causing frequent blockages.
Many users try to solve the problem by inserting their hand into the tube even when the machine is turned off. Mesmo Without electrical energy or combustion, the blades can move by inertia or gravity, causing serious cuts or even amputations.
Official firefighter guidance
The spokesperson for Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts, Alex Vucha, reinforced the safety recommendations in a statement released on Saturday.
- Completely turn off the equipment and remove the ignition key or disconnect the battery.
- Wait for the parts to stop moving completely before carrying out any intervention.
- Never insert hands or feet into the outlet tube or propeller area.
- Use the unclogging tool that comes with most models.
Correct procedure in case of blockage
Manufacturers and fire departments advise following four simple steps when the blower clogs. Primeiro, turn off the engine and wait at least 30 seconds. Then, use the stick or plastic tool provided by the manufacturer to push away the accumulated snow.
If the tool is not available, it is recommended to carefully tilt the equipment or wait for natural melting. Attempting to unclog manually is the main cause of accidents recorded every year in the winter season.
History of similar accidents in the region
Cases of lacerations and amputations from snow blowers occur frequently in the state of Illinois and others in the Meio-West region during severe winter weather. Hospitais of Rockford and Chicago report a significant increase in calls of this type between November and March.
The majority of victims are men aged between 30 and 65 who underestimate the residual risk from propellers. Muitos accidents happen even when the machine is turned off, reinforcing the need to strictly follow the safety protocol.
Preventive measures for winter
Home safety experts recommend a complete review of equipment before the season. Verificar cables, connections and the presence of the unclogging tool prevents dangerous improvisations.
Keeping protective gloves and safety glasses on also reduces consequences in case of unforeseen circumstances. Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts announced that it will intensify educational campaigns in the coming weeks, taking advantage of the official start of winter in the northern hemisphere.
Numbers that worry authorities
In the Estados Unidos, about 5,000 to 7,000 people visit emergency rooms annually for snowblower-related injuries, according to federal data. Desse total, approximately 10% result in partial or total finger amputations.
Most cases could be avoided by using the cleaning tool correctly or by waiting for moving parts to stop completely. Statistics also show that the risk is greater in the first snowfalls of the season, when users are not yet accustomed to the necessary precautions.
The man injured in Marengo remains hospitalized for detailed surgical evaluation. Até At the moment, there is no official information about the possibility of full recovery of mobility in the affected fingers.
