From the Marengo Fire/Rescue Districts:
Snow Blower Injury Prompts Safety Reminder
As our community continues to clear snow from this weekend’s winter storm, the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts encourage residents to stay mindful of snow blower safety.
On Saturday, November 29, at 2:01pm, the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts were dispatched to the 600 block of W. Prairie Street in Marengo for a snow blower related injury.
Crews arrived a short time later and located an adult man who had suffered deep lacerations to multiple fingers after attempting to clear a clog in the machine.
Paramedics provided care and transported him to a Rockford area hospital for further treatment.
Heavy, wet snow can clog equipment quickly, and attempting 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.
Taking simple precautions and remembering to use a clearing tool can significantly reduce the risk of injury.
